Western Rookie - Bonus Episode: Cold Weather Gear
Sportsmen's Empire - Whitetail Hunting
Sportsmen's Empire Outdoor Network
4.8 • 615 Ratings
🗓️ 17 March 2026
⏱️ 55 minutes
🧾️ Download transcript
Summary
Most hunters overlook the overlooked secrets of cold-weather gear that can make or break your success in the backcountry. Garrison Kinzel shares the exactly what works — and what doesn't — for everything from snowshoeing to elk butchering in subfreezing temps. Whether you're packing light for a quick hunt or gearing up for an extended expedition, this episode reveals the game-changing strategies to stay warm, dry, and efficient when the weather turns brutal.Discover the nuances of layering in early season versus deep winter hunts, including detailed insights on base layers, socks, and footwear that suit different terrains and temperatures. Garrison breaks down his proven system for managing sweat, preventing blisters, and adapting gear like puffy pants and zip-off long johns to stay comfortable through unpredictable conditions. Plus, learn the secret weapon for fire-starting that turns a miserable cold night into a warm, life-saving moment—an innovative Japanese mini torch that ignites even damp wood instantly.You'll also hear real-world stories, like how to handle the grind of dressing out a bull in the freezing dark or staying warm in snow-covered tent setups using Tyvek ground sheets and down sleeping bags. Whether you're chasing elk in Colorado or scouting the high plains of South Dakota, these insights help you optimize every aspect of your cold-weather hunts.Perfect for back
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Transcript
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| 0:00.0 | This episode of the sportsman's empire is brought to you by Interstate Batteries. |
| 0:04.8 | Since 1952, Interstate Batteries has been evoking compassion and a trustworthy spirit into the surrounding communities. |
| 0:12.6 | Interstate Batteries is a mission-driven company fueled by purpose and guided by their values. |
| 0:18.2 | If you need help locating a specific battery, stop into your local |
| 0:21.2 | interstate batteries retail store and speak with a battery specialist. They even offer cell phone |
| 0:27.4 | repairs. Interstate batteries outrageously dependable. All right, everybody, this is the |
| 0:35.3 | Hunting Gear podcast. I'm your host, Dan Johnson. |
| 0:38.4 | And today we are joined by Garrison Kinzel out of currently out of Colorado, soon to be a Texan again, correct? |
| 0:50.0 | Yeah, born again Texan. |
| 0:51.4 | Born again, Texan. |
| 0:52.3 | Can you can you really, is it hard to get rid of the Texas label or is it harder to become a Texan? |
| 1:03.6 | Ooh. |
| 1:05.3 | I'm going to say it's harder to become. |
| 1:07.7 | Well, actually, no. |
| 1:08.9 | Texas is actually pretty welcoming. |
| 1:11.5 | Okay. |
| 1:11.7 | If you, if you're willing to leave some of your preconceived notions about Texas at the door, |
| 1:18.2 | Texas is very welcoming. |
| 1:20.8 | What's a preconceived notion of Texas? |
| 1:24.5 | Oh, they were all just dumb rednecks that love guns and don't want the government involved in anything, which honestly can't be that far off. |
| 1:33.8 | The second two are 100% true. |
| 1:35.4 | Yeah. |
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