Bird hunting on skis

[dirtytough]

We've taken out a few never-evers before. They all did great, full days of hunting in the backcountry. The main thing we learned is that those integrated-skin-ski products (Altai Hok, Black Diamond Glidelite) are not up to actual hunting terrain. We had them as loaners for newbies and it was a disservice. I now have that style of universal strap binding but mounted to a ski setup like I describe in the article. Allows just about anybody to glide over snow in hunting terrain

I appreciate the reply. How are they for hills like these? Obviously you would pick the best line. I took this out my window here on location.

And when going downhill are you actually skiing or is it more like walking/gliding still?

I really want to get a setup. I just hate to spend that type of money on something that won’t actually work for the application.

 

[Holmes]

I appreciate the reply. How are they for hills like these? Obviously you would pick the best line. I took this out my window here on location.
View attachment 490018
And when going downhill are you actually skiing or is it more like walking/gliding still?

I really want to get a setup. I just hate to spend that type of money on something that won’t actually work for the application.

We hunt terrain with features like that. I’m assuming you mean with a lot more snow though. I’d feel comfortable hunting in features like that if there were several feet of snow.

Full width/length climbing skins can go up ~20deg (36% grade) pretty easily. Steeper than that and it’s usually time to switchback.
Going downhill you’ll have to stride to keep moving on anything unpacked and less than ~10% grade. Steep downhills are no problem if it’s short. Long and steep downhills I’ll often throw in some downhill switchbacks too.

One technique we use for hunting with our pointers is to try to always stay a little uphill of them. Then, when they go on point, we can just angle it downhill and close on the dogs at basically a running speed, but we’re just gliding. We can get to a dog on point 100+ yards out very quickly with a little gravity assist and gliding.

 

[dirtytough]

We hunt terrain with features like that. I’m assuming you mean with a lot more snow though. I’d feel comfortable hunting in features like that if there were several feet of snow.

Full width/length climbing skins can go up ~20deg (36% grade) pretty easily. Steeper than that and it’s usually time to switchback.
Going downhill you’ll have to stride to keep moving on anything unpacked and less than ~10% grade. Steep downhills are no problem if it’s short. Long and steep downhills I’ll often throw in some downhill switchbacks too.

One technique we use for hunting with our pointers is to try to always stay a little uphill of them. Then, when they go on point, we can just angle it downhill and close on the dogs at basically a running speed, but we’re just gliding. We can get to a dog on point 100+ yards out very quickly with a little gravity assist and gliding.

Yes I would want them for more snow. They didn't get as much snow down here as we did up north. And then with the winds some places are almost bare and some have 4'.

I appreciate the responses to my noob questions.

 

[Forestryguy]

What is the thickest brush you have used these in? I am wondering if they would work in Spruce/Cedar swamps and thick clear cuts in WI. Would like to try them going over cattail marshes also. Old timers use to use a ski to get through the marshes, but they where ver very long.

 

[z987k]

So... an AT setup with tech bindings. You just don't take the skins off.

 

[Justin Crossley]

Would you choose the same ski setup you mention in your article for big game hunting or coyote hunting?

 

[Superdoo]

Could you go into more detail on the boots and bindings?

 

[Trackerbacker]

As a former snowboarder, freestyle turned freeride, with skiers in our group, I could see skis being easier to hunt off of...

...but I can't see skis being more effective through terrain with obstacles than snowshoes. How does it compare?

I'm talking creek crossings, trees, blowdown, brush, bluffs and rock. Is it more around than over, or more distance put on but "glided" distance?

Maybe it's the snowboarder in me...but I don't think I could strap a set of skis on without..a tutu..or maybe it's jealousy...not sure

 

[Smenning]

If anyone is curious about building a hunting specific backcountry ski setup I wrote an article about my experience for Project Upland. This is specifically for people looking to put together a custom kit that outperforms snowshoes in steep and brushy upland terrain. You find the article here.

The Perfect Backcountry Ski Setup for Upland Hunting

(photos of "brushy terrain" not shown because photos in tight thickets suck)

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Great article, looks like fun. Could be a great way to run dogs in the off season as well!

 

[robcollins]

Hunted this past weekend in North central SD. I brought Hoks and MSR Denalis. Conditions varied wildly, from ice crusted CRP to tree rows with 12 foot drifts. I've never seen this much snow, and my dog stayed in the truck mostly.

The Hoks wanted to punch through the crust and tunnel under. Straps were too short for my Hoffman Mountaineers. After less than 100 yards, I fell, flopped around like a beached whale, took them off, and postholed back to the road.

