By Mike Roche

This writer believes that his lifestyle is dependent on keeping his feet healthy. My upland hunting usually results in over three and sometimes six miles of walking in challenging terrain each outing. Foot care is critical and that means good boots and socks.

The socks part of the equation has been taken care of since discovering Darn Tough brand socks. Over the years, many quality brands were tried, and most were good. Smartwool, Lacrosse, Thorlo(s) and other brands made especially for hikers are quality and all wick away moisture, a key part of keeping your feet dry and healthy. Alpaca socks are the latest rage, and all the top-end socks are expensive but worth the extra money. The lifetime guarantee offered by Darn Tough socks made them hard to beat and they have honored it for me when socks were worn after years of hard use.

With all those miles, boots take beating. Right now, there are four pairs of boots lined up with my upland bird hunting gear. Another bit of advice that was given to me years ago was to change your footwear at mid-day. The rationale was that each pair of boots puts pressure on your feet in a different way and that change could prevent blisters or strains.

Those different boots all have different soles and a couple have Vibram soles. Vibram soles are known for traction, stability and traction. Tread can be a little confusing because we all want great traction but do not want to track mud into our truck and home. Some compromise is needed. My boot soles usually wear out before the uppers. Back in the day, there were cobblers who would re-sole your boots or shoes. They are a vanishing breed. Most of the better boot brands will re-sole and it is cheaper than buying new boots, which are usually $200 to $400.

What got me thinking about boots was L.L. Bean’s re-introduction of their BOA Technical Upland Boot. The BOA refers to the lace system that uses wire and a lockable turnbuckle. The system provides a tight fit that never has loose laces. The boot was very popular a few years ago when first sold but the uppers, particularly the top of the toe, wore out from the constant contact with underbrush that is a constant in upland hunting.

A number of hunters at the Ruffed Gouse and American Woodcock Society Benefit Hunt noticed mine and two immediately took out their cell phones and ordered a pair. They are that good. My next favorite is a pair of Irish Setter (made by Red Wing and might be kangaroo leather) upland boots that are lightweight and have a reinforced toe where the wear usually occurs. They are right up there with my pair of Danner eight-inch Grouse upland boots which also are light, wear well and offer excellent support.

The other pair are made by Muck, and in wet seasons like last year, they are needed. A pair of Muck Wetland boots have served me for over a decade, but the sole separated and had to be glued and there is a newer pair of Muck Woody Sport that see a lot of service during deer season. Muck makes great boots, but the tall 16-inch rubber boots do not provide much ankle support and can chafe when the miles pile up. A good fit, of course, is critical and that is sometimes impossible as we buy so much online. Any time you can walk in and try on different sizes you are better off, as brand-to-brand differences are common. In truth, there a lot of great choices available today for boots and socks. Take care of your feet and they will take care of you!

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Last weekend was my annual pilgrimage to the southern Berkshires where Steve Williams, Wayne MacCallum and this writer gather to reminisce about our legendary friend Gig Darey. Steve’s first wildlife job was Deer Project Leader at MassWildlife, and he moved up to deputy director and then became director in his home state of Pennsylvania. From there, he was hired as Kansas Secretary of Environmental Affairs and later appointed to serve as director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service by President George W. Bush. Wayne had a long and successful career at MassWildlife and was one of the most respected directors in the country. We hunted for years with Gig and kept up the tradition, thanks to the hospitality offered us by Ginny Akabane, who was Gig’s long-time partner.

Friday’s warm temperatures and winds made woodcock hunting a challenge and we returned with just one bird in the bag. Saturday was better and we had a great hunt with a lot of memorable moments, including one point when Tessie locked up a few yards away from the two of them while they were engaged in a conversation about the wildlife world. They managed to bag the woodcock that interrupted their “talkin.’” We moved five grouse during the two days, which was notable. Every possible excuse for missing was used and the days went by way too fast.

It appears to me that local woodcock are moving out to start migration and it seemed like every bird we encountered was large. Female woodcock are notably bigger and the smaller males migrate first, both going south in the fall and returning in the spring. It would seem like migrants should be showing up in covers as they are moving through the area. This very unusual warm weather (75 degrees on Nov. 6!) is driven by southern winds and the little migrants prefer a tailwind. We adjusted and headed to Birch Hill Wildlife Management Area earlier in the week and found some pheasants before it got just too warm for man and dog alike.

Bow hunting for deer is certainly tougher in this heat and right now is when you expect the rut activity to get bucks moving around in search of does. Good luck to all, as hunting seasons are in full swing!

Mike Roche is a retired teacher who has been involved in conservation and wildlife issues his entire life. He has written the Sportsman’s Corner since 1984 and has served as advisor to the Mahar Fish’N Game Club, counselor and director of the Massachusetts Conservation Camp, former Connecticut Valley District representative on the Massachusetts Fisheries and Wildlife Board, a Massachusetts Hunter Education Instructor and is a licensed New York hunting guide. He can be reached at mikeroche3@msn.com.