10 Best Hiking Boots For Elk Hunting
Updated on: September 2023
Best Hiking Boots For Elk Hunting in 2023
Columbia Women's Newton Ridge Plus Hiking Boot, Elk/Mountain Red, 9.5 Regular US
Columbia Men's Newton Ridge Plus II Suede Waterproof Boot Hiking, elk, mountain red, 10.5 Regular US
- ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY: This Columbia Men's Newton Ridge Plus II Suede Waterproof hiking boot features our signature lightweight midsole for long-lasting comfort, superior cushioning, and high energy return as well as our high-traction grip outsole.
- QUALITY MATERIALS: Waterproof suede and leather make up the construction of this boot for a protective yet stylish silhouette and build.
- ADJUSTABLE FEATURES: A lace-up closure ensures an adjustable, secure fit.
- DURABILITY: Metal hardware and a seam-sealed construction makes this hiking boot durable enough to withstand rain, muck, puddles, and more.
- OMNI-GRIP: This multi-terrain traction system matches specially formulated compounds and treads to specific environments. A dual-zone winter tread pattern ensures solid footing on surfaces such as ice and snow.
Salomon Men's Quest 4D 3 GTX Backpacking Boots, Wren/Bungee Cord/Green Sulphur, 10
- The fourth generation of our legendary Speedcross lug pattern is an even hungrier monster for eating up soft, technical trails
- Feel one with the trail with a precise combination of Sensifit with Quicklace, performance last shape and endoFit
- Just enough to provide protection for technical trail running
- Salomon 2 year limited warranty
Irish Setter Men's 860 Elk Tracker Waterproof 1000 Gram 12" Big Game Hunting Boot,Brown,10 EE US
- Lace-up full-grain waterproof leather hunting boot featuring kiltie overlay at toebox and logo plaques at shaft
- Waterproof GORE-TEX lining
- 1000g 3M Thinsulate Ultra insulation
- Bulls-Eye Air Bob Aggressive sole for traction
- ScentBan technology to kill bacteria that cause odors
XPETI Men’s Thermator Mid-Rise Waterproof Hiking Trekking Insulated Outdoor Boots Camouflage 9.5
- Waterproof mesh upper and Hydroshield Membrane waterproof
- Rubber Toe cap protection and Rubber outsole for optimal trail grip while hiking. You will find it that a very aggressive sole to grab the rocks and give good traction
- Molded TPU ankle support and Moisture-wicking mesh lining. Integrated inserted EVA midsole, Light weight and Sturdy enough even when carrying weight
- 200 Grams Thinsulate Insulation for -25℃. Integrated inserted EVA Midsole, Light weight and Sturdy enough even when carrying weight
- FUNCTIONALITY AND FASHION - These Boots feature special technology to protect your feet, molding rubber toe cap and molding TPU at heel for perfect protection, cushioned EVA midsole makes the boots durable, stable, lightweight and comfort all day
Irish Setter Men's Elk Tracker 885 400 Gram Hunting Boot, Realtree Xtra, 10.5 D US
- 10-inch lace-up hunting boot with 400 gram PrimaLoft insulation and removable comfort cork EVA footbed with Memory Foam. Goodyear Welt
- UltraDry Waterproofing System
- ScentBan technology to kill odor-causing bacteria
Irish Setter Men's 880 Elk Tracker Waterproof 200 Gram 12" Big Game Hunting Boot,Brown,13 D US
- 12-inch hunting boot with 200 gram 3M Thinsulate insulation and waterproof GORE-TEX fabric lining
- Removable comfort cork EVA footbed with memory foam
- ScentBan technology to kill odor-causing bacteria
- CARE INSTRUCTIONS :To ensure your rubber footwear stays in good condition wipe or spray with lukewarm water after use and allow to dry naturally. If soap is required for additional cleaning, we recommend using a non-scented soap. Store all footwear in a cool, dry, location avoiding direct contact with any heat source, extreme cold or sunlight
- shock-absorbing comfort cork midsole
Under Armour Men's Infil Ops Gore-TEX Ankle Boot, Ridge Reaper Camo Ba (900)/Maverick Brown, 10
- Breathable GORE TEX membrane is 100% waterproof but still allows sweat to escape so you stay dry
- High abrasion textile upper with Anafoam overlay, anatomically molded for precise fit & support
- Molded rubber toe cap
- TPU stability chassis for heel lockdown & support
- Scratch rubber heel overlay for durability
Irish Setter Women's 2881 Vaprtrek 8" 400 Gram Hunting Boot,Mossy Oak/Camouflage,8 M US
KEEN Women's Oakridge Mid Waterproof Boot, Gray/Shark, 7.5 M US
- Waterproof, lightweight leather and mesh upper
- KEEN dry waterproof, breathable membrane
- Hydrophobic mesh lining for dry comfort
- Removable, metatomical eva foot bed
- Compression-molded eva midsole ; Fit Tip: This style is running a 1/2 size small. We suggest ordering a 1/2 size larger than your usual size ; 4mm multi directional lugs
Idaho Elk Hunting
Archery season generally gets me away from the crowds, but this year has been different.
