Minimum size for Marshes

[comeback_kid]

In my area marshes are not too common and this one piece of public does have a small marsh but it's got a road on one side and a well-used walking, running trail on the other side.

So my question is, in your experience, what is the minimum size of a marsh(that's connected to other parts of public) that would hold a mature buck? Particularly keeping in mind that humans are frequently walking on one side of the marsh and a road is on the other

this particular spot is only a few hundred yards wide.

Thanks fellas.

[tgreeno]

IMO...I don't think there is a minimum. I've jumped bucks out of small little potholes, right next to the road. 100 X 75 yards.

They keys are: Does it provide security? Is it void of human presence?

It doesn't matter if it's next to a walking trail, as long as no walkers ever enter it. Bucks will tolerate human intrusion, yet they'll have an invisible barrier, that you cannot cross or they'll be gone.

Is the sign there? That's the big question.

[flinginairos]

I just found a marsh on public that's pretty close to what you're describing. I bet it isn't 1/2 acre and there was a dang buck bed right in the middle of it under a lone tree!

[Rob loper]

i found buck beds on a slim pice of brush between a road and a marsh with a large pond very hard access and the beds are probably 20 yards of the road the thicket is 40 yards wide at most but all the beds are on the pond side edge just inside the brush from right on edge to 20 yards in im sure a few are doe beds but there was two big tell tale mature buck beds
so to answer your question i really dont think there is a minimum area . if there is security cover and escape routes and access it could be any size a back yard or a couple 100 -100 square

[comeback_kid]

IMO...I don't think there is a minimum. I've jumped bucks out of small little potholes, right next to the road. 100 X 75 yards.

They keys are: Does it provide security? Is it void of human presence?

It doesn't matter if it's next to a walking trail, as long as no walkers ever enter it. Bucks will tolerate human intrusion, yet they'll have an invisible barrier, that you cannot cross or they'll be gone.

Is the sign there? That's the big question.

Sounds good guys. Yes it does provide security AND void of human presence. While close to the road and walking trail, I don't think anyone is going in there.

I will know if the sign's there in the next week or two.

Thanks for the input!

[BigStick]

IMO...I don't think there is a minimum. I've jumped bucks out of small little potholes, right next to the road. 100 X 75 yards.

They keys are: Does it provide security? Is it void of human presence?

It doesn't matter if it's next to a walking trail, as long as no walkers ever enter it. Bucks will tolerate human intrusion, yet they'll have an invisible barrier, that you cannot cross or they'll be gone.

Is the sign there? That's the big question.

Sounds good guys. Yes it does provide security AND void of human presence. While close to the road and walking trail, I don't think anyone is going in there.

I will know if the sign's there in the next week or two.

Thanks for the input!

I agree with the other reply’s. You really need to jump in and see what you can find. I get surprised on some of the bed locations but when you step back and think about why, it all makes sense.

Let us know how it goes and good luck!

[comeback_kid]

Was able to get out this afternoon and scouted this marsh. Found a good track in the corn field just below and then in a transition area right on the edge of the marsh. HOWEVER, I did not find one bed and I looked at most of the trees, islands etc. I was surprised.

[Hawthorne]

The bigger the better. Need areas that has the potential for long term survival and can escape gun hunters and the deer not being bumped around like a pinball machine. The bigger and nastier the better

[tgreeno]

Looks like it's time to move on. Maybe have a look at it again in June, to see if you can find better sign?

[ScottSpitzley]

I recently scouted a marsh right off the road and found awesome sign, it was approximately 50yd x 50yd. IMO it does not matter, just like tgreeno said.