PRACTICAL USES FOR SNOWSHOES
by Ryan Walker

A new year inevitably prompts people to adopt a New Year’s resolution, or in some cases it’s an opportunity to recycle the previous year’s pledge. A common goal many “resolutionists” set for themselves is to exercise more often in the upcoming months. Often this noble notion falls to the wayside as work, family and more preferred hobbies compete with exercise for valuable time. I’ll be the first to admit I have attempted to improve my physical fitness on several occasions only to stop when exercise cuts into my outdoor pursuits. As a society of multi-taskers, we are constantly searching for ways to maximize our time. I have discovered a great workout that combines physical exertion with the outdoors: snowshoeing. Walking and running are great forms of exercise, but snowshoeing can burn up to 45 percent more calories than walking or running. Snowshoeing also serves as a great mode of transportation when enjoying outdoor endeavors.

Snowshoes are available in a variety of sizes and styles; therefore they can accommodate every make and model of human. This fact allows snowshoeing to be a family-oriented activity. Proper fitting snowshoes are essential for maximum enjoyment and the most complete workout. Another consideration when picking out snowshoes is the purpose of your trek. This is noteworthy because the terrain you plan on traversing can help determine the snowshoe that is right for you. Matching the gear with the predominant terrain allows more enjoyment while you are taking part in your chosen adventure. Three outdoor activities I enjoy this time of year that are enhanced by snowshoes are still-hunting for rabbits, predator calling and late season scouting for whitetail deer.

The Thumb offers many winter rabbit hunting opportunities. As the snow piles up, many rabbit hunters find walking nearly impossible. Snowshoes alleviate the exhaustion that is experienced by plowing through knee-deep snow. Choose a sunny day that finds rabbits out of their holes absorbing the sun’s heat. This is a primetime to slowly follow fresh tracks until they lead to the source of the tracks. Walk slowly while on constant alert for a speck of brown or the twitch of an ear that indicates the presence of a cottontail. A .22 topped with a scope will help place several rabbits in your game bag. The snowshoes muffle the sound of the hunter’s approach while providing a superb cardiovascular workout.

Another practical outdoor use for snowshoes enables a hunter to move quickly and quietly while predator calling. The still of the night isn’t broken by the soft “swish” of a hunter gliding on the surface of the snow pack. Fox and coyote ears are well trained to detect the unfamiliar plodding of man attempting to plow through deep snow. Because snowshoe technology makes it so a person walks on the snow, the resulting sound is more natural. It resembles snow falling from the boughs of a pine tree. Stealth for a predator hunter is paramount when the quarry is trained to avoid detection. An additional benefit is realized when a predator hunter moves to a different calling location. It’s common to change set-ups every 15-45 minutes while predator hunting. Snowshoes cut down on the time and commotion it takes to get from spot A to spot B.

Many whitetail deer hunters can attest to the fact that while the deer hunting season lasts a few short months in the fall, preparing for the season is a year-long activity. A third practical use of snowshoes is to engage in post season winter scouting. Deer tracks in new fallen snow show up like a neon sign at midnight. Areas that are frequented by deer in the winter may not be the exact same location they will be found in the fall. However, winter scouting gives a hunter a good indication where deer are spending their time, so spring and summer scouting can begin in these areas. Natural travel corridors such as ridges, brush lines and valleys can be easily located during the winter. Buck rubs from the previous year are easier to see in the throes of winter because there is no foliage to block the observer’s view. Granted, the buck who etched his initials on the tree may be filling someone’s freezer, but old rubs can be used to track past buck activity to make a prediction for future buck activity. Deer scouting and still hunting for rabbits can be combined for a productive, enjoyable winter day.

Overall, snowshoeing is a great form of exercise that can accompany a winter’s day in Michigan’s great outdoors. Choose your walking tools carefully, and know your physical limitations prior to attacking the snow-covered landscape. Snowshoes provide people of the outdoors with additional opportunities to chase rabbits, fox and coyotes. They also allow deer hunters a chance to monitor the activity of the deer in their area year 'round.