Snowshoes???

[fishin58]

Anybody ever use em? I am goin to give the birds one last hurrah tomorrow. My buddy mentioned snowshoes and that sounds like a good idea!!

Are they heavy? Make you tired?? Will they work for a 265lber??

[muc33]

Yes, I use them, and they are actually very light and make a world of difference and being I am not far from you in weight, I can verify they will work for you too. hehehehe. Talk to a retailer who knows shoes and they will direct you to the correct sizing. Good Luck

[grab the net]

I have used them a few times recently for rooster hunts. They do make the walks to and from the cattails easier. Once in the cats it may be easier to take them off. Walked one slough where I kept them on the whole time and the next place was a nightmare keeping them on. Definetly make walking easier, do not try to run with them, tips catch the grass or cats very often, tripping you up. Last trip I went on was fun but no birds in bag. Roosters very jumpy, hens held but the birds were bunched up for the most part, and I swear the hens were on guard watch. 1st hen would jump and then the whole bunch went airborne. Close enough to see the roosters clearly, but just out of range. 50 to 60 yards, then with the mix of hens and roosters, just couldn't safely pick out a rooster to shoot at. Duey caught some hens that did bury deep, but that did not work out real well for two of them. Decided we better call it a day. Snow is deep, brother in law found a spot to fall through up to his waist in one slough, very wet. So there are still unsafe areas if you can believe it after all that cold weather.

[BLACKJACK]

I have a pair of snowshoes, I like them better than cross country skis because you can go a lot more places, but they're no good in thick woods/brush and in long grass/cattails, you need to keep the toes of the showshoes up, and you can't get them high enough in cattails. Where are you going to find pheasants this time of year? In the willows and cattails. The snowshoes may work for you outside the cattails.

I guess there is only one way for you to find out, go out and try them but I know when I go hunting one last time on New Years the snowshoes will stay home because I'll be busting cattails. Good luck.

[CodyDawg]

dad wore them on friday and felt there wasnt enough snow yet and it was too light for them to be better than no snowshoes. maybe now that it has firmed up a little it would be better with them. they suck in weeds/cattails.

[fishin58]

Thanks for the advice guys, both my dogs know enough to get into the cattails. So I can stay out of them.

[bigdog]

I go about 245# and have a pair of aluminum framed shoes about 3' long, Redfeather brand, Black Hawk model I think. They are rounded in front and have a pointed tail. I have not had any trouble walking in long grass or cattails. Actually in long grass that is covered with snow they really help as you don't "post hole" into the junk. There are metal claws on the bottom that help to grip the ice. With smaller shoes like these you do sink in some but is is much less work than without shoes. If you travel cross country then the large wooden frames may be better to help float on the snow.

It's important to get bindings that are easy to adjust and get your boots into. My shoes have a heavy rubber/plastic 'hinge' under the ball of the foot, some have metal rods. The rubber hinge makes the tail of the shoe kick up a little and keeps the deck clean from snow. Also throws snow on the back of your pants so wearing gaiters is advised.

[LovenLifeGuy]

I was out today near marshall and brought mine with. I did not need or use them. I was out that way last week and wish I had brought them, but a lot of the snow has melted in the last week. If you are going near any area that got hit with this snow today I would bring them for sure.

[fishin58]

Wish I had them on Wednesday!!! I went through 3-4 ft snow the whole time...I was a sweaty mule! I finally made it to a shelter belt and was able to walk on the hard crust.