Canoe Hunting for Deer, Antelope, Elk, Moose, Grouse & Geese.

[Elktrack]

Waders are dangerous if you fall and they fill with water, how deep is your deep-water crossing?

Here is what works for me when canoe hunting plus needing to wade around in water too.

Waterproof Insulated dive booties and over them insulated waterproof LL Bean ankle higher canoe shoes. If a crossing is long enough, they will get wet yet still be warm-ish. I keep a roll of TP to dry them out when crossing is done and heavy rag wool socks to replace dive booties.

Next leggings cut from any old lightly insulated wetsuit bought at a tag sale. Cut them high on the hips to attach to a belt. Unlike waders you can take a crap easy. These are much like native American leggings

Wool shorts. Heavy wool under sweater with a thin dive vest over that.
Next, I like a North Face waterproof long anorak with hood. I put an elastic belt around my waist and around
my cuffs, i cut strong wide elastic bands from motorcycle tire tubes.

Lastly, I like a small Jan-sport backpack, and I put things in there first putting them in zip, lock bags with air left in. Dressed like this I can be comfortable in terrible weather.

Last I like a stainless synthetic carbine with a hollow stock

So, you build hip waders?

 

[Mustangs Rule]

So, you build hip waders?

Kinda I guess, A wetsuit fits tight, like a second skin. Just cut off the legs at an angle at the hip. High on the outside, low into your crotch. At the bottom overlap them over your booties. Gonna leak there but your feet with be warm-ish, then change to wool socks when crossed. This is the rig you hunt in.

 

[Mustangs Rule]

I do a lot of canoe hunting. Not necessarily out of one but to get to areas I otherwise could not reach. The one below is a ultralight Northstar Northwind Solo great little boat to get in and out of places. I use it for the Boundary waters and lakes. If I am floating down into public land on rivers or anything rough I use my old Mad River Tahoe in Royalex.
I have been able to slip into areas that most motor boats cant go especially in the fall and winter when most lakes are low.
View attachment 390754

I drool over the thought of having a Royalex. Are they as good as the rep?

 

[Mustangs Rule]

I do a lot of canoe hunting. Not necessarily out of one but to get to areas I otherwise could not reach. The one below is a ultralight Northstar Northwind Solo great little boat to get in and out of places. I use it for the Boundary waters and lakes. If I am floating down into public land on rivers or anything rough I use my old Mad River Tahoe in Royalex.
I have been able to slip into areas that most motor boats cant go especially in the fall and winter when most lakes are low.
View attachment 390754

Tell me about your bow. I am just getting back to using a bow again. 35 pounds, set up 5 standing bales of hay with targets around my horse pasture. I fast walk it as a course

 

[OleRedbeard]

I drool over the thought of having a Royalex. Are they as good as the rep?

these new HDPE and plastic boats dont hold a candle to the royalex boats. I wish they would allow someone to start making them again with that recipe. I have had several dozen canoes over the years made from everything to fiberglass, wood, aluminum even a canvas one at one time and as far as all purpose goes Royalex gets the trophy. Aluminum is great. I have no complaints in anything with it other than noise.

 

[OleRedbeard]

Tell me about your bow. I am just getting back to using a bow again. 35 pounds, set up 5 standing bales of hay with targets around my horse pasture. I fast walk it as a course

Its a Hoyt Buffalo with 50lb limbs. Great shooting bow very forgiving and easy to adjust.

 

[hank4elk]

I used to hunt Sierra lakes from a canoe. And fish.
Started with an old Gummon. And left the Winona Fisherman with the ex and the cabin.

Not much chance in NM...LOL

 

[Dougfirtree]

I do a lot of canoe hunting. Not necessarily out of one but to get to areas I otherwise could not reach. The one below is a ultralight Northstar Northwind Solo great little boat to get in and out of places. I use it for the Boundary waters and lakes. If I am floating down into public land on rivers or anything rough I use my old Mad River Tahoe in Royalex.
I have been able to slip into areas that most motor boats cant go especially in the fall and winter when most lakes are low.
View attachment 390754

Did you age that deer? I love the wear on his hoofs. If I saw that track, I'd be thinking I was after an older buck, for sure..

 

[Mustangs Rule]

these new HDPE and plastic boats dont hold a candle to the royalex boats. I wish they would allow someone to start making them again with that recipe. I have had several dozen canoes over the years made from everything to fiberglass, wood, aluminum even a canvas one at one time and as far as all purpose goes Royalex gets the trophy. Aluminum is great. I have no complaints in anything with it other than noise.

Noise is a very big deal for a hunting canoe

 

[OleRedbeard]

Did you age that deer? I love the wear on his hoofs. If I saw that track, I'd be thinking I was after an older buck, for sure..

His hooves make him look like a old man but my best guess is around 3.5, Where he lived was pretty much straight up and down and rocky. I think he may have torn himself up pretty good chasing does around that mountain during the rut. I killed a older buck back in there around 5 years ago who looked like he had took a grinder and chisel to his hooves they were tore up so bad. They dont get bothered for the most part back in there but its got to be some tough living. Especially late season.