Holt, these swamps you are hunting.....are they bedding down in the thicker higher ground areas in the standing water?
It's complete mixture. Some properties have ag fields in them, so get deer bedding right on the edge. Also get deer bedding high on ridges above the swamp area. Usually they make there way down to the swamp right before dark and use it to travel. Then I get a few that love being right in the cattails. So this time of year I just walk the trails in the cattails. These things are 10' plus tall and can't see anything. They bed on the tiny little pieces of ground just out of water. Some times its the size of the deer. If you see a small tree growing out in a cattail marsh, I guarantee there will be a deer bed at the base. When I jump deer, I just follow them, it reveals all there secrets. Usually they run thru there bed or out the back door. So to answer your question, yes they are in the water, just on dry patch of dirt sticking up. Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk
So most time I take local Intel with a grain of salt. Once in awhile you can see a guys excitement when he says he saw the biggest buck of his life. Just got to judge it with the amount of experience this hunter has, then scout and find this buck. I always keep my ears open when people are talking deer. It actually has worked in the past. So this past month I have had 2 different hunters tell me about a piece of public that I have never been on. Both said lots of deer and both have shot deer there. One guy lived over a hour away. It's only about 20 minutes from my house, so think it's time to scout a new property. Also a bonus, it's loaded with cattails! This weekend I will probably be hitting this property! Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk
Haha! I love when I hear some guy say he saw 180" buck. My guess is 99% of the time it's no where close! Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk
Unfortunately I didn’t get to get out this past weekend, hoping to get out this weekend but will mostly be pulling stands as we need to get them off the state land, then I’m off to Foley Alabama to work the first ASA of the year, then the weekend after that is our big dealer show for work so I won’t be out for awhile! Hoping to get some good scouting in March! Sent from my iPhone using Bowhunting.com Forums
Who likes buck patties?!?!? Found another hammer spot to spend some time in a tree. Next year is looking better and better. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Heading in to scout tomorrow. Been rained out for a few days. Going in deep with my new chest waders and crossing some creeks into no mans land for crazy bowhunters.
Day 6 was mainly spent in the swamps. I walked a ton but I'm not sure how productive it was. I did jump a bunch of bedded does in the middle of the swamp. Nothing else stood out besides me finding a 3 acre or so corn field that wasnt on the map. Also maybe found one swamp tree that is close to a trail. I dont know crap about crop field hunting.
It is normal for the water to be that high? If so, or if not, those does will be used to it and probably be there during the rut if the food sources are close that time of year.
Alright guys, I'm going to leave this up to you. I'm going to try and get a few hours scouting tomorrow. I got 2 options in my mind that I want to check out. Option 1 : go to property that I shot at that big 8 and missed. Find his exact bed and sit in it to try and narrow down my options for next year. I know within 10 yards were it is. He has a 2nd one about 200 yards away. I know I'm about 50 yards from it, but want to go in and find the actual bed also. This will give me 2 options for next year to kill him. Also trying to get confirmation that he may still be alive. Option 2 : go to a new piece of public that I have been tipped off to from 2 hunters. Never been there so going in blind and just seeing if anything is home. So what should I do guys? Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk
Based on the fact you already know the area your 8 beds in, I would head to the public. It will take you longer to learn that than your first spot. Another reason I would head for public would be so you do not bump your 8 and cause him to shed on a different farm so you might have a better chance to find his sheds in a couple weeks. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Go look at new, sign should be fresh if you find it, get in before other shed hunters tear it up, you already have info on other, you just need to narrow down options. Besides you have already found me turkeys at first place...go scout 2nd...you may even want to invite another set of eyes..
It's a common thing for me. I have a good year, then next year is bad. Already looking forward to next year! Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk
