This type of swamp?

[MuskieHunterDave]

Hi all

Is this the type of swamps you guys are walking/swimming through to find the big bucks?

20211002_161504.jpg

You can see it is mostly standing water with sparse trees and shrubs sticking up. I can't imagine trying to walk through something like this - I feel like I'd be in muck up to my chest. Most of the videos of Dan have him going through cattails, but this is something different altogether. I'm not sure how safe I'd feel traveling in there.

That said, I found some monster tracks nearby. If there is a buck in there, how would I go about finding/hunting him? Just put on the waders and plunge in?

Thanks
Dave

[Bowtech1]

Yes swamps like that can be amazing. I hunt a few similar to that and they are only productive when theirs standing water. They key is that the bed up on the high dry spots and can hear any danger coming and can bed there on literally any wind direction due to the extreme hearing advantage they get in those situations

[MuskieHunterDave]

So... any SE WI hunters interested in exploring it with me? It's probably 100 yds off the road, not hard to get to. I just can't fathom walking into that thing by myself.

[Maverick1]

No deer in there….just keep walking….

[Ognennyy]

It sounds like you're not comfortable going in there alone for safety reasons, and who can blame you. It looks a bit intimidating.

How about an alternative. It's possible that his exact bedding locations are closer to the easily traversable land than you might think. You know the deer is in there somewhere. Can you skirt the dangerous sections and see where it looks like he's going in and coming out? Once you've identified that try setting up on the edge of the swamp first. If you can do that then you avoid dropping your scent everywhere in there, you stay safe, and you might drill him without ever stepping foot in the nasty parts.

[Tufrthnails]

100 yards from the road standing water. Grab a kayak or canoe and pole your way through and see if you can find a way in

[MuskieHunterDave]

It sounds like you're not comfortable going in there alone for safety reasons, and who can blame you. It looks a bit intimidating.

How about an alternative. It's possible that his exact bedding locations are closer to the easily traversable land than you might think. You know the deer is in there somewhere. Can you skirt the dangerous sections and see where it looks like he's going in and coming out? Once you've identified that try setting up on the edge of the swamp first. If you can do that then you avoid dropping your scent everywhere in there, you stay safe, and you might drill him without ever stepping foot in the nasty parts.

I had considered this, but if everything goes according to plan and I hit him, I've got to go in after him! I supposed I'd be able to get help in getting him out, but the people who help me may end up pissed!

[MuskieHunterDave]

100 yards from the road standing water. Grab a kayak or canoe and pole your way through and see if you can find a way in

Yep, if I had a canoe or kayak I would definitely do this.

[PK_]

Be careful.

Become acquainted with what type of trees and vegetation grow in certain water depths. Beware of bogs and floating mats.

Other than that don’t be too scared. I don’t recommend waders they can be dangerous. Grab a sturdy long stick to poke around in front of you and take it one step at a time. It’s not that bad.

[Ognennyy]

It sounds like you're not comfortable going in there alone for safety reasons, and who can blame you. It looks a bit intimidating.

How about an alternative. It's possible that his exact bedding locations are closer to the easily traversable land than you might think. You know the deer is in there somewhere. Can you skirt the dangerous sections and see where it looks like he's going in and coming out? Once you've identified that try setting up on the edge of the swamp first. If you can do that then you avoid dropping your scent everywhere in there, you stay safe, and you might drill him without ever stepping foot in the nasty parts.

I had considered this, but if everything goes according to plan and I hit him, I've got to go in after him! I supposed I'd be able to get help in getting him out, but the people who help me may end up pissed!

Haha I hear you and I can't help you here. Let's worry about getting an arrow in one first!

[westmichigander]

Be careful.

Become acquainted with what type of trees and vegetation grow in certain water depths. Beware of bogs and floating mats.

Other than that don’t be too scared. I don’t recommend waders they can be dangerous. Grab a sturdy long stick to poke around in front of you and take it one step at a time. It’s not that bad.

a good stick is the most underrated piece of hunting/scouting equipment. I am always surprised I never see Dan using one in his videos.

[MitchB]

Be careful.

Become acquainted with what type of trees and vegetation grow in certain water depths. Beware of bogs and floating mats.

Other than that don’t be too scared. I don’t recommend waders they can be dangerous. Grab a sturdy long stick to poke around in front of you and take it one step at a time. It’s not that bad.

What about waders can be dangerous? I was going to go in a swamp for the first time since last spring this weekend but now you guys have me worried.

[Dewey]

Flooded timber/swamp is awesome especially very large blocks of it. First time I set up a cam in stuff like that I was honestly thinking it would be a bust. I was shocked that every single pic I got was shooter bucks and a lot of them. Not one single doe, fawn or young buck. Older bucks love that stuff because of the security. Very few hunt it because of the effort it takes and most are just afraid of water. That’s a great combination for producing big bucks year after year.

Throw some jungle boots on then dive in there and explore. You might be surprised how many beds you find. If there’s bigger trees there has to be small humps of dry ground they can bed on. It doesn’t take much.

[PApublic1187]

Flooded timber/swamp is awesome especially very large blocks of it. First time I set up a cam in stuff like that I was honestly thinking it would be a bust. I was shocked that every single pic I got was shooter bucks and a lot of them. Not one single doe, fawn or young buck. Older bucks love that stuff because of the security. Very few hunt it because of the effort it takes and most are just afraid of water. That’s a great combination for producing big bucks year after year.

Throw some jungle boots on then dive in there and explore. You might be surprised how many beds you find. If there’s bigger trees there has to be small humps of dry ground they can bed on. It doesn’t take much.

The big tree tip is huge. Easy way to determine where they are at, and can save you from walking the swamp in it’s entirety.

[MitchB]

So let me ask this then. Let’s say you shoot a buck, good fatal hit, but he runs off. Do they typically run back out to water or does it just depend on the situation? Any tips for retrieving a large deer by yourself out of the swamp?