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Main Boards => PowWow => Topic started by: RC on August 17, 2012, 06:32:00 PM

Title: A day on public land
Post by: RC on August 17, 2012, 06:32:00 PM
I left the house early this morning to do a little scouting for the upcoming deer season. Pig killing is open on our WMA`s now and I would like to kill a pig but getting a line on some deer was 1st.
  I parked the truck and gathered my gear. Decided to head to the River and then Check drains running up for persimmons.
  Before I go any farther with this I`ll let you know how I scout for early deer season.I`ve already located MANY soft mast trees and now I will check as many as my feet will allow to see which ones have fruit. I`ll remember all those with enough fruit to drop and cause deer to "build" a habit to come to them. I really pay attention to those in thicker areas. When I locate a tree with lots of fruit I first decide on a stand location for two winds if possible then think my way through for the best way to get to the stand avoiding the direction I expect deer to come from.
  I try to find a lot of spots in the swamp for persimmons...my favorite and spots on the hill in case the swamp floods which will usually be crab apples or live oaks. They drop early here. As the season progresses I will find hot acorn trees as they drop then hunt funnels in the rut.
  Right now my focus is on getting ready for the month of September.
Title: Re: A day on public land
Post by: RC on August 17, 2012, 06:41:00 PM
I got to the River and had to take a pic. I love being around the River. It seems to calm me in a crazy way and things really seem to slow down when I on a near a River. Crazy maybe but true. Some of you I`m sure can relate.


  (http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/rcswampbucket/IMG_0141-1.jpg)

  I eased on a around and spotted something on a sand bar. It was 9 turkeys. Kinda far away but if you look close you can see a big Gobbler..


  (http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/rcswampbucket/IMG_0139.jpg)

  I carried on down the ridge I was on and dropped of in the bottoms. Saw a bit of pig sign but not much and no porkers.


  (http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/rcswampbucket/IMG_0138.jpg)


The sign I did see was fresh but I was more intent on covering ground than hunting pigs. I checked Dozens of persimmons with nothing promising then found a good one. It was loaded and in a place thick enough that you could not see 30 yards. It also had already began to drop and had a few deer tracks under it. It will be smoking by deer season.

  (http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/rcswampbucket/IMG_0157.jpg)

 Carried on and ran across this snapping feller..


  (http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/rcswampbucket/IMG_0148.jpg)
Title: Re: A day on public land
Post by: RC on August 17, 2012, 06:45:00 PM
I eased on down to a lake called the Blue hole and had to snap a pic of it. It is usually full of gators but I did`nt see one this time..

 (http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/rcswampbucket/IMG_0153-1.jpg)

I started around a log and was headed for a ridge to follow out and spotted a bright yellow leaf on the ground. I whipped a judo out and took a shot. Hit the leaf ...all is good with the Mohawk. I took a step and heard the sound I have heard to many times this year....


 (http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/rcswampbucket/IMG_0149.jpg)
Title: Re: A day on public land
Post by: RC on August 17, 2012, 06:52:00 PM
For you snake lovers No offense but I`ll go ahead and tell ya he did`nt make it.
  After a shark bit his head I moved him and noticed he had a squirrel about 5 yards away. He had bit the squirrel in the back...never seen this before.

 (http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/rcswampbucket/IMG_0152.jpg)

 I eased on out after retrieving my arrow wondering if I had not stopped for a shot if I would have stepped to close to the snake. He was about a foot from where I would have stepped going forward.Brother John told me he asks God to guide his life always and his feet in the swamp. I did the same.
  I went by a couple of other nice sights

 (http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/rcswampbucket/IMG_0147-1.jpg)

 (http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/rcswampbucket/IMG_0145.jpg)

While going out on the ridge I found a spot for some high ground deer hunting as well.

 (http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/rcswampbucket/IMG_0155.jpg)

