Just stuff

[Phil Yearout]

I know there are more high tech, lighter, or more expensive boots out there, but these old Redwings have stomped a lot of bird covers, and so far they've always brought me home. I neglect them, usually, remembering them only right before I'm gonna need them again.

Tonight I dug them out of the duffle bag - rough, dry, the color faded nearly white and with a few more scars than I remembered. I sloughed on the mink oil, rubbed in well into the seams, put a little extra everywhere there's a new gouge or scrape. Friday I leave for the last hunt of the season, and after a weekend of tramping across a few miles of prairie they'll look just like they did tonight when I started. Despite my best intentions they'll probably lay there like that until next year; in fact, probably until the night before opening day. With any luck, I'll still be here to repeat the ritual.

We all talk about the stories our guns could tell. Truth be known, these old boots could probably out-talk them all...

https://i.imgur.com/1jusy8Uh.jpg

[Dean Romig]

Don't we all know that!

I can't seem to relegate my worn out hunting gear to the trash heap... just can't do it. In so many ways they are my patina... they are the testimonial to my 'provenance.' And they help to tell my story to those who will quietly listen with their eyes.
I have chaps, goatskin gloves, boots, vests, hats that I don't wear anymore because they are just too far gone. They have long since served their purpose and worn themselves out protecting me and fulfilling my needs.
The ones I still use I will probably neglect just like you and many others do. We take them for granted I guess, but where would we be if we didn't have them?





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[Mark Ray]

I have sent the pair of Orvis Gokey, all leather snake boots, that I received from my Dad when I graduated from college (more than a few years ago), back to Orvis three times in the 36 years I have owned them....the first time, they called and said they wanted to send me a new pair of boots...after several calls, they understood I just wanted new soles, as I have literally hunted all over the world, in four continents, wearing those boots. Gokey complied, and the next two times, I had not to say a thing. A rep called me both times assuring me that they would retain everything on the boots salvageble. Those boots have turned back three rattler strikes, one gaboon viper strike in the Kalihari desert of Botswana, a pissed off blue heeler hog dog in the midst of dispatching a russian boar at a midnight “baying”in the Texas Hill Country and allowed me to kick a porcupine away from my best Setter a couple of decades ago. They are old fashioned, heavy, and ugly. And although I now own several other pairs of snake boots, unless I require water proof, I go to the gokeys, they are my “old friends”!!,

[Brett Souder]

Phil,
I have the same Redwing boots as you, extremely comfortable and lightweight. I wear mine most of the week for work as well for every hunting trip. I have other boots but those are my go to boots and it's amazing how well they clean up with mink oil.

[Bill Murphy]

Old "hunting stuff" is hard to let go. My collection includes my grandfather's Lefever, several pictures of him and my dad in hunting themes, two of my grandfather's police style dog whistles that go way back. My grandfather was born in 1856, died in 1929, so his "stuff" goes way back. His Lefever pigeon gun was made in 1887. I also have a collection of collars and tags from every setter or pointer that has ever been a member of my family since my first Irish Setter, born in 1948 when I was two years old. Recently, I finally let go of an expensive set of chest waders to a shooting buddy, no charge. I am smart enough to know that these waders could get me killed in my debilitated physical condition, so they went away. I have my dad's Jones hat and unfortunately, it doesn't quite fit me. I have not had the heart to sell any of his remaining bird guns, although one was sold shortly after his death. There is no one to care for this stuff or any of my stuff, so I guess it will be sold or given to someone when I am gone. I guess you guys will be first in line. Murphy

[Bill Jolliff]

I agree wholeheartedly with everything said above about "your stuff", especially your old stuff that has become part of you and not likely to be easily replaced with something else.

I'd like to share my story of my L. L. Bean Maine Guide boots pictured below. I got them 48 years ago this month. They are on their 4th set of lowers replaced by Bean in Maine. The last time the cost was about $40.00 because they had to add some leather to stitch the new rubber bottoms to. They said they probably could not replace the lowers any more. That's OK, I'm 81 and not too likely to wear the bottoms out again but I'll try.

And as an alternative, they offered me a new set of boots at no charge instead of replacing the lowers. Nope, I wanted my old ones.

Those lacings I use are parachute cord. Works good.

A good friend of mine who I did a lot of hunting and fishing with died last month. As a tribute to him and the many times we hunted grouse together, I wore those boots to his memorial service.

Ah, yes, our treasured stuff.

http://https://i.imgur.com/GoGsGpD.jpg?1

[Todd Poer]

They are old fashioned, heavy, and ugly. And although I now own several other pairs of snake boots, unless I require water proof, I go to the gokeys, they are my “old friends”!!,

I disagree, I'd say they are just getting into their prime and sounds like you have gotten some dang good proper use out of them. I have the all leather Gokey boots as well, but mine are only 10 years old. Yep they are heavier than some, but worth it, for the peace of mind. I don't think they are ugly at all and have been told so and complimented by a couple of women that I know that have briefly seen me wear mine. Every time they say "why don't men wear tall boots anymore". I could care less about the fashion part of it, but their comments surprised me. If they function to protect me from a bite, protect your clothes, heck have even worn them for trail rides, then good, bad or ugly all works for me.

