Snowshoes

[MNpurple]

I borrowed a friends snowshoes today and decided its time to get myself a pair.....they sure prolong a hunt in deep snow. I dont know much about them except his brand was "Tubbs" which in my opinion did not have a very user friendly binding system, especially when its 7 degrees. Who has them, what kind would you suggest that are reasonably priced as they will only get used 7 or 8 times per year? Anything else I should know before buying?

[CaptainMusky]

Just curious were you pheasant hunting? Did you venture into cattails, willows, etc?

I and my wife each have a pair of snowshoes, but I have yet to try them for hunting since I thought they would be a royal pain in thick cover.

I have no idea what brand they are, but they are all aluminum and I bought them at Sam's several years ago. They worked great when I used them in the open, might have to try them in the pheasant field.

[grab the net]

have used snowshoes the last few years. Great getting to and from the cattails. I usually remove them once I get to the heavy cover. Not real easy to manuever in the cattails. Pick em up on the way out. As far as bindings go, I used the ones that came with the wooden shoes I bought. They have straps and stay on very well if they are put on correctly the first time. I have the elongated wooden model. They hold me up on top in even the deepest of snow. CRP is tough to walkin also, tips get caught in the grass, trip you alot, especially wehn your getting a little tired. Well worth it for late season hunting, opens up a lo tof opportunities for the hard core rooster chaser.

[motley man]

I use them for predator hunting and have the heavy rubber binding that goes around back of boot. I use the old wooden type with turned up nose. They make it easy to move forward in heavy snow.

[MNpurple]

Just curious were you pheasant hunting? Did you venture into cattails, willows, etc?

As was said, I just used them to get to and from where I was actually hunting as they are more of a hassle in the thick cover, but they sure made it nice walking across that snow that holds you for a second before you bust through. With the shoes, no busting through.

[HawgMan]

We use them alot when predator hunting here & out west. We've found the white military magnesium ones are our preference. Combine them with the one piece step thru binding & you're good to go even at extreme sub zero temps. Do a Goog'l search & you should be able to locate them,Sportmans Guyd occasionally has them but the price keeps going up cuz they're in demand. Especially being white makes it sought after for us moonlight squealers!!

[bigdog]

Sierra Trading Post dot come usually has some at a deep discount. I have some Redfeather brand shoes with a tail. Work pretty good. The binding systems have changed since I bought mine so you would have to check their site to choose some.

I am 250# or so and the shoes are 30" with a tail. They have a "live" hinge so kick snow up on your pant legs - wear gaiters. I do sink into the snow but don't "post hole" like I would without the shoes. Much less tiring to wear shoes. The 30" length and having a tail makes the shoes very manuverable in cattails, etc. I've found round heel or longer shoes may float better but are also tougher to use in tight conditions

[JeffB]

I have a pair of Crescent Moon snow shoes. They have a lifetime waranty, very light weight, and have good bindings. These are what the guy at scheels recomended and they have been very good. I use them for areas that are full of deep wind blown snow. What ever size they recomend for your weight go larger. They work well but you will still sink a quite a bit in soft snow. I have also found them to work well for walking to the fish house when the lake floods, it keeps you above the water. I have a pair of the wood-gut shoes that hang on the wall, but prefer the modern ones for using. Get the biggest ones they sell.

[BLACKJACK]

Get the best binding that you can, that will make or break whether you like the shoes, if they keep coming off you'll hate them.