swamp buck

[galadriel]

I was w my hunting partner on sat in a big swamp. We were traveling through the deer trails amongst thick cattails and dog wood. No other hunter has been through here. The dogwood was heavily fed on and the tips of the many branches were broken off. Next to this swamp is a factory of some type that runs 7 days p/wk, which made a white noise that deer are accustomed to which also covered the noise from our steps.
 While walking I heard a crashing sound just ahead on my left. Hurriedly I knocked an arrow, looked up seeing the antlers of a big bodied 8pt as he hauled through the cattails like a semi. I  followed him w my draw but there was no possible shot. This is the first deer I have seen this season. So now that we have his territory down, how do I sneak in on him to get a shot? Its not exactly easy to walk quietly in a swamp

[KentuckyTJ]

Almost impossible to have an educated opinion on this without seeing the area but I suggest leaving him alone in there where he is most likely bedding. Try and find a trail where he is leaving the swamp to go to feed and set up there. This is where trail cameras earn their keep.

[ChuckC]

Have his territory down ?  Not yet.

I like swamps, for several reasons, the first being there are few trees big enough for a stand, and second being, because of the first, nobody hunts them.

You need to find travel corridors (look for trees as opposed to dogwood as well as by walking and just getting to know the whole place).

Like everywhere, there will be some spots that are more conducive to HIM walking and you need to find a couple of those.

Then you need to find a way, a location, a change, to allow him to pass close to you, but not see you.

Then you need to hunt that only when the wind is right.

Oh. . .  hunt from the ground.

ChuckC

[galadriel]

Hunting public land swamp is very different from woods. In the heart of the swamp is a small grove of brush trees (birches & buckthorn) w some big rubs. Its only used as a pass through point bc the ground is wet mud. On the edge of the swamp where public hunters enter is higher ground and dry grass. This would be his travel area. Conveniently located at a transition point is another hunter's hang on stand (irritating). we hunt on the ground. I feel this part is already corrupted by other hunters bc its so accessible and the deer ate smart enough to only move after dark. I dont have a trail cam, I'm sure someone wld steal it.

[ChuckC]

I usually hunt public marsh or swamp.  That transition point. .  where is that ?

Can you describe more ?  How many acres ?  How many access points ?  How much traffic by hunters (deer and others).  What is around the swamp, besides that factory.

My particular bit of marsh sounds very similar in construct, except it is in the middle of the country (no factory).  In mine, those high ground (buckthorn, birch, poplar areas) are indeed pass thru's and that is a fine place to ambush them.  


Over time and a lot of observation, you will find that the deer come from certain directions at certain times.  

You can catch them moving and be very successful, but you gotta know when and where.

I have also been using a Rancho Safari ghillie a LOT out there and I like to find a location in the marsh grass where a trail passes within 15 yards (or ten, or five) and set up.  I make a nest in the grass large enough to hold me and allow movement.  From deer's height, they will never see the "nest".  

I like to allow for several shots, cutting or knocking down the grass to allow for both a shot as well as for the deer's head to be eclipsed.

I like to arrange my seat such that I am ready to shoot in the most likely direction.  I can move a bit.

From the deer's height, I am covered by natural grass up to nearly my shoulders (when seated), so make that nest open. .  but make your entrance opening come from some direction that does not allow them to see it.

Make the nest downwind from the usual wind direction and ONLY hunt a good wind.  Approach from down or cross wind only.

Walk in slow, just a step at a time, no hurry.  Yeah it takes time, but where I am, the deer aren't moving till the first or last hour anyway (I hunt evenings).

In the nest, I throw down a 2-3' square piece of decent grade indoor outdoor carpet, like in a bass boat.  Get a scrap, color doesn't matter.  On this, I place a small stool (I use a three legged folding stool).  Not so comfy, but I can handle anything for a few hours. .  right ?  The carpet keeps things quiet, keeps the stool legs from sinking into the mud, and gives you a place to set your bow tip down on, as well as your fanny pack or other gear.

Skeeters bad ?  put a thermocell in your nest.

I find the deer in my area use the back of the marsh for bedding and move thru the higher areas to find different browse and as a trail to get out of the marsh.  Find the right trails and you can do well.

Over time I have scouted the area quite well.  You need to, because it is a growing, changing environment, and last year's good areas are now empty because the overstory grew too thick and wouldn't allow the understory to grow this year and it is now wide open, or a storm blew several of the bigger poplars down two years ago and this year there is lush growth where there was none.

ChuckC

[Cyclic-Rivers]

When you find an ambush site, make sure you figure out how to get to it quietly and without your scent blowing all over their bedding area.

[PUDDLE JUMPER]

That pass through area with the rubs may well be a bedding area. Or it could be a staging area close to the bedding area. The water level in this type terrain changes throughout the year.
You mentioned there being mud but that may not be the case come October.

This late in the year its going to be tough (but you know that). The guy with the stand probably hunts the same spot all the time. But how many people are hunting the swamp can only be determined over time.

I agree about hunting on the ground. But where I hunt you often need to set a stand 4 or 5 ft up to have a shooting lane. Go very high and they can see you.

If it was me I would start looking at Google Earth and go in blind. Always picking a spot in regards to how I can access. Hunt once and move on.

Intensive scouting after the season for deer and hunter sign. Sounds like it can be effectively glassed also. Have your vantage points picked out for next year.