So with this influx of cold weather I realized that I am not properly equipped to bow hunt in these conditions. My cold weather gear is too bulky and I honestly do a bad job of practicing with that much clothing on. What are some ideas you guys have to keep warm and cut down on clothing bulk?

I have the same issue. Once its too cold for my late season fleece and fleece pants I just carry a rifle. Hard to shoot a bow in a marshmallow suit.

Better quality clothing you can layer

I wear thin base layers (anywhere from 1-3 depending on temps) then a polar fleece top layer. I cut the thumb & index finger at 2nd knuckle on my right hand glove to allow me to feel my handheld release during shot. Keep my hands in front pocket of pullover so hand warmth even with missing glove fingers isn't an issue. I'm only drawing 62#'s AND I shorten my draw length 1/2in. Minimal effect on tune and speed but a world of difference when trying to draw back or holding at full draw on a 25deg morning. YMMV but it's what works for me.

this and a good sleeve supressor

I just layer up and practice shooting with all of those layers on. The most crucial thing for me in extremely cold weather are hand warmers. I have an insulated Montana Browning jacket that has huge pockets on either side and plenty of room to draw my bow with multiple layers on. I put a couple of hand warmers in each pocket (or use one of those sleeves that snap around your waist) so I can use no gloves or at least lighter weight gloves so I can still easily get my hand in my bow wrist sling and not affect my release/trigger. Doing this keeps my hands very warm for if/when I need to shoot. I can't shoot my bow with bulkier/warmer gloves.

Sitka gear fanatic. Worth every hard earned penny I paid

put a body warmer on both kidneys and a hand warmer in your tobogon

I hunted in Michigan for 5yrs in the cold. My bow poundage was set for cold sits. Some folks that had to work to draw their bow while practicing, couldn't draw back in the crappy weather.
As you know, the muscles get tight sitting extended periods, add in the cold and its worse.

Look into layering. Check out at Cabelas wind shear. Learning how to properly layer is everything when you hunt in cold weather. Defeating the wind affects will help you defeat the cold.

Good arm guard that goes from forearm to bicep.

If you think you don’t need one, put on all of your cold weather gear and go shoot a few arrows and see what your group looks like. Farther out than 20 yards.

I wear the same one all season long to keep from affecting arrow flight.

Just finished 4 days in Illinois where it never got over 15* with snow.

I’ve bowhunted in some dang cold weather and I layer up with several good base layers and a wind proof outer layer. As long as I have hot hands for my hands I can sit in anything. I turned my bow poundage down for this very reason, to be able to draw in the worst possible situations.

I usually have no issues with the layering. Im happy with the system Ive got there. I believe my biggest issue is the wind and that I cant wear gloves ora face mask right now because Im not comfortable anchoring with either. Suppose Ill have to deal with that issue.
Ive looked into the sitka stuff, and maybe one day..... but not at the moment. Any other good wind proof stuff out there? Are the down/ synthetic down vests worth the money?

1. Keep your head, hands, and feet warm and don't bulk up on the upperbody so much.
2. Keep your collars out of the way.
3. An arm guard may help.
4. Have a bow holder and don't hold on to that metal riser very long.
5. Be ready to remove your gloves (unless you practice with gloves).
6. Practice with what you wear.

x2. Got to make sure your string doesn't slam into your clothing.

And this too...
"I turned my bow poundage down for this very reason, to be able to draw in the worst possible situations."

For your hands, get a muff and throw some hand warmers in there. I only pull my hands out when it's time to grab my bow and draw. I wear a super thin glove (I think it's for turkey hunting technically, like that matters...) on my hand that holds the bow.

I practice shooting with my facemask on, so I can't help you there much. Before I practiced with it, I would wear it up until I saw deer coming in, then just pull it down.

bend yer bow holding arm to lessen string slap.

If you have good shooting form and a bow that fits you, there's no reason to use an arm guard.

I wear synthetic base layer bottoms, regular bdu pants, and insulated bibs(wind and waterproof).
I wear an UA synthetic short sleeve shirt, a long sleeve UA shirt, a Smartwool 1/4 zip, Marmot Reactor 1/4 zip fleece, UA heat gear 1/4 zip. If it's really cold, I wear a Drake MST 1/4 zip(wind and waterproof).

I wear an Avery fleece neck gaiter and a Smartwool merino beenie over a ball cap.

I only wear thin cotton gloves(same ones I wear turkey hunting).

None of this gets in the way or affects me shooting my bow.

That’s because you’re weird Brad. . I always were an arm guard while in the stand when wearing long sleeves. Sometimes you can’t hold that perfect form when having to twist to get a shot. Even with perfect form and a properly fitted bow a sleeve may get in the way.