I do all of my hunting on public ground that's why bow season is important to me. Normally there isn't much pressure in the woods but this year has been different. It seems no matter where I go I've got shadow hunters walking into my hunt. On two different occasions I have had nice bulls romping mad and coming in. Enter the green horn with his bugle that emulates a pack mule in heat and he's blowing it continually. This guy walked within 30 feet of me and never saw me. Needless to say my nice bull was history. The second bull that I had interested was cut off from his approach by several ATV's with riders talking over the engine noise. These situations can cause some serious tooth gritting. I have to tell myself that these are their woods too. I just wish they would use them after hunting season.
These guys all had bows with them but hunting was the last thing on their mind. I guess it made me mad because they had stumbled onto my early season honey hole. I can still hear my dad telling me that its big country they'll get out of our hair. He had more patience with them than I did. At any rate they had made camp there and I knew it was no use hunting the area until they cleared out. Totally dejected by the morning raid I walked over to the road and headed for my bronco. As if once wasn't enough I heard that familiar put-put sound coming up behind me. I didn't even want to turn and look because I figured it was one of the crew that cost me my bull. " Hi yeah." rang out above the put-put noise. I turned to greet the Hailee. " Have any luck?" the lanky kid inquired. Its times like these that one really has the golden opportunity to set things straight. But instead you find yourself actually replying in a polite mannerism.
" I had one coming but the wind turned on me." No surprise and no response to my gracefulness. The teenager gunned the ATV and disappeared around the bend in the narrow road. I hastened my walk a bit in fear that the rest of them might catch up to me I didn't know how long I could keep my cool. This guys attitude pushed me a little closer to the edge.
Later that night the temps had dropped down enough that I decided to build a fire in my wood stove. I sat sipping a cup of coffee and listing to the occasional pop of an ember from the stove. My mind thumbing through previous hunts trying to decide which one might provide an escape from hunter pressure. My eyes traveled the walls of my living room tallying each mount. They stopped on the one particular mule deer. Maybe so, I thought to myself. I remembered that I had seen elk the day I killed him but for some reason I had never gone back to hunt them. Probably because it was a fair walk to the backside of the ridge. But tough times demand tough actions. Maybe the remote spot would get the intruders off my back. The next morning at 3:30 a.m. I pulled my cooler from the closet tossed in a bag of ice followed by pop, dry salami and a hunk of cheddar cheese. The drive was a good hour and the hike was a long one.
Once again I slid my to go cup on the dashboard and headed out. The windy washboard road extruded rattling sounds from the old bronco some I had never heard. Fine dust floated in the darkness I knew it was there because I could taste it. I had slammed down a half ream of Ritz crackers with my coffee by the time I got to the turn around on the dead end road. I was pleased that I hadn't passed any other vehicles parked along the remote road. I knew that wasn't always a good thing it could mean that there was no elk in the vicinity. But I never allow myself to think that way. Elk are hard to figure you just never know what they might be up to.
