Editor’s Note: Here is a repost of my most recent article for The News Journal. I have inserted some comments, as well.

Sitting in a deer stand for the better part of six hours during last Saturday’s snowstorm and single-digit wind chills gave me ample time to ponder and appreciate proper cold weather hunting preparation.

I circled the last day of the deer hunting season on my calendar back in September, so I knew I would hunt regardless of the weather. When I realized late last week that the Saturday forecast predicted highs in the teens, gusty winds, and a slight chance of snow, I planned accordingly.

I was happy I did.

Mother Nature quickly overruled the slight chance of snow and dropped nearly 5 inches of the coldest, most powdery snow I’ve ever seen. To make matters worse, she supplied just enough wind to blow the light, tiny flakes into every wrinkle of my clothing and onto every centimeter of my exposed skin.

My preparation (or my lunacy, as some would say) enabled me to stick it out.

Preparing to hunt in cold weather begins with basic common sense: Be aware of the forecast prior to beginning your hunt. With televison, radio, and the Internet, there is no excuse for not having an up-to-date weather forecast. Be careful, however. As proven last week, it is not merely enough to play the odds. Last Saturday’s snowstorm was supposed to pass to the south of New Castle County, but the small chance of snow prompted me to pack my rain/snow gear in my hunting pack. The preparation paid huge dividends since it snowed steadily the entire time I was in the woods.

When the forecast calls for extreme cold, appropriate dress can be the difference between an enjoyable hunt and a hunt that ends miserably, and more seriously, the difference between life and death. Dress in layers, but be smart about your layering. Start with an insulating undergarment layer (top and bottom) of polypropylene or some other fabric that traps heat and wicks away moisture. (I like military issue polypropylene pants and shirt or Under Armour.) Next add one or two layers of mid-layer garments. On extreme cold weather days, I wear a thick, tight-knit wool shirt covered by an even thicker wool vest (both made by King of the Mountain), and thick wool pants. For an outer layer, I recommend a heavy, hooded, wind- and water-resistant parka or a full-body jumpsuit and a wool hat. When the forecast calls for precipitation and/or wind, I will add an outer shell lining of a waterproof jacket and pants. (I am especially fond of Frogg Toggs).

Keep in mind that some of us perspire more than others, and simple walks to a hunting location while wearing multiple layers of clothing can cause sweating. If you anticipate becoming overheated while walking, don’t put your outer layer on until you reach your location.

Nothing can end a cold-weather hunt faster than numb fingers and toes. Cost-cutting measures can be applied to all of your other hunting clothing purchases, but do not skimp on gloves, socks and boots. For gloves, I recommend a pair of wool glove liners covered by water-resistant mittens with flip-open fingers. For footwear, wear heavy-duty, moisture-wicking socks with a quality pair of low-temperature rated, waterproof boots that provide a thermal barrier without sacrificing comfort. Gone are the days of bulky, heavy boots that hinder movement and cause blisters. New technology is making it easier and more comfortable for us to hunt for longer periods in the cold. In fact, for extreme cold weather hunting, I wear boots that incorporate 2000 grams of Thinsulate material and Aerogel, a nanotechnology material developed for NASA that provides an extremely effective insulator with the lowest thermal conductivity of any solid material known to man. How cool, er hot, is that? (I have had several inquiries about the boots I wear. I wear Irish Setter Snow Claw XT extreme cold boots.)

Above all else, be smart when hunting in cold weather. If you are cold standing or sitting still, move around a bit. If you get too warm, remove a layer of clothing. And if you start to shiver uncontrollably, end your hunt and move to a heated location.

I am looking for feedback, opinions, and suggestions from hunters, hunting supply store owners, and product  manufacturers regarding the top 10 hunting products and advancements of the 2000s. Article should run January 7, 2010.

Please reply to this post and email your comments to skendus@huntingthefirststate.com. Include your contact info in the email.

Deadline: 10:01pm EASTERN – 04 January

Hunting The First State: A Guide to Delaware Hunting, makes a great gift for the hunter in your family or circle of friends.

