Trip report- pig hunt

[Speckmisser]

Well, just got back from a pretty nice pig hunting trip.  Went hardcore, packed up the backpack and tent and went over the mountain.  

I severely overestimated my current level of physical conditioning.  Dang!  Thought I'd die, fifteen minutes into the hike.

For the first time, I saw a pig on public lands.  It was rooting around down in a ravine and headed right toward me.  I stopped, and tried to crouch, but my overloaded pack kept my downhill momentum going.  A scrambling little dance ensued, which alerted the pig and everything else in the canyon of my presence.  Oh well.  

Somehow made it down to the creek I'd been planning to hunt.  No water.  Dangit.  Now what?  I figured that I'd find some pools or springs if I kept hiking.  Eventually found a nice sandy spot to pitch the tent and made camp. I still had another couple hours of daylight (I LOVE summertime).

Without the load, I felt like I was flying as I scouted out.  Sure enough, about another half mile up the creek I found the spot I was looking for.  A spring fed into the creekbed, creating several very nice, clear pools.  One very fresh set of tracks led up to the waters edge.  Further along, there was a nice trampled area, with trails lining the hillsides back up toward a beautiful "bowl" meadow.  

I took a stand along the edge of the creek until shooting light was about gone, then stalked back to camp.  I had a drink and a couple cans of Beanie Weenies..ah, backpacking food... and then kicked back to watch the stars with a nice strong drink.  

3:30 am, Ma Nature woke me with a gentle reminder that what goes in must come out.  I snuggled in the sleeping bag, trying to ignore it, not wanting to run out into the chilly morning.  About a half hour later, a chorus of coyotes took up just across the creek from my tent.  Very cool.  Made me forget about the water balloon in my bladder for a few minutes.  

Finally decided I couldn't wait anymore.  Took care of business and geared up for a morning hunt.  I found some more fresh sign, and located next winter's hunting grounds.  But the long and short of it...no pigs.  

Here's the thing, though.  I have a nice pair of Rocky Cornstalkers, but they're way too warm for hunting out here.  With thin socks, they wear blisters in my feet pretty quick.  

So... What kinds of boots are you guys wearing for those long hikes?  I need something that'll breathe, but remain waterproof.  I also want something that won't require a season just to break in.  Suggestions?  

 

[Eric Mayer]

I use Hi-Tech Camo Magnums.  They have Sympatex so they are waterproof.  Good, sturdy boots and very comfortable.  After I shredded mine last season going down a mile+ shale slide in the Sierras (no fault of the boots, my buddy's Danners got shredded as well), I picked up 3 more pairs.

I don't know if they are still available, but they cost me about $30.00 each.

Eric

 

[paulc]

spekmisser, best boots i have ever had are a pair of vasques.. leather uppper.. very comfortable.. i did put a 2nd pair of inserts in them though.. very dry as well.

 

[EL CAZADOR]

I have the Cabela's Upland Premeir.  Although its designed for upland hunting, I've worn them in several types of terrain and haven't had any problems yet.  When you first put them on the feel as though you've worn them for about an entire season.  I got the uninsulated version.

 

[Grumpy]

Speck/pigmisser,sounds like you had a great weekend.It would only have taken me about 3 minutes to realize that I was in no shape to be out hiking with a full pack(too much smoking*L*).I can't really help you on the boots though.Are the Corn Stalkers worth the money? I'm thinking that they might be great for up here in Canada.How warm are they,and are they as waterproof as claimed?

Great story too,I really like when the coyotes start sniffing around your tent in the middle of the night,they sound like something alot bigger*L*

Grump

 

[Speckmisser]

Thanks for the feedback, folks.  

Grumpy, I think the cornstalkers would be perfect up your way... or maybe the 800gram version, depending on how cold.  They're super warm, and with thick socks I can wear them all day long.  And they're completely waterproof right up to the top.  I've worn them hiking in creeks, rain/mud, and snow, without any problems. That's what they're made for.  

Only once here in CA have I needed all the protection they provide, and that was hunting in a snowstorm.  It just doesn't get cold around here...at least not the areas I usually hunt.  And when you wear these things with thick socks, it better be cold.  

