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Moccasins?

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whitewoodshunter:
Does anyone here make or wear moccasins? And I'm not talking about the ones you buy at Wal-mart ,I mean real moccasins? I made a pair a couple of years ago and I'm not real sure of how the best way to waterproof or take care of them.They are great to wear in the early part of our archery season here in PA.

sailordad:
not sure, but i hear tell that bear vrease will pretty much water proof anything.

now ya just gotta sneak up on a big ol' grizz and ask him real polite like ifn he wants to part with his fat. lol



                                                                                       tim

huntertrapper:
yes...i wear a pair i purchased at a trading post..... and they are good for stalking, and they are so light too.....

Stonedog:
Fellers, the bottom line is this......

You cannot waterproof moccasin leather.  Period.

I use a mix of beewax and tallow.....but honestly....at best....it is a semi-water resitant.....

Papa Matt:
Whitewoods,

   I have made a couple pairs, and have not seen any real good way to waterproof them except by rubbing several coats of beef tallow (cow lard, for which you can substitute bear fat, buffalo fat, probably deer fat, etc.) into them and then warming them up so they soak up the tallow real good. I don't know how they are "supposed" to be made though, mine are the most primitive kind, that I just cut out some leather paterns and sew together. I am in Indiana, but I agree with you 1000% about the fall hunting appeal though. Feather-light, comfortable, the most quiet things you'll ever wear, perfect for walking lightly on top of crunchy fallen leaves. I am in heaven when I go out in September and early October squirrel hunting in shorts or pants, no shirt and just my mocassins with my cherry bow. It's hard for me to take them off and start wearing my camo boots in November when the rain/snow/temperatures start to fall. And when the frosts start. I have tried it before and it's really not worth in to tromp throught the woods in moccasins, weatherproofed or not, when there is a heavy frost on the ground. Even if the day time temperatures are still in the upper 60's, by the time the sun starts to come up and warm your feet, they are cold and wrinkled from the moisture. I'd like to know how the indians did it.

~~Papa Matt

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