Walking in deep mud

[Lefty Back]

Does anyone know if they make a contraption like snow shoes for mud and marshes that keeps you from sinking to your knees? I heard there was something on the market but I can't find anything on it. Please let me know the name of these things. A honey hole that I hunted 2 weeks ago was loaded with ducks but the death march is something I don't want to do again. It was a killer. Any help would be great.

[coonman]

If there is I would also like to know. I have been doing the death march ever since I started duck hunting.

[BoogaBottom]

Ive tried some of those contraptions.....they help, but tend to pick up a bunch of mud esp crossing muddy fields, or marshes without water...

In water they work better, but still have a lot of resistance as you move your feet through the water....

Ive made a few of those marches in my life....getting to old for that now....good luck....

It will sure give a stress test to the ole Ticker !! and like a stair climber on the thighs !!

LOL

[sondance]

think I saw them in a Herter's catalog one time

[Chuckle12]

Yes, they do make something like snow shoes for walking in mud. I have seen them in the old Herter's, Mack's and Cabelas. I don't recall the name. I'll look around and see what I dig up.

[SB]

Look for Forestry Suppliers' website or General Supply's website. You should find them there.

I've had luck walking on my knees for shorts distance. The portion of your leg from your knee to your ankle is in contact with the bottom providing more surface area for flotation. Don't do this in deep water!

[hawkeye]

How far do you have to walk in this mud. I know this will sound stupid but I have done it before. Take a sheet of 1/4" plywood, rip it longways in 1' wide strips, and lay it flat across the top of the mud. You can make about 36 feet out of one sheet, and it doesn't weigh all that much. Plus, after you do the work once, you don't have to do it again. I've done it, works for me, well worth that little bit of extra effort to me.

[RiverDuck]

Don't do this in deep water!


Good call scotty!

[bluwtr]

Lefty here is an idea you may want to try. Take Hawkeyes idea, but instead of laying piece after piece why not make your own by cutting the plywood into ski sized stripes and secure them with rope or a bungy cord. Now of course they couldn't be as long as skis, but you get the idea. Really shouldn't be that hard to do.

Just a poor boy taking off with someone elses idea.

Wes

[Bully]

I thinks expanded metal would make good mud shoes.

[lefthorn]

I agree with SB. I have better sucess walking on my knees. As for the plywood thing, The Lord knows that I don't need any more equipment loaded into my little boat!!

[teul2]

Here ya go. If you get them, let me know how they work. I would like to know.
http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/product/standard-item.jhtml?id=0016371830303a&navAction=jump&navCount=4&indexId=cat20618&podId=0016371&catalogCode=XD&parentId=cat20618&parentType=index&rid=&cmCat=MainCatcat20564&_DARGS=%2Fcabelas%2Fen%2Fcommon%2Fcatalog%2Fitem-link.jhtml.2_A&_DAV=http%3A%2F%2Fa1460.g.akamai.net%2Ff%2F1460%2F1339%2F6h%2Fwww.cabelas.com%2Fcabelas%2Fen%2Fcontent%2FPod%2F01%2F63%2F71%2Fp016371ii01.jpg&hasJS=true

[dukbum]

dam proud of those things arent they! gooooodnesss.......

[bluwtr]

Now you see why I suggested making your own, regardless if they take up a little more room--better than sinking to your armpits or having a heart attack.

[Unkljohn]

We took some old pallets and layed them end to end to make a walkway to one of our blinds that sits in mud like that. Now you can just cruise right on out to it, no problems. It's best to do this in the summer when the water is down. Also a good idea to weight them so they don't float off!