Running shoes for bow hunting elk, opinions please.

A

ARTJR338

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I have wished to post this question for quite some time, but am now finally getting around to it.

I was wondering if anyone recalls an article in the 2003 OCT issue of Bowhunting Mag written by Randy Ulmer and Bob Rob, describes Ulmers super lite weight styile of early (durring the bugle) season bow hunting for large bulls and or herd bulls.

In it he describes that he wears only a good pair of light weight running shoes, and carries litterally only the bare essentials to hunt and kill an elk. Ulmer states in the article he does not where a pack of any kind and carries no food, water, or survival gear of any kind so as to keep as light as possible to be able to quickly circle around and get in front of a bull on the move.

My question is to thoses with more early season elk hunts under belts than I is, how wise is it to where only running shoes in the mountains while pursuing elk? I only have two elk hunts ( both durring the bugling season) under my belt so far, but as a result spent a combined six weeks of chaising elk all over the place, and I cant help but wonder and be concerned about a pair of running shoes giving sufficiant ankle suport. Nothing else can bring a swifter or more compleat end to a elk hunt, and even possibly put your life at risk, than a badly twisted or worce broaken ankle.

I am some what interested as I where size 15 Xtra wide shoes, and a pair weighs nearly four pounds, and New Ballance makes alot of running shoes in my size.

As far as the rest of his suggestions, I think for a non-res like me it borders on the fool-hardy to go afeild in unfamilure elk mountains with no food and especially no water. The hunting method he described would no doubt be the bees knees for anyone familure with the area thay are hunting though, but even then I would not go afeild without at least water.

Whats been anyones experience, and what do you all think of elk hunting in the mountains wearing running shoes?
 
Back when I still had time to spend a month bowhunting I used to use my old wrestling shoes in areas where I would do a bit of sneaking around. they weren't very comfortable but were great for being quiet and stepping around noisy objects.

BeanMan
 
Irish Setter makes a light weight hunting boot that would be better than running shoes. It cost about 139.00 to 159.00
but Im not sure if they make a 15 X wide .... you'll have to check on that!
 
I wear the same style cross trainer with agressive soles made by Nike when I hunt elk. They are extremely light, quiet, and most importantly......they keep your feet cooler. Now keep in mind, I usually elk hunt in the same state Ulmer does....Arizona!

Arizona differs from the stereo-typical steep, high mountainous terrain that many elk hunters vision. It's also A LOT warmer than other terrains during the archery season. I love wearing these shoes and have yet to twist an ankle (Knock on wood).......Now if I could just get another elk tag. :)

BOHNTR )))------------->
 
I have worn running shoes for 15 years when on day hunts. I currently have a pair of Addidas Adventures. They have been one of the best I've ever had.

The biggest drawback is getting grass seeds in them and in your socks. LOL! If you live in a dry area, you can't go wrong with a proper color pair of running shoes. I've actually thought about making some gaiters to keep the burrs and seeds out.

The ankle support issue is only relevant if you are carrying a heavy pack. Even then I wear my light weight Danner cordura/goretex boots, mostly to be assured of keeping dry when the thunderstorms hit on extended multiday bivy hunts.

Cheers,
Pete
 
I feel for ya brother, I have wide feet (4e) and finding shoes, much less boots is a real problem. For early season hunts, I wear New Balance X-trainers, and a small fanny pack.
I depends a lot on how strong your ankles are, if your prone to twisting them, wear boots.
 
The terrain I hunt, you would be foolhardy IMO to wear just sneakers. Besides busting your ankle, I think rattlesnakes would deter me enough from wearing sneakers. I also hate slidding off of the mountian. My boots haven't screwed me up yet, and stalking is the style of hunting I do. I'm not much in packing survival gear, but I do carry enough to get by, but food and water is a must for this hunter. I burn way to many calories. Even if its just a powerbar.
 
