Hunting whitetail deer in the swamp

Killing a mature whitetail deer is easier when you get away from the other hunters. Most people avoid the places where they are likely to be. They will place stands on the edge of cover or near food plots. Once in awhile one of them will get lucky. Most of these hunters will harvest a deer that is 1 1/2 years old. You can be the camp legend if you hunt in the swamps for mature whitetails.

When hunting in swamps saftey should be your main concern. You will likely be far away from other hunters. Make sure someone knows where you will be. A handy tool to carry would be a walking stick. You can use this to remove cobwebs and as protection. When most people think of swamps they think of snakes, alligators and mosquittos. With some caution and a good bug spray they will leave you alone.

Most alligators will usually avoid you. They are after an easy meal. You look like a giant to them. The alligators you find while hunting in shallow water swamps will be less than five feet long. There will be plenty of food for little alligators. Big alligators prefer areas with deeper water and more food. While wading make a little noise if you see one to get its attention. This will often cause it to leave.

Snakes are by far the most dangerous creature in swamps. Ninety nine out of a hundred times the snake will leave the area before you even see it. If a snake does get close to you use your walking stick to keep it away. Do not play with snakes. In your daypack you should carry a snake bite kit.

Mosquito's are the biggest headache you will find in swamps. The movement used to swat them away will draw a deers attention directly to you. To keep them away I wear a mesh bug suit while moving. Once I have reached my hunting area I turn on a Themacell. It truly works as advertised.

The most dangerous part of hunting in swamps is when a hunter gets lost. To prevent this plot your vehicle or the spot that you enter the swamp on a GPS. Swamps get dark early and it is easy to get lost in them.

In swamps there are often tiny islands that the deer bed on. Try to find these the trails that lead to them. It is best not to step on the island. This is where the deer are bedded. Set up where you can overlook a trail or a staging area on the island. Often multiple rubs will be visible along the edge of the island. Use binoculars to check the islands for water oaks. Just make sure you are downwind from these areas.

Hunting wet areas require you to use your ears as much as your eyes. You will often hear the splashing noise that deer make as they walk through water long before you see them. If you have never heard deer moving through water you will be surprised at how much noise they make.

While in a swamp limit your rattling and grunt calling. Sound travels along way in these quiet areas. If you do use them keep the volume down. The biggest problem with using calls in here is that the deer can be anywhere. If they can pinpoint the noise coming from a tree you will likily see the white tail waving good bye.

Recovery of an animal in swamps presents a challenge unlike other places. The chances are the deer will run into the water.The trick here is to watch the direction the deer is heading. Give it plenty of time to expire before taking up the blood trail. Unless you watch it fall in sight give it a full hour. Look for sign that will tell you what kind of shot you made. This is no place to bump a wounded deer so if the evidence looks like a marginal shot  then you need to back out for several more hours. When you are positive that the deer is dead start blood trailing it. Look for blood on trees and stumps. Mark every spot with flagging tape. Every few steps look ahead for antler tips or a leg sticking out of the water. Often this will be all that is visible in the water.

Once you have left the beaten path and ventured into this deer paridice your hard work will be rewarded. Just remember to smile when your hunting buddies are taking pictures of your monster buck.