I am looking at new hunting spot which is pretty swampy and wet compared to what I am used to. There is strip of hardwoods which connects two woodlots that I would like to hunt. It looks like a great funnel. But to get there (through the land I have access to) I have to walk through about 150 yards of wet bog. I walked through some of it today with chest waders. The water can get over my knees in some areas. Some questions that have come to mind are: Do I hunt my stand wearing the neoprene waders I need to wear through the bog? Should I bring hunting boots with to change into when I get to my destination? The thing I am most concerned about is...am I going to be able to drag a dead deer out of there through this bog? I appreciate any tips you guys can give me!
I have quite a few swamps I hunt, that I need to access in a similar way... I'll keep an older pair of boots in a waterproof garbage bag during the season and tuck it in a safe place closer to your "dry" destination. This limits the amount of gear I need to track in and out, especially if it is a key hunt spot for me. Maybe throw in an earth scented wafer if your concerned about the odor sealed inside the bag. If the water is over the tops of my rubber boots, of course I will use the waders, as you mentioned. However, if it's a dry fall and the water is lower, I can then take some old 2X material and build little foot bridges over the deepest spots of water to cross, so I can continue to use my rubber boots. This saves a few extra steps with the waders and of course noise changing boots along with crinkling waders, as mine are not neoprene.
Is it warm or cold when you will be hunting? If chilly, then its a no brainer to just wear the waders...they are silent, scentproof, and warm. You should be able to drag the buck through it fine, call a friend if it comes down to that. Dragging a buck should be an afterthought if the hunting spot is dynamite. Just try and find the driest entry possible once it drops below freezing, breaking ice while walking through water in waders can often be one of the noisiest actions I know of in the woods.
It will likely be cold as I would hunt there late Oct through Nov. Yeah, I have thought about how noisy it will be if it's frozen and I'm breaking the ice. Not much I can do about it I guess? Hopefully I would sound simular to the deer which also walk through this bog and must also make some crunching noises.
Maybe this goes with out saying, but DO NOT field dress the deer before you drag it through that swamp water. It will taint the meat.
I use hip boots alot of times. Easier to walk in than "my" waders (not neoprene), also can just role the tops down while on stand if needed.
