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First post is a question, IŽll come back with some hunting reports end of May when I have done some hunting in NZ again.
Anyone know who have them in stock somewhere Christchurch - Greymouth area?
Had a pair of Bullers before, apparently they aren't made anymore. Anyone cutting their Ashleys down a bit or better keep as is?
leave them as they are and wear tall gaiters over the top..will last much longer as dont get ripped up by lawyer etc as badly
try CRT and Wrightsons or farmsource...all the farm supply folks usually have them,if they dont can get them in within couple of days.
poke aset of innersoles in them helps too...if can pinch the cumfortabull ones out of john bull slip ons they work really well as have gel pads in them...feel like heel is rather high all the same for first ten minutes lol. if its pissing down with rain,wear long pants and DONT tuck them into boots,leave them down the outside and water runs past opening and onto ground,must try gaiters inside pants for this too ...
When my Bullers had to go to the great bush track in the sky, I replaced them with Ashleys, after finding as you have that Bullers are no longer being made. Figured I would just use them as is and chop them if the need arose, >3 years in, mine remain factory original. One thing I haven't done is melt the holes in the arch like with the Bullers, being taller, they just don't get wet so often as the Bullers didor. For as often as there is an overflow, I just tip them out.
As Micky says, try the Farmlands, PGG etc.
Cut them down to slightly lower than Bullers. They are great for a wide foot [4E]. Lace the bottom 3 holes only. Cut off arms off old wet siut and use them as sleeves above the sox. Acts as a cushionier especially for lots of river walking.
for 50 years of hunting my go to boot were bullers - culling Te Urewera - all we wore all of us was bullers -my days heli shooting bullers - 8 years at Waikaremoa as a Ranger and all the bush work hunting since bullers - my hunters on goats Taranaki bullers we bought them 2 pairs a year - all of us working in the scrub for DOC North Island bullers were the standard for years - it has now changed and other boots have replaced the bullers - better well maybe better ankle support but as a hunting boot nah bullers rule but that's my opinion - I still have a number of pairs - I have a pair without laces and wear them basically every day - what I would replace them with for my hunting now - really no bloody idea - so used to my bullers - Ashleys and cut them down why not - but this is North Island bush and scrub hunting so will not apply to south island mountain stuff
Are the Skellerup Hikers worth a shout?, Basically a fancy Buller
have tried them seemed to be a bit more slippery than bullers for river work - did not seem to have the same grip - but on the plus side very comfortable- take a bit more time to dry than bullers - for somewhere like Stewart Island or North Island bush farm hunting yeah really idealQuote:
Originally Posted by 7mm tragic
they are neither fish nor fowl.....grip is similar to old john bull commando boots and they are padded so the sheds water bit isnt there....
When I started pig hunting as a young fella in 1979 the old guy I hunted with used high lace up gummies (Ashleys I suppose) with three tricouni on eah heel. We used long self tapping screws to attach them. They were great for the swampy east Taranaki bush and on wet, slippery papa!
yeah many old recipes were used - I have seen bullers with horse shoe nails belted into the heel and bent over - after wearing them hunting for years the only time they were a problem was goat culling on sheep farms and it was sliding on sheep shit when the paddocks were damp that was a bit of a traction issue
Farmsource chch
Not lacing but dunlop is beaut as well
when they get worn in the tread,I get out the angle grinder and put on cutting disc and add lots of grooves in the treads...keeps me from falling on my arse for a bit longer.
I can't believe that these things are still considered good hunting boots. They were popular "back in the day" because there were few options. It's a bit like considering a spear the best option for taking a deer.
PS. Yes. I have owned and used them.
no dont agree they were the choice for a reason - they did the job really well still do - we had the choice of leather tramping boots but the bullers were so suitable for North Island bush hunting why wear something else - the leather trampng boots were expensive ( over 3 -4 times the price ) did not last considering the expense and took ages to dry - what has changed - okay a big south Island trip especially with a pack on no but a day hunt North Island bush or farm land still hard to beat
Those bullers last a hell of a long time ...... and pop up in the stangest of places miles from any roadend
Attachment 246749
Theyve stopped making the bloody hikers now!!!!!
and bullers only ashleys made could try red bands and duct tape should work
Like you wore Bullers for 40 plus years, about 4-5 years ago brought a pair of lightweight Tactical leather boots that "Sarvo" was selling on the forum, do 10-15 k/m in them most days. I now wonder how I wore Bullers for all those years, put them on now for 2-3 hours on the hill and limp home.Quote:
Originally Posted by Barry the hunter
yeah getting older sucksQuote:
Originally Posted by tetawa
Used to wear the skellerup 4x4s low boots as I found the ashleys a bit bendy for rocks same for red bands . The 4x4 had a arch support for kick starts and ankle protectors as well but you have to try for fit as hand made so some will fit better , I liked a tight fit wich would losen up to fit better , worth a try but diff not slip on like red bands
@Barry the hunter Not getting old sucks more! ;)Quote:
Originally Posted by Barry the hunter
I've found the 4x4s to be like ice skates on wet papa hills, Fine in the paddock/bush etc. Broke my ankle in 4x4s while continually slipping on a a steep wet papa ridge....
I've used hikers. Quiet as. Happy not to use them for hunting anymore though. Feet would swest n slip inside boot causing quite sore feet on one trip. Stopped using g them after that.Quote:
Originally Posted by 7mm tragic
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