Ok so I am thinking about actually trying hunting bare foot this year. At least for NJ's September season; while the weather is still warm enough and probably not all the time?
Last year I hunted and killed a deer in sandles. So I was thinking about upping the stacks this year. It just seems like a cool and interesting way to hunt.
Has anyone tried or done this? Or am I goin nuts?
You can do it till you have a Copperhead talk you out of a toe!
Im working my to it by using the Vibrem 5 fingers. Eventually Ill get there. Maybe Im crazy too.
Yes... :D
LOL..Squirrel Bait I can pic me wiggling my toe and ol mister snake comes lookin for a meal. :eek:
Yep....nuts you are!!
I've bear hunted in my socks...! Quiet as I could get. Worked perfectly...
QuoteOriginally posted by John3:
I've bear hunted in my socks...! Quiet as I could get. Worked perfectly...
John that's one thing I noticed right away; how quiet things are while walking in bare feet. Even goin from saddles to bare feet is a noticeable difference.
I walked a good 1/4 mile in the bush today in my bare feet. I really like how I could hear everything.
I tried the vibram 5 toes but figured out pretty quickly that my toes are very social and like being next to each other without anything in between them.
The next best thing to being barefoot is my handmade mocs without socks.
God bless,Mudd
You must not have any "Thorny Locust" in Your woods.LOL
A few years back I spent many hours stalking antelope bare foot. I had to cross and recross a stream so often that after a while I just put my boots in my pack.
Each day I'd go out, take off my boots and start hunting....the ground was very barefoot friendly and that's important.
(http://www.tradgang.com/upload/charlie/08antelopebuck.jpg)
I like the feather camo!
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Glenn
over here yes as we dont have anything that will bite ya or sting ya . over there no way to many snakes and chiggers and ticks oh the list goes on and on :eek: thats just incase charlie gets hungry :laughing:
i have taken my boots off to stalk up on a deer it did not work not beacuse the noise beacuse im just not good at it
I have done it a few times,but I prefer it with wool socks on. When it is dry and crunchy I will hike for miles with just socks on. It makes for quite walking.
I would try single vamp moccasins. Close to bare feet only safer.
Martin
Might want to try mocassins.
Ya know...bugs eat foot blood too...
I think yes, but I haven't been very successful just walking across the yard barefoot (I step on something and go down to my knees and hands).
Ultimately it depends on how bad your feet stink. :laughing:
And I would love to see you tackle a brier patch bare foot.And you would have to cut your pant legs shot around the mid calf like Huck fin.
QuoteOriginally posted by Zmonster:
Im working my to it by using the Vibrem 5 fingers. Eventually Ill get there. Maybe Im crazy too.
I run 5k's in these things all the time. They are going with me into the field with me this fall for sure. Deadly quiet and you can get wool socks for them now too. I trail ran in them last winter. Looked like someone had been running all over the place in their bare feet. I can only imagine what people thought when they saw my tracks in the snow. I LOVE these things.
I appreciate everyone in put and stories. I decide to definitely try it. With not to bring my home made mocs with me.
I am not too worried bout bugs and what not; little bit of mud on the feet should take care of that. Far as snake...well I could get bit on the leg just as easy as on the foot :knothead:
Ipcjon2...brier where definitely thought about when I came up with this idea. God know NJ has its share of brier patches. :eek:
QuoteOriginally posted by Dave Bowers:
Ipcjon2...brier where definitely thought about when I came up with this idea. God know NJ has its share of brier patches. :eek:
This could be beneficial to you because you'll have to slow down and watch were you step so not only will you be quieter but you'll be slower and more atentive to your surroundings.
I still wouldn't do it though 'cause I'm a tenderfoot. I hate to be barefoot.
In NJ I'd be worried about broken glass, PCB's soaking into my feet, rusty nails and having a bear smell me and want those nasty toes for lunch!!!
QuoteOriginally posted by Ray Hammond:
In NJ I'd be worried about broken glass, PCB's soaking into my feet, rusty nails and having a bear smell me and want those nasty toes for lunch!!!
