Hunting in snoeshoes, who does it?

Mad Mikey · 12-02-2006, 05:09 PM

Now that grouse season is over it's time to turn my attention to predator hunting again. I'm lucky in the sense that my Aunt/Uncle own a huge slice of prime game habitat that is bordered by two other private chunks of land that I also have permission to access. All just a ten minute drive from my house to jump off point.

This is also the time of year a cougar or two moves into the area following the deer and elk down from the high country. I spent at least four trips a month last year trying to find a pretty big one up there that was being hunted by at least a half dozen other guys from town.

Even though I didn't succeed it was always a good work-out, sometimes a pathetically grueling one in snow up to my crotch. Can't make good time in that stuff. Well, why not try snoeshoes?

Using my devasting good looks and seductive charm as a weapon, I connived one of the cute little college gals that works with me to check out a pair from the University for me to try.

All I wanted was snoeshoes.........Really!

I initially strapped them on my day pack and just hiked upwards until it got deep enough to slow me down. In all reality the snow on top was only 8-14" depending on the terrain and drifty areas. I even considered NOT putting them on at one point because I didn't want to slow down.

Dang! I'm glad I did put em' on! first few steps, no big deal. By the time I made 10 yards I had a big stupid grin on my face. Now I wonder why I had never considered them before. I covered 2X the mileage(about 8) with half the effort and I could really move when I wasn't having to be sneaky.

I may have also found a new work-out tool. I used to be an avid runner, about 50 miles a week until my knee started giving me hell. That was about 20 pounds ago...

I made a short jog of about a mile to see how the impact bothered me, not at all.

The brand I was using were TUBBS, after looking on their website I concured these were definitely older models but they worked fantastic.

So, who does this, what do you use? Recommendations? No, I don't want poles or need them. The rifle needs to be ready to go, so I want my hands free.

Here's a few pics looking back behind me, the weather was turning from clear/sunny to foggy on the downhill side(towards town).

Might look like bigfoot tracks from the air.....

The sky was a remarkable blue today at 4500 feet.

Did not find any cat tracks today, the first report was a week ago though. Maybe next week.

Elkhombre · 12-02-2006, 05:24 PM

MM,

Love the pictures. I tried to look you up last week of archery season at your place of employment. No one could find you. It was early in the day but then you probably start early and it could have been your lunch time. Bought(sp) my groceries and headed out. Had a great time. Did not kill anything but had 4 big bulls come in. Just an incrdible experience. Can't wait till next year.

elkhombre

SlyHawk · 12-02-2006, 06:40 PM

Tried snow shoe's-too slow! Want a hunting adventure?--Try cross country ski-ing!------You'l soon find out why there is a Olympic sport of this nature!
HO RA!

Mad Mikey · 12-02-2006, 07:38 PM

Yah, Finlander I hear ya.

I used to use the X-C skiis for duck hunting when I was younger, but that was flat stuff with no obstacles. I have to(need to) navigate through blowdown and won't necessarily be on trails or roads. If I can hike a strong walking pace through deep snow, that's just what I want, and that's what I found I could do today.

I sure dig the X-C thing though, big fun, but it wouldn't work in this terrain.

2LEYS · 12-02-2006, 08:40 PM

I bought a pair of Atlas 1030 All Terrain shoes last spring at GI Joes for about $130. They normally list for $220. I bought 3 pairs. A pair of Tubbs for my wife and for my 5 year old son. If you wait til Spring you will save close to 50%.

The Atlas's are awesome. It was the first time I ever tried shoshoes and it was awesome. I was dragging the kids on the sled up steep hills with no effort. I was sprinting up hills that I could barely get up in my boots. Definetely worth it if you get up in the snow often. Going to try hunting this year.

There are so many different styles of shoes it is rediculous. You will have to spend the cash to get the All Terrain type rather that the snow park models. Mine have cleats and claws at every angle and I can go anywhere. My wifes are a few steps down and she can't side hill as easy. My sons have just a few claws and are meant for flat ground.

They have weight rating too so make sure you get the right pair for your weight.

HOGGEMIN · 12-02-2006, 08:50 PM

I bought a pair a few years ago and haven't used them yet maybe I will have to just go do it since my other friends keep talking about it but haven't got them selfs a pair.

Monkey · 12-04-2006, 09:45 AM

I haven't used shoes or skis for hunting because currently I only hunt birds, but my wife and I spend a lot of time in the backcountry. I use the Atlas 1030�s.

In any multi-hour backcountry situation, especially hunting, I would recommend Atlas shoes. Take a look at the way the binding mounts to the shoe. It's one continuous band which "spring loads" the shoe. Most snowshoe bindings mount to the shoe with a metal bar like a hinge. While a great, solid method, I feel the band method is superior and more comfortable in the long term especially on uneven ground. When you step forward, the band automatically brings the tail of the shoe up so you don't have to step as high to clear your hole. After putting in a day... it makes a big difference on the ol� legs. Side hilling is also much more comfortable. Because you are on a laterally flexible attachment point, your ankle will maintain a much more vertical position. On a solid axle binding your binding will match the angle of the hill. Your ankles will have to compensate to keep your body upright. Also causing fatigue and potentially sore ankles.

Something I find extremely important, but not talked about with the spring-loaded system is the following scenario. Imagine you come to a downed tree. Rather than go all the way around, you just go over it. The step down is about 2 feet. No big thing, you just hop down. On a solid axle shoe, the tail of the snowshoe drops out from under you and you land directly on the now vertical tail. On a spring-loaded system like the Atlas, the tail is under tension and won't be able to fall vertically under you. You always land on the decking of the shoe. This can also come into play when walking down a very steep hill. Your shoe can just walk out from under you, tail pointing downhill, and you�ll step onto the tail. Yes, I�ve seen it happen. While really funny in the situations I was involved with, it could be extremely dangerous, especially if it's the first piece of bad luck that puts you into a survival situation.

