Snow shoes anyone

moellermd

moellermd

Super Moderator
So after hunting today with lots of the white stuff around I was thinking Snow shoes might be in order. I was thinking about getting a smaller sized pair. Has anyone ever used them in grassy areas? I am sure they would not work in cattails but how much trash can a guy walk through with them on?
 
I spent 35 years as a power lineman in North Idaho a spent a good deal of every winter in snow shoes. They have their place but be careful, you can lose your balance or trip yourself up by stepping on your own snow shoe, especially if they are the wide style and you try to turn. My recommendation would to get the narrow version that have the pivot built into the shoe with a clete on the bottom for traction and climbing hills.
 
I've done a lot of snowshoeing, but it never occurred to me to try it when pheasant hunting. I don't see why it wouldn't work. My suggestion would be to try it without a gun first. You'll know within 50 yards of the truck if it will work or not.

As was said previously, you'll want to get some pretty streamlined shoes that are a narrower than standard snowshoes to reduce the risk of tripping yourself up.

Who knows, you may start a whole new trend! By this time next year manufacturers could be producing snowshoes for our dogs!
 
Thanks for the info. How much trash, grass, weeds, ect, can I walk through with them on?
 
Depends how much snow there is, really. You can go over pretty much anything, but going through will be another story. Tall weeds pushing up above the snow will cause more resistance on the snowshoes as you try to pull through, making walking more difficult. Of course all this is relative, because it may still be easier than walking through 2 feet of snow and weeds in regular boots!

I was out yesterday 'shoeing around the nature preserve behind my house and I had no issues whatsoever. I just floated right over the top of everything. Cattails would be out of the question, though.

A lot may depend on your indidual coordination as well.

Check with local sporting goods stores, as some may rent snowshoes out for a nominal fee. This would give you the chance to try before you buy.
 
Who ever thought of using snow shoes for pheasant hunting is an idiot. My legs are killing me. Can you say sore. They worked but I must have walked different than what I normally do.
 
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