 All in all a day to be thankful for..RC
Title: Re: A day on public land
Post by: RedShaft on August 17, 2012, 06:54:00 PM
Dear Lordy! you all have snakes!!!!!!!!!!!!! I would never hunt there without the proper protection! nice pics and thanks for sharing.
Title: Re: A day on public land
Post by: cahaba on August 17, 2012, 07:25:00 PM
Great pics and story RC. I have two persimmion trees on my place. They are loaded and should be a hot spot come October. I scout the way you do. I love to find them white oaks that look like somebody has ran a roto tiller in a circle around them. You know what I'm talking about. Always enjoy your post........Good huntin Dave
Title: Re: A day on public land
Post by: wooddamon1 on August 17, 2012, 08:17:00 PM
Very nice story and pics, RC! Felt like I was tagging along!    :thumbsup:
Title: Re: A day on public land
Post by: Rick Richard on August 17, 2012, 08:21:00 PM
Very nice. It reminds me of my earlier years back in the bayou country of Louisiana... Lots of good memories.
Title: Re: A day on public land
Post by: ron w on August 17, 2012, 08:21:00 PM
Neat photos....like always!
Title: Re: A day on public land
Post by: pdk25 on August 17, 2012, 08:30:00 PM
Great pics again, Robert.  Man, those snakes are everywhere down there.  Glad they weren't out too much when I was down there.  That is pretty cool, that you saw the squirrel that he bit, too.
Title: Re: A day on public land
Post by: jcar315 on August 17, 2012, 08:30:00 PM
Just fantastic RC!

I've thought of you and your pictures many times when in the swamp myself......looking for mast trees!
Title: Re: A day on public land
Post by: Day Dreamer on August 17, 2012, 08:35:00 PM
Thanks for sharing AGAIN.

Hows that kayak working for you Rc?
Title: Re: A day on public land
Post by: Landshark160 on August 17, 2012, 08:37:00 PM
I appreciate you checking my spots for me.  Now we can start looking for you a place to hunt.   :saywhat:
Title: Re: A day on public land
Post by: Bud B. on August 17, 2012, 08:41:00 PM
Glad to see the Mohawk is on!!

Thanks for the journey today RC.
Title: Re: A day on public land
Post by: rastaman on August 17, 2012, 08:43:00 PM
Hey RC! I know what you mean about the river. I have the Flint up here and it is like my church most days...I also identify with snakes in the swamp! Good luck to you sir this deer season!
Title: Re: A day on public land
Post by: maxwell on August 17, 2012, 08:45:00 PM
I really enjoy your walks and your pics, thanks for sharing.
Title: Re: A day on public land
Post by: gregg dudley on August 17, 2012, 08:59:00 PM
Quote
Originally posted by RC:
I left the house early this morning to do a little scouting for the upcoming deer season. Pig killing is open on our WMA`s now and I would like to kill a pig but getting a line on some deer was 1st.
  I parked the truck and gathered my gear. Decided to head to the River and then Check drains running up for persimmons.
  Before I go any farther with this I`ll let you know how I scout for early deer season.I`ve already located MANY soft mast trees and now I will check as many as my feet will allow to see which ones have fruit. I`ll remember all those with enough fruit to drop and cause deer to "build" a habit to come to them. I really pay attention to those in thicker areas. When I locate a tree with lots of fruit I first decide on a stand location for two winds if possible then think my way through for the best way to get to the stand avoiding the direction I expect deer to come from.
  I try to find a lot of spots in the swamp for persimmons...my favorite and spots on the hill in case the swamp floods which will usually be crab apples or live oaks. They drop early here. As the season progresses I will find hot acorn trees as they drop then hunt funnels in the rut.
  Right now my focus is on getting ready for the month of September.
That's a chapter on early bow season hunting strategy, right there!      :archer2:  

I never saw or even heard about a rattlesnake with a squirrel kill.  That is pretty unique.
Title: Re: A day on public land
Post by: Eric Sprick on August 17, 2012, 09:06:00 PM
As usual great pics and story.  Thanks for the walk!

Eric
Title: Re: A day on public land
Post by: Josh Perdue on August 17, 2012, 09:13:00 PM
Enjoyed it, although I dont know if I could get used to all those close encounters with those snakes. Thanks for the early season hunt tips.
Title: Re: A day on public land
Post by: Ric O'Shay on August 17, 2012, 09:13:00 PM
RC -
Thanks for taking us with you. Pretty country where you live my friend.
Title: Re: A day on public land
Post by: WidowEater on August 17, 2012, 09:16:00 PM
Nice of them to rattle for you, huh?

Sucks when they dont.

Like Ive said before I dont get out in the woods with hunting in mind but I work in and around wooded areas that are home to a few of them fellers.
Title: Re: A day on public land
Post by: Shedrock on August 17, 2012, 09:17:00 PM
Good stuff, thanks for sharing!
Title: Re: A day on public land
Post by: Rick Butler on August 17, 2012, 10:18:00 PM
Good stuff as always RC. Thanks for posting.  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: A day on public land
Post by: on August 17, 2012, 10:40:00 PM
Lookin' good RC! I can't wait to see what gets stuck under that persimmon tree.

