Tips & Tactics

Set Up for Muddy Boots

Set Up for Muddy Boots

By Tim H. Martin

In sections of my home state of Alabama, we have a supernaturally sticky type of mud that gives deer hunters fits. The evil gray stuff is not-so-affectionately known as gumbo.

Found mostly in the Black Belt region, gumbo cakes up on the bottom of our boots to the point it often takes five minutes per boot to remove it with a stick. What a waste of precious hunting time!

It’s a running joke among my hunting buddies about growing several inches taller before reaching our treestands as the mud builds up. But, it’s no laughing matter when trying to climb a tree with a layer of slick mud, leaves and pine straw caked to your boot soles; in fact, it can be incredibly dangerous.

Years ago, I added a simple mud-removal item to my treestand setups that every deer hunter should use, no matter where you hunt.

Whether I’m using a ladder stand, climbing stand or lock-on type stand, I always put an extra screw-in tree step at the base of my tree to use as a mud scraper.

I use this step exclusively to remove mud from my boots and do not climb on it, so it’s located to the side of the tree where I can access it easily and quietly.

The only time I use it as a step is in my climbing stand setups. After scraping mud off my boots, I carefully use the step as a way to step into my climber’s base rather than pull myself into it. No more gymnastic maneuvers!

An extra tree step is inexpensive and will help keep your climbing steps much cleaner and safer.

Copyright 2024 by Buckmasters, Ltd.

Copyright 2020 by Buckmasters, Ltd