Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Shooting and Hunting => Topic started by: Prarie Bowyer on November 24, 2013, 10:31:15 am

Title: How to stop crunching on frozen grass?
Post by: Prarie Bowyer on November 24, 2013, 10:31:15 am
I found a spot that has a virtual deer and other critter highway.  a mown lane between standing corn that was left and what looks like an old Christmas tree field with saplings.  I'm planing on my next trip out to hide between the 2nd row of junipers with a shooting window on the intersection of several trails.

The only issue is that the grass is like knee high there and frozen.  Crunching at every move. 

How to quiet that.  I'm thinking about getting a couldple of square yards camo polar fleece and laying it down as a mat to stand/sit on.  And or bringing the lawn sheers to cut the grass in my standing area.
Title: Re: How to stop crunching on frozen grass?
Post by: sonny on November 24, 2013, 11:37:21 am
couldn't you just trample it down ??
seems that would only take a minute or so.
Title: Re: How to stop crunching on frozen grass?
Post by: JW_Halverson on November 25, 2013, 11:20:16 pm
Stomp the grass as fast and as loud as you can.  Meanwhile, rattle some antlers good and loud. 

You may wanna keep your bow close at hand with an arrow at the ready!
Title: Re: How to stop crunching on frozen grass?
Post by: sleek on November 25, 2013, 11:26:38 pm
When I have a hunting partner, I have him walk behind me off step. We sound like a 4 legged critter then and dont sound so alarming, regardless of the noise we make. Just be sure to pause at times, no animal walks nonstop.
Title: Re: How to stop crunching on frozen grass?
Post by: lostarrow on November 26, 2013, 11:22:40 pm
Stomp the grass as fast and as loud as you can.  Meanwhile, rattle some antlers good and loud. 

You may wanna keep your bow close at hand with an arrow at the ready!

+1 . Doesn't hurt to add a little grunt or two as well. I always clear where I'm standing down to bare earth. The earth then also becomes a cover/attractant scent. By doing this , you are doing the same thing a buck will do. Just called in two does the last time I was out, with this method. I will also break a branch or two.( small dry twiggy kind) and scape them on the shrub they came from. Just try to stay well hidden when doing this. Any movement  will be zeroed in on instantly.
Title: Re: How to stop crunching on frozen grass?
Post by: criveraville on November 27, 2013, 01:03:38 am
Walk it pulling a 1X12 board. The board will be warmer than the grass causing it to melt some as you flatten it as well

Cipriano
Title: Re: How to stop crunching on frozen grass?
Post by: JW_Halverson on November 27, 2013, 11:20:15 pm
Walk it pulling a 1X12 board. The board will be warmer than the grass causing it to melt some as you flatten it as well

Cipriano

CROPCIRCLES!
Title: Re: How to stop crunching on frozen grass?
Post by: crooketarrow on November 30, 2013, 08:41:05 am
  Here what I'd do. Forget about unting there this year. Next SEPT. I'D WEEK WACK ME A TRAIL.
 
  I've been cuting, raking trails for 30 years. Hunting mature bucks being quiet at all times is a must.
Title: Re: How to stop crunching on frozen grass?
Post by: Weylin on December 12, 2013, 11:28:50 pm
Bring a hair dryer.  >:D ;)
Title: Re: How to stop crunching on frozen grass?
Post by: Bryce on December 13, 2013, 01:28:08 am
Be Barefoot:)
Title: Re: How to stop crunching on frozen grass?
Post by: KrisDelger on December 13, 2013, 02:20:19 am
I'd suggest clipping a trail in. I had to fight with frozen mules ear last year and I'm still trying to figure out a way to beat it. For the frozen grass I'd say either walk very very slowly, mushing the grass as you go; it should freeze itself down over night. Then when you come into it the next day wrap your boots in polar fleece to soften the bottoms and hopefully muffle yourself. Idk just an idea
Title: Re: How to stop crunching on frozen grass?
Post by: sleek on December 13, 2013, 04:28:14 am
I like the boot muffling idea...
Title: Re: How to stop crunching on frozen grass?
Post by: KrisDelger on December 13, 2013, 04:48:47 am
I like the boot muffling idea...
When I'm not hunting barefoot I usually wrap my boot bottoms in polar fleece to keep the soles from grinding into the dirt, it also helps when you manage to find the one brittle twig underfoot the fleece muffles the sound of the snap pretty well. If I'm walking through brush that might get stuck onto the fleece I pull it off and continue through but put the fleece back on before going through any loose stones or grass. What you can do is make booties out of the fleece (google bowling shoe covers for an idea) you can make them longer on the ankle end so that they go up to the tops of your boots if like me you wear high top hiking boots. It can help keep your boot hooks from scraping along whatever is hanging into the trail except the fleece will pick up things like burrs, fox tails, and thorns if you have those in your area.
I usually make myself three sets of boot covers every hunting season as opposed to picking all of the little thorns and buggers out of the fleece.
Title: Re: How to stop crunching on frozen grass?
Post by: Bryce on December 13, 2013, 02:29:11 pm
I like the boot muffling idea...
When I'm not hunting barefoot I usually wrap my boot bottoms in polar fleece to keep the soles from grinding into the dirt, it also helps when you manage to find the one brittle twig underfoot the fleece muffles the sound of the snap pretty well. If I'm walking through brush that might get stuck onto the fleece I pull it off and continue through but put the fleece back on before going through any loose stones or grass. What you can do is make booties out of the fleece (google bowling shoe covers for an idea) you can make them longer on the ankle end so that they go up to the tops of your boots if like me you wear high top hiking boots. It can help keep your boot hooks from scraping along whatever is hanging into the trail except the fleece will pick up things like burrs, fox tails, and thorns if you have those in your area.
I usually make myself three sets of boot covers every hunting season as opposed to picking all of the little thorns and buggers out of the fleece.