Now that is a testament stopping a Gaboon Viper hit. They have two inch fangs and are heavy and strong enough to get through something not designed for snake protection. You need to let Orvis know about that.

[Mark Ray]

I disagree, I'd say they are just getting into their prime and sounds like you have gotten some dang good proper use out of them. I have the all leather Gokey boots as well, but mine are only 10 years old. Yep they are heavier than some, but worth it, for the peace of mind. I don't think they are ugly at all and have been told so and complimented by a couple of women that I know that have briefly seen me wear mine. Every time they say "why don't men wear tall boots anymore". I could care less about the fashion part of it, but their comments surprised me. If they function to protect me from a bite, protect your clothes, heck have even worn them for trail rides, then good, bad or ugly all works for me.

Now that is a testament stopping a Gaboon Viper hit. They have two inch fangs and are heavy and strong enough to get through something not designed for snake protection. You need to let Orvis know about that.

I was being tongue in cheek with the ugly comment, but mine are also equipped with LOTS of "patina" Oh, and I need to set the record straight....the snake in Africa was a Puff Adder, not a Gaboon Viper!! I don't know what kind of "Freudian typo" made me pull that name up! Although the 'ol Puff adder is no slouch in the fang department either! It felt like someone was using a driver to knock my foot out from under me! The scary thing was that my wife was immediately behind me on the trail, and she was wearing chukka boots! Needless to say, my yelling, and the .416 Remington shot screwed up the Hartebeest we were stalking for Robin! Two Bushman trackers walking the same trail, just ahead of me walked right by that snake barefoot! That was the last day of our hunting safari, and the only day I wore snake boots. The rest of the trip I wore a pair of Westley Richards buffalo hide low tops, but I had soaked them through the evening before helping the PH's work on the camp water well, so I wore the Gokey's that I had brought for back-up!

A couple of shots of the subject boots!

[Dean Romig]

A couple of women that I know that have briefly seen me wear mine. Every time they say "why don't men wear tall boots anymore". I could care less about the fashion part of it, but their comments surprised me.


Young men do wear tall boots anymore, they just leave them wide open and look like slobs (but they think they're making a fashion statement.) but they are not outdoorsmen at all.






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[Bill Murphy]

The lack of comments about my post has made me change my decision to make my "stuff" available to PGCA posters. I don't think there is enough interest here to make this a good venue to get rid of my excess. Just kidding of course. Watch the obituaries.

[Todd Poer]

Mark those look cool and functional and appear to have served you well, and hopefully will continue to be used as intended one way or another. That is dang scary story no matter what the serpent. I don't know what would have been worse you or your wife or the knowledgeable bushman being bitten. You never know when/where lightening will strike so it best to be geared properly for a reason. Just wondering though what type leather is that on the uppers. My boots are same reddish brown bullhide as lower part of your boot. I did know they used different leathers and combinations at one time.

Dean I get your point about the candy ass pretenders that need to tie kerosene rags around their ankles to keep the ants away while wearing their fashionable outdoor gear. But hey that is where the money is and maybe they are dreamers trying to wear in the clothing. I still have a Bean field coat from the 70's that unfortunately out grew. Wanted to replace it with another one a bit larger a long time ago. The new ones are just junk compared to the original. However Bean sells that coat like crazy to the pretenders.

[John Dallas]

Bill -To salve your wounds, send me anything which will fit me at 6'4, 235.

Also interested in any Chesapeake decoys, and Remington guns

[Todd Poer]

The lack of comments about my post has made me change my decision to make my "stuff" available to PGCA posters. I don't think there is enough interest here to make this a good venue to get rid of my excess.

I don't know about that. As long as your alive and kicking hopefully you still need it.

Besides, avarice is like snowball on top of the hills, once it gets going it will become an avalanche.

[Mark Ray]

Bill, I completely noticed your plight! My problem is that I have the same dilemma, although, should I outlast you, I would be happy to be the next “hoarder in line”!

[Dean Romig]

Bill, we were all trying not to appear as gluttonous buzzards circling the soon to be feeding frenzy with raucous shrieking and bickering among us.... In a word, we were trying to be gentlemen. That having been said, please allow me to be first on the pig pile of interested parties. Please give my email address and cell number to the Lovely Linda.





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[Mark Ray]

Same leather, the uppers are original and almost 40 years old! They are just faded and worn. The bottoms were replaced about 15 years ago, when gokey said there wasn’t anything to sew the soles to anymore!

[Todd Poer]

Same leather, the uppers are original and almost 40 years old! They are just faded and worn. The bottoms were replaced about 15 years ago, when gokey said there wasn’t anything to sew the soles to anymore!

Damn!! I still say Orvis needs a story about those boots.

