The coldest temperature on record for the lower 48 states occurred in January 1954 at RogerвЂ™s Pass (-70F). In short, winter there can, and will, kill you if you are the least bit unprepared. Hunters accustomed to even late fall hunts in more temperate climates often donвЂ™t grasp just how seriously concerning weather is during a winter hunt up north.

More so than any other season, winter weather is in ultimate control. HereвЂ™s what to expect on a winter big game hunt and the gear youвЂ™ll need. If you are unsure if a particular location offers winter hunting, just check with the appropriate game management authorities. ThereвЂ™s no solid reason to not hunt big game during the winter if you are prepared to travel a bit, or if you live in winter hunting areas. Alaska invites you to give their moose dirt naps through December. The musk ox season in the North West Territories runs from September through April. In Canada, Alberta has a trifecta for moose, deer, and elk through late December as does Saskatchewan for deer. The farther north you go, the more winter hunting opportunities exist, as youвЂ™d expect. In addition, MontanaвЂ™s wolf season runs into mid-March. Chances are good this will continue for the foreseeable future.

For the past several years, Montana has allowed limited elk hunting through mid-February. Several states, such as Vermont, stretch their traditional fall deer season into late December. For argumentвЂ™s sake, weвЂ™ll include early December as well. WinterвЂ™s official run is from the winter solstice on December 21 st through the vernal equinox on March 20 th.

Gears tactics freezing