There is no such thing as bad weather, only inappropriate clothing for the conditions.
While you might think you only need a warm jacket when venturing into the great outdoors to go hunting or fishing during the cooler months, there can be much more involved in keeping yourself warm and comfortable.
Hunting, fishing or camping in the cold weather requires a knowledge of how to best layer clothing so that you can stay warm.
When the time comes to plan your next hunting trip into the wilderness, take a moment to consider the following information, so that you can learn all about how to layer winter clothing so that you feel comfortable enough to explore all that nature has to offer.
How to Remain Warm in the Great Outdoors
When you put on warm clothing to head outside, your goal should always be to manage moisture, maintain your heat level for comfort, and create a barrier between the elements and your skin.
You might enjoy beingalone in the outdoors… you just don’t want to be COLD and alone!
Not all cold-winter clothing is created equal. So, purchasing high-quality outdoor garments from well-known companies like Kryptek and others is a critical component of remaining warm in the great outdoors, but it’s also helpful to understand the science behind retaining your body heat to know how to wear your clothing appropriately.
You may not have theanatomy of a deer to keep you warm in cold conditions, you can learn to layer clothing in a manner that protects youfrom the elements.
During winter, you’re often faced with many challenging elements, such as wind, rain, and cold temperatures. Heat is easily transferred from your body into the environment, and it’s easier to lose heat than it is to retain it.
So, whether you’re ice fishing or hunting, you need to have knowledge of how sweat affects your body and heat levels. Body heat can be pulled away from your body much faster when it’s wet with perspiration than if it were dry.
One of the best ways to stay warm, regardless of how you layer your clothing, is by being cold before you begin your hunting trip in earnest. If you add all your winter layers and then stand in front of a heater before venturing outside, you might start sweating and lose much-needed body heat.
Moisture is the enemy when it comes to staying warm in colder weather, as it robs you of body heat.
So, as challenging as it might be to immediately venture outside to start hiking once you’ve put on your multiple layers, it can be essential for giving your body the best chance of retaining its heat.
When you’re trying to dress warmly in cold weather, it can sometimes feel like you have to pack an entire closet full of clothing when you go on a winter hunting adventure or that you have to wear multiple layers until you’re no longer comfortable.
However, if you apply the right layering strategy, you might be surprised at how easy it can be to prepare for an outdoor trip.
Before heading out, read up on the weather conditions you can expect. This allows you to take all necessary precautions with supplies and provides insight into the type of clothing you need to take with you and what to wear when you set off.
You’ll need to continually layer up and down on most hunting trips. Take note of how your body is feeling, and when you’re feeling too warm, take off a layer before you start sweating.
If weather conditions change and rain or snow sets in, you can add more layers from your hunting backpack, including a waterproof jacket to keep your mid layers warm and retain your body heat. Weather conditions can change rapidly, so you may be layering up and down throughout your hunting trip.
Adopt the W.I.S.E System
If you’re new to hunting, it may not be immediately apparent which clothing you should buy to remain warm, dry, and comfortable.
However, you might have a much easier shopping experience when you familiarize yourself with the W.I.S.E system. This system involves:
Wicking – Next-to-skin base layers
Insulating – Mid layers, such as fleece or a down jacket
Sheltering – Rain jacket and rain pants
Extra – Additional layers in case of an emergency, such as an unexpected snowstorm
The W.I.S.E system will give you a fundamental understanding of the basic garments to purchase, but don’t forget to buy wool socks, waterproof boots, hats, and gloves.
Now that you’re aware of the garments you require for the W.I.S.E system, you can learn more about each layer and how it contributes to your overall warmth, dryness, and comfort.
A base layer is a snug-fitting set of garments designed to wick sweat away from your skin to keep you dry.
When choosing a base layer, go with wool, silk or synthetics, rather than cotton(photo credit: Wikihow.com)
While cotton can be a preference for everyday wear, it’s less suitable for outdoor activities like hunting.
Instead, opt for base layers featuring wool, silk, or synthetic fabrics. Your top base layer can be a long or short-sleeve shirt and leggings with these materials, paired with a high-quality pair of synthetic or wool socks.
Equally as important as your base layer is your insulating layer. This layer prevents the outdoor environment from taking your much-needed body heat.
The insulating layer will help maintain valuable body heat while in the cold weather. (photo credit Wikihow.com)
Typically, you would wear a wool or microfleece top, a puffer jacket, and fleece leggings. You can also pair your insulating layer with a wool or fleece hat and neck gaiter, glove liners, and insulating socks.