Still to dark to do anything I rolled my window down leaned out and blew a throttled back bugle just to see what my happen. Nothing! I sat silent for a few minutes and blew the same call once again. The returning response echoed back up the canyon and he was a real resonator with a deep bugle. Sounds like a herd bull, I thought to myself. Still to dark to head out and not wanting him to start towards me I sat quiet. The old fellow growled out another full range bugle followed by glunks and groans. I could hear him raking his horns this bad boy was ready to play. I held my puff bottle out the window and gave it a squeeze the smoke disappeared behind me. Things were actually looking good.
Chills ran across the back of my neck at what happened next. The snotty guttural bugle shattered the air again and he was much closer. As quietly as possible I strapped my fanny pack on grabbed my bow and hung my bugle around my neck and shoulder and walked quietly into the woods. I had just enough light to make a shot but the bull would have to give me a full body exposure. I walked about 30 yards stopping in a group of small dug firs. I could hear the thud of his horns hitting against the trees as he walked along. Stopping occasionally to vent his anger on the limbs of small trees with his horns. There is a fear one has at this point. A bull this size may have a large harem of cows with him and they always travel ahead of the bull. The lead cow is a wily old bitty not much gets past her. I could also hear multiple brush popping noises now. The cows would be moving through any moment. This is nail biting time. The first cow, probably the wily one, broke out into the narrow clearing about 30 yards out. She froze in her tracks and looked directly at me. No way can she see me I thought. I could feel the morning breeze hitting me in the face so she couldn't have smelled me. This is what I mean about elk its important to always remember that you are an intruder in their back yard. Its like they have a sense about things especially the herd cow. I'll never know what caused it but that old cow let out a cough reeled around to her left and tore down the hillside. I could hear the rest of the herd crashing behind her. Only one thing to do now. I bellowed out a bugle and followed it with a volley of cow mews from my hoochie mama.
I listened but all I could hear was the now distant popping of brush as the heard raced their way deep into the canyon. I bugled and cow called again. I figured it was all for nothing but it was what I had done in the past most of the time with no results but you never know. There might be a stupid spike or satellite bull lolly gagging around that had been following the herd. I moved over to a large pine tree leaned my bow against it and sat down. If it wasn't greenhorns messing up my hunt it was jumpy cow elk.
Disappointed but still willing I began thinking about another spot to try it was still early enough to get in another hunt. I guessed I would start back down the mountain maybe I would see something that looked good. I got to my knees just as a shrill bugle sounded out. I hunkered up against the tree and mewed out a calf call with my diaphragm. The small bull shrilled out a one note bugle. He was coming in but I could hear more than one elk. The small bull stepped into the opening in front of me. A perfect shot but I could still hear another elk coming. The analogy a bird in the hand is better than two in the bush shot through my mind. I knew better than to wait and decided that I better take the small bull. I drew my bow just as the second elk stepped into the opening I mewed to stop him so I could shoot. He paused straightened his neck and started to bugle. My arrow passed through just behind his shoulder piercing the top of his heart and cutting the bugle short. It looked like good clean shot. The bull made several jumps forward disappearing in the trees. I sat down and leaned back against the pine tree. The small bull never even saw me and finally moseyed off totally unaware of his near demise. I was pleased to discover that I had taken a nice 6 point bull he had gone less than 40 yards before piling up. It was a testimony to what I had learned about not throwing in the cards to quickly. The two times that I bugled after the herd had ran off earned me this bull. And I didn't have to make that long hike after all.
The thing about elk hunting is that there is probably certain behavioral constants one can depend on but the elk will still break the rules. I remember one time when I pulled over to relive myself whils scouting a road for sign. It was noon the weather was hot and the morning hunt was way over. I'm standing there taking care of business and the ringing sound of a bull elk breaks the silent bliss. The next time he bugled he was a heck of a lot closer. This guy was coming straight at me and fast. I grabbed my bow and took about ten steps down the road. I looked through the trees and there he was standing broad side. I let the arrow fly saw the tiny twig move and watched the golden opportunity trot off. Chalk that one up to the elk breaking the rules. I realized after all the adrenaline rush was over that there was a small pond below the road. The bull was coming to water, lesson learned. It can happen anytime, anywhere, be ready.
