Must-Have Cold Weather Hunting Gear: Mid-Season Recos from the Pros

Seasoned hunters know that what works for an early or late-season hunt may not work as well for a mid-season hunt. However, if you're new to hunting, you may be pulling together a gear set for an October hunt for the first time.

So, whether you're gearing up for the first time or you're looking for something new to add to (or replace) your current setup, our pros are here to help.

We already talked about some of our best recommendations for early-season gear. Keep reading for some of our best recommendations for that mid-season hunt that could be your first time out for colder-weather hunting this season!
 

In this guide we'll cover:

Clothing for Layering

Tree Saddles and Gear

Binos, Scopes, and Sights

A Hunting Pack for Your Mid-Season Gear

What Our HuntWise Pros Recommend

How to Save With HuntWise Gear Discounts

Clothing Layers for a Mid-Season Hunt

Mid-season weather can be unpredictable. Hunters often deal with fluctuating temperatures and conditions, depending on when and where they hunt.

Layering your hunting clothing allows for easy adjustment to stay warm during cold mornings and cool down as the day heats up. Moisture-wicking base layers and insulating outerwear are crucial, along with a good scent control method to keep your smells to yourself and avoid getting winded.

Here are a few of our favorite pieces for layering during your hunt:

ScentLok BE:1 Voyage Pant: These pants provide easy movement, comfort, and moisture-wicking while keeping you quiet when moving through the woods or in and out of your tree stand. They also absorb your scent!
ScentLok BE:1 Voyage Jacket: Another quiet piece for your mid-season clothing closet, this jacket is made of premium fleece fabric with moisture-wicking and scent-blocking properties.
Sitka Core Merino 330 Hoodie: Are hoodies more your style for a hunt? This heavyweight hoodie from Sitka will keep you warm while (again) wicking moisture and controlling your scent in the field.
Sitka Fanatic Gloves: Don't forget about your hands! Cold mornings call for the right pair of gloves that keep your fingers warm without restricting your trigger feature for an early morning tag out.

These are just a few pieces that can keep you comfortable in the field this season. For more recos, check out our Staff Picks, presented by Quinn Badder in the video below. 

Tree Saddles and Gear

If you hunt from a tree saddle or stand, you need the right gear to keep yourself safe while setting you up for a clear shot.

Mid-season hunts often mean you spend more time in your stand as deer patterns shift, so we have a few recommendations to keep you comfortable and safe from an elevated position.

Tethrd Phantom Saddle Kit: This saddle kit is an ultralight option for a quick climb and safe, secure sit while you wait for that buck to walk by. It includes everything you need to stay safe and comfortable in the tree. option for
Tethrd Predator Platform: This platform helps give your legs a break while in your saddle while offering 360-degree shooting angles from your perch.
Tethrd HYS Gear Strap: When hunting from a tree, you know not to carry your gear up with you or hold it in your lap. This strap makes it easy (and safe) to get your gear into the tree and keep it there for your sit.

Whether you're a seasoned saddle hunter or trying it for the first time this season, make sure you have the right gear to stay safe while off the ground.

Binos, Scopes, and Sights

During this time of the season, those deer may be more spread out and harder to see. You'll need some help to spot and accurately identify the game you're after from a distance.

You need a quality pair of binoculars and a solid scope to line up your shot from a distance. Here are a few we love!

Vortex Razor HD 10x42 Binoculars: Lightweight and ideal for various terrains, take this with you to spot that buck deer or bull elk from afar.
Vortex Diamondback Riflescope: For rifle hunters, you can't go wrong with the scope. It's extremely durable, waterproof, fogproof, and resistant to recoil while helping you line up a clear shot.
CBE Trek Pro Sight: Bowhunters, this one is for you! This sight can handle almost any distance with plenty of features to help you make a shot that counts during your mid-season hunt.

Learn more about these scopes and binos, plus some of our other favorite cold-weather hunting gear for mid-season success, in the video below from our very own Nate Huizenga.
 

A Hunting Pack

If you feel like you're carrying more things for a mid-season hunt compared to the early season, you're not alone, and that's probably true.

So, you need a good backpack with plenty of space to carry extra layers, snacks, water, gear, and tools to process the game you kill during a successful hunt.

Here are a couple of our favorite packs for a great hunt.

Scentlok BE:1 Grinder Treestand Pack: This is the ultimate hunt for elevated hunting, whether you're in a stand or a saddle. With removable compression straps, plenty of compartments for organization, and odor-absorbing technology, this is one of our favorite packs for a mid-season hunt.
Scentlok Grinder Lite Pack: Still going light for your hunt during the mid-season? This light pack from ScentLok still delivers plenty of storage and durability with scent control.

Remember: your pack needs to carry in — and out — everything you need for the day in the field, so choose one wisely! 

What Do HuntWise Pros Recommend?

We've shared some of our favorite staff picks for mid-season hunting gear recommendations, but what about some of our HuntWise Pros?

They have some excellent recommendations, too!

• Check out what Jeff Sturgis uses when hunting mid-season.
• See what John Dudley packs for a cold-weather hunt.

Ultimately, the "best" gear is the gear that works best for you! Experiment until you build your ideal mid-season hunting gear kit, then get out and hunt.

Be Sure to Take Advantage of HuntWise Gear Discounts

Did you know that your HuntWise hunting app subscription gives you access to discounts on gear? That means you can save significantly on gear items from partners in our gear program!

HuntWise Pro and Elite subscribers can apply discounts on some of the gear from our partners. To get your codes:

1. Head to your HuntWise app and log into your account.
2. Then, click the "Shop" tab.
3. Find the brand that matches the gear you want, then grab the discount code. (Remember: each brand has a different code).
4. Then, click the product links above or listed in the YouTube descriptions when watching our gear videos.
5. Apply the code at checkout!

Hunters can save up to 40% on some of these items — so don't let this perk go to waste if you're a Pro or Elite user!

Hunt Better with HuntWise and the Best Cold-Weather Hunting Gear

Gear can make or break your hunt. We know that hunters not only need the best tool to e-scout hunting areas and plan around animal movement and weather (i.e., using HuntWise to plan your hunt), but hunters also need tested-and-true gear for successful hunts throughout various seasons and weather conditions.

That's why we're bringing our favorite gear pieces to you! When we head out for mid-season, cold-weather hunts, we use these items and love them — and we want you to have an edge over other hunters when in the field with our app and using gear we know can help you hunt better.

So, if anything in these gear recommendations stands out to you, make sure you have a Pro or Elite subscription to spend less on them! You'll also gain access to more features within the HuntWise app to plan and enjoy better hunts when upgrading your subscription.

Download the app for free and try it free for a week!