 

[Whoadog]

 The only hunting boots I wear for everything are Danner 400 gram.  The key is to wear two pair of socks, even in 100 degree weather.  The under socks should be a thin pair of wicking socks, this will prevent the blistering.  My uncle taught me this when I was young and I have never had a foot blister.

Brian

 

[hntndux]

I'll second paulc on the Vasque's.  I'm on my second pair of the Clarion GTX model and still get impressed every time I put them on, definetly worth a look!

 

[spectr17]

Good to hear somebody is out hunting spec. I had 2 pairs of Rocky boots come apart on me after only a few months and I won't be buying them ever again. One boot had the sole come off while trying to descend a steep mountain, not my idea of fun.

I've had good luckl with Danner and Herman Survivors before. Right now I have a  6" and 10 " pair of Bass Pro's Redhead  boots. They were about $50.00 each and are holding up so far after turkey season. On the Thinsulate, I read somewhere that after 400 grams you don't get any additional protection/warmth. The article said the 800 gram boots are basically 400 gram.

2 pair of socks with the thin pair underneath will keep the blisters down as mentioned before.

 

[fishhead]

I purchased a pair of Merlot? wool socks last season.  They don't feel like wool and the're great!  I liked them so much I bellied up another $15 and purchased a second pair.
Same boots, differnt socks, what a difference.

 

[shooter44]

I have a pair of 8" Black Rock Cordura/psudo-gortex with 600 grams of thinsulate from Readhead.  I really like them but they are too hot for the summer.  I've been wearing some cheap noninsulated leather Chukas I that I bought two pairs of a couple of years ago for about $20.00 each.  They are cool and quiet but hardly any tread or ankle and arch support.  I'm thinking about buying a pair of Readhead's non-insulated 6" Gobblers for summer use.

 

[BigDog]

Well, several years ago, I got tired of twisting and banging my ankles on my adventures. I went to REI and bought a pair of Solomon leather boots for around $200. I wear them everywhere except the duck blind. I have even worn them a few times while out jump shooting ducks. They have great support and the tread is amazing. I call them my goat boots. I can climb just about anything without ever slipping. I wore them hunting in Montana and my feet stayed plenty warm too. I guess my sock trick isn't a secret. Seems everybody wears a thin wicking pair under the thick pair. Great minds thinking alike.

 

[SoCal Nimrod]

I wear Red Wing Irish Setter boots.  Some of my friends who've tried them can't stand them.  For me they're great.  I oil them generously and they keep water out in quick stream crossings.  I wear goretex socks when I know they will be wet.  I wear heavy socks when it's cold, and lighter socks when its warm.  I am a member of the local Search & Rescue team and wear the boots an all our call outs.  Even when carrying heavy loads they're comfortable. I recommend getting  "superfeet" inserts.  I wear them in all my shoes if I have room.

 

[feelinducky]

I have Quest boots from Cabelas.  The first pair a rivet broke and they replaced them no questions asked.  They areleather and have about 400g of thinsulate, and are waterproof.  Very comfortable.
Rick

 

[Hawk 1]

Hi Speckmisser,

Sounds like you had a really good trip.  Backpack hunting is definately my preferred method and I would also recommend the Vasgue Clarion GTX.  I bought my third pair last summer and after a breaking in of about five miles around the house they were good to go with no problems on my last two backpack hunts.  We have traded e-mails but my e-mail address changed.  Shoot me an e-mail when you get a chance. Haakon@surewest.net

Hawk 1

 

[Moondoggy]

http://www.trailspace.com/gear/boot.html

That link has to be the ultimate link for boot reviews.

 

[SlipSliding]

Thanks for the report.  You are a good writer.

 

[Speckmisser]

Thanks for the kind words, Slipsliding.  I enjoy doing it.

And hello again, Hawk.  My email has been up and down for a while too.  I'll try to drop you a line when all is settled again.

Sounds like lots of you guys like the Vasques.  I'll have to try some out.  In the meantime, bought a pair of lightweight, scentlok sneaker-boots from Cabelas.  

They feel like the old Converse hi-tops, but even lighter.  They're not waterproof, but in the summer time they dry in a couple of minutes, even with socks.  The only fault is the soles are real thin, so you feel every rock.  Nice for stalking quietly, but tough on hard hikes.