Little tips that can make a big difference?

[MS 9x56]

@MS 9x56
Tucking the ears into the boots would make it a bit hard for the beagles to run wouldn't it.
That's only speculation tho because I have never tried to tuck my dogs ears into my boots. If'n I did the mongrel would have bit me
Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha
Bob

I have never had my beagles ears come untied but I have had to disengage them from multiflora rose thorns a few times.

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

Bob I am talking -20c not +20c.

@MS 9x56
If'n it's minus 20c I ain't goin' nowhere outside.
Bob

 

[HankBuck]

@MS 9x56
If'n it's minus 20c I ain't goin' nowhere outside.
Bob

@Bob Nelson 35Whelen — Bob, with 50 million “Sheep” where you live can’t you get some good WOOL to keep warm? I’ve paid big $$ for top of the line wool hunting clothes and worth every penny, lasts forever and nothing (Nothing) is warmer then wool. Some of the best quality use to come from King of the Mountain or Sleeping Indian —- their older stuff selling used on EBay can be excellent condition…and still cost $300 to $800 “used” for a shirt/pants/coat. 2nd best quality like Filson is also very good AND expensive. An older friend in Canada got me sold on wool back in the 1990s and later when I owned a cabin and acreage in NY Adirondacks I amassed quite the collection. That stuff kept me warm enough to stay on Stand for 5-6 hours in Zero down to -10 F. The downside (besides the cost) is the weight & bulk - it’s like carrying a “live sheep” on your shoulders, so I carried my coat when walking out to my Stand…then put it on. It also doesn’t pack easily for travel-away-hunts. But - Wool long johns, wool shirt & pants, wool vest, wool coat, wool hat and you’re ready to Hunt GREENLAND for Musk Ox in February !!

 

[Ontario Hunter]

@Bob Nelson 35Whelen — Bob, with 50 million “Sheep” where you live can’t you get some good WOOL to keep warm? I’ve paid big $$ for top of the line wool hunting clothes and worth every penny, lasts forever and nothing (Nothing) is warmer then wool. Some of the best quality use to come from King of the Mountain or Sleeping Indian —- their older stuff selling used on EBay can be excellent condition…and still cost $300 to $800 “used” for a shirt/pants/coat. 2nd best quality like Filson is also very good AND expensive. An older friend in Canada got me sold on wool back in the 1990s and later when I owned a cabin and acreage in NY Adirondacks I amassed quite the collection. That stuff kept me warm enough to stay on Stand for 5-6 hours in Zero down to -10 F. The downside (besides the cost) is the weight & bulk - it’s like carrying a “live sheep” on your shoulders, so I carried my coat when walking out to my Stand…then put it on. It also doesn’t pack easily for travel-away-hunts. But - Wool long johns, wool shirt & pants, wool vest, wool coat, wool hat and you’re ready to Hunt GREENLAND for Musk Ox in February !!

Wool might "last forever" for those who want to sit in a tree stand. But for stalking it doesn't last long. Easily frayed and wears out between the legs and on elbows relatively quickly. Cleaning it will take a lot out of wool. I love the stuff for very cold hunting but I recognize it's shortcomings. Fleece is a better option. Slightly less thermal but that stuff truly does last forever. And 100% more affordable.

 

[MS 9x56]

I wear a Woolrich coat and trousers outfit that was my grandfathers then my Dads and for the last 52 years mine. We were and are a family of still hunters. There have been some buttons replaced and button holes repaired some barbed wire tears repaired laces on the pant legs replaced but I still wear that outfit every deer season. For my family this outfit has given 3 generations of faithful service. Long lasting oh my yes. Just one families experience.

 

[Ontario Hunter]

I wear a Woolrich coat and trousers outfit that was my grandfathers then my Dads and for the last 52 years mine. We were and are a family of still hunters. There have been some buttons replaced and button holes repaired some barbed wire tears repaired laces on the pant legs replaced but I still wear that outfit every deer season. For my family this outfit has given 3 generations of faithful service. Long lasting oh my yes. Just one families experience.

Big difference is still hunting ( = sitting in one place) vs stalking ( = on the move constantly). I'm sure a wool shirt and pants could be passed down in a truck driver's family through five generations but I doubt the same outfit would last an iron worker or linesman more than two years. I would always advise anyone who buys wool for hunting, even still hunting, to pick fabric that is wool-synthetic blend. Nylon works very well. It has almost no thermal value but it strengthens the wool garment significantly. However, even with 40% nylon I couldn't get wool pants to last more than four seasons before the crotch between my legs was completely worn through. Pant legs rub together, wool pills up, and is rubbed off. Fleece was a godsend for my style of hunting. Tough as nails top to bottom and kept me reasonably warm.

Wool is also flammable. Not explosive but very easily ignited and smolders, spreading quickly. I learned that lesson the hard way working around molten metal in an aluminum plant. Fleece will melt at the spots exposed to flame but at least it doesn't keep spreading. Be careful getting too close to the campfire with wool clothing.

