Deer Hunting Boots

[wallter]

Hey guys! Looking for some input regarding deer hunting boots. I have two lines of thought(I already own rubber boots only about 200 grms on thinsulate zero warmth);

Scent free is key as I own several pairs of very nice boots, but can't get myself to wear them into the woods because I use them for everything else.

1- Buy those blanket style boots to go over rubber boots while in stand only when it's cold. OR..

2- Purchase a second pair that are more of a cold weather boot (but not too warm). Ideas please...

[Hossienda]

I have been using 2 pairs of boots. One is a pair of Rockies that have 800 grams of thinsulate. They are very comfy and my feet don't get too cold. If the temps are pretty low, I use the toe warmers in with good socks. I have also used a pair of rubber boots that have 500 grams of thinsulate. I again used good socks, a thin liner sock and then a heavier one (I can't remember what brand, but I got them at Scheel's) My feet almost seemed to be warmer in the rubber boots with less thinsulate than the Rockies. I am attributing this to the fact that the Rockies can get wet.

-Hossienda

[Gissert]

For stand hunting, I use my Mickey Mouse army boots with wool socks. My feet NEVER get cold in these, and they are the same boots I use ice fishing. I would not want to walk in them all day, however.

I have a pair of Browning boots with 800 grams of insulation that I picked up in the bargain cave in Cabelas that will keep my feet warm for several hours in a stand at temps down to about 15 degrees.

[wallter]

Any idea's on how to get any and every scent out of an existing pair of boots (rubber smell or just gas and oil or everyday smells that get on them)? Or is this a waste of time?

[bigbucks]

I picked up a pair of rubber Rocky boots this fall at Fleet Farm on a great sale for $40. They have a 1000 grams of thinsulate. I wore them all season, warm to cold, opening morning through New Year's Eve. A couple of those 70+ early fall days about killed me, but I just wore light socks & slipped my boots off for a little while when I first got to the stand to cool them off. I have the Mickey Mouse boots, but I swear these boots are warmer. I have terrible circulation in my toes, so they normally get cold after a couple of hours in almost any boots.

[wallter]

Bigbucks,

Sounds good. I'm guessing that one more pair of boots is the way to go.

Any thoughts on that NEW RUBBER BOOT SMELL?

[bigbucks]

I didn't notice they had it too much, but walking in mud &/or manure. I walk through puddles or wet grass, whatever I can enroute to my stand always to get some smell from the area. I wouldn't walk in fresh manure if there's none close to your stand however.

I lost track of how many deer I had in bow range of me this year, but it was a lot, in separate outings, although several were deer I'd seen at other times, I'd say 30-40. I wasn't hunting anywhere where I saw more than 10 deer in an outing & it was rare to get close to 10. I'm not sure if I ever saw 10 in an eveing, which is still a lot in my eyes, but I've heard of guys hunting in places where they've seen as many as 30-40 in an evening. I believe them, but it's hard for me to imagine.

[wallter]

Any products that may work on making boots scent free? Scent killer, carbon blast, etc. any ideas???

[jlm]

Rubber boots hold very little scent compared to other materials, that is why most choose them for hunting. Scrub your boots with baking soda and allow them to air dry outside. When you are going to use them for hunting or scouting, use scent killer or other products which neutralize or eliminate scent (spray it inside the boots as well..be sure to let it dry before you put the boot on!). I would also recommend NOT using scents of predatory animals as I have had some bad luck with them. Fox urine in particular seems to make the deer a little "nervous" in my experience. You are better off with deer scents or natural scents like cow pies (if you have cows in your area) if you are going to use a scent. Good luck!

[JohnnyC77]

You might want to try using a thick pair of wool socks with the rubber boots. This winter I forgot my boots when I came back to college second semester. I went to Wal-Mart of all godforsaken places and got their CHEAPEST pair of ruppers ($7) and just wore HEAVY wool under them...so far they have seemd to work very well. I have went out in bemidji ice fishing and moving my icehouse and my feet stayed warm.(I have poor circulation also) The blanket boots wouldn't be such an awful idea either. I also have a pair of Choda brand boots. They are waterproof and made of I can't remember what, they are also rubber in the bottom so the scent isn't soo bad. That might be something to look into, I used them in 15 below and 60 above with relative comfort! As far as keeping the boots scent free, or removing scent, wash them with scent killer (even if you just mix it in water in a pail and soak the boots) then spray them down with the scent killer spray and maybe even a cover scent. If you have totally rubber boots though, a dousing of scent killer spray really should be all that is needed! Good luck in the woods!!

