Rut in the swamp?

[Mike]

How do you approach prerut and rut hunting in a cattail swamp? How do bucks cruise in a swamp, is it pretty random or are there any patterns that could be useful?

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[Jackson Marsh]

Seems random sometimes but I've noticed parallel trails, only the parallel trail will be not usually be along the ag fields but back in the thick transition cover.

On a North/South running marsh with say ag fields to the West then woods then transition line (dogwood, brush etc) then cattails the bucks will cruise the transition line scent checking doe trails coming out of the fields and through the woods into the transition bedding. If a lot of pressure sometimes these trails will be quite a ways into the marsh.

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[Jackson Marsh]

The parallel trails might be 1 or 2 miles from the actual feeding areas.

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[PK_]

Look for the cruising trails just above or below the water line depending on cover and pressure. Get between the best bedding areas.

[Mike]

Thanks I will keep these things in mind. Would an argo trail through cattails in a private marsh be a spot for cruisers? I don't think it gets a lot of traffic on it.