Keys To Survival

Really good bird hunting often calls for lots of walking, and some of it can take place in physically demanding country. The cliffs and rockslides chukar call home come to mind, but you don't have to go West to find tough walking. One of the most physically demanding trips I have experienced was a January hunt for ruffed grouse in the snow-covered mountains of West Virginia. Whether you are new to bird hunting or have been doing it for years, here are a few things to keep in mind if a tough bird hunt is in your future.

Take Care Of Your Dogs

It's a proven fact that the hunt is over if your feet call it quits, so what you choose to wear between you and the ground is extremely important. Weight should be considered, but don't overlook the fact that some of the ultralight boots made today are actually too light--they may be okay for short jaunts on a hunting preserve, but they do not offer enough arch and ankle support for a long haul.

For hunting in rough country, I'd much rather have a pair of boots weighing 31⁄2 to four pounds that offer plenty of stability and support than a flimsy pair weighing half that.

For all-around use, one of the best compromises in comfort, stability and weight I've found is the Irish Setter Aero Tracker boot from Red Wing. For hunting chukar in steep, rocky country, my feet really love the Breeze hiking boot from Vasque. Weights are 31⁄4 pounds for the Irish Setter boot and 21⁄2 pounds for the Vasque; both have Gore-Tex and a medium-aggressive Vibram sole.

Gun Down

A light shotgun is the only way to go when it comes to leaving plenty of tracks across the prairie or in the mountains. Most hunters will find it easier to hit a bird with a light gun than with a heavy gun when fatigue has slowed down their reflexes. Four of my favorite upland guns weigh exactly 51⁄2 pounds, and I would not want them to weigh an ounce more. There are times when I hunt with heavier guns, but anytime I need to walk many long miles between breakfast and dinner you can bet the gun I will be toting will tip the scale at no more than six pounds.

The Clothes On Your Back

Choosing the right clothing is also important. Wearing compression shorts beneath my hunting pants wicks away moisture from the skin and prevents galling and chafing. Brands I have used with great satisfaction are Under Armour and McDavid, one or both usually found in the fitness department of most sporting goods stores. All sorts of unflattering things are said about men who wear both suspenders and a belt, and I could care less because it is what I do when hunting. By wearing both, I distribute the weight over my shoulders and hips, making the heaviest hunting pants seem light as a feather.

Your Heart And Lungs

Staying physically fit ranks right up there in importance to everything else, and believe me when I say the older you get, the harder you have to work at it.