Need a good pair of snow shoes for hunting

Big_red_truck

Big_red_truck

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Labrador , the big land
Hey guys , I'm looking for a good pair of snow shoes for hunting. I have a pair of aluminum frame ones that I'm not crazy about. They're rated for 175lbs , I weighi 150lbs and sink quite a bit. I'm looking for maybe something home made. Wire wrapped or wooden beaver tail style. I used to use the old wooden beaver tail style and never sank as much. Just wondering what you guys suggest for trekking in the snowy woods for varmint hunting.

Cheers
 
The ones I have come to like best are the white magnesium CF issue shoes. They have a higher lift in the nose than the old school wooden ones of the same pattern. I have a couple sets of Cree or Algonquin style but they aren't bush friendly.
There are a bunch of modified bear paw styles on the market these days that are worth looking at too.
I had my daughters ( 7, 10 )on snow shoes for the first time on Feb break, the did really well and loved it. I had us all take turns breaking trail so I think I was the only one worn out by the end. :)
 
I am 240lb and wear GV Wide Trail 12X42 for stomping around the bush in fresh snow/breaking trail. WORK GREAT!!!! Bindings are easy on/off.

ht tp://www.gvsnowshoes.com/en/snowshoes/file/polar-trail/22

Designed for anyone who requires maximum flotation. By its extra -wide design, this GV snowshoe is unique in the market place. Recommended for forestry workers, trappers and hunters, as well as outdoor enthusiasts who carry big loads.
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What Tony said! I have had many different kinds of snowshoes, traditional and modern. The GV Wide Trails are pretty much the best of both worlds.
 
BrotherRockeye said:
The ones I have come to like best are the white magnesium CF issue shoes. They have a higher lift in the nose than the old school wooden ones of the same pattern. I have a couple sets of Cree or Algonquin style but they aren't bush friendly.
There are a bunch of modified bear paw styles on the market these days that are worth looking at too.
I had my daughters ( 7, 10 )on snow shoes for the first time on Feb break, the did really well and loved it. I had us all take turns breaking trail so I think I was the only one worn out by the end. :)
Click to expand...

X2. Got mine from Princess Auto.
 
Big_red_truck said:
Hey guys , I'm looking for a good pair of snow shoes for hunting. I have a pair of aluminum frame ones that I'm not crazy about. They're rated for 175lbs , I weighi 150lbs and sink quite a bit. I'm looking for maybe something home made. Wire wrapped or wooden beaver tail style. I used to use the old wooden beaver tail style and never sank as much. Just wondering what you guys suggest for trekking in the snowy woods for varmint hunting.

Cheers
Click to expand...

Once you have used the rawhide laced beaver tail snowshoes of good make, you will never be satisfied with any of the modern contraptions.
 
H4831 said:
Once you have used the rawhide laced beaver tail snowshoes of good make, you will never be satisfied with any of the modern contraptions.
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Yes Sir!

geologist said:
I recommend a traditional set of Algonquin/Huron style snowshoes. Faber makes good ones. Choose the largest size that work for you and the terrain you will be in.

https://www.fabersnowshoes.com/snowshoes/traditional/sport-classic-lacing

If you can find an antique set of Chestnuts in good condition they will be better than modern or antique Fabers.
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I still have two pair of those Fabers. Have walked many, many, miles in them. Nothing better in truly deep snow!

The magnesiums I have are okay until you get in really deep powder.

Ted
 
I just got a set at Winners for $69. They are solid, especially for the price. PM if you need more details as Winners has a very strange price matching policy.

Cheers,

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Another vote for traditionals.

I found myself needing a new set a few years back, and thought I'd give the modern version a try. Hated them. The harness was an all-plastic and riveted affair, and I kept thinking to myself, that if something down there breaks, I'm going to have a hell of time getting out of the bush. I've had to jury rig repairs several times on my old traditional set with a leather harness. I also didn't like crossing ice with them, since I found I couldn't walk with the harness unbuckled.

I managed to fall off them too, climbing over a bank in deep snow, something I haven't done since I was 13. That was the end for me, and I went out and picked up a nice used set of the huron style. I'd have to go out and look at the name to tell you who made them, but they're not Fabers.
 
The Army magnesium ones are exceptionally strong. Decades of abuse, no maintenance and they stay serviceable. The trouble with the Army ones is, some bright spark decided the long tail ones weren't any good any more and they now have long bear paw style ones. They break at the sides of the hole. And suddenly you have a crumpled ball of aircraft cable and sharp sticks hanging off your foot.