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[JohnnyC77]

Very NICE but EXPENSIVE...........and how durable are they???

Johnny C

[Captain B.R.K]

I know year end deals are going out on hunting boots- in most of the popular name brands. You might be able to catch a sale or two at your local outdoor shops.

I personally have 2 pairs of hunting boots- 400gram and 800gram thinsulate gore-tex boots. Depending on the season is when I wear either pair. I'm not to worried about scent as I always spray a cover scent on each time I go into the field (I use raccoon scent).

I use these boots away from hunting as well--again cover scent is used during hunting.

I did upgrade and got a pair of rubber boots for Christmas. A pair of muck boots and looking forward to trying em' this year.

[wallter]

Here's what I am after. If guys are using boots for things other than deer hunting, what are you doing to remove scent and how do you know it works???

[Ruttin' Buck]

Wallter - I noticed you also had a post asking why you are having trouble shooting trophies. I'm going to attempt to hit up both posts in one.

I have managed to shoot a number of nice deer with the bow and rifle in my 17 years of hunting. All but one of these nice bucks were taken in the last 10 or so years when I really learned how to hunt whitetail and after trying everything and anything when I was a teenager. The mistakes I made however were crucial in my current successes. All but one of these bucks were taken on public land.

As you know, it's hard enough to take a deer for some people more less consistently shoot bruisers. Bowhunting has taught me more than any magazine, video, or professional could possibly teach me.

One of the biggest things I learned was you have to try to do everything right, every single time you are out. That means paying attention to every detail of your hunt. I would say that near the top of my list, if not #1, is scent control.

Like others mentioned here they have boots just for hunting. This is a must. Not only is it a must, but I do not so much as let my dog's nose touch any of my gear, set it next to my bird hunting equipment, etc. Best thing I know of is wash all articles in baking soda that are washable then put them and the nonwashable items outside on the line...all the time if possible. If you have to move them, put them in a tote with pine boughs, leaves, etc.

On top of that, I never walk around a running vehicle exposing myself to the exhaust, rarely get out of a vehicle that's running, and never step out at a gas station with my hunting boots on, etc.

My thing is why try to get the smell off if a little planning can prevent it from getting on in the first place? Anal, yes. Does it work? Well, prove to me that it doesn't. Just because you can't smell something doesn't mean a buck won't.

We all know how blessed you can be just to see a buck during daylight hours...at least until the rut kicks in. Any mistakes you make when they do happen to risk moving will greatly impact the odds of you taking a wall hanger...they don't get big by being stupid.

Not trying to come down on you. Just giving it to you cut and dried. Try overcompensating next season and see what happens. Plan several stand sights, stay scent free, move cut branches that may have your scent on them 200 yards from your stand sights, play the wind, try scents, try calling, get comfortable and sit as still as humanly possible. Assume things like if you make a noise, you won't likely see a deer for 30 minutes. Force yourself to be as perfect as possible. If you do these things as routinely and as ideally as your hunting situations permit, and you're on top of some buck sign, you will see him in time! Even if you're not perfect it's better than not trying at all and having results like you've experienced in the past.

Yes there will always be hunters that while simultaneously expelling gas, smoking a cig, and relieving themselves of their morning coffee will see and shoot a big buck. Good for them, now let's see them do it again next year. Rut, spooked deer, etc. will always yield fluke opportunities to even the most carefree hunters. But a good rifle hunter, or an exceptional bowhunter, can dump a bruiser consistenly each year if he/she is completely dedicated to the hunt.

Good luck!

[wallter]

Ruttin' Buck,

Pretty impressive info.

Do you think baking soda does the scent removal job (on existing boots that have been all over)? You can tell I'm being a tight wad and don't want to buy new one's.

[JohnnyC77]

Being a tight wad is good though, why spend more money than you have to!! Baking soda should do it, and if you spray on scent killer and use a cover scent (coon urine for example), you shouldn't have a problem. I mean new boots have a smell too....

[Captain B.R.K]

Quote:

---

Here's what I am after. If guys are using boots for things other than deer hunting, what are you doing to remove scent and how do you know it works???

