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Much like most outdoor activities, there are risks associated with hunting.
Accidents involving firearms and vehicles can happen if you or your companions aren’t careful. Given the rugged outdoor terrain, you can also injure yourself if you don’t watch your step. Plus, with so many animals and insects around, there’s always that small chance that they could become aggressive and start going after you.
Another thing you must be mindful of if you’re planning to go hunting is the weather. To be more specific, you need to consider how cold it may be away from the comfort of your home. This is especially important if you intend to spend an extended period of time outdoors.
Being exposed to cold temperatures for a long time can be very damaging to the body.
Apart from becoming very uncomfortable, staying outdoors when it’s cold can lead to you suffering from hypothermia. According to the Mayo Clinic, hypothermia takes hold when your body temperature drops below 95 degrees Fahrenheit.
As your internal temperature continues to drop, different parts of your body will start to function abnormally. If you aren’t able to warm yourself up quickly enough, you may even die from hypothermia.
Needless to say, staying warm as you’re hunting should be your priority. Thankfully, there are some easy-to-follow tips that will help you remain warm as you continue your quest to take down your prey.
We will specifically highlight the tips that will help you keep your feet as warm as they can possibly be. Focusing on the feet is important because they tend to be among the first parts of your body that get cold.
Without further ado, let’s get to those tips.
Choose Socks Made from Specific Materials
Whenever the subject of keeping feet nice and cozy comes up, it doesn’t take long for socks to be mentioned. The additional layer of comfort and warmth they provide can make a huge difference once the temperatures start to dip outdoors.
You can’t just pick out any old pair of socks from your closet though. What you need are socks that are capable of keeping moisture away from your feet while simultaneously keeping them warm.
Socks made from merino wool are the best ones to wear if you are going to spend the next few hours outdoors. They will effectively wick away any moisture buildup and ensure that your feet remain dry.
If you don’t have any merino wool socks available, at least look for socks that can still keep some moisture separate from your body. You should also steer clear of cotton because that will just hold on to the moisture and cause your feet to get cold faster.
Wearing multiple pairs of socks is another option to consider if you find that your feet get cold quickly.
Splurge on a High Quality Pair of Winter Hunting Boots
Hunting can be quite a costly hobby. You will likely have to spend a fair amount of money to get the weapons and other gear you will need.
Because you are already spending a lot on your hunting gear, you may attempt to save by purchasing cheaper boots. Doing so is a risky move however.
Remember that hunting often involves trekking through rugged environments. Sticks and sharp rocks lying on the ground could scratch up your inexpensive boots and even tear a hole in them, thus leading to cold air coming in and affecting your feet. The ground can also become slippery because of rain or morning dew.
Good winter boots will prevent you from slipping on those wet surfaces because they can provide more traction and they are also highly durable.
Plus, many of those boots offer more than enough insulation.
Don’t shy away from purchasing winter boots just because they come with big price tags attached. Just keep in mind that the medical bills you may have to pay if you slip or suffer from hypothermia could be even more costly.
Invest in a good pair of boots and put those worries to rest.
Ensure That the Socks and Boots Fit Well on Your Feet
Fit is obviously important when it comes to anything you’re wearing, but it becomes even more crucial if you are trying to stave off the elements. The ideal fit for your socks and shoes is something along the lines of being snug, but not clingy.
Socks and shoes that cling too tightly to your feet can lead to poor blood circulation. That, in turn, can cause your feet to grow cold.
You should also check out how the boots fit over your lower leg. Try to find boots that don’t open up along your lower leg so that raindrops and additional moisture will not reach your feet.
Accessorize if Needed
Cold tolerance can differ from one person to the next. While wearing the right socks and boots may be enough to keep some comfortably warm outdoors, others may need more help.
If you are among those who get cold easily, you may want to look into purchasing additional accessories.
Insulating pads can be placed inside your boots to provide additional warmth. Along with the insulating pads, you can also place boot covers over your footwear. The boot covers will prevent any moisture from seeping in.
Hunters who like camping on specific spots for hours may also want to take an insulated mat or even just some cardboard along with them. You can stand on the mat or piece of cardboard as you’re waiting to keep your feet from getting cold.
Always Dry Out Your Footwear
Lastly, if you intend to spend multiple days and nights outdoors, you must remember to dry out your boots. Keep them someplace where they can dry properly so that they won’t be damp the next time you wear them.
As for the socks, you should probably bring more than one pair if the hunting trip is going to extend past one day.
You won’t be able to hunt well if you’re uncomfortable and cold feet are primary sources of discomfort outdoors. Always wear the right gear to keep your feet warm and while you’re at it, protect the other parts of your body by investing in additional items such as hunting gloves.
Prevent your cold feet from robbing you of a great hunting experience by heeding the tips in this article.
