The haggard-est hunting boots contest ran from January to the end of February and it’s time to choose a winner. Now, we had some fantastic entries and it was really hard to pick. I was so torn, I had to take it down to a vote with a few other hunting buddies and even then, the winner wasn’t unanimous. In the end, Clayton’s story of using his coin to buy the bow that would do his prey justice, vs the boots that’d keep his toes warm, was the winner. Congratulations Clayton on your new pair of boots and thank you to everyone else who submitted!
Lara: “Can’t afford good hunting boots after Christmas”
Jenny: These boots have lasted me for a few hunting seasons. I purchased these from a garage sale, in almost perfect condition. Through snow, rain, dirt, and everything in between, these boots have been through a lot. One of the soles is missing, the other barely hanging on, the leather interior is rotting, both shoelaces have ripped, one is tied with a knot to keep it together, and the outside has some nice scuff marks. Lets just say, my boots’ time has gone and passed.
Clayton: My hunting boots aren’t hunting boots at all really. They are a pair of 20$ wolverine look-alike work boots I bought at Big5 sporting goods three years ago when I got selected to be a camp councilor for a sixth grade class. I used these boots to hike and lead the group eleven-year-olds around, figuring that would be that and I would get rid of the crap boots. I then got accepted into the University of Nevada, where the winters get frigid and figured I would keep the boots for when the snow set in. I used them through the winter, they developed tears and lost any sort of water resistance they ever had. When this deer season came around I faced a choice; use what I was able to save working all summer at the campus bookstore to get a proper bow (martin saber,nothing incredible) and freeze my feet off, or get some decent boots and risk wounding an animal with my piece of junk no-name recurve bow. I chose the bow, and tried my best to water-proof my boots with duct tape and walmart spray Leaving them dark and taped up like a mummy. Out in the woods this didn’t pan out so well, and I lost a lot of feeling in my toes trying to bag my deer. Through three years of leading school kids, yard working, snowy winters, and my feeble attempts at hunting, these boots have seen better days. They have served well for being 20$, but can’t take too much more abuse and will soon find their way to a trash can. After that, I don’t know when I’ll be able to swing another pair. I’m in a cycle of work, make money, lose it all on textbooks, repeat. A new pair of boots would be amazing, and would really help get next semester started on a high note.
Frank: I wouldn’t even call these hunting boots. They are my old work boots I have converted into hunting boots via warm socks. They usually get the job done but any cold days with mud or rain are brutal.
Thomas: while in the army i was intoduced to gold panning,prospecting and fly fishing. when i got retired from the army, i still do what i love.panning and prospecting. here are my boots along with my equipment. these boots have seen Iraq,cold waters of GA (fly fishing)and they still get me to a dig site no matter the distance.
Michael: My hunting boots (if you can even call them boots) have been to he’ll and back and are taking my feet along for the ride. When it rains my feet get Wet and I don’t even want to think about snow , with snow my feet get Wet and turn to ice and the Soles are so bad it feels like I am walking bare foot on rocks
So if a picture can tell a Thousand words look at my boots and pick me
Thanks
Chris: i don’t have any boots. looking for my first pair.
Dayton: I bought my boots when I was 16 (I am now a month from 22), and they have yet to fail me.
I have worn them outside at work in -40 degree F for 6 straight hours.
I have taken them deer hunting every year since I bought them, and I have taken 2 deer while wearing them (among countless pheasants and quail).
I’ve worn them to the field teaching my dog how to retrieve.
I’ve worn them into the forest when I go shed hunting in the off season.
I’ve worn them throughout campus in my college town when I have long walks during the winter.
I’ve worn them outside in the winter working on my truck.
I’ve worn them through a foot of snow when shoveling the driveway of my house.
I’ve worn them for hours at a time taking my younger brother and sisters sledding.
But, they’re getting old.
You can see in the picture they’re starting to fall apart. A new pair of boots would be wonderful, but I won’t ever forget the pair that got me to where I am today.