---

Having a 5 point buck come right up to my stand and allow me to watch him for about 15-20 minutes, until he lost interest and walked away.

THAT IS NO LIE. Had I taken him, which would have been an easy 10 yard kill my season would have been done. This happpen to early in the season.

I'm a firm believer in the cover scent (fox or raccoon urine). I religiously spray it on my boots after I have put everything on. I even take some of the elimanator spray and put that on my clothing and gear. I might be cautious, but never can be to cautious with those little noses!

As for removing the scent?? I'm using my boots for ice-fishing, working in the woods and hiking so I'm not to worried about the smell of my boot.

[JohnnyC77]

I too agree that a good cover scent goes a LONG way!! I like to either use coon urine or those scent wafers. Remember to match them to your hunting area though. Using a pine scented wafer when there isn't a pine tree for miles MIGHT make them wairy (I am not too sure), but either way you want to make sure to match for the area.

Johnny C

[bigbucks]

That is fun, but personally I don't find it's too hard to fool the nose of a yearling buck. I'm not as careful as I used to be with scent & sometimes I've paid for that, but I almost never use cover scent anymore. It seems like the deer decide after a few outings in the same stand there's coon scent in certain places a little too often. I know I had over 10 chances to shoot young bucks like the 5 pointer you mentioned at that kind of range & very few of them ever figured out I was there. It seems like if they come in from upwind & then get really close to your stand the chance of them smelling you while they're still close, or looking almost straight up to see you, is very slim. I still maintain, that next to fawns, a yearling buck is the most stupid deer in the woods, but sure fun to watch.

[wallter]

bigbucks,

Correct, but we're trying to shoot a trophy and I'm thinking that a guy either has to be lucky (bow) or good (take care of all the details). I'm guessing that regarding boots, if the wind is swirling (like it always does in the woods), than attention to all details especially the smell you bring in on your feet is a big deal... What do you think? Thanks for the input.

[bigbucks]

I'm agreeing most all of what's been said. I'm just saying having a small buck around you for an extended period of time doesn't necessarily mean a big buck won't be detecting you. I'm saying that to myself as much as anybody. You have to try to take care of as many details as possible & then you still need luck & prayer.

[Canuck]

Boots & Scent

When I am hunting blinds that are close to the farm yard or in the bush where the cattle range I always walk through the feed lot prior to going to my blind. I am a cheap skate and believe the natural scent covers are the best. When my blind of choice is beyond the farm yard I do not want to alert the deer of my presence and attempt and I mean attempt to leave NO scent. When I first started hunting I heard about how skunk scent was so good as it covered human scent completely, well I picked up a dead skunk on the road and put it in a bag. I don't think I ever got rid of that scent from my trunk. I got to thinking and the only time a skunk sprays is when it is alerted to some danger so in essence I was alerting deer of some danger, do U want to do that, I don't think so. I couldn't use coon scent as there are very few if any coons in our area. Instead I have tried to eliminate my human scent and boots I feel leave a trail that has to be covered.

Rubber boots I find the best for picking up and holding scent. Leather is a good boot but it holds scent alot better than rubber. If you are hunting in an area that is wet then rubber is all the better. I don't think anybody can advise you as to what boot is better for your area as what is good for our area would not work in the mid west (Manitoba, it d-- cold) Your rubber boots can be improved in warmth by including proper socks (several layers), even battery socks or heat packs. Buy rubbers large enough for several socks.

[JohnnyC77]

Along the lines of cheap-skate scent cover ups, there are many ways to go. You can boil acorns and and drain the water as cover scent. You can use pine or ceder boughs on your clothes too instead of scent wafers. Deer themselves also have a few body parts can be used. You can drain the urine from a deer and use it as attractant. Also you can use the tarsnal glad as an attractant. The tarsnal gland is on the back leg where the inside of the "knee" is. Well, that's all I got to babble about for now! Take er easy!

Johnny C

[wildirishrose]

Amen bigbucks, sometimes it doesn't matter what you do. Some days you pick the right stand and the (Contact US Regarding This Word) wind switches but you still get deer coming in. And some days the wind is right and even the fawns are spooky, like you said, luck and a prayer is our best chance considering how much time most of us get to spend perched in a tree. Most of the videos we watch are from guys that hunt for a living, for the newbie bowhunters, it's not as easy as it looks. My 2 cents