The snowshoes worked better in the tree rows we hunted. We weren't sneaking up on much, luckily road hunting is legal. This was the most snow I've seen in 13 years of hunting up there.
Snowshoes worked better in this...
Road grouse
Justin's first pheasant

 

[Formidilosus]

@Holmes

Have you any experience with this type of setup wearing a 60+ pound pack?

 

[wind gypsy]

I've got the larger sized Altai Hoks and they certainly make covering ground in the open easier than with my 30" MSR snowshoes but i frequently end up in thick enough woods that I prefer the snowshoes in many situations.

Its nice to use stiffer mountain boots than softer pac boots with the Hoks to get the extra ankle support for side hills. I'm sure plastic boots with the right bindings would be quite a bit more solid but I can't justify the new boots.

 

[HighUintas]

This is all going to be dependent on a person's specific use and terrain they're moving through.

Moose biathlon!!!!!

 

[MaraviaDave]

...but I can't see skis being more effective through terrain with obstacles than snowshoes. How does it compare?

I'm talking creek crossings, trees, blowdown, brush, bluffs and rock. Is it more around than over, or more distance put on but "glided" distance?

Snowshoes excel in one area …. for people who can’t ski. Otherwise, skis are far more capable in essentially all terrain. There’s a reason people traveling in big mountain terrain aren’t on snowshoes. Using a set of ski crampons in icy conditions, will increase their capability even more. I’ve done a significant amount of bushwhacking in Alder jungles and creek crossings, on big mountain traverses in AK and Canada…..I’ve never once wished that I was on snowshoes instead of skis. Skis are faster on flat and rolling terrain. When it comes to climbing in steep terrain, snowshoes shouldn’t even be considered. If a person needs to climb directly…..it’s time to boot pack in firm snow, or use Verts or Ascent plates in softer snows.

 

[MaraviaDave]

When we bring out new skiers they often need one or two poles, but that goes away pretty quickly. One of the benefits of the ski setups we use is no poles are needed.

Looking at your pictures, it appears you’re bird hunting in South central AK. Which happens to be where I also hunt birds on skis. I’m surprised to hear you don’t ski with poles. From my perspective, the decreased efficiency of skiing without poles is almost as bad as wallowing around with snowshoes. How are you rationalizing not skiing with poles?

 

[johnnycake]

Looking at your pictures, it appears you’re bird hunting in South central AK. Which happens to be where I also hunt birds on skis. I’m surprised to hear you don’t ski with poles. From my perspective, the decreased efficiency of skiing without poles is almost as bad as wallowing around with snowshoes. How are you rationalizing not skiing with poles?

It might help that Holmes is slightly superhuman on bare ground, and extremely so in the white stuff

 

[BBob]

I found a few universal bindings:

Universal Pivot Binding | Altai Skis - US store

us-store.altaiskis.com

X-Trace Pivot

Compatible with virtually all flexible footwear, including boots for extreme cold. Extremely durable, easily adjustable, a cinch to use. Designed for our HAGAN Off-Trace backcountry nordic ski, it can be used with any ski. Use with 130cm Off Limits for a set up similar to the Altai Hok skis with...

www.haganskimountaineering.com

OAC Skinbased EA 2.0 Universal Binding

The OAC Skinbased EA 2.0 Universal Binding is designed to work with a wide selection of flexible-soled shoes, eliminating the need for a dedicated pair or ski boots. Built entirely in the EU from the highest quality materials, the EA 2.0 Binding will perform even in the harshest environments...

skinbased.com

 

[Trackerbacker]

Snowshoes excel in one area …. for people who can’t ski.

As a former snowboarder........

Maybe it's the snowboarder in me...but I don't think I could strap a set of skis on without..a tutu.....

" your Honor, please review evidence slide #1"

 

[ShootOkHuntWorse]

Oh man. My hunting dreams come true. Boot packing up to my knees with my cow this year made me wonder why the hell I left my skis at home. I need to get a dedicated setup for hunting. I might have missed it, what boot type do you prefer?

 

[Montero]

Thanks for throwing this out there. I chased pheasants with snowshoes....only for one day....but we had a blast. Such a different hunt swishing around the cover flushing birds. I'll have to look into the used ski market and do a little testing. I do know some friends that skied to elk hunt an area after a big fresh snow where know body was getting anywhere chained up for days. They saw some big bulls held up higher at elevation then anyone was looking and killed a big guy.