Schultzy wrote:In my opinion rubber boots don't have the human scent on them that regular leather boots have. I've watched deer come out of their skin when they hit my walk In trail when wearing leather boots compared to rubber boots. I can't recall a time where I saw a deer bust after hitting my walk In trail wearing rubber boots. I've saw them get a tad nervous but never bust.
I typically only wear rubber boots if I have to cross water - not comfortable and sweaty. I like to wear my nice Lowa Banffs if at all possible.
FWIW, I have never noticed a difference in the deer's reaction to my trail. For instance, I had a nice 2 or 3 y/o cut my trail in the dark this year. This was just after I crossed a muck hole in my rubber boots which should have taken care of any scent on the boots up to my ankle. The buck stood in front of me at 15 yards sniffing my tracks on bare ground. Last year, I had a nice 9 or 10 point cross my trail on a public spot in the late season. I was wearing leather boots and this public spot gets tore up during rifle season. This buck didn't seem to mind my tracks
IMO if they are going to catch your trail, I really don't think it matters if you are wearing rubber boots or not. Although, I keep all my boots packed away with cedar branches, including my leather boots.