:bigsmyl:
Consider one screw up of some kind and you could end up with a week or two healing up or worse. I don't think the trade off would be worth it.
It's probably illegal in NJ. Why? Because it's NJ.
That's why I hunt in soft-soled moccasins, either the eastern woodland style or the side seam variety. So much quieter than lunky Vibram soles.
Yep Nuts! seriously if your comfy with it?? do what works for ya.
In my area 3 things would concern me - snakes, ticks, or chiggers, and briars make it four. I have used flip flops and paid the early season price (chiggers).
J
If I was hunting a golf course, I'd think about it.
Killed plenty barefoot, until I promised my wife not to do it again because of too many close-calls with snakes.
In close quarters combat, specifically during deliberate movement or building entries, we were taught to roll our steps. In essence, it allows for stealthy movement by allowing you to feel the terrain without looking down. If your feet are conditioned to do so, you would definately have an advantage. Good luck with it.
Why not try a gore-tex sock? :dunno:
You must be a fan of Dual survival. Lol. I have hunted in sandals but like my slippers that are mocs better.
Magnus
When I was young I wondered all around in moccasins. I did that before and after I started shooting a bow and hunting with it. I think I wore my last pair out about the time I went to collage. They were great for feeling the ground, but not getting stuck by every little thing you step on. Indian were way trad, but most had moccasins.
Nope. You aren't nuts. I'm a runner as well as a hunter and started running in 5 fingers and barefoot a while back. I hate shoes now, although I have to wear "regular" shoes for PT in the army. I haven't hunted barefoot yet, but I imagine I'll probably try the five fingers some early this season before it gets too cold. I see nothing nuts about it at all. Shoes and boots are a relativly new thing anyway, and aren't actually all that great for us.
Nope. You aren't nuts. I'm a runner as well as a hunter and started running in 5 fingers and barefoot a while back. I hate shoes now, although I have to wear "regular" shoes for PT in the army. I haven't hunted barefoot yet, but I imagine I'll probably try the five fingers some early this season before it gets too cold. I see nothing nuts about it at all. Shoes and boots are a relativly new thing anyway, and aren't actually all that great for us.
Your NOT Nuts...I have tracked antelope out in Colorado in my stocking feet. It works for stepping silently and sneaking up at close range...
Here is the result of my efforts. It was back when I was Shooting a compound (you can see my stocking feet):: :biglaugh: :biglaugh: :biglaugh:
http://i1013.photobucket.com/albums/af258/archerman101/PYPronghorn2.jpg
Sorry!! Photo too big (wider than 640 pixels) and no compound pics allowed..
I was stalking frogs this year bare foot.
Thought it was great until I stepped on some sharp water chestnuts and through some Poison Ivy.
Then I was reminded for the next 2 weeks about how much "fun" it was. :knothead:
Had a buddy and his wife that always hunted barefoot, even in winter.(They both had feet like Cody Lundin.) They would go into any type terrain without hesitation. I ran in to them many times in the swamps.
They finally convinced me to try it for a year. Really makes you slow down and take notice of everything around you. I'd probably still be hunting that way if my wife hadn't found out about it. She bought me snake boots and said "You will wear these!".
I have a really bad track record, been snake bit 7 times.....all while wearing boots. Never once while barefoot! She didn't see the logic in this argument. So, my dogs are now shod.
Although I didn't shoot anything while stalking last year, I was able to get very close and had one almost trample me. He was a spike and was playing around, stopped with 5-7 yds. from me. he couldn't figure out what I was and after looking me over just calmly walked away. I was trying to get his mom who was about 30 yds. from me but that didn't work out. I had on leafy camo in 3-D, you know the mesh type. This year I'll be trying my Dyers moccasins, they seem to be able to find buried arrows pretty good so I should be able to feel twigs under my feet before I mash down on them, and my ASAT 3-D mesh suit. I can shoot them from a tree easily enough with a wheeler now we'll have to see if I can really hunt.
I also agree with Groundstalker, use gortex socks and I would add on those wool inserts that we put in our winter boots, I think someone makes something like this already.