[Daniel G Rainey]

the older I get the more I love old hunting stuff. Back when I was in high school in the early 60's I was on a deer hunt and riding with an older gentleman in his old International pickup to find some of the lost hounds. My foot kicked something out from under the seat and I reached down picked up an old dog collar with a tarnished brass tag stating " return to Dr. D E Rainey West Point. my grandfather who died in 1949. After assuring me that he would not dare take on granddaddy's fox hounds and he had no idea how it got there. I went home the collar as happy as if I had killed a buck. the collar now atop my grandfather bookcase in my office.

[Garry L Gordon]

The lack of comments about my post has made me change my decision to make my "stuff" available to PGCA posters. I don't think there is enough interest here to make this a good venue to get rid of my excess.

Hey, Bill,

I just saw this thread and your original post was the most poignant of them all, and reminded me of a my similar plight. I guess I like "stuff" too much, but old (time honored?), cherished possessions have important places in our lives. My wife and I have no children, and we have no close relatives that would understand that a fine old shotgun, or a Filson vest with "patina" was more than something to be sold to make money. I personally don't know any young person who knows what a Parker is or what it's "worth" to me in memories. My mother gave me most of my dad's guns before she died. They are nothing special in the sense of rarity or monetary value, but they are priceless to me. So, like you, I'm not sure what I'll do with my possessions. I have told my wife which guns I'd really like to not be sold off to strangers after I die (assuming I go before she), and I'm hoping that I'll find some young person to whom I might leave them with the understand that they'll pass down to those who might best appreciate them. I remember George Bird Evans writing about his friend, Dr. Norris (who left him his "little Purdey"), and a case to illustrate the value of personal possessions where the man in question set fire to everything because he could not stand the idea of his things being in "profane hands."

Having rambled through all this, I am also reminded that with few exceptions, all of my guns belonged to strangers long before I got them. They are mine now, but maybe they will find hands that will hold them as I have and cherish them as I do.

Getting old is not for the faint of heart. There's no manual or road map. I hope you figure out some way to be at peace with your possessions. Let us know if you do, and may you ponder all of this for many years to come.

[chris dawe]

Bill, we were all trying not to appear as gluttonous buzzards circling the soon to be feeding frenzy with raucous shrieking and bickering among us.... In a word, we were trying to be gentlemen. That having been said, please allow me to be first on the pig pile of interested parties. Please give my email address and cell number to the Lovely Linda.





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What Dean said Bill,hopefully you still have some miles left yet !

[Rick Losey]

"why don't men wear tall boots anymore".

mostly because few companies make them

my Beans boots are 12" that was the tallest they had when i bought them- when i was young I had 16" lace up leather boots like you see in the old pictures - loved those - hook eyed, no "speed Laces", I had a way of holding the laces and going side to side to lace them in seconds - first wife threw them out.


i really should have gotten a pair of Gokey's years ago- my duck hunting mentor when i was young was a Gokey - although the family had sold the business by then - he was a quiet man and deep down as tough as the boots

[Mark Ray]

I order all my cowboy boots extra y’all, and still wear jeans or khaki’s tucked in some!

[Mark Ray]

Y’all, not y’all!!!

[Todd Poer]

mostly because few companies make them

my Beans boots are 12" that was the tallest they had when i bought them- when i was young I had 16" lace up leather boots like you see in the old pictures - loved those - hook eyed, no "speed Laces", I had a way of holding the laces and going side to side to lace them in seconds - first wife threw them out.


i really should have gotten a pair of Gokey's years ago- my duck hunting mentor when i was young was a Gokey - although the family had sold the business by then - he was a quiet man and deep down as tough as the boots

I think Beans still makes the 16'' boot. I have seen some tall leather boots but mostly those are all more like logging boots. Red Wing used to make a tall leather boot and guess they still could if they thought they would sell.

That is awesome that you got to know the Gokey clan. Great history. Definitely not a disposable boot. Problem is finding a shoe cobbler to work on your good stuff. I have pair of the 10 inch boot I think they call Sadonna model now and the snake boots. Boots will probably out last me.

[Bill Murphy]

Garry, several years ago, I was a bit slow on the draw in my attempt to add Dr. Norris's other Purdey to my collection. Dean and I had a discussion about my experience and he hasn't said much to me since!

[Dean Romig]

Huh....?

I thought you should have "gone for the gold" so to speak, but I haven't stopped talking to you...I've paid a lot more than I wanted to on several of my guns. It's not a question of need, it's a question of want and want often commands a higher price.:cheers:





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[Phil Yearout]

I still have my 16" Main Guide Hunting Shoes. The soles are getting a bit thin; I need to send them in for a re-do but just haven't gotten it done. Love 'em, but putting them on is a bigger chore with every year :cuss:!

https://i.imgur.com/uWojCDEh.jpg

[Dean Romig]

Me too... My arms seem to get shorter every year.





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[Jim DiSpagno]

My 16” Maine guide boots are on their 3rd set of bottoms in 40 years. They are my go to hunting boot.

[Bill Jolliff]

Me too... My arms seem to get shorter every year.

And did you ever notice those hillsides you've been climbing for years have gotten steeper and higher?

[Jim DiSpagno]

Along with short Arms and steeper hills goes hearing what the bride says LOL