Another Kayak Hunt w pics

[John146]

Well, I made another kayak hunting trip on a WMA near my home. We had a front come through with some rain and wind and I was hoping to capatilize on some early morning movement. Got to my launch spot and the fog was really thick before daylight. Parked my truck ,got my seat and fanny pack on, grabbed the paddle, bow and the yak and drug it down to the bank of the bayou and there were alligator eyes reflecting back at me 5 feet from the bank - I love it!!!

After 20 minutes of paddling I arrive at the entrance to a slough that dumps into the bayou. I was hoping to catch a deer or hog crossing. There are scattered oaks - very scatterred - on both sides of the slough with bedding area everywhere. We have these ferns that grow about 2-3 feet high all over the place so a deer can bed wherever it wants to.

Here is the entrance to the slough from the spot I set up on looking back from where I was hunting. At the end of the "tunnel" is where the yak is parked.

[Day Dreamer]

Sweet, love me some yak hunts.

[Cmane07]

 Love that swamp huntin!

[John146]

I set my SPOT 360 seat up against the trunk of a big tree looking up the slough. The banks are high on both sides and I could not see into the forest on either side but I could see 150 yards up the slough. The high bank had a dip in it about 25 yards in front of my set up where the forest floor drained into that slough from both sides. It looked like a natural crossing to me and I was in good position for a shot if a deer or hog utilized it.

From this spot I could also watch a large stretch of the slough ahead of me and if something crossed I could mark that area and come back and hunt it.

My set up.



A rare sight - a straight slough in South LA.



These are usually holding water. Its been dry.

[John146]

At 8:45 I decided I would get my camera out to take a few pictures. This my friend was a mistake! I took a picture up the slough and then turned to my right to take another and something busted to my front left on top the slough bank. It did not bound away like a deer. More like a bowling ball just going through ferns and stuff.

I couldn't believe it! I sat motionless for an hour and then try to take a few pictures and this animal picks that exact time to come down that drain. In my mind I was thinking hog and I got confirmation a few minutes later. A gust of wind came straight at me from up the slough and the unmistakable aroma of Mr. Pig hit my nose. I am always in the market for some pork sausage and I was bummed!

I hunted a few more minutes but E-mails started arriving on my I-Phone so it was time to go and get some work done. As I paddled back to the truck it was hard to be too disappointed. It is a beautiful morning, I got to hunt with my recurve, I was near a critter on the ground and I had absolutley no one near me hunting because I am in this kayak. That's not a recipe for a gumbo but it sure is a recipe for a good morning.

[durp]

[rooster77]

cool pic

[VictoryHunter]

Very cool!

[Bob Baur]

Sounds like a great morning!  

[Straight Shootin']

Enjoyable morning, no doubt! Thanks for sharing.  

[Jerry Jeffer]

8:45 not a real good time to fuss with a camera. Oh well, live and learn.

[ChuckC]

Can you (and others too) show us what you do and how you pack your craft with the gear you need for a hunt ?  What do / can you carry ? How about getting a critter out ?

ChuckC

[Mudd]

[NOMAD88]

Good stuff! There is nothing like slipping in with the yak:)

[awbowman]

Love it Todd.  Where do you live?  I'm from Lafayette

[Duncan]

Love this kind of post. Hope to see a deer or pig laying in the bow of that yak soon!

[Shakes.602]

That 360 Seat looks Mighty Comfy!!

[Covey]

Love the kayak threads! Me and my boy have a couple Native ultimate 12's that I would love to get some blood in. Hopefully someday, I'll get to do a kayak hunt!

[John146]

Originally posted by Jerry Jeffer:
8:45 not a real good time to fuss with a camera. Oh well, live and learn.

9:00 would have been better! LOL! Might have been taking a picture of a hog. That won't be happening any time soon again.

[ChuckC]

Nomad.  is that a WS Pungo ?

I have a drab brown and a purple one !  OK  the purple one is my wife's.

ChuckC