I wear rubber bottomed moose hide mocs on nice days. I stalked and killed a buck in my bare feet once. The boots I had were slick and hard bottomed, there was no way to stalk even a deaf cow with those things, so I took them off.
You should try something like this first. I've never tried on a pair but I saw someone wearing them the other day.
(http://i1009.photobucket.com/albums/af213/raideranch/moc.jpg)
(http://i1009.photobucket.com/albums/af213/raideranch/moc2.jpg)
What is the point of having your toes split up by all that foldy material. Looks like they could cause painful ingrown toe nails if they don't fit just right.
I agree with southernshooter. When in the Marines we were also taught to roll our feet with a slight bend in the knees. This allowed us to move fairly quick, silent and stay balanced to allow a shot on the move. The rolling of our feet and knee bend allows you to make a shot on the move without the up and down movement. If your terrain allows for it and you want to give it a try have a rip at it. I would hunt with someone just in case you suffer a injury, trying to get out with a injured foot or feet may be next to impossible. We were told to care for our feet when the opportunity presents itself but do not
take chances walking barefoot the risk out way the benefit. I wish you luck if you do decide to try it out. Watch your step and take someone along.
I've done it to sneak up on some bedded deer in a wet marshy area of nothing but high grass.
People walked around barefoot for thousands of years. It's not terribly dangerous.
I would think you would leave more of a scent trail.? My feet are way to tender to try such a thing.
If it works for you have at it !
Back when Ishi was hunting with Pope and Young, he would only hunt in a loin cloth and scoffed at tehm for wearing long pants as they moved too fast while hunting..
Pretty much the same applies to going bare foot.. Guaranteed you are going to move slower.
As a kid crowing up we only got one pair of shoes a year and that was at school time, (Always a couple sizes too big).
By spring they were too small so we went bare foot all summer, indoors and out..
Your feet get pretty tough with a little exposure.
Not sure of your motive, but if your feet are up to it, the weather isn't too brutal and your comfortable with it? Go for it..
Thanks for all the replies fellas, I'll keep yawl updated with my progress.
Bare foot early season in NJ. You can't be hunting anywhere near me in NJ. You would be so chiggered up, you would try that one time and remember you tried it for 6 months!
QuoteOriginally posted by pavan:
What is the point of having your toes split up by all that foldy material. Looks like they could cause painful ingrown toe nails if they don't fit just right.
I have the pair in the first picture. The point of the toe separation is balance, grip, and protection. They are easy to fit if you follow the size chart. I have had less problems with my toe nails in these then I do in my $130 trail running shoes. These are the most comfortable shoe I have ever owned. I no longer have problems with Plater Fachlitis or Shin Splints.
The rubber on these is not like a ridged boot rubber. It is more like the rubber on the Bean boots. It flexes and moves with your foot. However the whole bottom of your foot is protected with the rubber. I have run through gravel and wood chips with no problem.
I really think that with a pair of these and some snake chaps you would be pretty protected and still get the barefoot feel and stealth.
The only draw back to these is they are slippery in mud... not as slick as mocks but I have gone sideways a time or two.
yes
The only reason I dared to put down jersey is that because both my parents are born and raised jerseyites from Woodbury heights and haddonfield
Taking off shoes to make a final stalk can make a lot of sense
If you go barefoot everywhere your feet are as tough as the feet of natives around the world but as I recall most natives did make shoes of some kind when materials were present
Yep, your crazy for sure but thats not necessarily a bad thing.Best Ive done is shot a deer while I was wearing sneakers and a jogging outfit.
I think your nuts :biglaugh: Too many burs and poison ivy around here for barefoot. Good luck - hope you shoot a big one!
Yup, pretty much crazy. That is why they invented shoes :biglaugh: But then again, the invented firearms and we choose not to use them to hunt. I say go ahead and go barefoot.
RonP
Maybe not nuts, but it seems more risky than its worth. Snake bite, sharp objects, briars, etc. just create too much hazard.
