Trad Gang

so i was in the squirrel woods and noticed my boots make alot of noise when stalking  so in my mind the only option was to ditch the boots, i took off my boots and continued the last 30 yards of my stalk barefoot and notice that i made very little noise and the squirrel didnt seem alarmed at all i took 2 shots off at it the first shot hit about 2" to the right and it must not have heard me or my bow because it jumped and then stopped sniffed the arrow and took a nibble on the shaft before hopping away giving me another 5 yard stalk then another shot feel about 5" low on that shot at that point he decided to leave

anybody else try stalking smallgame barefoot?

I haven't hunter for a few years but I used to take my hiking boots off and use a thick pair of old wool socks to keep my quiter. My thoughts on it is your feet can "feel" the ground better and keep you from putting full preasure on some stuff like dry twigs or similar noise makers. I will also use bears feet on the outside of my boots when just doing day hunts because it's easy but if you need to make as little noise as possible then shoes off and wool socks is the way to go IMO

:)  I hunt and hike barefoot a lot of the time.  My feet are waterproof and dead quiet, glad I have em.

i was amazed at my increased stalking ability once i removed them

A good friend of mine talked me into getting the vibram toe shoes for bow hunting. I took them turkey hunting this year and they are amazing for hunting.

If you want a little protection and dead quiet stalking ability - look into Five-Fingers and Skeletoes shoes (or monkey shoes as my wife calls them).  I have both and use them all the time.

I'll back up the other guys on the five fingers, they are a decent product, I've owned six pairs over the last 6 years or so.  Also, if you don't prefer toes, I went to Vivobarefoot shoes, they are also dead quiet and allow me to put on a wool sock when needed.  I swear the five fingers are colder then going barefoot at times!  and never liked them with injini socks.  

Merrell barefoot trailglove are also a great product.  They last alot longer then either of the above options, but the sole is also not as quiet, though the have great proprioception.  

This year I have been wearing the trailgloves and taking them off when I can slow down a hair and going barfoot entirely. I generally hunt most of the day in good weather completely barefoot.  But there are many times when I have to slip into my trailgloves.  In the dark, when we are hiking fast to get somewhere, etc...  

I still hunted up on The bull I shot last year, had no idea I was there.  He caught us both off guard.  Give your feet a try!

Never heard of "Barefoot" hunting but I have heard of people "Bigfoot" hunting!    :biglaugh:    

Are they kin?    :laughing:    

Oops, sorry 'bout that!    :rolleyes:      

piece of property I have in so. central missouri is loaded with copperheads. I advise everyone to wear closed shoes minimum during snakey season when visiting.

Rusty

I don't think my feet are tough enough to walk to the mailbox without shoes.  About 5 steps and everything in the county would here me whimpering.

I wear a pair of sheep skin slippers when I squirrel hunt. I can feel everything underfoot and adds a little bit of protection. I wear wool socks with them when it starts to get cold out. Once it's wet or snowing its boots for me. I need some Muklucks!!!

Nope. Just too concerned about snakes to want to try it.

When I was a kid I used felt liners in a pair of totes......warm ,dry and you could feel all the things under your feet and avoid them before putting all your weight down!

I was just starting to think that this sounded like a great idea, not to mention fun.  Then I got to the snake comment.  Way too many copperheads and cotton mouths in north Louisiana.  I think I'll pass for now.

LL Bean Maine Hunting Shoe is the best stalking boot I have ever worn.  No shank, so you feel everything underfoot.  I buy the tall ones and find that I get less chiggars and ticks on me than ever before.  I also have noticed deer walk over my trail and not pick up my scent.  Barefoot?  No thanks.

There is too much broken glass left on the ground from generations of "sportsmen" who just couldnt be troubled to pack out their trash to consider hunting barefoot where I am at. I do like the idea of barefoot or a pair of moccasins. I have an issue of TBM from a couple of years ago that had a good article about this. Anyone else see it?

I tried a pair of the Vibram 5 toes and learned quickly that my toes really like each other and want to be close to one another..lol

Barefoot stalking isn't going to happen but I have used thick socks.

God bless,Mudd

I ditch them quite often, beware of cacti and other things that bite and poke and sting, but it is amazing how much more you can feel the ground to step in the right places and how quite you can be.

well i have hunted deer in my country in bare feet and it works but i don't think i would try it over there as ya got to many things that want to bite or stick ya   :scared:

Check out Arrow Moccasins

I was directed by a member here to barefoot options. I ended up getting the 5 fingers. I love them man they are so nice to wear. They can get REALLY cold however. For me barefoot or the closest to it is the way to go.

My dad always bow hunted in tennis shoes. I use a pair of old hunting boots that the soles are really thin. It takes awhile to get the boots in really good shape.

Just put the third pair of soles on this pair!
Easy to make too.

(http://i904.photobucket.com/albums/ac248/TmPotter47/mock5.jpg)

These are great to just watch yourself if it's wet out.

(http://i904.photobucket.com/albums/ac248/TmPotter47/mock1.jpg)

Tracy

Tracy you "nailed it" with your warning about "watch out if it's wet"...lol

It doesn't have to be raining, just a light dew or even just the moisture that decaying matter seems to draw and you can experience some unexpected slips and falls.

One thing I have found that helps prevent them is a hiking staff.(very beneficial in other ways as well)

God bless,Mudd

Mudd, I only have the slipping problems with the harder soled mocks like in the second pic. The softer soles are much better and I wear them all the time.

Good idea with the walking stave.  :thumbsup:  

Tracy

Ok Tracy you got my attention how about patterns or plans for those mocks those are really good looking.  Say easy to make would like to hear more. Thanks

Here you go Caveman, about half way down the page.  :knothead:

Tracy

This is all you need to build them. I bye my needles at the dollar genaral, artificial seinew, something good to cut the leather, A good leather punch and some good leather of your choice.

(http://i904.photobucket.com/albums/ac248/TmPotter47/14628C4F-EB85-4B41-8E5D-C3961A4FE606-2317-00000607ED632E57.jpg)

I prefer the softer leather and I also double up the bottom of the mocs. If you bye this type of punch be careful they dont last to long if you bye the cheaper ones.

(http://i904.photobucket.com/albums/ac248/TmPotter47/23700E36-D793-49A7-983F-DC6D03759DA6-2317-000006080FD508D9.jpg)

I like the single and you can bye different sizes for different holes but I just use the one size. You will be making alot of hole per pair.

(http://i904.photobucket.com/albums/ac248/TmPotter47/65F8DCD5-78B0-4A72-A374-FA6388293203-2317-00000608332B92F3.jpg)

Tracy

Tracy is that the plains Indian moccasin pattern?

Yes it is minus the fringe   :D  

I make them both ways though.

Tracy

Thank you.