Creeks?

[Elkhunttoo]

I'm just curious to see how others deal with creek crossings. Last year I got creative and came up with some pretty good ideas, but always looking for more or better ways. The creeks I'm mostly dealing with are around 30-45 feet wide and shin to knee deep. Thoughts....

[Swede]

I do not like to walk around with wet feet for any significant part of the day. Wet feet equals blisters and sores. There are several things you can do to protect your feet. Flip flops or other rubber slippers are acceptable. Sometimes I just go bare foot and cross, but that depends on where I am. If all you can come up with is an extra pair of socks then take off you boots and cross in your sock feet. Change on the other side. The time spend maintaining dry feet will pay big dividends in a very short time.

[Elkhunttoo]

Agreed, I hate wet feet. After hearing some thoughts I will share what I did last year. My wife and I crossed several creeks and after using my idea neither of us got wet at all. But, always room for improvement

[WapitiTalk1]

If it/they are spots that are static (spots you have been through before and know you will be going through on your hunt that day), a pair of Crocs in your day/all-in-one pack work like a charm. Take off your boots, roll the pants legs up, put on the Crocs and off you go. Crocs weigh almost nothing and are a recommended part of your backcountry, or, basecamp arsenal (once I'm lounging in base camp, the Zamberlans come off and the Crocs go on). If the area you're hunting in may sport an impromptu creek or two (perhaps its a new area, or, a spot/spots in your general area) that you suspect may have creek crossings..... just carry two large black plastic sacks in your pack. I always have two of these in my pack and they serve several purposes. They can prove an emergency shelter if needed, they have provided a nice baffle in my pack to hold meat bags to prevent blood seepage, they're money to spread out and lay processed meat on when field dressing, they can serve as rain gear (cut two holes for arms and your head) when you don't have rain gear with you, and yep...... put them on your legs, over your boots up above your knees, tie em tight... and they serve as pretty darn good waders

[saddlesore]

My mule carries me across

[jmez]

Anything less than knee deep I just walk across with gaiters. Boots are waterproof and the gaiters keep everything else dry.

If they are deeper I walk the bank until I find a shallower spot.

[CurlyTail]

Believe it or not, but I was wanting to start this same discussion.

Several of my favorite hunting spots start with a creek or small river crossing. It can take up to 15 minutes for my partner and I to take off out boots and socks, wade the river, get dried off, and get my boots laced up and ready to go again.

I have traditionally done the crocs/ off with the boots approach - but there has got to be better. I want to try the heavy duty trash bag idea. I even considered a larger dry bag that I could hide in the bushes that would be more sturdy than a trash bag. I would want it to be speedy to slip onto my legs over my boots and off I go.

One year, we were using the same spot frequently, and we took the time to pull a log across the stream and anchor it on rocks on either side. With a hiking stick for balance, that worked pretty good. Have not repeated that move as it took some effort and I don't want others to be able to get into that area without some effort.

I even though of bringing a decoy sled, and anchoring a rope across the stream to two sturdy trees, and letting the decoy boat swing across the stream down current one person at a time. This idea probably is not practical, as a good dunking in the dark is not my idea of fun.

I think the trash bag idea is growing on me. Knee high gaiters are also a good idea, but I think I would still get a bit wet.

[jmez]

These would be worth trying for $20.

http://www.cabelas.com/product/HODGMAN-GAMEWADE-PACKABLE-HIP-WADER-DS/2052603.uts?productVariantId=4270490&WT.tsrc=PPC&WT.mc_id=GoogleProductAds&WT.z_mc_id1=04239208&rid=20&gclid=CjwKEAiA3NTFBRDKheuO6IG43VQSJAA74F77MP61ROrUs-hl0sIYvZdBgQzRCjcpZK58IlnJCaj3ORoC-8Tw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

[CurlyTail]

Those would do the trick! They would have to be more durable than a trashbag, and only need to hold up for a few steps.

[Elkhunttoo]

Those do look like they would work good.

I tried the garbage bags, I bought the thickest strongest compacter ones I could find. I made it about 3 steps into the creek and the bottoms ripped out because of the rocks. The other problem with the bags I had was once it came in from the bottom it stayed in, needless to say I won't try that again.

I tried the crocs but I hate cold cold water and drying off. The method I switched to is far from perfect, that's why I ask for better ideas and those pants might be it. Any way, what I did last year was I got the long plastic vet gloves/sleeves and would take my boots off and pull the sleeves over my pants. They would come up about knee high and I would put a wrap of electric tape around the top. Then I would pack my water shoes and put them on to keep the rocks from cutting the gloves. I crossed several creeks with this method and stayed dry every time. I have a small water proof bag I would carry the shoes, gloves and tape in. If it was a warm day I just clipped the shoes on my pack and they dried out fairly fast. I liked that system better then any other I had tried but I might be looking into those pants

[cohunter]

I'm not sure I can recommend the packable waders. Here's a story:

When I was first cutting my teeth on hunting I had no waders. My quarry: ducks. I'd hike from my folks house down to the river (only about half a mile) and hunt. If a duck landed on the opposite bank, I'd leave it until I was done hunting. If a duck fell in the river, I'd wade in and get it. At that point I was done hunting - I'd hustle my duck home in single digit temperatures and my parents would chisel my boot laces apart and pry them off my frozen feet. Then came the frozen blue jeans and... The next winter I got some portable waders for Christmas! After about 2 trips I was back to the old routine.

I'm sure plastic manufacturing has changed a lot in the last 25 years, but it would HAVE to change a lot. Also, those waders cost quite a bit less than 20 bucks, but I'm not sure they were really andy cheaper given inflation. The reviews for the product sound about like my experience years ago. You can buy a whole lot of extra duty trash bags for 20 bucks!!

[Elkhunttoo]

Thanks for the info on that... maybe I will just keep with what I used last year, it worked pretty good and its free. I will never try the trash bags again though, it was a disaster

[Elkhunttoo]

Well, I ordered a pair of the water pants... they will definitely be used in the next two months looking for sheds... I will report back and give a review

[olympushunt]

Or.....or....you can not pack water shoes, plastic bags, waders, etc etc etc. Here ya go.....find you a lucky stick and you are set! You can thank me later.

[Fridaythe13th]

Never have tried it, but what about heavy trash bag and crocs the shoes would protect the bags from the bottom?????

[Beendare]

I like the mule idea the best.

I have a set of Wiggys....barneys in ak used to sell them....not sure if they still do. They would be easy to make. They are essentially a sil nylon wader that goes over your boots...super light.

I know some guys that look for spots where you have to cross a creek for access....keeps the rif raf out- grin

[Elkhunttoo]

I agree with the mules, I use horses a bunch but I also don't have them a lot of times too.

The garbage bags with crocs would probably work ok, one major problem I had with the bags is that you have to wrap them around your leg really tight because when the current hits them if it's not tight it balloons out and makes it hard to keep up around your knees. Definitely need both hands available. The long sleeves with crocks would work to but the advantage of the water shoes over the crocs is not many rocks got in the shoes to rip holes in the sleeves, and if the current is swift you need to make sure your crocs fit tight or they will float away while trying to keep a hold of the bags. Like I said earlier, the sleeves and water shoes are not a bad option, I'm just hoping for something better.

And as for using the pole . I actually pole volted in high school half of my life ago and I don't think it's going to be my next option but you never know

[Lefty]

There isnt enough water where I hunt

[Scorpyd shooter]

that's what I'm hoping, no big creeks lol