If you are going on a hunting or fishing trip, you certainly like to see favorable weather conditions. However, weather conditions can certainly change, and sometimes rapidly.
Wearing a shelteringlayer is critical inprotecting the insulating layer underneath. (photo credit: Wikihow.com)
You might be caught out in the rain or snow when you least expect it, and you need to protect your insulating layer at all costs.
Pack a sheltering layer, and you can be prepared for any eventuality. Typically, this layer consists of a pair of rain pants and a rain jacket, both of which need to be waterproof to remain effective.
When there are so many different types of outdoor and hunting clothing for sale, it can be hard to know what will be the most comfortable and practical. While there are many desirable options, some stand out more than others.
For example, merino wool, a natural fiber sourced from sheep, is a moisture-wicking base layer that is odor-resistant and temperature regulating.
When adventuring outdoors in colder weather, merino wool is a great moisture wicking base layer that is also odor resistant.
You might also consider synthetic fleece as a mid layer option, which is both affordable and warm. Although, it’s not an ideal wind-resistant layer.
Synthetic and down jackets can be an effective insulating mid layer, while nylon is ideal for keeping you dry. Some manufacturers create special membranes for nylon to form waterproof jackets for winter use.
Layering winter clothing is an integral part of preparing for any outdoor adventure or hunting trip.
so, before you begin planning your next trip, take the time to make sure you’ve got a full closet of winter options to keep you warm, dry, and protected from the elements.
Remember the W.I.S.E. system and have fun outdoors!
Knowing some key factors is important to setting yourself up for the best chance possible to put a hook N1…
1. Know The Different Types Of Bait
Generally, baits for freshwater fish are classified into two groups, these are:
Live Baits
Some anglers prefer live baits over artificial ones because they’re free (if you can catch your own) and contain the smell and texture that most freshwater fish species are already familiar with. Some ordinary, cheap, and easy-to-find live baits are worms, leeches, grubs, and mealworms.
Shad are just one of the many types of live bait that can be used to catch freshwater fish.
These live baits may include clams and mussels, crayfish, eels, insects (caterpillars, crickets, and bugs), shad and other types of minnows.
Artificial Baits
Artificial baits are ideal for catching bigger fish and are safer to use. Some of the standard artificial baits are crankbaits, jigs, flies, and spoons.
Artificial lures that mimic a particular live bait can produce great results when fishing in lakes.
You may also use unique lures and tubes, such as abalone shell types. You may explore more types of artificial lures at a variety of websites, like https://www.meltontackle.com/ and others.
Before you grab your fishing rod and gear and head to the lake, you need to determine what type of fish you will be targeting, as this will help determine the main type of live bait or lure to use.
Here are some of the common freshwater fish types and the lures and baits they are typically attracted to:
Walleye
Adult walleyes feed primarily on other fish like shiners and minnows.
Bluegill are fun to catch and they also will strike a variety of baits and lures… and bread?
Bluegill will feast on a variety of live baits, such as worms, crickets, grasshoppers, meal worms or night crawlers. When baiting the hook, you may want to consider covering the entire hook with the bait’s body.
Even pieces of bread, rolled up into balls and put on a hook can entice bluegill to bite.
Artificial lures like a beetle spin, rooster tail, or (if you’re fly fishing) artificial flies can all be effective for catching bluegill.
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Trout
Trout preys on both live and artificial baits. Because of this, you may use a crayfish, worms, night crawlers salmon eggs, and artificial lures.
Catfish
Catfish will eat worms, minnows, stink baits, cut bait and even… your hand!
Bass are one of the most sought after freshwater fish in the U.S.and bassfishing lures and gear is a cornerstone of the fishing industry.But what lures should you use?(see below)
Your can be very successful at bass fishing using both live and artificial baits.
Largemouth bass prefer shad, shiners, and minnows. If you use artificial baits, you may need to pick those resembling live baits that bass feed on.
Plastic worms, swim baits and other soft baits, as well as crankbaits are a some top choices of bass fisherman.
You may also use bladed baits like spinner baits and buzz baits, jigs, and topwater lures for smallmouth bass and largemouth bass.
Crappie are predators and will feed on many different types of live fish, as well as artificial lures that resemble them.
Minnows, insects, and crayfish are all baits that a crappie will eat. In some cases, anglers will add a live bait to a jig for a dual presentation to get a crappie to strike. They will even feed on other immature game fish like walleye, bluegill, pike, etc.
It’s important to be familiar with the depth of the lake you will be fishing when choosing a bait or lure.
