Hunting in Moccasins

[redneckscholar]

Hey Everyone
As most of ya'll probably already know Archery season is creeping up on us like an Indian to a buffalo. Im wanting to try my hand at stalk hunting this time cause im getting tired of setting in a deer stand and because i would like to hone my near nonexistent stalking skills. I was wondering if anyone of you could help me with a question:
i have a pair of Minnetonka moccasins very much like the ones in the link and wanted to know if they would stand up to being used as footwear to stalk in and if they would last for any amount of time, keep in mind i would wear my boots till i was in the area i would be hunting then make a quick change. I hunt mainly in Southern Illinois (Pope and Saline County), Southeastern to Middle Tennessee (mostly hills and hollers and some of those things we call mountains that those out west would laugh at) and will probably be hunting in Alabama some (mostly the swamps, occasionaly hills and hollers). All replies are greatly appreciated including stories and tips


http://www.moccasinsales.com/minneto...d_softsole.htm

*mods if im not supposed to do that notify me*

[MaKettle]

Not those ones. Those are slippers and aren't suitable for outdoor wear.

If you really want the short ones you want actual moccasins (not slippers with foam inside) http://www.moccasins.com/mens-moccas...lemoccasin.cfm They look the same but slippers have foam for comfort - not so comfy when they get wet and hold it against your feet.

Foam gets wet, feet get sick.

I prefer knee highs but then we have rattlesnakes here.

**And you'd be better off sticking with the shoes you normally wear. New shoe types equal blisters so break them in with short hikes before you go off for a day of hunting.

[razadp]

As a youth we wore moccasins made by the Cree in Manitoba.

Outdoor mocassins would have a good thick sole from bull moose shoulder area, and the rest would be thinner more flexible leather. Lace up the front, anout 8 inches high. No lining.

Lining would be socks for us modern people, or moss for the primitives. Rabbit fur in the winter.

[SeekHer]

Those aren't outdoor wear...try:
Carl Dyers
Arrow

Museum and Winter
Bearwolf Museum
Steger Moosehide Mukluks

Ren Faire
Sodhoppers
There was a company called Bald Mountain but their link is gone.

Tall moccasins were made to protect the legs from thorns etc. not snakebites unless you had many layers of hide and hardened...With short mocs you can always wear "Botas" or short (below the knee) leggings.

Try the Gokey line of boots by Orvis for their mocs, expensive but I've been wearing the same pair for four years now and the bottoms are still strong and if they do blow out, I can send them back for resoling.

Check with any of the blackpowder magazines for any other makers
Muzzleloader or
Muzzleblasts by the NMLRA.
On the Trail
Smoke and Fire News
Whispering Wind -- Native mag

[MaKettle]

Originally Posted by SeekHer

Those aren't outdoor wear...try:
Carl Dyers
Arrow

Museum and Winter
Bearwolf Museum
Steger Moosehide Mukluks

Ren Faire
Sodhoppers
There was a company called Bald Mountain but their link is gone.

Tall moccasins were made to protect the legs from thorns etc. not snakebites unless you had many layers of hide and hardened...With short mocs you can always wear "Botas" or short (below the knee) leggings.

Try the Gokey line of boots by Orvis for their mocs, expensive but I've been wearing the same pair for four years now and the bottoms are still strong and if they do blow out, I can send them back for resoling.

Check with any of the blackpowder magazines for any other makers
Muzzleloader or
Muzzleblasts by the NMLRA.
On the Trail
Smoke and Fire News
Whispering Wind -- Native mag

Yeah, mine are reinforced kneehighs with extra layers around the legs and tassles. Well.... some tassles are missing... I'm in need of repairs. But anyway my boots are double layer with the top open so I can add a layer for hunting in the woods and remove it when it's not needed.

I wish they made something better for the kids. Right now they just have to carry sticks and stay away from possible hidey holes and rocks.

We had a 6 foot blacksnake sitting on the front step at the cabin last time we went up. We've moved others before with no problem but this one kept coming back and had to be killed. Hated to do it. They keep the rodents under control. When they find a place they want to guard though they're dangerous for kids.

[CZDiesel]

Why not just use your hunting boots? Just sayin.... Most everything archery out west is spot and stalk and we just use what we use for everything else.

[vicdotcom]

Originally Posted by CZDiesel

Why not just use your hunting boots? Just sayin.... Most everything archery out west is spot and stalk and we just use what we use for everything else.

Ever try a pair? They are really comfortable, light, and make you walk ligther in the ground. Making less sound. A lot more sensitivity also (depending on the moccasin and materials of course).

It all depends on your terrain though also. I hunt in sneakers now for the reasons stated above unless the weather is obviously bad or in the rocks.

[Flinter]

My suggestion would be to buy yourself a hide from one of the leather suppliers and make a pair yourself. They aren't that hard to make and will be much better than anything I've seen on this page so far.

I make mine from Elk hide but Moose is probably the best.

[EdD270]

Those are not outdoors worthy mocassins. Better to get a pair of real mocassins as in links already posted, or from Cabelas or BassProshops, etc.
If you want to be quiet, just put two pair of heavy wool socks on top of your mocassins, or even over your regular boots or jogging shoes. Really quiets your steps down. Still have to watch where you put your feet, though.

[lanahi]

Originally Posted by redneckscholar

Hey Everyone
As most of ya'll probably already know Archery season is creeping up on us like an Indian to a buffalo. Im wanting to try my hand at stalk hunting this time cause im getting tired of setting in a deer stand and because i would like to hone my near nonexistent stalking skills. I was wondering if anyone of you could help me with a question:
i have a pair of Minnetonka moccasins very much like the ones in the link and wanted to know if they would stand up to being used as footwear to stalk in and if they would last for any amount of time, keep in mind i would wear my boots till i was in the area i would be hunting then make a quick change. I hunt mainly in Southern Illinois (Pope and Saline County), Southeastern to Middle Tennessee (mostly hills and hollers and some of those things we call mountains that those out west would laugh at) and will probably be hunting in Alabama some (mostly the swamps, occasionaly hills and hollers).

Depends on the terrain you're hunting in. When I take walks every day, I come back and pull out thorns from the soles of my shoes. That would hurt in moccasins!
The noise you make doesn't always depend on what you are wearing on your feet either. If you step on sticks that break, that's going to make a sound. Or dry leaves will make a sound. It's more in the method of walking in the woods than anything.

[SeekHer]

Originally Posted by lanahi

Depends on the terrain you're hunting in. When I take walks every day, I come back and pull out thorns from the soles of my shoes. That would hurt in moccasins!
The noise you make doesn't always depend on what you are wearing on your feet either. If you step on sticks that break, that's going to make a sound. Or dry leaves will make a sound. It's more in the method of walking in the woods than anything.

The models I posted don't have soft soles but single and double layers of bullhide or other thick skin, some hardened...You can't feel single branches on the ground like with eastern soft soled centre seamed mocs but they are much quieter and one quarter the weight of boots but they can be slippery on dew laden grass.

I forgot this company:
Russell Moccasins while only custom made they show the way a pair of high tops mocs/boots are designed.