Snowshoe Hunting - Page 2

wyobohunter · February 15, 2011, 09:06 PM

Have you considered x-country skis? They aren't as manueverable if you'll be going into tight trees and brush but they are way more efficient (and fun). I have both modern snowshoes and a few different sets of skis. I much prefer the skis and generally just bring the snowshoes along when I'm on the snow machine (in case it breaks down).

If you're set on snowshoes I'll throw out another suggestion for modern with crampons/claws if it gets very steep where you hunt. Make sure you size them big enough to support your weight plus anything you may carry, including critters.

To me snowshoes are just a tool to get around on if no better means of transport is available, I've never actually seen anybody smiling on them... at least not because of them... like the REI catalog shows

.

Hunter Customs · February 17, 2011, 10:00 AM

wyobohunter,
Thanks for your reply, however I think I better stay with snow shoes.
I hate to think what I might do on a pair of skis.
Best Regards
Bob Hunter
www.huntercustoms.com

cnimrod · February 18, 2011, 07:53 PM

Have both Algonquin and Bear Paw styles, haven't used them in a while and bindings were a weak spot and they need to be varnished regularly.

by coincidence Dave Petzal just wrote this on Field and Stream newsletter.
"I got the new ones (the Venture model). I’m saddened to say the aluminum and neoprene monstrosities work much, much better than the old type. It isn’t even close. Next thing you know I’ll be replacing all my wood-stocked guns with plastic."

that said I don't think I'd be hanging the new ones on the wall for show and tell

T. O'Heir · February 18, 2011, 11:26 PM

You ever been on snowshoes? Note how far apart the tracks are in Rembrandt's picture. Hurts walking like that for very long. And his shoes are narrow. Snowshowing can be brutally hard work. In any case, get yourself a 6foot hiking staff. Help you to get up when you fall over.
"...on military snowshoes...They are worthless..." American issue snowshoes maybe, but not CF issue snowshoes.

Hunter Customs · February 20, 2011, 11:17 AM

crimrod,
Thanks for the info.

T. O'Heir,
No, I've never walked in snowshoes, but I will.
I realize they will be different to walk in then regular footwear, and require more energy.
That being said I'll be willing to bet they will be better to walk in then wading through the deep snow like I did tracking that coyote.
Thanks for your imput on this.

This is a little off topic. Years ago I shot some pistol competition with a gentleman from Canada, his name was Terry O'Heir. I believe he told me he was a judge in Canada, would he happen to be any relation?

Best Regards
Bob Hunter
www.huntercustoms.com

wyobohunter · February 21, 2011, 01:19 AM

Quote:

That being said I'll be willing to bet they will be better to walk in then wading through the deep snow like I did tracking that coyote.

Absolutely. If the snow is about mid-calf or deeper they are worth wearing. The exception is if the walk is very short and the walk would be more than about 1/2 finished by the time you would got the snowshoes on. Those are pretty broad generalizations of course.

Also, as another poster mentioned; it's very convenient to pack at least one ski pole and two is better. Quality adjustable poles are the ticket.

TYM2MOTR · February 21, 2011, 06:08 PM

+1 for the adjustable trekking poles. Collapsed they're easy to carry when you don't need to use them, and if you have to cross a creek bed, or steep and uneven terrain they can be extended or shortened as needed.

Hunter Customs · February 21, 2011, 08:34 PM

wyobohunter and TYM2MOTR.
I will deffinately take the advice on the poles, especially the adjustable ones.
I figure I might even give them double duty and use them as make shift shooting sticks.
Thanks again to everyone for all the good advice.
Best Regards
Bob Hunter
www.huntercustoms.com

February 15, 2011, 09:06 PM	#26
wyobohunter Senior Member Join Date: August 21, 2008 Location: Back in Wyoming Posts: 1,125	Have you considered x-country skis? They aren't as manueverable if you'll be going into tight trees and brush but they are way more efficient (and fun). I have both modern snowshoes and a few different sets of skis. I much prefer the skis and generally just bring the snowshoes along when I'm on the snow machine (in case it breaks down). If you're set on snowshoes I'll throw out another suggestion for modern with crampons/claws if it gets very steep where you hunt. Make sure you size them big enough to support your weight plus anything you may carry, including critters. To me snowshoes are just a tool to get around on if no better means of transport is available, I've never actually seen anybody smiling on them... at least not because of them... like the REI catalog shows. __________________ Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results

February 18, 2011, 07:53 PM	#28
cnimrod Senior Member Join Date: September 24, 2009 Location: NJ/NY Posts: 152	always love the traditional looks Have both Algonquin and Bear Paw styles, haven't used them in a while and bindings were a weak spot and they need to be varnished regularly. by coincidence Dave Petzal just wrote this on Field and Stream newsletter. "I got the new ones (the Venture model). I’m saddened to say the aluminum and neoprene monstrosities work much, much better than the old type. It isn’t even close. Next thing you know I’ll be replacing all my wood-stocked guns with plastic." that said I don't think I'd be hanging the new ones on the wall for show and tell

February 18, 2011, 11:26 PM	#29
T. O'Heir Senior Member Join Date: February 13, 2002 Location: Canada Posts: 12,453	You ever been on snowshoes? Note how far apart the tracks are in Rembrandt's picture. Hurts walking like that for very long. And his shoes are narrow. Snowshowing can be brutally hard work. In any case, get yourself a 6foot hiking staff. Help you to get up when you fall over. "...on military snowshoes...They are worthless..." American issue snowshoes maybe, but not CF issue snowshoes. __________________ Spelling and grammar count!

February 21, 2011, 06:08 PM	#32
TYM2MOTR Member Join Date: July 17, 2009 Location: Steuben Co. NY Posts: 24	+1 for the adjustable trekking poles. Collapsed they're easy to carry when you don't need to use them, and if you have to cross a creek bed, or steep and uneven terrain they can be extended or shortened as needed. Last edited by TYM2MOTR; February 21, 2011 at 06:15 PM.

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February 17, 2011, 10:00 AM	#27
Hunter Customs Senior Member Join Date: March 26, 2005 Location: Osborn, Missouri Posts: 2,697	wyobohunter, Thanks for your reply, however I think I better stay with snow shoes. I hate to think what I might do on a pair of skis. Best Regards Bob Hunter www.huntercustoms.com

February 20, 2011, 11:17 AM	#30
Hunter Customs Senior Member Join Date: March 26, 2005 Location: Osborn, Missouri Posts: 2,697	crimrod, Thanks for the info. T. O'Heir, No, I've never walked in snowshoes, but I will. I realize they will be different to walk in then regular footwear, and require more energy. That being said I'll be willing to bet they will be better to walk in then wading through the deep snow like I did tracking that coyote. Thanks for your imput on this. This is a little off topic. Years ago I shot some pistol competition with a gentleman from Canada, his name was Terry O'Heir. I believe he told me he was a judge in Canada, would he happen to be any relation? Best Regards Bob Hunter www.huntercustoms.com

February 21, 2011, 08:34 PM	#33
Hunter Customs Senior Member Join Date: March 26, 2005 Location: Osborn, Missouri Posts: 2,697	wyobohunter and TYM2MOTR. I will deffinately take the advice on the poles, especially the adjustable ones. I figure I might even give them double duty and use them as make shift shooting sticks. Thanks again to everyone for all the good advice. Best Regards Bob Hunter www.huntercustoms.com