Buy the long magnesium ones!!
 
Thanks for the input guys , I have an old set of Michigan style/beaver tail style ones but they do require a certain degree of maintenance. I think I'll be going with a set of GV snowshoe or canadian forces ones. Thanks
 
H4831 said:
Once you have used the rawhide laced beaver tail snowshoes of good make, you will never be satisfied with any of the modern contraptions.
Click to expand...

That's not entirely true, I grew up wearing traditional beaver tails that the CF issue are designed after. I prefer the CF. There isn't a wooden snowshoe on the planet that can stand up to a chain saw cut half way through and still work...it wasn't on purpose, but yes I did.

Why not? said:
Yes Sir!



I still have two pair of those Fabers. Have walked many, many, miles in them. Nothing better in truly deep snow!

The magnesiums I have are okay until you get in really deep powder.

Ted
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That's the one gripe I have with the CF shoes, they need to be bigger for soft snow. The extra toe turn works til it's too deep then yer hooped.
I will say that the CF issue web bindings are great as far as maintenance goes.
...and since I paid $12/pair I'm not gonna complain. :)
 
Bigredtruck, if you go with the GV's and they have the extra heel strap that attaches to the back of the binding, don't be in a hurry to use it. The purpose of the heel strap is to lock your heel down when you are doing a lot of backward movements. It is great for that, bit a pain in the ass for forward momentum.

Some of you guys who poo poo modern designs should really try some of the newer ones. I grew up using traditionals, and still really like breaking trail with my five foot Alaskans. However, these newer GV's like the Widetrail are pretty good. In thick bush, at some point I have always broken every traditional snowshoe i own. I've been running one pair of GV's for over ten years now, and even with a couple f axe dings n them, they are going strong. Floatation with those big ones is just as good as my five foot traditional. I weigh about 230 pounds though, so floatation is never great.
 
9.3mauser said:
Another vote for traditionals.

I found myself needing a new set a few years back, and thought I'd give the modern version a try. Hated them. The harness was an all-plastic and riveted affair, and I kept thinking to myself, that if something down there breaks, I'm going to have a hell of time getting out of the bush. I've had to jury rig repairs several times on my old traditional set with a leather harness. I also didn't like crossing ice with them, since I found I couldn't walk with the harness unbuckled.

I managed to fall off them too, climbing over a bank in deep snow, something I haven't done since I was 13. That was the end for me, and I went out and picked up a nice used set of the huron style. I'd have to go out and look at the name to tell you who made them, but they're not Fabers.
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300. size 14 shoes. Always get a chuckle out of the Yuppies in deep snow with them. :)

Grizz
 
What to do what to do ... You guys got me wondering now .... I'd buy both style if I could but with a young fella on the way , it's not always the smart thing to do... Then again I never claimed to be the most intelligent man on the block haha. Since I grew up on the Huron style ones maybe I'll give the modern ones another try. I bought a cheap pair rated for 175 lbs but I sank way too much. I think they where rated for trails or something because I'm only 155lbs right out the shower.

I just hope what ever I get I'll be pleased with or will support me , a rifle and a day pack and vest. I'm the the 220lbs wide trail GV's should do
 
Smokin deal here for the traditional style Mag milsurps, $50 for the shoes and $13 for the harness, London, Ontario, the pair I got at Princess Auto were about $100 with bindings a couple of years ago

ht tp://www.fcsurplus.ca/shopping/products/167-Winter-Survival-Supplies/453-Ultra-Light-Magnesium-Snowshoes/
 
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I walk at 235 without pack and 270 with pack. I wear MSR Lightning Explores, I put on a lot of kms in the bush in varying snow conditions, and while no snowshoe will allow you levitate on the surface of the snow I have found that the MSR Lightning Ascent and Lightning Explores give excellent flotation with the ability to add an additional 5 inches of flotation with optional tail if necessary.

I personally wear a 30" shoe and trek cross country as well as climb mountains with them. The scalloped flexible frame acts as an extra traction device over and above the binding crampons for exceptional traction on icy or packed snow conditions.

The only downfall that I can say about the MSR Lightning series of snowshoe is the cost, however for the quality of product and the expected life of the shoe I would say it is more of an investment in your outdoor winter experience.

PS. FWIT I also highly recommend Icebreakers Merino wool socks. They cost the same as many other high end Merino wool socks but carry an amazing original owner warranty in case you are not happy with the sock or end up blowing out a heel or ball of your foot, they will replace no questions asked.
 
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