Hunting the First State: A Guide to Delaware Hunting is a must have reference for any hunter who hunts or who is considering hunting the Delaware region.

CLICK HERE TO ORDER YOUR COPY NOW or get your copy from other online stores, including Amazon.com or Barnes and Noble.

Locally, you can pick up copies of Hunting The First State at Shooters Supply (New Castle, DE), Atlantic Books (Dover, DE; Rehoboth, DE; Fenwick Island, DE), Barnes and Noble (Christiana Mall), Miller’s Guns (New Castle, DE).

Find practical tips, tactics, and Delaware hunting locations for:

• White-tailed Deer
• Eastern Wild Turkeys
• Eastern Gray Squirrels
• Eastern Cottontail Rabbits
• Bobwhite Quail
• Mourning Doves
• Woodcock
• Crows
• Ducks
• Canada Geese
• Snow Geese

Learn proven Delaware hunting techniques that will increase your harvests of deer, waterfowl, small game, and migratory birds!

Hunting the First State: A Guide to Delaware Hunting is the only book that comprehensively addresses hunting Delaware!

What’s more, Hunting the First State includes useful hunting information that also applies to hunting in other areas of the Mid-Atlantic region, including:

• Southeastern Pennsylvania
• Southern New Jersey
• Eastern Maryland

Here the latest article I wrote for The News Journal.

Delaware hunting: Though rare, coyotes right at home in First State

Hunters and trappers who spend long hours in Delaware’s fields, woods and marshes are accustomed to encountering furbearing animals like foxes, raccoons, skunks, beavers, muskrats, possums and even minks.

But, sometimes, Delaware hunters and trappers cross paths with an animal most often associated with the Great Plains: a coyote.

Although many Delaware residents find it hard to believe, it is true that coyotes inhabit all three Delaware counties, and their numbers may be on the rise. According to Joe Rogerson, game mammal biologist for the Delaware Division of Fish and Wildlife, Delaware has seen a gradual increase in reported coyote sightings over the past 10 years.

“They are uncommon,” Rogerson said, “but we know they can be found in Delaware in low numbers. Coyotes favor fields and low brushy areas rather than wooded areas, but sightings also have been reported in other areas.”

Several Delaware coyotes have been harvested by hunters and trappers recently, while others fell victim to automobiles.

John Massey of Middletown harvested a coyote with a bow in November, and a trapper caught two coyotes near St. Georges in 2008. Another coyote was killed by a vehicle near Middletown in 2008. Rogerson personally examined that animal.

With coyotes in Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Maryland, it easy to understand how they have migrated to Delaware. Rogerson believes that the highly adaptable Delaware coyotes slowly migrated south from neighboring Mid-Atlantic states and New England due to habitat loss.

Coyotes are opportunistic feeders and will eat just about anything, including small mammals, rodents, reptiles, amphibians and birds. They also eat insects, fruits, vegetables, livestock, pets, pet food and garbage. Because of their scavenging and predatory nature, Rogerson says people should exercise caution if they encounter a coyote.

“If you see a possible coyote in your yard or near your home, observe the same precautions as with any wild animal — keep children and pets indoors, do not approach [the animal], and do not feed it,” Rogerson said.

As hunters and trappers encounter coyotes more frequently, Delaware officials are considering listing coyotes as a game species because, according to Rogerson, the current laws “are a little vague.”

“Basically, we are not advocating to people that they can kill coyotes at this time,” he said. “However, if someone did they would not be prosecuted.”

Creating a coyote hunting season would require legislation, Rogerson said.

For more information on Delaware coyotes, see Delaware Division of Fish & Wildlife: Coyotes in Delaware.

Hunting Updates 10/31 – 11/7 – Morning

I have not had much time to post hunting updates over the past week, so let me bring you up to speed. In case you haven’t noticed, the rut is on here in Delaware. I bowhunted all day last Saturday, October 31. In, the morning I only saw three does, but I did see a lot of deer sign, including deer scrapes and deer rubs.

