Ground Hunting Footwear for Stalking -- DIY Idea

[ahab78]

At work I recently used a pair of gloves that were made of eleastic cloth that had the palm and fingers rubberized. The tops of the gloves breathed but the rubberized portion protected my hands. This gave me an idea for hunting socks for stalking.

Rather than spend $50+ on Vibram Five Fingers or just walk in plain wool socks, I thought about getting some Flexseal or similar ruberized spray and merino wool socks. Fill the socks with shopping bags and put several coats on the bottom and then stand them up and place some old trousers over them to spray from the top and rubberize the sock up to the cuffs of your pants. This would give you protection from thorns and twigs on the bottom and partially on the tops of your feet but still allow you to feel the ground and move with stealth. The merino wicks perspiration and is antibacterial so combined with the rubber you might be able to reduce the scent you leave behind in your footprints. And since the bottom and part of the tops are rubberized the wicked sweat and smell may evaporate up and out instead of down into the ground.

Just a thought. Let me know what you guys think.

[Sam McMichael]

It may work, but I have doubts. However, it would not break the bank to give it a try, so go for it. However, I wear snake boots, period.

[Mike Vines]

Shave your legs and just go with Rhino-liner, directly applied.

All kidding aside, who care what others think?  If you have the stuff and the time to do it, give it a shot.  You never know, it might be the next greatest thing.

[ahab78]

Just exchanging ideas, Mike. Someone could have already tried it and may have a better way.

[newhouse114]

For ten bucks you can go get a pair of rubber soled wading slippers. It is my prefered foot ware if I am going to be still hunting in the woods. Not so much chasing mule deer in the desert.

[toddster]

Try it, why not.  A good pair of moccassin would be awesome, too

[two4hooking]

Sounds like a fun project / experiment.  I think I'll stick with my LL bean hunting shoes for now though.

[last arrow]

Another good option is the rubber overshoe that you get to keep mud off your shoes.  they make one that covers the lower 2/3rd of a dress shoe and are available at Family farm and fleet around here.  Get a smaller size and slide them over a heavy wool sock to make a water proof stalking shoe for the early season.  They also make a good camp shoe when in remote camps.  

That said I usually wear LL BEAN boots when hunting here in Michigan when temperatures are lower but the overshoe may work all season in Georgia.

I keep a pair in my truck to go over dress shoes if I unexpectedly have to go on a job site.

I find that crunching a few leaves does not alarm deer as much as me jumping on a dry branch or slipping and falling down, I am no longer a good faller.  I also find that loud grunting really helps when I need to get back up.  I like boots that are light and do not slip. The ones that really bug me is when I am helping someone else look for a hit deer, most of the time that is a kid that hit a deer with a mechanical Walmart head, and while stomping around the biggest buck in the area runs to easy shooting range just to see what's going on. It has happened more than once. That flex seal stuff does not apply as easily as it does on tv.  I use it a lot for gutters and various other things.  It is not good for the lungs.

[Homebru]

Originally posted by newhouse114:
For ten bucks you can go get a pair of rubber soled wading slippers. It is my prefered foot ware if I am going to be still hunting in the woods. Not so much chasing mule deer in the desert. [/QUOTE

I have a pair of snorkel booties that I have in camp with me.
homebru

   

[Msturm]

I have put that grip dip on the bottom of mocs for waterproofing rawhide and adding some grip. worked petty cool.

[Roadkill]

Water socks from Wally World and wool sock over them.  You could also get Beans .  They work well on relatively flat ground.  Up-down hills and side hills-not so good

[Roadkill]

Water socks from Wally World and wool sock over them.  You could also get Beans .  They work well on relatively flat ground.  Up-down hills and side hills-not so good

[Stumpkiller]

Get a pair of wool socks large enough to stretch   over your hiking sneakers.  Quiet and easy.