Whom of you are really using handcrafted moccasins to walk and stalk , is there still a place in traditional hunting for moccasins, or are the Hightech boots the right thing to do? When-ever I saw a picture of tradtitional hunters with their quarry along side them I saw hunters with the hightech boots?????
A lot may depend upon the type of hunt taking place.
If I'm in the Arizona desert looking for javelina I know I'm going to be doing some walking and I'll want the support and sole of a good pair of boots.
But if I'm in a local mountain watching for mule deer I'm not doing nearly as much walking as I am sneaking. I may only do a few hundred yards the whole day. For that hunt, a good pair of quiet moccasins works well.
Guy
I bought a pair a few years ago and tried to use them when hunting in the fall here in IL. I got to say walking on dry leaves in them was like ice skating! They were definately not for me.
I use the Russell hand made moccasins, ground hunting in creek bottom land for years. They are a little slick with dry conditions, but you can feel the ground well with them.
I use them from time to time on fairly flat ground. I like how you can 'feel' the ground, and they are really quiet, but on steep slopes or rocky terrain, they are not my cup of tea.
Love my WC Russells. But you better take'em off before you try to cross a footlog! Not that it happened to me....just something I've heard.
It sounds odd, I know, but if you use Russell or dyer smooth sole moccasins it'll help quite a bit if you grease the soles with something like Obernauf's or pitch blend. That's for walking on the ground of course, but it helps. A good alternative- better in my opinion- is the Russell Bowhunter with crepe soles or the Mohican Stalker. Great moccasin design and very quiet. A little pricey but they are a lifetime hunting boot with a little care. Grant
QuoteOriginally posted by adeeden:
I bought a pair a few years ago and tried to use them when hunting in the fall here in IL. I got to say walking on dry leaves in them was like ice skating! They were definately not for me.
Don't try going uphill in them on either wet or dry leaves - it turns into skiing back downhill entirely too quickly.
I wear my moccasins if its not too wet
I wear them from the house to the garage to put on my corn stalkers! :p
Russells if yea can afford them!! Don't wear em around town on the cement and asphalt you'll wear the soles glass smooth. Better in dryer conditions that wet for me. But you're moving slow and stalking so they'll work fine.
I used to hunt in my mocs all the time - dry, wet, snowy, whatever. The do get pretty slippy but you can't have everything.
I have dyers,arrows, and another brand thats made in VT,,,, awesome for trad shoots or taking it easy in the woods, cruising my triumph, but the worst for warmth in cold weather, traction on leaves or grass and the absolute worst for dragging a deer-> forget about it, ha ha... love them alot but I plan to get the mukluks from arrow next that are warm and have better traction.
Try Minnetonka
I use to hunt in moccasins in nice weather. I found that after a while they formed a hard crusty layer that would become noisy. I found I like my wool socks the best. Just my take. I would think that moccasins would be quite traditional to me.
The mukluk's from arrow moc look great! Those will likely be my next pair of boots.
I have a pair of the double soled lave boots from arrow moc and love 'em. More often than not, they're on my feet in the woods.
i make my own mocs and will be hunting in them next year when i come over they are real comfy and easy to make. (http://i259.photobucket.com/albums/hh305/jeffburg/P1000179.jpg)
I wore a pair of Thula Thula Moccasins by Russell this fall on a Colorado Elk Hunt. I had no problems at all. They were hands down the most comfortable shoe I have worn and by far the quietest. I did not have any problems with them being slick on leaves but then I move pretty slow.
I have a few pair and I wear them all the time whether hunting or not. Wet, dry, doesn't matter to me. The only problems I have are parking lots when its raining. It's slick then.
God bless,Mudd
PS I just ordered a pair of bull hide double soled for my birthday.
I make my own also ad use them in the early months of hunting. Once its gets cold the boots gota come out..i hate cold feet.