 

[MS 9x56]

Big difference is still hunting ( = sitting in one place) vs stalking ( = on the move constantly). I'm sure a wool shirt and pants could be passed down in a truck driver's family through five generations but I doubt the same outfit would last an iron worker or linesman more than two years. I would always advise anyone who buys wool for hunting, even still hunting, to pick fabric that is wool-synthetic blend. Nylon works very well. It has almost no thermal value but it strengthens the wool garment significantly. However, even with 40% nylon I couldn't get wool pants to last more than four seasons before the crotch between my legs was completely worn through. Pant legs rub together, wool pills up, and is rubbed off. Fleece was a godsend for my style of hunting. Tough as nails top to bottom and kept me reasonably warm.

Wool is also flammable. Not explosive but very easily ignited and smolders, spreading quickly. I learned that lesson the hard way working around molten metal in an aluminum plant. Fleece will melt at the spots exposed to flame but at least it doesn't keep spreading. Be careful getting too close to the campfire with wool clothing.

You obviously have not been taught the correct methodology of still hunting. There is very little sitting in still hunting a lot of standing but very little sitting. You wear your noisy synthetics and I will keep hunting in my dead quiet very warm wool and we will both be happy.

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

@Bob Nelson 35Whelen — Bob, with 50 million “Sheep” where you live can’t you get some good WOOL to keep warm? I’ve paid big $$ for top of the line wool hunting clothes and worth every penny, lasts forever and nothing (Nothing) is warmer then wool. Some of the best quality use to come from King of the Mountain or Sleeping Indian —- their older stuff selling used on EBay can be excellent condition…and still cost $300 to $800 “used” for a shirt/pants/coat. 2nd best quality like Filson is also very good AND expensive. An older friend in Canada got me sold on wool back in the 1990s and later when I owned a cabin and acreage in NY Adirondacks I amassed quite the collection. That stuff kept me warm enough to stay on Stand for 5-6 hours in Zero down to -10 F. The downside (besides the cost) is the weight & bulk - it’s like carrying a “live sheep” on your shoulders, so I carried my coat when walking out to my Stand…then put it on. It also doesn’t pack easily for travel-away-hunts. But - Wool long johns, wool shirt & pants, wool vest, wool coat, wool hat and you’re ready to Hunt GREENLAND for Musk Ox in February !!

@HankBuck
The coldest I've hunted in was minus 16 Celcius.
When my wife and I were in new Zealand that had jumpers made with fibres spun from possum fur.
These were light weight and far warmer than anything I have ever come come across. Not cheap $200nz for a jumper
Bob

 

[Hunt anything]

You obviously have not been taught the correct methodology of still hunting. There is very little sitting in still hunting a lot of standing but very little sitting. You wear your noisy synthetics and I will keep hunting in my dead quiet very warm wool and we will both be happy.

Agree, I’ve always thought still hunting was slipping through the woods stopping every few yards glassing for game and moving along at a snails pace. Stalking was putting the sneak on game that has already been sighted and sitting in a stand for hours was stand hunting. Of course this is just terminology.

 

[MS 9x56]

Agree, I’ve always thought still hunting was slipping through the woods stopping every few yards glassing for game and moving along at a snails pace. Stalking was putting the sneak on game that has already been sighted and sitting in a stand for hours was stand hunting. Of course this is just terminology.

If you ever get a chance to read van Dykes book on still hunting ( that is the title) buy it as it is a master class on the art of still hunting. I only do the snails pace where there is an abundance of fresh deer sign.

 

[Russ16]

@HankBuck
The coldest I've hunted in was minus 16 Celcius.
When my wife and I were in new Zealand that had jumpers made with fibres spun from possum fur.
These were light weight and far warmer than anything I have ever come come across. Not cheap $200nz for a jumper
Bob

Met a guy once that kept all the hair from daily brushing his labradors. His mother cleaned it and spun it into yarn then knitted a sweater. He would regularly go out in below 0 wearing nothing else and was plenty warm. It was soft as can be too. I was always jealous of it.

 

[Ontario Hunter]

You obviously have not been taught the correct methodology of still hunting. There is very little sitting in still hunting a lot of standing but very little sitting. You wear your noisy synthetics and I will keep hunting in my dead quiet very warm wool and we will both be happy.

Okay ... sitting or standing = not walking. Fleece is as quiet as wool. Maybe quieter. And much lighter and more flexible. I still usually wear wool pants over jeans in deep snow and extreme cold but they don't hold up if doing a lot of work or walking. I have worn out at least fifteen pairs of wool pants in my career. Mind you, that might also be a thousand miles or more of walking.

For me stalking was hiking till I find a track and staying on it. Perhaps the hiking part is what you call still hunting. My idea of still hunting here is guys who call moose. Or bugle elk in Montana. Never been my thing. Sitting/standing around just doesn't have enough action. And bird hunting you gotta keep up with the dog. There is nothing "still" about it. I'm sure most of those wool pants were worn out following the dogs after pheasants in November or jump shooting ducks in December and January.

