Winter ML hunting

[Ron LaClair]

I love to get out with my flinters in the winter. Rifle or fowler depending on what I'm after. Here in Michigan we can hunt rabbits and squirrels just about all winter. The cold and sometimes wet weather of winter adds to the challange of hunting with a muzzleloader....don't ya think?

 

[Bearbait2]

And here I thought I was the only one this old and still playing in the bush. Looks like you are having a great day! If you don't mind my asking, what type of pistol are you carrying? Or is that a shot pouch on your left side?
Best Wishes

 

[RiverRat]

Yes sir ree.....some people definetly know how to spend a beautiful winter's day! Great pictures....God Bless Ya!

 

[Stumpkiller]

Best time of the year. Pressure is off from pursuing big game, and the woods are free of the Orange Hoarde. The very best part is you don't have to get up at 4:30AM to sneak up on a bunny!

We have a sailboat, so I do 90% of my muzzleloading from November to April. Unforunately, small game season here runs Sep/Oct to the end of February. Two months of heavy stump and tin can perforation. To tell the truth, just takin my m/l (& terrier) for a walk in the winter woods is a day well spent.

Red squirrels and woodchucks are in season year-round. Two critters I love to hunt but seldom shoot at anymore. Eat like pine bark & dirt.

We've got a couple semi-local snow-shoe biathalons that I want to get involved with.

Anyone have a source of wood snowshoes to recommend?

 

[HardBall]

Great pictures Longhunter!!! We rarely get snow down here in LA- You're make'n me jealous!

 

[Riley/MN]

Shinin' times, Longhunter, shinin' times.

 

[CG6018]

Great photos Longhunter, and a fine looking left-handed rifle. I think there are more of us south-paws shootin' these flinter that folks imagined.

 

[Ron LaClair]

what type of pistol are you carrying? Or is that a shot pouch on your left side?

That's my shootin bag Windwalker. :winking:

We got lucky this year and had snow for the opening of ML season. That red spot is the entrance hole from a .62roundball. :shocking:

 

[Rebel]

.62 smoothbore or rifle?

 

[Ron LaClair]

.62 smoothbore or rifle?

It's the Jaeger rifle that I killed a moose with in 79 (1979)

 

[Rebel]

Thanks. I have a .62 smoothbore that i plan to try on deer and maybe elk next year.

 

[HardBall]

.62 smoothbore or rifle?

It's the Jaeger rifle that I killed a moose with in 79 (1979)

I knew it, I knew it, I knew it !!!

I've been day-dreaming about a canoe trip with a Jaeger rifle, hunting moose ever since you posted your right-up. When I saw your last post, I wondered if it was "my Jaeger", and it was!

 

[Bearbait2]

Yes, it is plain as day now. I mistook the flap to be something seperate from the bag. Thank you.
Best Wishes

 

[Ron LaClair]

Anyone have a source of wood snowshoes to recommend?

Stump, I've got a couple pair. The only people I know that still make a traditional snoeshoe is Iverson www.iversonsnowshoe.com I like the Ojibwa Indian style. I'm a big heavy guy so I've got the custom model of the Ojibwa 13X65. I think the standard size is 11X56.Mine have the leather harness and rawhide bindings. They make most of their shoes with neoprene lace but they'll do rawhide if you ask for it.

 

[olgreenhead]

The snow shoe company i use is in canada call GV if you want the info pm . Stump if you need a pair to use i have a couple pair .

 

[squirejohn]

Stumpy - There's an outfit the next town over that makes traditional snowshoes (white ash frames and rawhide lacing). They don't have a web site but there address is :

Boutin Snowshoes
1890 chelsea Rd.
Williamstown, VT 05679
Phone 802-433-5876

They make the same models as Iverson except for the Ojibwa. However they do make custom SS and a friend of mine did have them make a pair of Ojibwa - really nice.
They make several different sizes and for comparison with Iverson the following is a sample price list:
Modified bearpaw (same as Grn Mt.) 10x36 $90
Michigan 12x48 $100
Alaskan 10x56 $125
Cross Country $10x46 $95
They also make 3 different leather bindings $21 - $32
They ship UPS

If you want them strictly for winter biathlon get the smallest and lightest pair you can find since the trails are packed and floatation isn't an issue. I've had good luck finding relatively cheap snowshoes at garage sales and via the classifieds. Seems as though everyone going to metal and plastic shoes. Just like inlines!!

 

[Stumpkiller]

Stump if you need a pair to use i have a couple pair .

Thanks Olgreenhead, and thanks all. Imagine a 6'3", 200 lb Jerry Lewis with a 59" gun. I'm not uncoordinated, I've just been in "that awkward stage" since I was 11. You don't want me standing on anything wooden that you ever want back. But I did print out this thread and I'm going to pursue some snow-shoes. Not just for biathalon. I figure if I buy a shiny new pair I won't have to plow any snow all winter. Same happened 10 years ago when I got new cross-country skiis.

Are the pointy tips an advantage in brush & cover? Seems like they'd be easier to guide but prone to grabbing and tripping? :hmm:

Any tips on what to look for in snow-shoes (besides snow-bunnies)?

 

[squirejohn]

I have 5pr of snowshoes and much prefer the Grn Mt Bearpaw with the rounded tail for use in the woods/brush. The ones with tails are fine for relatively open country but the tails are a pain in the woods ; particularly if you need to back up or lift the entire shoe to turn around.

 

[KyFlintlock]

Some great pics there Longhunter! You have me longing to get out!