GETTING THROUGH WINTER WEATHER
Even during the worst winter weather, deer hunters can dress today in the new "miracle" fabrics that make being cold almost a thing of the past. The various fleece-type fabrics were seemingly designed with the still-hunter in mind. Fleece garments are quiet and warm, and many are water-repellent. Most of my deer hunting takes place from tree stands, but occasionally (I still like to think) I can sneak up on deer. Soft clothing combined with wet or windy weather can certainly make this more possible.

Layering garments of varied weights in extremely cold weather traps warm air between the various garments. But I never wear heavy clothing when hiking in to my stand or hunting area. Moisture, in the form of sweat, is among the worst enemies a cold-weather hunter can face.

Boots are an especially personal focus of my creature-comfort concerns afield. When my feet get cold, the rest of me gets cold, so I fork over the big bucks for top-quality footwear. Not only do rubber boots equipped with Gore-Tex or Thinsulate liners keep your feet warm, but the rubber outer covers eliminate leaving scent on the ground as well. For the wetness of winter, I personally like those with lug soles for mountain hunting and flat-soled duck-boot footwear for the flatlands.

LEAVE YOUR BLACKPOWDER WORRIES BEHIND
Sometimes when I'm muzzleloader hunting in the bad weather of the late season, I think back to the days when blackpowder firearms featured exposed side hammers and ignition systems that always left me unsure as to whether my weapon would work in the rain.

In fact, one of my worst memories is of one rainy day on Petit Jean Wildlife Management Area when the cap on my old T/C Hawken didn't snap. About as large a buck as I've ever seen in Arkansas stood there, less than 20 yards away, looking up into the tree I was sitting in. I'm sure he wondered what that funny noise was!

Today, in-line blackpowder firearms feature closed-breech ignition systems that make my sleepless nights of worrying about misfires a thing of the past. The market offers dozens of these firearms. Pick one of the good ones and learn to shoot it well.

Today, in-line blackpowder firearms feature closed-breech ignition systems that make my sleepless nights of worrying about misfires a thing of the past. The market offers dozens of these firearms. Pick one of the good ones and learn to shoot it well. When I hear these days about a muzzleloader hunter who shot and lost a good buck, I cringe. For sure: The modern blackpowder gun is no longer a valid excuse for losing a deer in this day and age.

While your buddies are all involved in other pursuits this winter, load up and head for your favorite Arkansas deer-hunting area. You'll likely find deep-winter hunting with primitive firearms is the best hunting of the deer season!

Good hunting! (Editor's Note: Kenn Young is an outdoors writer/photographer living in Clarksville. Order his definitive two-volume guide to Natural State deer hunting, Arkansas' Biggest Bucks of All Time, directly from his Web site, the address for which is www.ardeerhunting.com.)

Find more about Arkansas fishing and hunting at: ArkansasSportsmanMag.com