stalking

[couesarcher]

Just want some input on what everyone's own technique on stalking is.

 

I used to use a pair of bears feet, but there were more of a pain slipping them on and off. Getting full of cactus and needles and didn't stay on very well.

 

I've tried to sneak in with my boots, very noisy. Not much success either.

 

I've even heard of people taking their boots off and sneaking in there socks. This sounds even more painful.

 

I've thought about using my tennis shoes or even some type of moccasins.

 

Just trying to improve my stalking technique and was wondering what other guys do to get in close.

 

Thanks

Terry

[SilentButDeadly]

I hike in trail runners,

 

I stalk in 2-3 pairs of socks, the outside pair is a heavy wool boot sock that I put on after I take my shoes off. Stalking in socks means that you have to pay attention to where you put your feet!

 

I keep an extra large zip-lock bag in my pack to put my shoes in when I take them off (what good is scent lock if you are wafting a pair of hot sweaty shoes with you??)

[mr.smith]

I typically just stalk in my boots.

 

If you look at pics of Randy Ulmer with the monster deer he kills you will notice that he is always wearing tennis shoes. I may have to give that a try in january.

[mikep35]

I use a toyota tacoma. Its real quiet!

[live24wheel]

I use a toyota tacoma. Its real quiet!

 

LMAO x2, The TRD exaust makes it tricky, but fun!

[Huntn coues]

I hike in trail runners,

 

I stalk in 2-3 pairs of socks, the outside pair is a heavy wool boot sock that I put on after I take my shoes off. Stalking in socks means that you have to pay attention to where you put your feet!

 

I keep an extra large zip-lock bag in my pack to put my shoes in when I take them off (what good is scent lock if you are wafting a pair of hot sweaty shoes with you??)

 

 

According to those Michigan guy's Scent Lock doesn't work anyway.

 

[rabidApache]

I've found that most animals I've spotted are not stalkable. When this situation occurs I normally would wait it out. Its either too thick, too many eyeballs, winds not right or no chance in heck of me getting closer than 50yds. My max range for a bow shot is under 40yds.

I usually carry a pair of old heavy hiking socks for the final close-in stalk under 80yds. If everything is OK and I'm closing in on the deer I'll slip off my boots and put-on the socks.

This year I snuck-up to a nice 4X4 muley at about 31yds. I shot and hit-em high forward above shoulder with no recovery . Trailed deer for ~3 miles until I jumped'em from its bed. All that time (~5hours had passed from shot) with minimal blood loss. We then watched the buck cover about 1mile of country with no signs of the wound being fatal . It sure was a RUSH... . I think I was more satisfied with our tracking skills than anything. Tracked animal up and down, thru mesquite thickets and rocky terrain. Upon tracking we found the arrow with about 2" of penetration. Maybe next year .

[m gardner]

I use Danner 8 inch Desert TFX boots. Pigskin won't let anything sharp through and the soles are quiet. No Gore-Tex liner means you won't sweat in them. Get the wind and go slow. Most stalking problems I've encountered had to do with the brush they live in making noise and not anything I'll step on. Just move anything you'll step on out of the way with your foot then gently put your foot down. I've been within feet of some does and within 15 to 20 yards of small bucks. The biggest problem I've encountered is them seeing me before I see them. Work alot with your glasses as you move. if they look your way stop until they look away. This morning I nearly stepped on a good buck with 3 does as my girlfriend and I moved through rocks and brush going to her stand. I had looked behind me to see where she was (she's a city girl bowhunting for the first time) and took my next step with out glassing because the stand was only a few steps away. I would've seen ears if I had and she would maybe have gotten a shot. She's wants a rifle tag next year.

Mark

[GodIsGood]

I have a few different boots given the temperature and terrain... danner pronghorn for multi-purpose cool-cold, some desert combat boots with good wicking socks for warm-hot hiking, a pair of 600g gortex rockies for shallow snow hiking, and a pair of calf-high 2000g gortex deep snow boots...

 

still a rookie, but a 44yrs and 230lbs, bad vision and High-smellin' after a few miles - I reserve my hard-hiking for scouting and FINDING a place to plunk a ground blind or tree stand.

 

At my age and stealthiness [lack there of] I cannot even snoop & poop a carp - let alone an ultra-paranoid coues deer .

 

Merry Christmas and good hunting in the new year to all!

[elmergoo]

The only way I have ever had a chance is to see them before they see you, use the wind or anticipate {when they are rutting hard} where they are heading,slip around the backside and set up a ambush.

[elpepe25]

new balance trail shoes, then i popem off and wear 2-3 pairs of heavy socks

[msgbarney]

new balance trail shoes, then i popem off and wear 2-3 pairs of heavy socks

 

I was wondering what the trick was, no wonder when I try and get close on a stalk, on this crunchy AZ country, the Deer pin me. You might be on to something Elpepe, "Stalking Socks".

[bobbyo]

I use a pair of old grandma slippers. Soft fabric bottom. The bunny ears do pick up a lot of cactus though.

Bob

[iwannakillsomething]

SOCKS!!!!! hahaha then i tuff it out!!!