458 AMERICAN GAME BIRD SHOOTING 



The hunting field is no place for the breaking in of 

 new footwear. The latter should be purchased months 

 ahead of its actual use afield, and should be worn often 

 enough to be thoroughly broken in, so that it may be 

 worn with comfort in actual hunting. 



The footwear should be as light in material as is 

 consistent with practical use. If the going is easy and 

 dry, the hunter may advantageously use some of his 

 old cast-off shoes, assuming, of course, that they have 

 some wear left in them. About two dozen hobnails, 

 driven in proper distribution in the soles and heels, 

 add greatly to their efficiency in walking, and protect 

 them from the grinding and cutting effects of rocks 

 in rough going. It should be observed that the hob- 

 nails are an indispensable adjunct to any hunting foot- 

 wear. In dry weather the soles of the boots or shoes 

 take on an exceedingly slippery polish, so much so that 

 walking on dry leaves or grass in shoes without hob- 

 nails presents the same difficulties as walking on ice. 



The specially manufactured hunting boots and shoes 

 are made of various kinds of excellent leather, heavy 

 and light, and in styles to suit the fancy of the pur- 

 chaser. The best makes have tough, pliable uppers, 

 strongly reinforced on the sides, double-soled from toe 

 to heel, hobnailed; soft and elastic as a whole, yet so 

 closely constructed, withal, as to be nominally water- 

 proof, comfortable and durable. The boots, as a rule, 

 are simply the shoes with a leg added, and they weigh 

 more accordingly. 



After all, lightness of weight in foot gear is a most 



