Quebec Caribou Hunt - Boot Questions

[Weasel]

I'm going on a caribou hunt the first week of Sept., so here's a question for those of you who've been on a northern Quebec tundra caribou hunt; What footwear did you use? What do you WISH you'd used?

Thanks!!

Jerry

[Mike Bolin]

Hi Jerry! First trip up I wore LaCrosse Burly's and on the second I wore Muckboots. Both worked very well. I find the Muckboots to be more comfortable, but that is just a personal preference. Camp location does definitely make a difference......may want to contact your outfitter and see what he has to say.
On the first trip, one of my buddies wore  quality hiking boots and carried a pr. of Wiggy's waders. Seemed inconvenient to me and on the next trip he wore a pair of Burlys. I DID use my hiking boots on the second trip chasing black bear up on the "mountains" (big hills for an Oregon fellar) and wore them knocking around camp in the evenings after I killed my bulls.
Good Luck on your adventure and be sure to share it with us when you return! Mike

[lilbobby]

I went several years ago, brought a pair of mucks! I didn't regret my decision!

[Weasel]

Mike, what do you think of these?

 http://www.cabelas.com/product/Footwear/Mens-Footwear/Mens-Waders/Mens-Hip-Boots%7C/pc/104797980/c/104747580/sc/104674680/i/104108580/Cabelas-Tundra8482-Hip-Boots/722472.uts?destin ation=%2Fcatalog%2Fbrowse%2Ffootwear-mens-footwear-mens-waders-mens-hip-boots%2F_%2FN-1101201%2FNs-CATEGORY_SEQ_104108580%3FWTz_l%3DSBC%253BBRCatalogCustomerQuestions%253Bcat104674 680&WTz_l=SBC%3BBRCatalogCustomerQuestions%3Bcat104674680%3Bcat104108580

[Glunt]

I brought regular boots and LaCross rubbers.  Ended up wearing the regular boots.  Our area wasn't very "swampy".  Once out of the boat it was fairly dry.  Never did any really long hikes so the rubbers would have been fine as well if that was all I had.

Did have to get wet one day, but the temps were'nt bad and it was no big deal.

[Machino]

I took a trip to south of Kuujjuaq early Sept 2008.  Like glunt said it didn't seem "swampy".  This being said, if it is wet a normal boot would do fine.  I actually wore hiking shoes/sneakers I wear for elk hunting.  The terrain was pretty casual.  The Muck boots would be a good back up too.  Don't bother with those cabelas wader boots.

[MikeS]

I wore my Danner Pronghorns.  Some of the guys said we needed hip boots but I didn't see any place they were needed.   I would not ever bring a pair of hip boots again.
Mike

[huntmaster70]

Only place I got in any water was getting in & out of the boat.

[Tim Finley]

I wore Shnees it was very rocky and rugged in the Torngat Mts. Im glad I had them they have lots of support.   Tim

[Cory Mattson]

I agree the elk boot type is far more important than any hip boots - I used bean type rubber bottom leather tops these were perfect for me. I would pass on 18 inch rubber boots commonly used by whitetail hunters. Lightweight support is what you want.
Good Luck

[Weasel]

Thanks, guys!  I have some 10" Gortex Rocky hiking/hunting boots and a pair of Schnees.  Sounds like that's all I need.  Hiking all day in 18" rubber boots doesn't appeal to me in the least, but I was prepared to do it if necessary.

Jerry

[Matt Quick]

I agree with Cory I think a Schnee or Kenetrek pacboot is the best compromise. I wore a pair of Meindl hiking boots when I went and they were fine on the tundra but I wished I had something closer to knee height for getting in and out of boats. Might not be a bad idea to have a pair of wiggy's for creek crossings. A lace up boot will serve you far better for hiking any distance and packing meat back to the boat than rubber boots. If you go with the pacboots get an extra pair of liners so can switch them out each day for warm dry boots.  Good luck.

[AZWarts]

Kenetrek. I have gotten a ton of rockys back because they fall apart. If they are comfortable and holding up go for em but kenetrek makes a very nice boot for conditions like that. They also provides great support when carrying heavy items.

[Ken Taylor]

I agree with the advice you have been given and I would take a comfortable pair of rubber and a light pair of hiking. Foot wear is not where you should be trying to save bush plane room/weight on. I have used the L.L. Bean type boot too.

Weather will probably be variable but on the wet side. Depending on where you will be, the terrain will most likely be variable too - rocky, soft, mossy, brushy, (but also on the wet side).

I guided for about 18 seasons up there and live in the caribou southern wintering range (southwest of the fall hunting area).