Socks - All
HOW TO STAY WARM WHILE HUNTING
Cold weather means whitetails are going to be on their feet more than normal. So, you have choices to make. Stay at home and watch hunting shows on TV, go to the field and be miserable or embrace the cold and learn how to make the most of it.
I have lived in North Dakota for 26 years. In that time, I have hunted some very harsh conditions. It’s never an easy hunt but the rewards can make it well worth the effort. There are many factors involved in comfortably hunting cold weather including proper preparation, quality clothing, individual tolerances and plain ole determination.
Here are some of my tips for not just surviving a cold weather hunt but actually enjoying it.
HOW TO DRESS FOR COLD WEATHER
Feet - Most people have trouble keeping their feet warm. I have tried just about everything out there and have finally figured out what works for me. The first rule is that your boots need to fit loosely. Tight boots restrict your circulation and reduced blood flow will cause your toes to get cold.
The second rule is no cotton allowed. Cotton absorbs and holds moisture and damp feet will surely get cold quickly. I have found that what works best for me is 1200-1500 gram Thinsulate rubber boots. If your feet sweat when you are walking in, consider taking a pair of fresh, dry socks to change into when you reach your stand or blind. For socks, I prefer a heavy merino wool or wool blend. You may also want to wear a wicking sock of some kind if you sweat a lot. With these loose-fitting boots and quality socks, I will add a chemical toe warmer and my feet rarely ever get cold.
Head - It’s debatable how much heat we lose through our head, but I have found that your head is a very good thermostat for controlling how your body handles cold. When walking in, I try to wear something very light or nothing at all on my head. This reduces how much I sweat on the walk in. Once in the stand, it’s important to keep the face and head warm. As hunters we are usually facing the wind. Staring into a cold wind will cause you to get cold quickly and can also cause some nasty headaches. I like an insulated, full face mask that fits fairly snug. You don’t want your face mask moving around when you do. If it’s very cold, I will add a heavy beanie or even a balaclava on top of the face mask.
Hands - Once again, just say no to cotton. Personally, I don’t shoot well in gloves. I like a tight, lightweight glove. I then use a heavily insulated hand muff and only take my hands out when needed. I usually have 2-4 chemical hand warmers in the muff, so my hands heat up very quickly when I put them back in.
DRESS IN LAYERS
hunting in the snowBase Layers - Modern long underwear is considerably better than what we had years ago. Once again, remember the rule, no cotton allowed. There are many quality polyester blends on the market. I have found that these work very well for a more active hunt or in moderate temperatures. When it’s really cold and I am going to be sitting, I go back to merino wool. Good merino wool clothing is a little more expensive and isn’t as durable as the polyester blends, but nothing keeps me warmer and dryer.
Mid Layers - I am a big believer in layers. If you are bowhunting, it’s important not to get too much bulk. A good windproof vest helps keep your core warm and doesn’t add bulk through the shoulders. My other layers are usually mid-weight shirts and jackets that I can use as an outer layer or as a mid-layer as the temps drop further. This is where I like to add a windproof layer or two.
Outerwear - Everyone has their own preference here. Because I primarily bowhunt, my first concern is noise. A fabric that is quiet in the store at 70 degrees may not be quiet when the temps are in the single digits or worse. For that reason, I really like fleece or wool for an outer layer. My favorite combination of outerwear is a good set of insulated bibs with a midweight jacket over top of my other layers. Insulated bibs help keep the core warm and reduce those drafts around the lower back while not adding any bulk through the shoulders. I also have an older Heater Body Suit. This is an awesome piece of equipment that can change a hunt from being bearable to actually being comfortable. IWOM is another full containment suit that I would assume does a comparable job.
Hunting Laws and Seasons in Western North: General Hunting Rules, Permits, Restrictions & Time-Honored Events
General Hunting Rules and Timings in the Western North Region
The Western North Region maintains Ghana's most structured hunting calendar, operating from November 10th to April 15th for terrestrial game, with special provisions for rodent hunting until May 30th. The Wildlife Division coordinates with the Forestry Commission to adjust dates based on rainfall patterns in the Bia-Tano Forest Block. Unlike the coastal Western Region, Western North's higher elevation creates distinct microseasons - the "Golden Window" from December 1-20 offers prime visibility when Harmattan winds clear the canopy mist. The 2023 reforms introduced biometric hunter registration and established the 10km Bia River No-Hunt Zone to protect endangered freshwater species. Cross-border differences are significant: Ivory Coast's Comoé National Park imposes year-round bans, creating a "game funnel" effect along the border during open seasons.
Seasonal Hunting Dynamics and Game Activity
Large game hunters target forest elephants (by special permit only) and bongo during January-February when mineral licks are most active. The region's famous giant forest hogs become huntable after December 25th, following traditional conservation agreements with local communities. Bird hunters flock to the Tano Offin Globally Significant Biodiversity Area in November-December for rare hornbill migrations. The Sefwi Bushmeat Festival each March draws thousands for traditional smoke-curing competitions and tracking dog trials. Unique to Western North: Tuesday hunting bans in sacred groves, enforced by local chiefs through ancestral customs.
Bans and Restrictions for Ethical Hunting in the Western North Region
Absolute protection covers white-bellied pangolins, Diana monkeys, and all owl species. The revolutionary "Smart Quota System" uses AI analysis of camera trap data to set weekly limits per hunting zone. Special restrictions include: no hunting within 3km of beehives (enforced by local beekeeping cooperatives), and mandatory copper bullets in elephant zones to prevent lead contamination. The closed season (May 1-November 9) sees armed patrols with thermal drones along the Ivory Coast border. New 2024 regulations require hunters to plant 10 native trees per large game animal taken.
Licensing and Legal Access for Hunters
The Western North Premium License ($750) includes GPS tracking collars that must be worn during all hunts - available exclusively through Sefwi Hunting Consortium. Required documents now include: genetic sample kit, ballistic fingerprinting, and certification in jungle first aid. The groundbreaking Hunter Conservation Bond requires a $2000 deposit refundable after compliance verification. Resident fees remain at ¢1000 ($85) but require passage of the new Traditional Hunting Knowledge Exam. Processing takes 6-8 weeks due to enhanced background checks.
Penalties for Violating Hunting Laws in the Western North Region
Western North enforces Ghana's toughest penalties: $10,000 minimum fines for out-of-season hunting, life bans for pangolin violations, and innovative "name-and-shame" billboards in district capitals. The region's unique Community Wildlife Courts allow villagers to directly prosecute poachers, with 98% conviction rates. Rangers now use AI-powered gunshot detection systems adapted from military technology.
Tactical Tips for Seasonal Success
Invest in thermal imaging gear (legal November-February) for dawn hunts in the dense rainforest understory. The .375 H&H Magnum is mandatory for elephant zones, while .30-06 Springfield suffices for other game. Pack anti-leech socks and GPS emergency beacons - the region has Ghana's highest hunter rescue rates. Local guides swear by December 5-15 for bongo near natural salt licks before Christmas farming activities begin.
Hunting Events in the Western North Region
The Aowin Sacred Hunt Ceremony (January) features centuries-old purification rituals for first-time elephant hunters. March's Cross-Border Tracking Challenge tests teams across the Tano River with real-time drone monitoring. Licensed outfitters offer pre-season canopy adaptation courses (October) including emergency tree platform construction.
