Cross Country Ski/Snowshoe Hunting - Experience & Thoughts?

[mcrawfordaf]

Well out my way the snow is just piling up and there is no sign of it slowing any time soon. I haven't been out in the woods since elk season and my deer has been keeping me happy cozy and warm inside cooking up all sorts of meals on the weekends (made an amazing venison lasagna this weekend with a béchamel sauce and homemade pasta noodles). I'm wanting to get out but man is post holing through this stuff chasing after a dog tiresome. Was wondering if anyone here has experience with hunting via cross country ski and/or snowshoe.

I'm currently reading through a series of articles and blogs about the venture and would like to hear from any of ya'll about your experiences, tips/tricks etc. Thanks!

Some of the articles I'm going through:
https://www.syracuse.com/outdoors/2010/02/coyotes.html
https://projectupland.com/bird-hunting-gear/upland-hunting-by-back-country-skis-2/
https://www.thealaskalife.com/blogs/news/hunting-on-skis-a-beginners-primer
https://rokslide.com/forums/threads/crosscountry-skis-for-hunting.110586/

[boneaddict]

It’s fun, it’s different, it’s hard work.   I have noted skis spook deer way faster than snowshoes.  Pitch of the sound I don’t know.  I literally could snowmobile up to an animal without spooking them compared to skis.    Keep an eye on the end of your barrel.  It’s very easy to get plugged with snow or ice without knowing it.   

[MountainWalk]

I use snow shoes for my wolf hunting and wolf and lynx trapping. They take some getting used to. You have to relearn to walk. Take it slow and easy. Poles are a big help.

[300rum]

Thirty years ago or more, when I was a kid, I remember reading an article in Field and Stream of a guy who hunted snowshoe hare on snowshoes with a Thompson Center Contender with a .45/.410 barrel.  Of the hundreds of stories I read, this one stayed with me, it was a good one, I wish I would have kept it.  I always wanted to do that hunt after reading it.   

[boneaddict]

Layering or clothing choice is very important.   Lots of sweat, face plants and freezing to death, or losing your fingers.  Need to pay attention just that much more.   

[slavenoid]

I'm in the same situation as you. Been doing some research I came to the conclusion that neither snowshoes or skis look very easy or fun. Then I saw these. They look more approachable and less of a learning curve. I'm thinking they would work for me on snow covered logging road situations.

[HillHound]

I have never hunted off skis. But I have seen bobcat tracks going up the ski lift before. I always wondered what they would say if I got on the lift with a couple live traps strapped to a pack. We go stay up there for three or four days at a time so I have time to start a mini trap line. Although I would have to figure out carbon dioxide suffocation or something because I don’t think they would take kindly to me shooting up there.

[pickardjw]

I tried to cougar hunt Saturday with my AT setup. Black Diamond 105 skis, Marker Kingpin 13 bindings, K2 Mindbender 130 boots....it was pretty brutal. The boots squeak, I had to break trail through 6" of fresh snow two miles in to where I set up to call, boots were brutally uncomfortable for the first time being in them this season, and the snow tacked up too much to effectively ski back down.

Cross Country skis would be more comfortable but you'd have a tough time off a groomed trail in them. Snowshoes would be better but it would be nice to be able to ski out of an area instead of walking out...

I think the ski/snowshoe hybrid in the video above is something I'm going to try in the future. Never seen the Black Diamond version before, but I've seen some good reviews on these Altai skis over on Rokslide. Too bad they're sold out on the bindings currently.

https://us-store.altaiskis.com/product/hok-skis-with-universal-pivot-bindings-copy/

[Karl Blanchard]

Been a few years now but I used to ski for cats a lot.  I'd cover country via trails and closed roads on skis till I cut tracks then I'd turn on on the tracks. As bone stated, I'd pack extra clothes to throw one, I'd bring boots as well as snow shoes as my ski shoes sucked for everything. Set of over boots worked really well for those quick calling sessions where I didn't leave my skis.

[mcrawfordaf]

Thanks for everyone's insight so far. I started looking into the Black Diamond GlideLites. These seem like the right fit or least in the right direction over full blown cross country skis. I was also looking at the Hoks as someone from Rokslide also mentioned them. 49deg North is listed as a place that either rents or demos them. Might try to make my way up there and see if they're a good fit.

Weapon wise what are you guys thinking? Obviously something light and compact would be ideal. I was thinking a Buckmark or similar .22 pistol on the chest and maybe a slimmed down light weight AR on the back for dogs/cats?

[pickardjw]

I'll be carrying my AR with a 3-9 Nikon Buckmaster on it. Just gotta break it in some more, only have a few rounds through it. The 77gr Sierra TMK should be plenty of bullet. Since you mentioned seeing the Hoks on Rokslide, maybe you've seen the .223 thread as well. That is the rabbit hole of all rabbit holes! 

[MountainWalk]

Gun wise, up here in AK, when the days get short and the snow gets deep and temps drop to -10 to -35, it’s time to leave the AR at home.  Winter wolves up here are hella stout. Most are shot with your smaller deer rifles. 243, 22-250, 270, 30’06 and the various six and a halves are pretty popular up here, at least for folks who are serious about it. Lots of folks just open fire, but shoot and never give it a second thought. But anyone out in the winter is looking for shots of opportunity; they’re serious.

Once the fur grows long and dense and the wind starts howling, it’s time to leave the 223 at home. AR’s are a terrible thing to have to hold and keep your cheek welded to the stock when you are dug into a really good pre prepared hide in a snow bank.  Some AR’s don’t like weather below zero.  But, of course, all of this just pertains to wolves.

[pickardjw]

Speaking of the .223 thread, Form just posted some wound channel photos of multiple elk taken with the 77gr TMK. The exit through the femur and hindquarter is pretty impressive. At this point, I have more hesitation about the cheap scope on my AR than the ability of the caliber/bullet.

https://rokslide.com/forums/threads/223-for-bear-deer-elk-and-moose.130488/post-2865590

[Mtnwalker]

Speaking of the .223 thread, Form just posted some wound channel photos of multiple elk taken with the 77gr TMK. The exit through the femur and hindquarter is pretty impressive. At this point, I have more hesitation about the cheap scope on my AR than the ability of the caliber/bullet.

https://rokslide.com/forums/threads/223-for-bear-deer-elk-and-moose.130488/post-2865590

Man, less than 400 ft/lbs on some of those shots. Wow

[jackelope]

I’d take a hard look at Alpine touring skis with skins if I was going to go with skis. I feel like a fish out of water on cross country skis.