Bear Bums - Bear Hunting

For many years I’ve tried to find the best pair of hunting boot. I can remember as a 13 year old going on a two-week elk hunt in the wilderness of Idaho and wearing my canvas gym shoes. I couldn’t do that now. While I lived in Pocatello I purchased perhaps my first pair of real hunting boots. They were a leather work boot and I have many fond memories while in those boots. Now I’ve tried, Danners, Lowa, Schnees and the list goes on. Usually into about the third hunt with a pair of boots I start to like them.

I think my feet aren’t as tough as they used to be. The canvas gym shoes were nicer for the 13 year old me than anything is now. If you happen to worry a lot about your feet with the upcoming hunt I’ll bet you’re as old as I am, or you have bad luck.

I try and spend time taking care of my feet when hunting. Good boots will never do that by themselves. I like thin(silk) socks with heavier ones over them depending on the weather. I use a lot of band aids before the blister is there. I have to use the boot every day but I change socks at least daily. By the way, it’s easy to wear out a couple pair of socks while hunting.

I found some excellent advice on how to prevent blisters. Take a look, the article provides some simple steps that work whether you are bear hunting in Alaska or just hiking at a local area.

If you’re still 13 or have really good feet than I envy you, but warn you to be careful.

Some hunts require odd conditions for the feet. Kodiak Island required that we wear tight thigh rubber boots all the time. It was a killer! Africa is hot but every bush will eat your feet alive and requires light leather.

Some pre-thought and work and most of us will do OK. Many of us that get in trouble just haven’t spent the time breaking in boots or thinking about our feet.