RE: Elk Hunting Boots
Just my two cents. If you're not going to be hunting during very cold weather you should consider noise associated with your footwear. The elk writers in my area swear, and I agree, staying quiet is everything if you're trying to bump into elk. If you are only watching meadows or stationary for some other reason big boots will be fine, but for bowhunting and the first 2/3 of the season here in Montana I'd recommend a good pair of trail shoes. I've even heard of people wearing those canvas painter shoes. Hard on your feet maybe, but being able to tiptoe around sticks and especially avoiding having your heavy boots come scraping down on rocksis very important. I tried all different kinds of boots, but now if I'm not hunting out of a full backcountry pack I will wear light shoes to stay quiet. If I have a 60 lb pack I need the extra ankle support and will wear my boots (pac or Rockys depending on the temp).