‘25-‘26 Upland Bird Thread

[IDHUNTNFISH]

Conditioning is the best solution. I hadn’t needed boots for years.

Hunting only Idaho I never needed boots. West of here is a whole different story. At least for me and my pooch it is.

 

[Irrelevant]

They aren't cheap. $2 each but they seem to work the best. Sometimes I can get a full hunt out of them and sometimes not. It just depends on how rocky it is. I'll spend the extra money to make sure his feet are good to go.

which ones?
I had the best luck with Lewis boots. they never wore out, but even with vet wrap and duck tape (and trying to swap the tape out 2-3 times per day) I still lost boots at $15 ea.
The Grip Trex at $25 ea, and they definitely didn't last a full hunt, even if I could keep them on, I basically had to replace the entire set each hunt.
My wife tried a couple other generic pet shore boots with even less success.

 

[Birddoggin]

which ones?
I had the best luck with Lewis boots. they never wore out, but even with vet wrap and duck tape (and trying to swap the tape out 2-3 times per day) I still lost boots at $15 ea.
The Grip Trex at $25 ea, and they definitely didn't last a full hunt, even if I could keep them on, I basically had to replace the entire set each hunt.
My wife tried a couple other generic pet shore boots with even less success.

I use lewis boots. Vet wrap around the foot up past where the boot stops. Then put boot on and apply a full wrap of duct tape around the wrap and continue going around the boot. I also check and retape periodically. Last trip out me and my son made a 6 mile loop. The dog clocked over 18 miles. Didnt loose any boots.

 

[Reata]

North Texas Quail, December 2025

 

[IDHUNTNFISH]

which ones?
I had the best luck with Lewis boots. they never wore out, but even with vet wrap and duck tape (and trying to swap the tape out 2-3 times per day) I still lost boots at $15 ea.
The Grip Trex at $25 ea, and they definitely didn't last a full hunt, even if I could keep them on, I basically had to replace the entire set each hunt.
My wife tried a couple other generic pet shore boots with even less success.

I've been using dog booties made in Alaska the last few years. www.dogbooties.com I buy them 250 at a time.

 

[brymoore]

I've been using dog booties made in Alaska the last few years. www.dogbooties.com I buy them 250 at a time.

You’re buying 250 boots or $250 worth at a time?

Either way, wow.

 

[IDHUNTNFISH]

You’re buying 250 boots or $250 worth at a time?

Either way, wow.

I'm buying 250 boots at $500 at a time. $50 of that is shipping from Alaska. I usually split them up with friends.

 

[TheGreek]

Last day limit of dusky grouse here in NW CO. Season closes today. These might be the first dusky grouse I’ve ever killed in November and not for lack of trying. They were up high, above 10k, and in the snow. Creed loved it.
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Dusky grouse piccata tonight for dinner. Delicious. Great way to relive this hunt and these birds.

 

[jejack26]

Conditioning is the best solution. I hadn’t needed boots for years.

I've come to same conclusion, but I still carry boots in case. I've never got thru a season without booting at some point. I'm always interested in how people manage dogs feet.

 

[Reata]

Last quail hunt of the year. North Texas, February 2026

 

[TheGreek]

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Last quail hunt of the year. North Texas, February 2026

Sweet piece. Can we get some deets on the SxS?

 

[Reata]

Sweet piece. Can we get some deets on the SxS?

It's a 2 1/2" 12 Ga GE Lewis, barrels are fine Damascus. I shoot low pressure 2 1/2 inch loads. Weighs 6 pounds and handles great. I imagine it's been killing birds for 125 years or so.

 

[Lmartin5]

Dusky grouse piccata tonight for dinner. Delicious. Great way to relive this hunt and these birds.

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That looks good!

 

[PrimalAuthority]

Great year for the quail! Love my Brittanys.

 

[Ben Lamb]

It's a 2 1/2" 12 Ga GE Lewis, barrels are fine Damascus. I shoot low pressure 2 1/2 inch loads. Weighs 6 pounds and handles great. I imagine it's been killing birds for 125 years or so.

Good taste in guns. Absolutely lovely.

 

[PrimalAuthority]

Hunts over the last few years!