I wear those fly fishing ankle boots. There quite and they're sticky as all get out. Climb rocks and logs no problem. But hey also have the ones that have a thick piece of felt on the bottom.
Title: Re: How to stop crunching on frozen grass?
Post by: KrisDelger on December 13, 2013, 02:33:41 pm
I like the boot muffling idea...
When I'm not hunting barefoot I usually wrap my boot bottoms in polar fleece to keep the soles from grinding into the dirt, it also helps when you manage to find the one brittle twig underfoot the fleece muffles the sound of the snap pretty well. If I'm walking through brush that might get stuck onto the fleece I pull it off and continue through but put the fleece back on before going through any loose stones or grass. What you can do is make booties out of the fleece (google bowling shoe covers for an idea) you can make them longer on the ankle end so that they go up to the tops of your boots if like me you wear high top hiking boots. It can help keep your boot hooks from scraping along whatever is hanging into the trail except the fleece will pick up things like burrs, fox tails, and thorns if you have those in your area.
I usually make myself three sets of boot covers every hunting season as opposed to picking all of the little thorns and buggers out of the fleece.


I wear those fly fishing ankle boots. There quite and they're sticky as all get out. Climb rocks and logs no problem. But hey also have the ones that have a thick piece of felt on the bottom.
I wish I had a pair of those boots! My waders have the same sort of deal on the bottom of the feet but I think it'd be a little odd to go out hunting in my fishing waders....
Title: Re: How to stop crunching on frozen grass?
Post by: sleek on December 13, 2013, 02:41:39 pm
Waders would keep skeeters off your legs and be great scent lock...
Title: Re: How to stop crunching on frozen grass?
Post by: KrisDelger on December 13, 2013, 09:42:08 pm
Waders would keep skeeters off your legs and be great scent lock...

Very true
Title: Re: How to stop crunching on frozen grass?
Post by: JW_Halverson on December 13, 2013, 09:50:55 pm
Great way to re-purpose those obsolete felt soled fly-fishing waders.  They are being outlawed in many western states, fines are going to be astronomical.  They have been linked with carrying whirling disease from stream to stream. 
Title: Re: How to stop crunching on frozen grass?
Post by: crooketarrow on December 14, 2013, 05:55:58 pm
  KRIS you don't hunt much in WV do you.
  Right now theres about 8 inchs of snow and it's been snowing all day. The barefoot thing won't work here.
Title: Re: How to stop crunching on frozen grass?
Post by: KrisDelger on December 16, 2013, 03:14:24 am
  KRIS you don't hunt much in WV do you.
  Right now theres about 8 inchs of snow and it's been snowing all day. The barefoot thing won't work here.
Nope I generally hunt in North western and north eastern nevada where my barefoot heathenism works out rather well until I find another damn cactus between rocks.... then it's a fun hour with the needle nose pliers watching a deer scramble down the hill  :P

Great way to re-purpose those obsolete felt soled fly-fishing waders.  They are being outlawed in many western states, fines are going to be astronomical.  They have been linked with carrying whirling disease from stream to stream. 
Yep I was given a pair but never use it since I prefer to just stand in the stream in some board shorts I feel less like I'm going to get waders full of water and drown (I know strange fear to have)
Title: Re: How to stop crunching on frozen grass?
Post by: stickbender on December 16, 2013, 06:56:36 pm
Great way to re-purpose those obsolete felt soled fly-fishing waders.  They are being outlawed in many western states, fines are going to be astronomical.  They have been linked with carrying whirling disease from stream to stream.
     Dang!  I have pair of those boots, and I love them!  I guess I will just have to learn to use my float tube! 
As for the frozen grass, you can cut a path, or just clear out an area for your stand, and like you said bring a section of carpet, or rug, and get there VERY early.  But then with the carpet or rug, you have the scent problem.  I guess you could wash it well with unscented soap, and let it dry, and then rub it well with fresh deer poop, and or grass, and leaves, boiled acorn juice, etc. ;) ::)

                                                                         Wayne
Title: Re: How to stop crunching on frozen grass?
Post by: tattoo dave on December 18, 2013, 11:36:54 am
Well, I'll share a little trick I've been doing for years. Seems to work awesome dealing with any kind of noise you make while walking the woods, if you have turkeys in your next of the woods. Turkeys that are alone, maybe somehow got separated from the group, wonder around making a slow and soft cluck to try and announce where they are. Use the mouth piece turkey calls while walking. Turkeys tend to sound like a heard of tanks coming through the woods, so deer hear the clucking, and tend not be as alarmed. If you have a bunch of snow on the ground, like we do up here, turkeys won't make as much noise while walking. But you can still use the "lost turkey" call to cover your noise. Study up and practice on your turkey calls though, the difference between the lost turkey call, and the turkey alarm call is subtle.

Tattoo Dave