Freshwater fish, especially the larger ones, are often attracted to artificial baits. In addition, the deeper the location is, the more likely a fish will be after artificial bait.
If you’re after deep-water bass and similar fish, you may consider using baits ideal for drop shots, such as swimbaits. An excellent alternative live bait for this option is a worm.
You may opt to compact jigs, squarebill crankbaits, and spinnerbaits for shallow lake areas. On the other hand, panfish and worms are the natural baits for this space.
The weather can play a big factor in when the fish will be feeding…
Weather affects your bait selection because of the barometric pressure associated with it.
Typically, hotter weather is the perfect time for freshwater fish to hunt for food. Because of this, you may need to use fast-running artificial baits.
On the other hand, fish tend to be sluggish during cooler weather, so you may prefer slow-running jigs and crankbaits.
However, an exemption to this generalization is the bass population. In many cases, bass like to move and feed when there’s an approaching storm. Because of this, you may consider the baits you can aggressively use during this time.
Worms may work any time of the year, but this isn’t always the case for other baits.
Different seasons may require various types of bait. For example, spinnerbaits work well during the morning and the evening in the summertime.
Crankbaits, on the other hand, are suitable for deep-water summertime fishing. In the Springtime, finesse worms and suspended crankbaits may provide better resulsts. You may also combine lures and baits with jig baits and crayfish.
The time of day, aswell as the seasons also have a major impact on when fish will feed…
Many freshwater fish swim in shallower water during autumn. Because of this, you may need to use shallow-running crankbaits.
The ideal live baits for this season are minnows, bluegills, and shad. Winter fishing could be challenging because of the inclement weather.
In addition, live baits can be harder to find during this season. Many anglers will use shad raps and hair jigs during this time of the year.
Every state has different fishing regulations when it comes to baits.
Most states identify worms, vegetable materials, and artificial baits as legal baits. However, some states don’t allow the use of some baits. For example, in California, anglers are prohibited from using bluegills as baits. Live fish, shrimps, frogs, and leeches aren’t allowed in Idaho.
Be sure to check the local fishing regulations of where you plan to fish.
To avoid using illegal baits in your state, you may need to be familiar with your state’s fishing regulations. In most cases, you’ll find rules regarding this matter on the Fisheries and Wildlife Department’s website of the lake you plan to fish.
Generally, these rules may also contain a list of legal and illegal baits and the legitimate ways of fishing and storing baitfish.
Lakes are some of the best spots for freshwater fishing. They’re home to some of the best freshwater fish, such as largemouth and smallmouth bass, blue catfish, and Northern pike.
However, for the best chance for fishing success, anglers need to do their homework and be familiar with the above sections before wetting a line.
Of course, for more ideas of what baits are ideal for a particular fish, lake depth, and time, it’s always a good idea to ask local and seasoned anglers about their fishing hacks.
Additionally, fishing forums and groups can also provide helpful information about current angling practices, including the recent and cost-effective lures and baits you may need in a particular body of water
Let’s talk about some bowfishing tips that every bowfisher should know for this new-age of the “eOutdoors” (the term is a slight exaggeration, but hopefully it drives home the point).
Check out the bowfishing tips below as well as what you’ll need to get started bowfishing!
A big step in this growth process of bowfishing is gaining acceptance and coordination within the outdoor community before broadcasting to new audiences. To do this, we need to improve our reputation collectively.
Some farmers or local zoos may be interested in fish harvested while bowfishing. Never dump them in public areas of boat ramps.
These first two tips (“rules”) are dedicated to improving the reputation of the sport of bowfishing. And, if you’re new to the sport, these first two are especially important. But, even if you’re a seasoned bowfisher, a refresher is certainly always helpful.
Tip 1: Don’t dump fish in public areas or boat ramps.
Dumping fish in these areas gives bowfishers a bad reputation. Additionally, doesn’t help make the public water access points smell particularly inviting.
One alternative solution would be to find local farmers who may want to use the fish for fertilization purposes. Another option is to dump them on a large plot of personal private land where the smell would not bother anyone.
There are plenty of legal pitfalls when it comes to bowfishing, and you want to make sure all of your ducks in a row so no one is enjoying the sport illegally.
If you want to get really creative, look for a local organization that may be interested in taking on the fish. For example, some local zoos encourage bowfishers to donate excess fish to feed birds and other animals.
You could also eat the fish. But, if the sound of gar fish doesn’t exactly sound inviting to your taste buds, it’s good to know there are still options.