Like everyone else said layer up. I also use vests for my core. Bow is set at 60lbs. I don't care a glove on my release hand because it will make you use a different hole on your release. That makes you anchor different.

I hate gloves too.

This is close to what im currently doing. From what Im gathering I need to get a good wind proof outer layer. My best outer layer is a fleece at the moment. Not good at stopping wind. Ive never really had trouble with string slap on clothing. I probably dont have the best form out there but I feel I shoot pretty well.
Thanks for all the input guys

Roots, becareful of the outer layer if it makes much of a scratchy noise.

What do yal use as far as boots/socks to keep your feet warm..thats the hardest thing for me to keep warm is my feet.

Dead air space! Don’t put too many socks on or pack your boots full. You have to have some airspace to heat.
Same goes for clothes. Loose Layered Clothing will keep you warm. This is a taught technique in military survival schools. It works well. That said don’t let the string slap your sleeve! Haha.
Also, I started wearing cabelas cold wx fleece with wind guard last year or year before. It is Great stuff for the $ . It cut down on a layer or two. It’s not scratchy or loud and it is warm and windproof. Just keeping the wind out is a game changer for me.

Thanks for the info..I have noticed this year having a boot that is not too tight helps..exactly what you are saying.
Better off with a thinner wool sock with room in my boots? Vs a thick sock with a tight boot?

We dont get real cold weather on the Gulf Coast a whole lot but when it does get cold it cuts right thru you.
I bought some pac boot but Im gonna take the liners out and I have some Wiggy's liners coming..Wiggy's is suppose to be good stuff, made in Colorado.

I bit the bullet and bough first lite and Sitka gear. Best decision I've made. Worth the money.
I have full range of motion and can sit comfortably in any weather.

I don't ever wear a glove on my release hand. Always keep hand warmers in my pockets or in a hand warmer around my waist. I wear several thin layers under a medium weight cabelas jacket on top and it's not too bulky. I like to feel my kisser button in the corner of my mouth when at full draw so if I'm wearing a heavy face mask in the cold I always pull it down when I have deer coming in on me. I've kill several with my bow this year in very cold weather and haven't had any problems. With that said, I probably wouldn't feel confident in shooting beyond 30 yards in the cold weather. I like them to be within 30 on a warmer day anyways.

I do the same things you do without a kiss button. I never shot over 25 yards. I think bow hunting is about getting close, not long shots that all too often result in wounded and lost deer. I hate thick gloves on either hand. I like5 the ones Primos sells for turkey hunting. Thin nylon material.

TG, you want some space for air circulation but not too much so that you rub blisters or your foot sloshes around inside the boot. Does that make sense? Like, if you wear Size 12 then you may want a 12.5 or even 13, depending on the cut of the boot (wide, narrow, etc.)

A wide toe box allows the air to circulate and also gives your toes room to splay naturally when walking instead of being jammed. I learned this from my ortho due to a phucked-up right foot with a hammer toe and offset big toe.

I wear Size 13 boots and have some, like the Lacrosse Aero, which are snug. I have to wear thin socks and those during the early season. Thick socks and they're too tight and sweaty - and thus get cold. For colder temps, I either go to a Size 14 and something like SmartWool or Darn Tough (wool) socks, OR I will wear my Lacrosse Arctic King pac boots with our without the wool liner (gotta be really cold).

In your neck of the woods, sounds like you may want to try to go up a half-size, wear thinner socks and use a removeable insole like a SuperFeet to aid with space (and comfort; those boots suck for support), and then in cold temps go with a thicker sock like the SmartWool.

Also, take an extra pair of socks with you if you walk in a long way and quickly change before climbing the stand. Or change when you get into the box. Helps a lot. The minimal moments of being chilly while putting on warm, dry socks is better than having sweaty feet and being cold later.

If you will use anti-perspiirant on your feet daily, it will help a lots .
I do this during the hunting season and it stops a lot of wet sweaty feet.

I wont go when its below 35. Rifle

Easiest best way to keep warm is to pack a blanket in with you. I stuff mine between my ole man climber. It’s actially fleece and it’s camo. I primarily hunt public land so hunting outta a climber is a must. It’s does get super cold but that blanket is quite and not noisy at all. I always try to set up where I can shoot while sitting down. I wrap the blanker around my boots and keep it pulled up to my neck. Really allows you to on have 2 layers on and stay comfortable. It was 19 the other morning and I was comfortable enough to sit Till 10. Good luck!

I use my wife's long johns like a heater body suit