Also, anybody with diabetes IS CRAZY to do it as foot injureis often don't heal well or fast.
With all that said, when I was younger, I spent a lot of time barefoot but not while hunting.
I hunt barefoot. Also, I've been running barefoot for years, its very feasible. And its not painful, once you let your body do its job. Actually, there are less injuries, once you learn to walk and run correctly. Your leg and butt muscles are meant to absorb shock, not your shin, knee and hip bones. And your feet can and are far more durable then you give them credit for.
I also own several version of the Vibram five fingers, I recommend all of them. The KSO trek are awesome for hunting, but I've worn the classics too. Bill, the treks get ready of all those slipperiness issues. In fact, I'd say they have better traction then ANY of my danner's or lowas in any situation.
QuoteOriginally posted by elkbreath:
The KSO trek are awesome for hunting, but I've worn the classics too. Bill, the treks get ready of all those slipperiness issues. In fact, I'd say they have better traction then ANY of my danner's or lowas in any situation.
Hey good to know. Thanks.
i hunt and stump barefoot. ppl think im crazy, but it dont hurt my feet. i was raised in Arkansas and my parents had to make me wear shoes all my life lol :) i once hiked 6 miles through a very rocky part of missouri with alot of glades and stuff. i just pic the briars out later. and as far as snakes. unless u are wear "boots" a shoe wont stop pit viper fangs. and most the time when your taged by a snake its on the ankle. unless u directly step on it.
Where i hunt its so wet it would make for a miserable hunt to go without shoes.
Go for it. Good luck.
Shooting one without shoes would be a lot easier than tracking a blood trail without them.
QuoteOriginally posted by Squirrel Bait:
You can do it till you have a Copperhead talk you out of a toe!
:nono:
EXACTLY!! I have a friend who used to hunt barefoot. He got bit on the foot by a copperhead. He now hunts with shoes. He did say it was a really good way to stalk.
When I was a kid, I had the biggest paper route in town. All through the summer, I would do this paper route without ever wearing shoes. My feet were tough as nails. Pretty much like leather on the bottom. A couple of years ago in Namibia I attempted to put the stalk on some black wildebeast without shoes. I got close, and it was fun, but I had to spend alot of time pulling thorns out of the bottoms of my feet. My feet were not nearly as tough!
Yep nuts. Man evolved enough to produce great hunting shoes and boots for a reason.
Ring worm, snake bites, various viruses and bacterias, cuts, various poison plants, briars, I can go on forever with the list of reasons to not go barefoot in the woods. Every had to run away from a mad animal on rough ground? Shoes help a lot.
Give it a shot the worst thing that can happen? Revert to list above. Best thing that can happen you find it works great and keep doing it.
It ain't crazy...
I just think of all the bull nettle, stingin nettle, blackberry, bodark, honey locust, catclaw, scorpions, vipers, sandburrs, cockleburrs and them big blue centipedes.
Id like to try them 5 finger shoes but I think the lack of ankle support would cause problems in some terrain.
Crazy, no... but the liklihood of success depends alot on how used to walking barefoot you are and what terrain you'll be walking in. When not at work, I spend most of the summer barefoot and really don't have much problems with most areas that I walk, including through nettles, thistles, black/raspberries. As for poison ivy, I've walked through it some but generally just go around it. There are areas where I go REALLY slow such as areas near osage,locust and other plant with bigger thorns. Sandburs, in my book are a no go. I end of having to stop and pick the darn things off the bottom of my feet way too often to make walking, let alone any kind of stalking or sneaking reasonable.
I don't and never have lived where poisonous snakes are an issue so can't really comment there.
Walking barefoot really heightens awareness, both for those things that'll poke your feet and for everthing else around you. If you haven't gone barefoot up 'til now, I'd wait for next season cuz if your feet aren't reasonably tough, it won't be much fun and I think probably too distracting to make stalking effective.
But, in reasonable terrain and with practice, barefeet can't be beat by any type of shoe for quietness, traction, and comfort and for the awareness of your surroundings that it encourages. Good luck with it.
Ted