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

Agree, I’ve always thought still hunting was slipping through the woods stopping every few yards glassing for game and moving along at a snails pace. Stalking was putting the sneak on game that has already been sighted and sitting in a stand for hours was stand hunting. Of course this is just terminology.

@Hunt anything
At my age with the body falling apart quicker than I hoped I'm just happy to be
STILL HUNTING.
HA HA HA
Bob

 

[Hunt anything]

@Hunt anything
At my age with the body falling apart quicker than I hoped I'm just happy to be
STILL HUNTING.
HA HA HA
Bob

Bob, that makes 2 of us! Seeing like every morning there’s a new ache or pain. But I did have a pretty good we “still hunting”, 3 whitetail bucks since last Monday. The Alabama limit. 2 6pts and an 8pt.
David

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

Bob, that makes 2 of us! Seeing like every morning there’s a new ache or pain. But I did have a pretty good we “still hunting”, 3 whitetail bucks since last Monday. The Alabama limit. 2 6pts and an 8pt.
David

@Hunt anything
I told my doctor I'm not seeing her any more.
She asked why
I told her everytime I see you you find something else wrong with me..
Bob

 

[HankBuck]

I wear a Woolrich coat and trousers outfit that was my grandfathers then my Dads and for the last 52 years mine. We were and are a family of still hunters. There have been some buttons replaced and button holes repaired some barbed wire tears repaired laces on the pant legs replaced but I still wear that outfit every deer season. For my family this outfit has given 3 generations of faithful service. Long lasting oh my yes. Just one families experience.

@MS 9x56 - that’s a GREAT Family heirloom & tradtion, you certainly understand and respect tradition and Family memories. Do you have some photos of your Dad and Grandfather wearing those hunting clothes? I would love to have something of my Father’s or Grandfathers to wear while hunting. My Dad wore a yellow wool shirt when he took me pheasant & rabbit hunting as a kid and a brown Duxbak canvas vest - somehow the shirt was thrown out after he died (I was 20) and the vest lost. I didn’t know at that time to “save those clothes” and how much they would mean to me in later years… I would’ve loved to have worn either while hunting and think of those two clothing items often. Wool is great, very quiet, warm - even if damp, and durable….only “moths” are it’s enemy ! I’ve told my Son to “save a few clothing items after I’m gone” because he might want to have them later.

 

[HankBuck]

If you ever get a chance to read van Dykes book on still hunting ( that is the title) buy it as it is a master class on the art of still hunting. I only do the snails pace where there is an abundance of fresh deer sign.

@MS 9x56 - I will look into that book, it’s been very rare for me to have success ‘still hunting’ as conditions require fresh tracking Snow and miles of woods/property to roam- find a good track - stay on it….Not a real productive style for heavily populated, little snow, small parcels of land in New Jersey. You’ve got the “snails pace” correct - if you’re covering One Mile per hour —-you’re Speeding ! It is popular in Maine and the Northeastern US but to score consistently requires skill, stamina, and woodsmanship —- I have a lot of stamina and little of the others but Not the abundance required.

 

[MS 9x56]

@MS 9x56 - I will look into that book, it’s been very rare for me to have success ‘still hunting’ as conditions require fresh tracking Snow and miles of woods/property to roam- find a good track - stay on it….Not a real productive style for heavily populated, little snow, small parcels of land in New Jersey. You’ve got the “snails pace” correct - if you’re covering One Mile per hour —-you’re Speeding ! It is popular in Maine and the Northeastern US but to score consistently requires skill, stamina, and woodsmanship —- I have a lot of stamina and little of the others but Not the abundance required.

I got my copy on Amazon. Don’t confuse tracking ( the method used by the Benoits) with still hunting. You don’t need snow to still hunt. Knowledge of the woods you are hunting helps but is not required. Knowledge of deers preferences and habits is required. If you are not seeing squirrels and birds you are going too fast or making too much noise. Study up and slow down where deer sign is abundant try to keep your nose to the wind. I have often smelled deer before seeing them. Shots usually come fast and close. Good luck.

 

[HankBuck]

I got my copy on Amazon. Don’t confuse tracking ( the method used by the Benoits) with still hunting. You don’t need snow to still hunt. Knowledge of the woods you are hunting helps but is not required. Knowledge of deers preferences and habits is required. If you are not seeing squirrels and birds you are going too fast or making too much noise. Study up and slow down where deer sign is abundant try to keep your nose to the wind. I have often smelled deer before seeing them. Shots usually come fast and close. Good luck.

@MS 9x56 - tracking deer in snow “is” a form of ‘still hunting’ but ‘still hunting’ without snow usually is Not tracking. Without snow you can certainly ‘still hunt’ but it is likely more difficult as visibility (seeing the animal) is harder and when you “jump one” (unless you see or hear it) you may not know it happened —- no obvious bed depression as found in snow, running tracks etc.. I think w/out snow the odds of success go down in the big North Woods areas of ME, NH, VT, NY etc.. But, a walk in the deer woods, rifle in hand, is Always worthwhile and any buck taken was earned and a Trophy.