With each hunt and birthday I realize just how important my feet are to the success of the hunt — whether I am walking to my deer stand, climbing over the ridge before a herd of elk passes, trying to keep upright as I slide down a shale slope, or moving through damp grass on a spring turkey hunt.

Nothing seems to put the breaks on a hunt faster than blisters or sore feet, or the horrible realization that your boots are no longer waterproof as you emerge from a creek with wet feet.

This past year I finally had to stop using my low-cut hunting boots after years of good service. The soles had worn to the point that I no longer felt confident in their gripping power and I realized I needed additional support.

In my search for replacement boots I found that Danner had recently introduced the Radical Camo 45 GTX 4.5 inch uninsulated lightweight boot. This boot is billed as a hunting version of Danner's Radical outdoor crosstrainer and appeared to be just what I was looking for in a replacement hunting boot.

This boot is not insulated, which is a must for archery hunts in California, Eastern Oregon and Nevada where temperatures may easily reach 90 degrees or more. During a warm, early June deer scouting trip I discovered that these boots don't make my feet sweat while hiking in some of my favorite deer hunting country. As I crisscrossed a stream checking for deer tracks, I managed to raise the water level up to my ankle at times but the GORE-TEX liner kept my feet dry. The boots were a nice fit from the moment I put them on and gave me good support during my scouting trip.

I really like the fact that the boots weigh only 34 ounces. While hiking at 6,000- to 7,000-foot elevations, every ounce counts.

While this isn't the boot I would recommend you chase elk around in two feet of snow in Colorado, for archery season and a lot of late-fall hunting conditions this boot works great.

With some luck and straight shooting, look for me standing in my Danner Radical Camo 45 GTX boots next to a nice buck this fall — I might be holding a bow but then again, maybe a rifle.

For more information about this boot or other Danner boots, visit their web site at www.Danner.com.

Good Hunting!
Jerry Springer