Tracks
Although the calendar says that fall is still with us in southern Alberta, the weather outside says otherwise.
With the first snowfall of the season happening a week or so back, and the fresh snow covering lying on the landscape, I was looking forward to getting out, as there is nothing I like better thn playing in the snow.
On this day with reasonably warm -15C temperatures, it was fun to be out spending time with my longbow shooting some of my recently re-fletched flu-flu arrows, that are proving to be a good option with the snow covering the ground.
Normally you use flu-flu arrows for shooting at aerial targets, as the arrows don't fly as far due to the over-sized fletching (feathers) creating drag on the arrow. However I also find that the flu-flu arrows tend not to disappear under the snow with judo points mounted up front, and I'm enjoying using them. Of course if I come upon a covey of partridge.....
I also had a another reason to be out in the snow, as I was initiating the new snow camo gear that I'm wearing in the photo, and although I chose it optimized for the sagebrush country further east, these grasslands was where I chose to try them out on this day.
The breathable waterproof jacket and bibs proved to be comfortably warm on this -15C morning, yet did not impede me from readily drawing and shooting my bow, Once I find the lowest temperature where I am getting chilled (I suspect about -20C), I chose a size that will allow me to layer up as required, Of course it goes without saying that carrying a daypack would allow for carrying extra layers as needed. I still need to pickup a snow camo daypack as soon as I find the one that suits my needs.
You may find my Canadian Military Mukluks of interest, as I have owned them for close to 30 years, and had retired them many years ago in favor of a newer pair of Sorrel snow-pacs. With my new snow camo, I realized that my old all white mukluks were perfect to wear on my feet.
Now having said that, and upon pulling them out of storage, I discovered they leaked like a sieve due to the waterproofing having worn away on the nylon upper areas of the boot.
A trip down to MEC where I picked up a spray bottle of NIKWAX was just what was needed to re-waterproof them.
If you are not familiar with NIKWAX, keep it in mind, as its just what you need for reproofing laminated and coated breathable waterproof fabrics.
Goes to show that you should never throw anything away, as even after all these years, what was old is new again. Besides, these military mukluks with their 100% wool liners cannot be beat when it comes to keeping your feet warm at any temperature down to -40C (rated for -70F), I know as I have been there with them.
Oh, In case you were wondering, that's fresh coyote tracks that I'm checking out, and once I crested the rise, I spotted the coyote about a 1/2 kilometer ahead of me.
Expand the photo for a closer look......
longbowarrowhaverbackbushcraftknifequiverflu flupathfinderwoolpullovertraditionalarcherysnow camomukluks