Tip 2: Know the laws in your area regarding species, bag limits and seasons
Be sure to call your local game warden, and they will (usually) be more than happy to let you know what the bowfishing laws are in your area before you have the chance to make a mistake.
If your game warden isn’t accessible, or the thought of doing so seems like too much of a hassle, there are tons of online resources you can find on the subject with a quick Google search.
The final tip relates to all bowfishers both old and new. This is one that was relevant years ago, but it is especially critical now.
Not only does it involve preserving a positive reputation for bowfishing in the outdoor community, but it involves setting a positive example for the rest of the world as well.
Guess what? With the rise of smart phones, everyone has a camera on them all hours of the day, and the internet loves to amplify bad choices.
We lecture kids on this topic quite a lot, but they are growing up in a social media-centric world and it’s just modern-day life. To be honest, adults need a refresher in this course just as badly as the younger generation does.
Those who bowfish should always be sure to be courteous of other boaters and those who may live nearby.
All it takes is one video of someone doing something they’re not supposed to for public opinion to shift on an outdoor activity like bowfishing.
This tip has a second relevant component as well. Try to avoid fishing heavily populated areas (especially at night). And, if you must be near houses on a crowded lake, try to be conscious of where you are shining your lights.
The same can be said about music. By all means, play whatever you like until your heart is content, but be sure to turn it down for temporarily when you are near houses at night, or when passing another group of boaters.
These things are simple, common courtesy. And, as human beings, we should really try to bring more of this back into this divided world. Lead by example and don’t follow the norm, especially if it’s not the standard your parents raised you by.
What you need to get started bowfishing
Now that we have covered the “dos and don’ts” of bowfishing in this new age, let’s talk about what you need to get started.
If you’re already an avid bowfisher, you can probably skip this next section. But, if you aren’t already bowfishing on a boat surrounded by LED lights and a pricy bow, you may want to stick around.
One of the big concerns we hear with bowfishing is that it’s expensive to get into. However, this is not necessarily the case. Below is another three-step process for getting into the sport.
You can get started by bowfishing from the banks of lakes and waterways in your area. But, should you decide to invest in a boat, you can start by searching Facebook or Craigslist.
Start Simple
Just like if you were going to start learning traditional fishing and wanted to start out simple… it’s no different with bowfishing.
First, all you really need to get started is a bow with a reel and string, an arrow or two, and some polarized sunglasses. This could be a compound bow or also a recurve. Rather than investing in a boat right off the bat, you can “test the waters” by simply finding a bank to bowfish from.
Next stop: A boat
Secondly, once you and your buddies are comfortable with the sport of bowfishing and know it’s something that you will continue to enjoy, you can start the process of looking for a boat.
Obviously, boats can be expensive. But, you can keep things pretty cheap if you hunt for deals on Facebook Marketplace or Craigslist.
Once you have acquired a boat, all you will need is a trolling motor and some cheap LED lights you can buy off Amazon to put on your new boat (even if it’s used, it’s new to you, right?)
A quick search shows us you can get a two-pack of 40-Watt LED lights for around $40. Buy three of these, and you are all decked out and ready to go!
The great thing about the evolution of technology is that you can get your start creating content with your smartphone.
You don’t have to start off with fancy cameras and GoPros. Just download some editing software onto your phone and start making movies about your life. Once you’ve gotten comfortable with this, then you can invest in some nicer equipment.
Here’s how you can spread the word about bowfishing:Create great bowfishing content and share it with the world!
If you make videos, we guarantee it will be worth the investment.
When we started 573 Outdoors, we sat at a kitchen table and realized that documenting our lives wouldn’t just be for other people. All of our biggest catches, failures, and unforgettable experiences in the outdoors could be for us to cherish forever as well.
It is something we can show our kids someday and say, “look how ridiculous we were.”
You can’t put a price tag on documenting memories with your best buddies.
You can still send in your favorite clips to different pages to promote (and we definitely love to see that content pour in), but it is important for you to start stitching together your own videos as well.
Our fans are who have built us up so rapidly, But, we feel like it would be selfish to suggest you should send all of your experiences only to us. We care more about the longevity of the sport of bowfishing than we do our own business.
Today, you can flip on the Outdoor Channel and see all sorts of activities. From bass fishing to buck hunting, the new age of technology has done wonders for the outdoor community via television and online streaming.
Some of the critics of the sport of bowfishing think that it’s too barbaric.
More money and notoriety continue to flood these sports which when coupled with new-age platforms, allows content creators like LunkersTV, John B, Lojo Fishing, and many more to reach audiences one would have never thought possible until recently.