I've worn cross-training shoes and lite weight boots. My new favs are my custom made Russell boots. Lite weight, water and scent proof with a very non-aggresive sole. I like the non-aggresive sole due to the amount of rocks,twigs and pine needles that make noise when walking. Here is a pic of the soles on the Russells.

3_007.jpg
 
PERSONALY I BELEAVE YOU HAVE A OVER-WEIGHT PROBLEM
short legs and your underware look like they have nock down on them. either that or your in your white snow suit fo hunting yotes,
real bow hunters hunt like indians,
bare foot and loin cloth.
 
i used to and still do hunt coues with my running-cross traning-basketball shoes. i have some what stopped because both of the deer that i have killed i was wearing my hunting boots. the cross trainers are comfortable and light weight, the only thing that is a negative that there is not much support around the ankle area.
casey
 
Holy crap, elkmaster must be taking comedy classes with her spare time; cuz that was some funny stuff.........
 
Rocky made a shoes that were very light weight but made squeeky noises when walking in wet green grass. Sold both pairs... I now own vasque boots. They are very light enough to run in, have a style like high top basketball shoes, and are water proof. Love them...

As for no survival gear it determines location and duration. Hunting from a truck and chasing elk within a couple of miles from the truck. Who cares hunt in your camo underware...

Packing in 10 to 16 miles you would be an idiot in my opinion. I can loose a little weight so energy bars are good enough. Add a water purifier, game bags, bag of cytomax, knife, parachute cord, headlamp, extra batteries, extra compass, knife and compact diamond sharpner. All this can fit into a day pack and weigh very little.

TheHunt
 
It totally depends on the state, I hate the fact that writers don't include that data in their articles. They make broad statements like that. Randy Ulmer, I believe, lives in Arizona. He probably hunts the southwest almost exclusively. The Mogollon Rim is flat, or comparatively flat compared to many other states. In the Missouri breaks of MT. you also could get away with running shoes, as you could Nevadas Ely area. You would be an idiot to hunt Idaho, most of Colorado, some of Oregon/Washington, and most of Wyoming with running shoes, and without survival gear.
 
I would like to say thanks to all who replied to my post. Dan you took the words right out of my mouth. I figured it would be plane folly to hunt where I have in the past in running shoes, even though it would shave some 2lbs off the weight of my boots. I can think of no disaster that will end your hunt faster than a badly sprained anckel. I also feel it may have been a little foolish for Mr. Ulmer to suggest to go hunting in the mountains with no water or survival gear of any kind that would enable a lost or injurred hunter to survive a night or two out in the mountains.

The mane reason I aske this question, is there are far more sport hiking type athletic shoes out there in my size of 15 xtra wide than of light weight hunting boots. As amatter of fact I know of absolutely no light weight un-insulated boots in my size what so ever.
 
I dont think running shoes would be smart to use where I hunt here in Utah....a good way to sprain your ankle....I was hunting during archery season one year and was wearing a running shoe it was really a nice day but then turned to rain... after the rain stopped I was moving down a steep hill and the ground moved a little and down I went with a real bad sprain...hunting was overwith for a few days! so its hiking boots and hunting boots for me... and I wouldn't hunt anywhere without food and water.... Just my 2 cents
 
You have probably tried cabelas. Have you spoken to somebody on the phone in there customer service dept? Or try to contact a boot manufacturer direct. Try danner.com and then use their contact information to ask if they can make a pair of your size boots. They manufacture their own so that would be a good shot. Get the best boot you can afford. I hunted Idaho for years buying cheap boots, (that was all I could afford at the time), bad decision, I not only messed my feet up but blew out the boots in 5 days. I went back to town (I bivy hunt for a week at a time), and bought some technica trekking boots. They were awesome, and have found several other pairs that I like since. Good luck!
 
If you are covering lots of ground chasing elk and want to keep your feet in good shape rotate to a different pair of shoes for the next days hunt. I personally like light weight hikers and have never twisted an ankle. Stop and put some moleskin or athletes tape on your foot before it blisters. Being in shape including your feet and ankles is key to a good hunt.
 

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