Southern Boys Beware...

[Dpierce72]

When I joined the beast, it blew my mind how people waded through marshes/swamps (outside of the coldest conditions) but my perception was based on the conditions we have in Arkansas.

I've made several posts/inquiries about how folks handle snakes/mosquitoes etc ...and talked about them at the workshop this past weekend. Today, however, I had the closest of all encounters ...EVER.

I started off pretty cautious (in an area where flood waters have recently receded), but as the hours and miles ticked by, my confidence grew. UNTIL ...In mid stride, I look down and was straddling this (see below). For those who don't know, this is the baddest of all snakes (at least around here).

It's time to get those chaps on and walk with 8' sticks boys. BEWARE ...they are out!

[Jackson Marsh]

Glad it wasn't me

[Marshbuster89]

That's why I love our cold climate up here lol. Yikes!!

[NH Teufelhund]

That's why I love our cold climate up here lol. Yikes!!

Yep! I may see a deer once every three months but I also never see crocs, snakes or wolves

[thwack16]

I’m going to act like I didn’t see this.... I have a quota turkey hunt at a swampy wma the next two days. Have stepped around a few cottonmouths there. Not to mention the gators.

[Octang]

Give me wolves and bears. I don't need any of that squirmy stuff!

[muddy]

Whole lotta NOPE.

[Wannabelikedan]

Feel lucky that I haven’t seen one yet this year. Didn’t get a chance to get out last week because of the wife’s birthday so I’m designating Friday for scouting this week. It will be almost 80 so I bet my luck will run out.

[Swampbuck]

Yea that's happened to me quite a few times. Once it gets around this time of year I stop going. The green up gets things too thick to see sign and snakes so the risk reward becomes too low of a return.

[headgear]

Give me wolves and bears. I don't need any of that squirmy stuff!

X2

[AR Hunter]

Ole no shoulders... I hate when they start crawling.

[Edcyclopedia]

You should add a caption singing...
Hey-hey, you-you, get out of my swamp!

[DaveT1963]

I have had several encounters while wading our creeks/rivers - one time I was carrying my pack and bow above my head in almost chest deep water - had a 3 foot moccasin swim right up to me - I had my red lens light glaring at his face but that did not detour him. Luckily, he decided to veer off but needless to say I was pretty dang nervous. I have had several swimming within a few yards of me. It is definitely a consideration and I usually wear strap on Crack Shot chaps in early season.

[parkersdad]

Did you have to throw your underwear out?

[dan]

It gives you something to play with while your out hunting...