Backcountry hunting in the snow

[pope]

The last thing you want is cold feet/hands when you're too far out to do anything about it. For boots, I'd go overkill and research plastic mountaineering boots, such as http://www.rei.com/product/780182/scarpa-inverno-mountaineering-boots-mens. They can be very expensive new, but hit one of the REI garage sales and you're likely to find a returned pair for a fraction of the price.

For your hands, there's nothing out there that compares to these:

http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://static-dev-climbing.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/Dachstein-Mittens_29982.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.climbing.com/?archive%3Dwarm-when-wet-dachstein-uber-mitts&h=410&w=700&sz=31&tbnid=k8lxoSn7NTz_rM:&tbnh=62&tbnw=105&zoom=1&usg=__jWLLbJED5Zdvoq7beKVng2FJopQ=&docid=_1pL1j1m5Rht8M&sa=X&ei=NoTIUfqQJMTgiAKYwYH4AQ&sqi=2&ved=0CEEQ9QEwBQ&dur=6240

Mittens aren't functional for working your rifle or bow, but I'd want a pair of these in the pack.

And then there's so much to say about camping in the snow. One mistake you won't make twice is not bringing adequate ground insulation to go under your sleeping bag. I like a minimum of two closed-cell full-length foam pads. They are much warmer than inflating pads but not quite as comfortable. As mentioned above, ski poles are practically a necessity when traveling on snow shoes.

Dragging a load down a mountain on a sled can be incredibly difficult work (the steeper the terrain the easier the job should be). I haven't pulled out game, but I've pulled several 15-ft Christmas trees more than seven miles and found it surprisingly difficult. I would plan to bone that animal out and start eating it on the way down!

[cvandervort]

Great stuff guys! I like the idea of a rollable sled/litter...the skedco one is 600bucks, but I'm sure a visit to TAP plastics might do the trick! I plan on boning out (if I'm lucky), but I was hoping to use it to drag game bags and /or give my back a break from my backpack.
All of this talk is getting me pumped for my first hnt in the snow....avalanche danger and all!

[fillthefreezer]

also think about at least some micro-spikes if you plan to be in the steep, they make you much more efficient

[ICEMAN]

I would go cheap. Here is a cheap Cabelas sled, and another kids snow sled...(blue).

Be careful, you will get hooked!

[Simcoe hunter]

Dig those uber mitts Pope.  Most excellent.  That's what we used to wear taking eggs during the fall at the hatchery.  Keep your hands in 55 degree water all day grabbing big fish y the tail and you will love these.

[KFhunter]

I've went through several sets of snowshoes this winter and now I'm running MSR lightning accent 30" with tails (if needed)

I really like them because I can step right on a log/tree downfall and not slide off.  I don't ski downhill in them nor to I slide sideways off a hill.  They are a huge difference over a tube framed shoe.





with the pack and gun and all the "stuff" hunters tend to carry get bigger ones than the chart reccomends.

[acnewman55]

-MSR snowshoes with the detachable floats are the way to go! They have the best bindings, are the most durable, and are absolutely PROVEN.
Stay away from ANY tubular snowshoes. You'd only hate your life, if they even make it through the hunt.

-Get a quality pair of trekking/ski poles, in hill country it will make your life way easier. It may not appear ideal to use trekking poles but they'll help you get up when you fall down (and you will), and they'll add tremendous assistance when climbing and descending. Trekking poles can also be utilized as shooting sticks, when getting prone or kneeling (in deep snow) just will not work out. I carry my rifle slung across my chest.

-Buy the OR Crocodile gators. 
-Quality scope cover.

   All of it.  Especially the MSR snowshoes.  They are the best on the market, and MSR does a lot of it's mfg here in Seattle so you're buying local  .  You'll pay for it though.

Whatever you get, make sure they have a hinged toe-plate so your shoes dump loaded snow with each step instead of carrying it along with you.

I do a lot of snowshoeing with heavy loads up steep terrain.  Secure bindings are the most important factor imo.