In the early 2000s, most people were only going to discover hunting or fishing was if their family member or friend introduced them to it.
Now, you can type “fishing” into the YouTube search bar and learn all about traditional and lesser-known types of fishing from scratch within hours. This opens up an entirely new world of possibilities for kids who aren’t fortunate enough to grow up in the great outdoors.
While these are certainly exciting times in the outdoor industry, one outdoor sport has been slower to gain an online identity… bowfishing.
Kids are starting younger than ever to learn the sport of archery, which positions the sport of bowfishing for future growth.
This is not to say that bowfishing content isn’t accessible, but the people who are primarily posting online content about it are hunters and bass fishermen who try to shake things up for their fans while enjoying the occasional bowfishing outing.
While technology has allowed many hunting and fishing content creators do a great job, the sport is really missing its own creators dedicated solely to bowfishing, just as there are many YouTubers, bloggers, and podcasters dedicated to bass fishing or deer hunting.
This could be due to stereotypes that often plague the sport, or simply because no one has taken that leap of faith yet into uncharted territory.
So, let’s talk about why bowfishing has a bright future and why it should thrive online.
If you’ve heard about or seen videos of bowfishing, but aren’t familiar with the sport, you may be thinking “It’s far too barbaric to last; especially as society’s attitudes shift.”
However, bowfishing is better prepared to survive than it may seem at first glance.
Most of the pictures submitted to us are from kids who are still in high school or are recently graduated.
In addition, archery is one of the fastest growing high-school and college sports in the United States. So, although archery has been around for thousands of years, the younger generation is developing the skills needed to bowfish more than ever before. This bodes well for the future of a sport that relies on archery technique. Bowfishing is a much more daunting sport if you don’t have an archery and/or bowhunting background.
“Okay, so we know people can do it, but it’s just so brutal. I mean, modern media can handle hooking some fish, but we are much more environmentally sensitive now, right?”
We are certainly more environmentally sensitive than in the past. But, that’s exactly why bowfishing can find acceptance.
Many of the fish we shoot are invasive species that pose a threat to the balance of the ecosystem. Even many of the other “non-invasive” targeted fish need some level of population control so that the “game fish” we all love to reel in can thrive.
Much like with deer hunting, bowfishing can serve as a means of maintaining balance in our waterways. Since bowfishing can be a powerful tool for conservation, there are not many restrictions in place currently pertaining to the number of fish one can shoot.
This is something we think people could get behind and support, or at least accept out of necessity.
“If bowfishing can grow with the times, and has a built-in future generation of capable participants, why can’t we just leave it be and hope this will be enough to carry the sport?”
In the early 2000s, bass fishing was doing well, but there was a pretty clear divide between recreational participants and its professionals.
Instead of being a passion that someone could pursue, it was deemed more of a hobby for country folk after a hard day at work or in school.
But, then YouTube came along, and before you know it, content creators emerged from the woodwork and took the sport by storm.
One of the benefits of bowfishing is that it helps to control the populations of invasive species.
Many individuals from different walks of life took up the sport. (Remember what we said about archery being one of the fastest growing sports in the U.S? Well, bass fishing is right there as well, thanks to these YouTubers and many others in the sport).
In fact, the founder of our company got into bass fishing, not by watching professionals on TV, but by watching ordinary people take on the sport with a camera in their hands or on their heads.
Sponsors have taken notice of this trend, and more attention is on the sport than ever before. Many of the tournaments can be watched on a live-feed, and before you know it, we are going to have a generation of kids that saw fishing for the first time on a phone screen.
Just like traditional fishing and hunting exposure has grown with the rise of social media, bowfishing will continue to grow as the outdoor community continues to be exposed to the sport.
But, regardless of how fast bowfishing may grow during this generation, we must be careful not to lose that peaceful connection with the outdoors that makes it so special in the 21st century.
We started 573 Outdoors to celebrate our friendship, become a part of a fantastic community, and to start a revolution in the world of bowfishing. To do that, we can’t be the only ones out here. We want to create a lasting impact on the sport.
While we love amplifying other people’s content in conjunction with our own, we don’t want to be the only ones (or one of an elite few) shouting to the masses forever.
If we can get people on board with this and gain some traction, the money will arrive and be put into the sport, leading to more popularity and more eyes.
Maybe there can even be a Major League Bowfishing tour someday as there is with bassfishing. It all starts with this next group of content creators, and if we leave a good reputation and try to make a difference, we can leave this thing a heck of a lot better off than we found it, and our sport can grow for the better.
Now, who is ready to jump into the sport of bowfishing with us?
