Advice For The Newbies

[ArkieElk]

If you have never chased elk or mule deer in the mountains pay close attention to the boots you plan to wear. During your hunt you will be putting a lot of rough miles on your feet and having good boots is a must. In my younger days a pair of boots would only last me about twenty one days before they were toast! Sloes and heel would be split, strings and bindings frayed and pulling lose. So your favorite pair of camo tennis shoes isn't going to cut it in brutal mountain terrain. Also never wear cotton socks. Your hunt will be over after day one. Get you some good blister proof socks and keep a spare pair if your backpacking in. One more thing, trim your toenails just before your hunt. The first year I hunted in the mountains both of my big toes started hurting. I thought I had stubbed my toes on rocks and bruised them. When I got back home l lost the toenails on both of my big toes. I finally figured out that my nails were too long and were being jammed against the front of my boots and sheared off at the root. Last tip, buy some of the biggest band aids you can and keep several with you. If you feel a blister starting, stop immediately and put one of these band aids over the spot. Hobbling around on sore feet makes for a miserable hunt!


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[Jlrineer1]

Thanks for the info! going to Idaho for my first back country hunt these threads are a gold mine for guys like me when it comes to advice. It's less painful to learn from others mistakes.

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[rammont]

In line with the above post, buy boots that are sized correctly, if your toes are butting into the front of your boots then they are the wrong size for you. I wear a size 9 1/2 shoe but my Kenetrek boots are 10 1/2, a full size larger so that I can wear good wool socks and still have room to keep my toes from touching the front. Also make sure that your boots are tied properly, if your foot moves too much then you wont be able to stop the toes from going too far forward. I recently found a new way to tie my boots that have helped immensly, it allows the top of my boots to flex without restriction and it reduces the amount of movement of my heels, they move enough to allow flexibility but not so much that I get blisters.

 

[jtm307]

This is solid advice. On a side note, I've had a pair of Teva boots that I've been using for hunting and hiking for 2 years. I got them for less than $40 at Sierra Trading Post. I haven't had any foot trouble, even after some double digit mile days. I've gotten my money's worth many times over. You don't always have to spend an arm and a leg for good footwear.