Conference vmsnet::hunting$note:hunting

    For the last three years I have been using, and abusing, a pair
    of Timberland waterproof boots that are holding up well.
    I also use them as work boots so they get a lot of wear and the
    only "maintenance" I do is a coating of silicon once a year ( far in
    advance of hunting season ).
    
    I have owned more expensive brands that leaked after a year or two.
    So far, the Timberlands have worked well for me.
    

    I've used a pair of Rocky Stalkers for several years now -
    they've held up well. They have Gore-Tex and Thinsulate
    but aren't too warm. (Of course, I have the most cold-sensitive
    feet in New England, so your mileage may vary.  ;-) )
    
    dana

    L.L. Bean boots have my vote!  I bought a pair of the calf high's about
    four years ago, and have never regretted it.  The leather uppers are
    broken in great and with a little "SNOW SEAL" applied every season they
    havn't leaked a bit.  Do yourself a favor and get a pair of the tall
    ones though...  You can never tell just how deep the clear mountain
    water really is, and I always hated walking around the rest of the day
    with wet/cold feet!!!  Oh yah,  They also have a lifetime warrantee on
    defects, and will resole the rubber bottoms for a minimal cost which
    eliminates having to break-in new uppers too...
    
    
    Tom

        I've been hunting in a pair of Browning Stalkers the last couple of 
years. They have the gore-tex liner and are thinsulated. Its a leather boot
with a semi nylon top to them. Nice and light and I can't say I've ever got
wet or cold feet while wearing them. 

    Treat your boot selection like you would rifle selection.  What sort of
    terrain will you be in?  Rocky, swampy, dry, wet, cold, warm, snow, a
    mix of several?  Are you a "stalker" or a "sitter"?  Do you need lots
    of arch support or not?  Do your feet get cold easy (like mine) or is
    this not a problem for you?
    
    You wouldn't just pick up any old gun prior to going out hunting and
    you shouldn't do the same with boots.  In my opinion your boots are the
    most important piece of hunting clothing.  If your boots don't
    fit,aren't comfortable, leak, etc, you'll be miserable.
    
    For my money, and general all purpose use, mostly when the weather will
    be cold, and because my hunting style usually involves a lot of sitting
    on stand, I like the rubber bottomed/waterproof upper style with felt
    liners.  Be sure to get an extra set of liners and switch them off on
    alternate days.  The liners absorb moisture and will become cold if not
    100% dry.  (They won't dry overnight if left in the boot, even near a
    woodstove.)  A good solid inner sole liner put in the bottom of the
    felt also serves to give extra arch support if you plan on do any
    significant amounts of walking.  a light pair of silk or nylon socks
    next to your foot followed by woolen outer socks finishes this off.  be
    sure to have all the socks with you when fitting boots, or if buying
    through mail, follow the advice which is uaually to order about a size
    too big to allow for extra socks.
    
    I've spent over $100 for a pair of boots and been miserable.  Currently
    I have a pair of what's described above.  They are above average
    quality, bought in Spags, and cost $45.  They're going on their 5th
    year and my feet are always comfortable and toasty.  (A pair of
    expensive Herman Survivors had my feet like icecubes in 30 min!)
    
    My 2 cents.
    
    Pete
    

    re.5  AMEN!!
    
    Bob
    

    All I've ever owned is Timberland.  
    
    Mark.

    
    	Maine hunting shoe, ala LL Bean boots.  They're comfortable and
    quiet.  They're a little slippery until you get used to them.

>    All I've ever owned is Timberland.  
 
 Gee, I can't understand why... ;^)

 I don't have such an excuse, but that's what I have as well.

    Wifey-poo gets 35% off *whole-sale* prices.
    
    Mark.

    
    Mark,
    
    	10 1/2 EE please....  :^)
    
    Clay

    Just recieved a letter from Dave Ayotte, in it he states that 
    L L Bean has gone anti hunting... whats the deal here... anyone have
    any details...
    
    BTW, Sorel Caribou's for the nasty stuff during November, and Dunham's
    generic leather insulated jobby for archery...  if it get colder, i'll
    swith to the Sorel.
    
    Fra

    Since LL Bean sells clothes for hunting, in a 'Hunting Specialties'
    catalog, I get the feeling there's an interpretation problem here.

    Off track 4 just 1 second pleez. howz do use guyz getz doze sayingz
    next to yourz namez pleez.  like, duh, dat last wun said,"northern
    exposure"
    
    duh
    bob
    

    Notes>set profile/personal_name="kick me"
    
    :^)
    
    Mark.

    you mean, like this.  Thanks.  Getting back to boots now, I really
    think like a few notes back said, it all depends on weather, terrain,
    etc.  The boots I have here in Georgia, soft rubber thinsulated
    hodgeman's, would not even work in the Sierras of California.  Good
    suggestion, look for the hunter that hunts the same land as you do, who
    can go for miles, and miles with a smile on his or her face.
    
