Hunting swamps question

[Cyclic-Rivers]

Do you find deer trails tend to look more heavy when traveling on soft ground such as in swamps?
I feel like fewer deer can make a trail look like a highway in such areas. It's hard not to get excited seeing what looks like a heavily used trail but trail cameras indicate deer travel it once every 2-3 days.

Thoughts and observations are welcomed and encouraged

[Roy from Pa]

Lot's of times, bucks have their own trails. So the trail might look less traveled. Just a thought..

[Macatawa]

Do you find deer trails tend to look more heavy when traveling on soft ground such as in swamps?
I feel like fewer deer can make a trail look like a highway in such areas. It's hard not to get excited seeing what looks like a heavily used trail but trail cameras indicate deer travel it once every 2-3 days.

Thoughts and observations are welcomed and encouraged

Yes, that's been my experience in Michigan since forever - I've sat on those seemingly mega runways without seeing much if anything in several hunts....believe the cameras.

You havin' fun yet?

 

[Cyclic-Rivers]

I am liking it here Tony. 

I think I found a  good spot.  yes the trails look big in thi88s new spot but it contains lots of something the other trails do not... Beds and poop. I can only hunt it in the afternoon and on a North wind. access is limited, but it will keep me from overhunting it. 

[Macatawa]

Cool!

Happy things are getting better.

[huntryx]

Charlie-- glad you are making your way out there. Dan Infalt has a couple of great DVDs on hunting swamps and I think he is in Wisconsin so the info should be good for you. I think he is also on youtube with them.

[Mint]

Good thread, I hunted a new spot last year that looked like it was tore up with activity. It wasn't a swamp but where there was thick overhead cover and the ground was rich and soft. The deer hooves just tore it up and it had more activity than your spot but not nearly as much as it looked for my area. A well placed camera wised me up after a couple of disappointing sits. 

[Cyclic-Rivers]

Thanks for the replies. Susan I'll be sure to check him out. This is the tree I am looking at right now

[Terry Green]

Ours do here because they turn up black but what you need to look for is the tracks if it's soft dirt you should be able to figure out how fresh the tracks are without a camera that's the whole part of playing the game good luck man

[Possum Head]

Went out pig stickin this morning after last night’s heavy rain. Here’s one I came across so I took a pic after reading your thread. Found another like it this evening.

[NIGEL01]

The picture of your tree selection looks very familiar to my families hunting property.  Lots of popples that size, I get busted quite often in those trees so I've moved to the ground.  As far as trails, if they look like their being used they probably are.  But depending on hunting pressure will determine daytime movement.  Cameras are a great help. 

[drewsbow]

Hey Charlie : I have come to the same answer as you , trails look awesome but less deer travel than you would think. I would use some light color clothes from your tree selection .

[Cyclic-Rivers]

Thanks Fellas.

Terry, I know what you are saying about the tracks.  these trails I sat last year had a lot and were usually fresh.  I think part of my issue was that we put a lot of pressure in the area opening up the access roads and riding horses.  Mix that with large barriers between our farm (open marsh) and available food (neighborhoods) and the only deer we had all summer were several does w/ Fawns. 

Across the marsh there is more direct access to the food source, its public land but the only public access is about 2 miles away and this area is at least .5 miles off the main trail.  I used to hunt in this area when I was a lad, accessed it from the public land, never went this far in and really didn't know what was back there as we didn't have access to google maps. 

Drew, I here you on the camo.  there are other trees available but I have not decided fully.  I may even ultimately sit on the ground with a Ghillie suit.  After watching a couple videas from dan as recommended by Susan I have a couple ideos (see what id did there with video and idea ha ha). There were a lot of beds 80-100 yards to the south of this location.  deer trails became less as I wandered further into public. 

I think the first time I hunt this area I will stay on the outskirts and observe. I may get a shot but will not disturb much.  I want to get a lock on stand looking at lone wolf and XOP I am going to start a thread on opinions but if anyone has any here let me know.  I have lone wolf steps, are they compatible with xop stands as far as attaching them?

[Ron LaClair]

[Cyclic-Rivers]

Hi Ron, I always liked your photo of Armstrong Creek.  I now live relatively close to it in Central WI.

I will also add on our farm we are looking for ways to introduce some food.  we now have a tractor and will be able to reduce some tag alder areas. the goal is to plant some small food areas, not sure what will grow in wet soil. but we do want to get some popular stands to grow up thick in some areas.