The downside to the Atlas shoe is the spring load tends to launch soft/dry snow from the tail into the air with every step. Often times hitting you in the back. This really annoys some people. I couldn�t care less, but I can see why it would make some people go crazy. Like that annoying kid kicking your seat in the movie theater. And if you wear a hood it�s possible snow could hop right into your hood! I have never seen or heard of one of the bands breaking (even working retail 5 years). But if you bought them from a reputable dealer, they�ll replace the shoes if one did break. Atlas has a great web site to explain their shoe with pictures and video.

I probably sound like an advertisement, but I�m just really picky with my gear. Atlas is the shoe that fits my needs best. They may not work for you. MSR makes awesome shoes as well. The solid plastic ones are EXTREMELY loud so I wouldn't recommend them for a hunter, but all their shoes are really light and have traction like you wouldn't believe!! Of course Tubbs is a bombproof shoe. Some people really prefer the Tubbs binding system also. Take a look at Red Feather shoes if you�re going to shop around. I don�t have much experience with them, but I hear a lot of great things.

Like 3LEYS said, you'll save a bunch of cash if you can wait till spring. Keep in mind you'll have a pack on when picking the appropriate weight range. The larger the shoe, the more floatation they have, but the harder they are to manuver.

I know I�m long winded. It�s my nature. But if you�ve made it this far� you must not mind too terribly!

Good luck, and have fun!

ehunter · 12-04-2006, 10:00 AM

I prefer the MSR snow shoes the only negative point is they are a bit noisey but they have the best crampon on a snow show you can get they climb well and for heavy snow or wet snow you can add tails. The added tails help you float with a heavier load or wet snow. You will need poles I use my treking poles and add a snow show basket. I will be up on hood for my frist day trip this weekend. The best bet is if you can is to try some rentals and find what works best for you. I went out on a Mazama over night trip and there was at least 10 different brands and they all work. We have had our MSR shoes for 6 years. You also do not need a special boot we just use our hiking boots or your hunting boots make sure that they will fit in the bindings...

BigFishFever · 12-04-2006, 10:32 AM

Never had used, much less hunted with snowshoes until a week ago. Went up hunting with some friends who mentioned that they would be useful, however being the ignoramus that I am I chose to not listen to them.

Well one of the guys shot an elk, and we needed to proceed with tracking..the one that shot was whooped from chasing them, so I and another slapped the shoes on at dark...took a couple of steps to get used to it, and off into the brush we went (at dark) I found it extremely easy to learn the ins and outs of em.

We proceeded to tracking the animal till we had nothing left and left it for the evening..we continued the track the next morning, and found the animal down, after cleaning/quartering we again slapped the shoes on (after walking in w/o them on which was thigh waste trudging) we slapped the quarters to packs, and away we went...instead of postholing to the crotch, we were only going into the snow 8 inches or so....I am absolutely positive and convinced that I will have a pair for my late season hunts....makes traveling so much easier in the deep snow, I wont be without them again.

Not to mention, they were fun, a great workout, and would have made the entire hunt so much better!

I am looking at the Tubbs and/or atlas right now for my Christmas wish list!

Cornbread · 12-04-2006, 11:24 AM

I was doing the same thing you were this weekend. My cousin and I went up to do some calling for cats. I use snow shoes and they work great. I want to say they are Tubbs but I don't remember and I can't get to them right now but I'll take a look later and see what they are. It makes a huge difference even in just 12 inches of powdery snow. Here was my thread from this weekend with some pics as well. When my cousin e-mails me later I'll have him send me the ones we took with a digi cam as these two I took with my phone:
http://www.ifish.net/board/showthrea...01#post1343801

TroutGirl · 12-04-2006, 11:40 AM

Yep Mikey I've done it. I'm not much of hunter, but rabbit hunting in the snow was lots of fun. See all the tracks? Made for a few tasty winter meals.

I snowshoe a few times each winter. Lots of the new snowshoes have a pivoting platform. I don't always use the poles, but if I'm in a make distance mode, to reach a spot, then I do. Also if in really steep and rocky climb (not hunting) I'll use them. The crampons are the big deal for climbing hills. Lots of the new ones, the crampon blades are integrated.

They've got a few at Play it again sports and other used places. You might try that next time you're over here. They totally changed my winter experience. And quite a workout too.

Quaka Wacka · 12-04-2006, 03:35 PM

I've used both snow shoes and rondenee (sp?) skis for hunting. And the skis are great for on the trail, but the snow shoes are far better for wandering through the woods.

I have tried several brands of snow shoes and have been the happiest with the MSR accent versions. They give you great traction, even on steep and icy terrain. And they are extendable for different snow conditions. Someone mentioned that they are noisy, but snowsoes in general are noisy, and I haven't noticed them to be any worse than any other shoes. I know you said you didn't want to use the poles, but they make quite a difference. You can go a lot further and faster with less effort. I've gone to using trekking poles while hunting and a scabbard for my rifle. When I get into a decent area and want to start still hunting I just pull my rifle out and put one of the poles in the scabbard (this can be done, quitely, with my pack on my back still). And the pole makes a qiuck rifle rest as well. It takes a little while to get over the awkward ness of using the poles, but they really save wear and tear on you body as well as increase your range for a day trip.

Cornbread · 12-04-2006, 04:06 PM

I second the "use poles" statement. I am predator calling mostly so I have my rifle slung over my shoulder until I get to the next point I want to call from. Poles make everything way easier. Think of it like climbing stairs, you can climb stairs way faster when you use the railing to steady yourself and propel yourself up. Poles work the same way as a stair railing when you are cross country skiing or snow shoeing.