    BINGO!
    
    bob (11 days for full draw)
    

    RE:.13
    
    Dana,
    
    While LL Bean does sell clothes for hunting, I think their really
    catering more now to the yuppy "adventurer", and as such are less 
    geared to the hunter...  And we all know how these yuppy adventurers 
    feel about hunting... I suppose anything's possible, but when I speak 
    with Dave, I'll ask him for more details, course being on extreme 
    ends of the continent does'nt help communications any either.
                                                              
    Fra

    Compare the number of Beemers/Volvos in the lot in Freeport to the
    number of campers and pickups, and you'll know why.
    
    Plus, I believe they are (rightfully) taking a beating from mail order
    companies like Cabela's who offer comparable quality for much less
    money.  Hence, the shift to upscale outdoor cloting with a label.
    
    Mark.
    
    

    
    	Has anyone tried the Rockport Outlet store in Marlboro Ma.?
    

 It depends on what you are buying. If you shop around, sometimes 
you will find that Bean's has the best bargain. I did when buying my 
stuff last year. I had Gander Mountain, Cabela's and Bean's catalogues
side by side and for the wool pants (same price) and coat (much lower 
price) I got I saved about $30. (I notice that my coat which was $89.95
last year is now $129.95 this year, however...) :-)

 The Doctah

    Don't forget L.L.Bean's does not charge for the shipping, while 
    Gander Mountain, Cabela's, Lands End etc., charge up to $10 or 
    sometimes a straight 15% extra for "shipping & handling."   I once 
    paid $8.00 for shipping and discovered that the actual cost had 
    only been 85 cents.  
    
    ;)
    Nancy

    sad to day, LL Beans has started to charge for shipping
    
    Like the Doctah says, compare prices, but add in the shipping costs.
    My impression is that Cabela's, Gander Mountain, Bass Pro Shops
    all are pretty close on prices, but occasionally you can save
    10 percent or so. 
    
    Dana

     But let's also remember that Bean's has a LIFETIME GUARANTEE on
    EVERYTHING they sell. I once turned in a 7 year old pair of insulated
    vibram soled hunting boots that chaffed my achilles heel only when
    worn for long periods. No problems, no questions asked... full
    purchase price refunded, or merchandise credit for other merchandise.
    Try that somewhere else.
     I once saw a woman ask to have a rip in the insulation repaired. The 
    boots looked totally worn out, having the vibram soles worn smooth. The
    woman at the sales counter asked if her husband would rather have a new
    pair. Boots were chucked into a box, a voucher was made out for the
    original purchase price, and away she went with a new pair of boots,
    paying only the difference between the old price and the new price.
     And this holds true for everything they sell. *everything*
    
     Since I find the service to be excellent, quality of goods to be
    very good, and the guarantee to be unsurpassed, they get my money.
    And the yuppie catalogs go into the trash.
    
    FWIW
    
    Bob

    Welllll Put Bob!!!  I agree with you 100%...
    
    Another plus in their favor has to be that they are open 364 days a
    year and 24 hours a day!  I've stopped at 3:00 am to pick up a pair
    of wool sox (which I forgot to bring) on my way to hunt around the
    Bangor area.  Walked in, bought EXACTLY what I was looking for, and
    walked out without any hassles.  By the way...  There wasn't *ANY*
    problem finding a parking space either!!!  Something I did find out
    afterwards was if you purchase from the store, the items are subject
    to taxes, but not through mail orders.  
    
    
    Tom

    RE: .24
    
    Still have to pay the taxes for mail orders if it's shipped within
    Maine. After I moved to Kennebunk, I called up to order a pair of 
    boots and they noted my change of address. The customer service rep
    then stated that if I had them shipped to an out of state address
    that I would save on the taxes. Not that he SUGGESTED it, or 
    anything.... I had the "bill to" address in Kennebunk, and the
    "ship to address" in Mass. Worked out great, and saved me a few
    extra bucks.
     As to the parking at 3 AM, that's the only time I'll stop. Get a
    cloudy/rainy day in the middle of summer, and we're talking near
    gridlock in Freeport. Forget the month of December, too.
     
    Bob

	Help a poor foreigner... ! Would somebody be nice enough
	to enter the address and perhaps phone # (no 800 #, I
	can't call those) of LL Beans? I have been wanting to
	get their catalog for some time now! Any company offering
	a lifetime guarantee on all (or most?) of their merchandise
	is surely worth a closer look - even at a (reasonable) increase
	in price. 

	Thanks in advance.

						- Mike

    Address:
    
    L.L. Bean, Inc.
    Freeport, ME.   04033
    1-800-221-4221 (ordering)
    1-207-878-2104 (ordering by FAX)
    1-800-341-4341 (service)
    
    FOR ORDERING FROM OUTSIDE US -->  207-865-3111 and for service
    207-865-3161.  FAX orders outside US  207-878-2104.