I went back to the same spot in the early afternoon, and things heated up. I saw an 8-pointer around 4:30 PM. He was interested in the doe estrous scent I put out, but he was really cautious. After sniffing the wind for a few minutes, he walked on by me at 70+ yards. Around 6:00 PM, 2 does came out about 80 yards from me and chomped acorns like there was no tomorrow. Realizing it was getting late, I tried to call the does closer, but they would not leave the acorns.

I grunted for a minute or two. The does raised their heads, but didn’t walk closer. After I grunted again, I heard grunts in return. I then saw a giant buck walk out 90 yards from me. He kept his nose to the ground, and went straight to the does, grunting the entire way. I did everything imaginable to draw his attention toward me, but he would not leave the does.

Right after legal shooting time, I look behind my tree, and wouldn’t you know it? The 8-pointer from early is 20 yards behind me. Jut my luck.

I went out for a quick bowhunt this morning. Let me tell you — I nearly froze! I didn’t realize that the temperature was 29 degrees when I left the house. I was underdressed, and lasted about 2 hours in the woods this morning. I did see a spike buck, but nothing else.

I will try again this afternoon.

Here is my latest column (August 2009) for The News Journal.

Use final days of summer to perfect your aim

HUNTER’S JOURNAL • By STEVEN KENDUS • August 6, 2009

Although the late summer heat has many of us thinking fishing instead of hunting, let me remind you that deer and dove hunting seasons will be here before you know it.

Delaware’s mourning dove and archery deer seasons open Sept. 1, so we have few days to prepare and practice.

Every August, I find myself asking where summer went, and I curse myself for not devoting more time to practicing my shooting — both bow and gun. I have been to the gun range twice this summer, and I usually shoot a few arrows several nights a week.

While I realize that some practice is better than no practice at all, I ask, “How much practice is enough?”

Hockessin’s Tim O’Neill, a bowhunter and former professional archer, believes that practicing five days a week during the offseason is a good routine for any bowhunter.

“Your practice routine doesn’t have to be as strict as a competitive 3D shooter’s. Try to shoot for at least 15 to 30 minutes per session around five days a week,” O’Neill said. “Bowhunters really shouldn’t practice for long periods of time because muscle fatigue will alter their shots. Practicing in two 15-minute sessions separated by a couple hours rest is a good idea.”

O’Neill recommends that bowhunters practice in their hunting clothes, including gloves and facemask, and stresses the value of tree stand hunters practicing shots from elevated platforms.

“Most importantly, shoot the same broadhead and arrow combination you will be hunting with,” he said. “Now is the time to know exactly how your arrows are flying.”

Practicing with a gun is equally important. There’s nothing more humbling than shooting a box of shells at fast-flying doves and having nothing more than a sore shoulder to show for it.

Take the necessary time during the preseason to visit a shooting range and to shoot at moving and stationary targets. Practice as often as necessary until you are confident in your skills and equipment.

Practice with the gun or guns that you will use on your hunts, and be sure to practice with the shells that you will use in the field. If you hunt birds, practice shooting flying targets at various speeds, angles, and distances. If you hunt small game, visit a sporting clays range where you can practice shooting both flying and rolling targets. And if you hunt deer, practice on deer-size targets at various distances, making sure you determine the maximum range you are comfortable with.

It is an ethical hunter’s responsibility to make sure that shots [from a bow or gun] are well placed and effective. No matter how well we think we shoot, practice can only make us better.

Application change

Deer hunting application procedures for Bombay Hook and Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuges have changed. Applications will no longer be mailed. They can be picked up in person at the headquarter offices of both refuges.

Completed applications for the October muzzleloader season must be received in person at the appropriate refuge office or postmarked no later than Sept. 14. The application deadline for the rest of the firearms hunts is Oct. 8.

Call Bombay Hook at 653-9345 or Prime Hook at 684-8419 with questions.

Steven Kendus’ Hunter’s Journal appears monthly in The News Journal. Kendus is the author of “Hunting The First State: A Guide to Delaware Hunting.” Follow his blog and podcast at www.eastcoasthunting.blogspot.com. Contact him at skendus@HuntingTheFirstState.com.