heel to toe vs toe to heel walking?

[raisins]

I grew up with my dad and uncles always telling me to walk heel-toe to be quiet. I still think that is best when trying to cover ground, with most of the quietness coming from laying down the foot somewhat slowing and also picking your steps and path wisely. However, when slowly stalking, I find it is much better to poke around with your toe first to find a quiet area and then laying the foot down slowly toe first. This also allows you to not commit to a step and pull your foot back. If you try that with the heel first, then you are likely to lose balance and step anyways (plus can't imagine exploring the leaf litter for a quiet spot with my heel).

Is this just common sense that everyone knows and so doesn't mention (and my mentors didn't know)? Or am I wrong in my idea?

[JakeB]

Growing up I was always told heel to toe also.

I much prefer toe to heel and feel it works better for me. I can somewhat sort of dig my way in through small sticks and leaves with toe first.

[Bowhunting Brian]

I grew up with my dad and uncles always telling me to walk heel-toe to be quiet. I still think that is best when trying to cover ground, with most of the quietness coming from laying down the foot somewhat slowing and also picking your steps and path wisely. However, when slowly stalking, I find it is much better to poke around with your toe first to find a quiet area and then laying the foot down slowly toe first. This also allows you to not commit to a step and pull your foot back. If you try that with the heel first, then you are likely to lose balance and step anyways.

Is this just common sense that everyone knows and so doesn't mention (and my mentors didn't know)? Or am I wrong in my idea?

If your walking the line for a sobriety test, walk whichever way keeps you up and in a straight line. I walk heel to toe. An older guy showed me this and we were able to sneek up on a young buck at a scrape.

[Edcyclopedia]

I still crawl

[tim]

Way more control toe first plus which sounds more like a human to a deer ? I would say heel to toe

[greenhorndave]

I grew up with my dad and uncles always telling me to walk heel-toe to be quiet. I still think that is best when trying to cover ground, with most of the quietness coming from laying down the foot somewhat slowing and also picking your steps and path wisely. However, when slowly stalking, I find it is much better to poke around with your toe first to find a quiet area and then laying the foot down slowly toe first. This also allows you to not commit to a step and pull your foot back. If you try that with the heel first, then you are likely to lose balance and step anyways.

Is this just common sense that everyone knows and so doesn't mention (and my mentors didn't know)? Or am I wrong in my idea?

If your walking the line for a sobriety test, walk whichever way keeps you up and in a straight line. I walk heel to toe. An older guy showed me this and we were able to sneek up on a young buck at a scrape.

Yeah, whatever is easiest and still gives you the sound of a dog walking on a hard floor. I find toe-to-heel sounds better, but takes more time and is a little higher effort if you're worried about overheating. I find that the second part of that "cla-clump" has more of an accent on it and I find I can replicate that second accent better with my heel.

[headgear]

I am a toe first or whole foot, just go down slow, like very slow and you can feel any twigs that might snap and just be more quiet overall. If you go slow the rest doesn't matter.

[seazofcheeze]

I actually walk on the outside edge of my foot a lot when stalking or trying to be quiet...not sure why, but I've noticed it works for me.

[Racks&Beards]

Ninjas walk toe to heel....so there's that

https://youtu.be/HvjgQqNOq9A

[Bowhunting Brian]

I grew up with my dad and uncles always telling me to walk heel-toe to be quiet. I still think that is best when trying to cover ground, with most of the quietness coming from laying down the foot somewhat slowing and also picking your steps and path wisely. However, when slowly stalking, I find it is much better to poke around with your toe first to find a quiet area and then laying the foot down slowly toe first. This also allows you to not commit to a step and pull your foot back. If you try that with the heel first, then you are likely to lose balance and step anyways.

Is this just common sense that everyone knows and so doesn't mention (and my mentors didn't know)? Or am I wrong in my idea?

If your walking the line for a sobriety test, walk whichever way keeps you up and in a straight line. I walk heel to toe. An older guy showed me this and we were able to sneek up on a young buck at a scrape.

Yeah, whatever is easiest and still gives you the sound of a dog walking on a hard floor. I find toe-to-heel sounds better, but takes more time and is a little higher effort if you're worried about overheating. I find that the second part of that "cla-clump" has more of an accent on it and I find I can replicate that second accent better with my heel.

Actually it doesn't sound like a dog on a hard floor. When I get to the point where I need to be quiet, it's slow steps and more of a slow rolling heel to toe. It's not regular steps or a regular walking stride.

[greenhorndave]

I grew up with my dad and uncles always telling me to walk heel-toe to be quiet. I still think that is best when trying to cover ground, with most of the quietness coming from laying down the foot somewhat slowing and also picking your steps and path wisely. However, when slowly stalking, I find it is much better to poke around with your toe first to find a quiet area and then laying the foot down slowly toe first. This also allows you to not commit to a step and pull your foot back. If you try that with the heel first, then you are likely to lose balance and step anyways.

Is this just common sense that everyone knows and so doesn't mention (and my mentors didn't know)? Or am I wrong in my idea?

If your walking the line for a sobriety test, walk whichever way keeps you up and in a straight line. I walk heel to toe. An older guy showed me this and we were able to sneek up on a young buck at a scrape.

Yeah, whatever is easiest and still gives you the sound of a dog walking on a hard floor. I find toe-to-heel sounds better, but takes more time and is a little higher effort if you're worried about overheating. I find that the second part of that "cla-clump" has more of an accent on it and I find I can replicate that second accent better with my heel.

Actually it doesn't sound like a dog on a hard floor. When I get to the point where I need to be quiet, it's slow steps and more of a slow rolling heel to toe. It's not regular steps or a regular walking stride.

I forgot to preface my comment with that's how I walk when being quiet isn't really in the cards. I think I misinterpreted the OP. So doing that is how I sound like something with four legs instead of two on surfaces where quiet really isn't in the cards. Sometimes the state of the grass or leaves just won't allow it. I've heard others say sound like a squirrel. It's actually worked for me on a few occasions, just haven't gotten clean shooting lanes.

[PK_]

I actually walk on the outside edge of my foot a lot when stalking or trying to be quiet...not sure why, but I've noticed it works for me.

Yep. I use all 3 tactics depending on angle I am trying to step, if I am stepping over something, sliding my foot under a clump of grass or branch or something or if I am going around a tree or something...

[Hawthorne]

Toe to heal making a noise in the leaves with each one. Will sound like a four legged animal walking. I have used this with success walking near bedding. I don’t use the deer walking technique all the time , most times I want to be silent

[Rich M]

I was taught to feel for branches & twigs - whatever makes you happy.

[Jackson Marsh]

These fellas seem pretty light on their feet....something to consider.

https://youtu.be/hbWc2Cyl0Bc