Bisch
Title: Re: A day on public land
Post by: mike70 on August 17, 2012, 11:14:00 PM
Great Pics.  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: A day on public land
Post by: Joshua Long on August 18, 2012, 12:23:00 AM
Thank you for sharing your adventures RC. Great stuff!
Title: Re: A day on public land
Post by: Soonerlongbow on August 18, 2012, 12:32:00 AM
Looks like a nice day afield.
Title: Re: A day on public land
Post by: GRINCH on August 18, 2012, 12:32:00 AM
Excellent RC,Thanks for sharing.
Title: Re: A day on public land
Post by: DesertDude on August 18, 2012, 01:42:00 AM
Your Pic's & stories never get old....
Title: Re: A day on public land
Post by: TRT on August 18, 2012, 01:57:00 AM
RC,  as others have said, thanks so much for taking us along.  I always look forward reading your stories.  I am not sure I would have had the composure to get a picture of that rattler while he was still breathing!  He sure is beautiful in the picture though!
Title: Re: A day on public land
Post by: Hopewell Tom on August 18, 2012, 07:10:00 AM
I'm always interested in your threads, RC. Great pics(that tree with your bow leaning on it is something else, bit of a haven from the rain) and the usual hunting tutorial.
Thanks for sharing, think I'll go for a sneak around...
Title: Re: A day on public land
Post by: bowless on August 18, 2012, 10:54:00 AM
Thanks RC

Just an old sweet song
Keeps Georgia on my mind


I think Ray talked with RC.
Title: Re: A day on public land
Post by: Sam McMichael on August 18, 2012, 11:30:00 AM
RC, you are the ultimate snake magnet.
Title: Re: A day on public land
Post by: Gooserbat on August 18, 2012, 12:35:00 PM
Nice pics.  looks like you had a great time in God's creation.
Title: Re: A day on public land
Post by: TxAg on August 18, 2012, 06:56:00 PM
you always have the best posts. thanks for sharing
Title: Re: A day on public land
Post by: Longbowwally on August 18, 2012, 08:56:00 PM
Good stuff Robert. Thanks for sharing.
Title: Re: A day on public land
Post by: flungonin on August 18, 2012, 09:07:00 PM
Glad you had a wonderful day and shared it with us. I'm glad you weren't to relaxed when the snake appeared. Good shot. So what did you do with the squirrel and snake? Skin the snake eat the squirrel? Anyway good read along with you on your day scouting. Thanks
Title: Re: A day on public land
Post by: Bernie B. on August 18, 2012, 09:16:00 PM
I always enjoy seeing your pictures.  I don't think I could handle being around snakes in my hunting area.  Good luck with your hunting this September!     :thumbsup:

Bernie Bjorklund

NC Iowa/SW Wisconsin
Title: Re: A day on public land
Post by: WidowEater on August 18, 2012, 09:30:00 PM
The Timber rattler you posted earlier and this Diamondback were very beautiful specimins.

Just sucks that they have the capability to do us harm.
Title: Re: A day on public land
Post by: BrownA5 on August 18, 2012, 10:06:00 PM
Thanks RC.  I do appreciate you sharing as always!
Title: Re: A day on public land
Post by: ishoot4thrills on August 19, 2012, 09:11:00 AM
Once again, great pics RC. I love your posts.

I'm a snake lover, but no offense taken from the killing of that rattler. I don't kill nonpoisonous snakes but I wouldn't hesitate to dispatch a pit viper in my neck of the woods. But I would definitely skin it out and save it for backing a bow.

   :thumbsup:
Title: Re: A day on public land
Post by: awbowman on August 19, 2012, 07:59:00 PM
It's always great when I see your posts of scouting or hunting trips in the swamp.  Thanks for sharing.
Title: Re: A day on public land
Post by: Shinken on August 20, 2012, 11:26:00 AM
Wow!  Another most-excellent day afield Brother RC!

Thank you for sharin' the journey!

Lookin' forward to you droppin' the string on some big game this Fall huntinn' season.

Keep the wind in your face!~

Shoot straight, Shinken

   :archer2:
Title: Re: A day on public land
Post by: steadman on August 20, 2012, 03:02:00 PM
Lovin it RC  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: A day on public land
Post by: rushlush on August 20, 2012, 04:06:00 PM
RC great pics as usual, thanks for bringing us along.
Title: Re: A day on public land
Post by: hardtimes on August 20, 2012, 07:13:00 PM
Thanks for sharing RC! You sure do have a thing for running into the snakes.