decided to head to the swamp for a walk today. I have not hunted since last week when I "looped" through a block last Friday. I had found a good feed tree then that I planned to go to this week but was able to keep my Grandson a few days and hunting will always take a back seat to that.
I got up this morning early and headed out. My plan again was to hunt Big Hammock WMA here in South Ga.It is a beautiful place and is where I killed my first pig.I have really not covered the place and only had a few honey holes I would go to sometimes but this year since it is only 20 miles from home I have decided to spend a lot of Winter hunts there to really learn the place. I like to explore places as the leaves fall so I can better tell the lay of the land.
I was gonna hunt the dropping chestnut oak I found last week but the wind was wrong so I went on to another Foot travel only road I had not been on in 3 years...
Lets get started..
(http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/rcswampbucket/IMG_1893.jpg)
I parked the truck and hit the trail. Very little people sign at the gate which is always uplifting. I made my way for about a half mile and came upon a Swamp Chestnut that had some "markings" of some kind on it. I`ve never seen anything like it. Let me know if you can figure it out...I can`t..
(http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/rcswampbucket/IMG_1895.jpg)
(http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/rcswampbucket/IMG_1894.jpg)
After that I crossed a wide dry slew and came upon an Island that at one time was a money maker..Illegally ..
(http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/rcswampbucket/IMG_1659.jpg)
(http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/rcswampbucket/IMG_1660.jpg)
Wonder if a Law Man busted those jugs??
Crossed on over the Island to another dry slew and a cool looking tree..
(http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/rcswampbucket/IMG_1896_1.jpg)
Looks like an interesting area to explore. Weather looked good too.
I then headed toward the River as I had not seen very much pig sign at all. After about another half mile things started picking up a bit..
(http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/rcswampbucket/IMG_1915.jpg)
Weather was warm here the last few days and I found several wallows that had been used recent..
Went across a small ridge that had a neck breaker from many years ago on it...
(http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/rcswampbucket/IMG_1906.jpg)
Then I dropped of into another slew. I missed a couple squirrels...on purpose of course and was walking in purty fair pig sign when I heard some shuffling on a small bluff ahead. I nocked and arrow and eased toward the sound. I got close against a small rise and could tell they were very close. I should be able to raise up a bit and gaff a porker. Gonna be to easy I thought. I slowly eased up the bank and well....
(http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/rcswampbucket/IMG_1795.jpg)
Keep it coming RC!
Bisch
Sweet pics, and I thought WV only had these type of operations :D
oh a nice camp site. :)
:campfire:
You could write a weekly periodical on swamp and WMA hunts. I love it!
:campfire:
Bandits!! They were cool though and acted like they had never seen anyone. I left them with there shuffling and headed on to the River. Went across another ridge that had a few good rubs on it. Here is an old and new one..
(http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/rcswampbucket/IMG_1899.jpg)
A tree with about 10 trunks..
(http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/rcswampbucket/IMG_1905.jpg)
And finally the Altamaha. A cool looking chalk Bank on the other side..
(http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/rcswampbucket/IMG_1901.jpg)
Headed back West to make a big loop and cut through the swamp headed out. I was just shy of 2 miles in the woods. Came across where a wild critter had a Thanksgiving turkey for Dinner..
(http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/rcswampbucket/IMG_1914_1.jpg)
I saw a lot of cat tracks on a small sandbar at the River that could have been the culprit.
I was easing down the edge of a cane thicket when I heard pigs. They were moving out to my right in a very thick area. Anyone that has tried to stalk feeding pigs in dry leaves in an area thick enough that a 15 yard shot is very long can tell you its tough. I nearly stepped on a bedded pig that jumped up running and the pigs all scattered. They did`nt wind me so I was hoping I could get in fromt of them. I listened and could tell they were headed with the River so I backed out a made a big loop to hopefully cut them off . It almost worked. I missed their crossing point by about 50 yards . It was fun anyway. In hinsight I should have made a wider loop as they were already beginning to calm and start back feeding some. The dry leaves would not allow me to move fast enough to keep up. After I knew they were gonna be to far I tried to get at least a couple on camera. They would cross my scent trail about 30 yards before they got where I could film them then they would kick it in gear. You will not fool a pigs nose.My first attempt at a vid clip. Nothing special just proof there are pigs in south Ga. Maybe this will work.
(http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/rcswampbucket/th_MVI_1913.jpg) (http://s172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/rcswampbucket/?action=view¤t=MVI_1913.mp4)
Made a safe walk out shooting a few stumps on the way with plans of a return trip in mind already..RC
Once again RC......Awesome!!
Thanks for sharing
Cool thanks for the story, I had to work today so I like to hear when others get out in the woods.
Thanks for sharing. :thumbsup:
RC, just what I needed tonight!
Pics and story telling are fantastic. The video clip hit the spot as well....I've seen pigs doing the same thing too many times.
Keep the adventures coming.
Good stuff as always!
Cool stuff.Great pictures of the trees and stuff.. Love all of I took a walk stories on this site.
I always enjoy your afternoons in the swamp. We don't have anything close to a swamp around me.
Bisch
I enjoyed last week and this one too, thanks for sharing.
Thanks for the walk along!!
Love your walks RC, keep after it.
Eric
Thank you, best Thanksgiving i could have here in Iraq. Keep those swamp pictures coming.
What is your choice in boots for the swamp?
RC you are blessed with a great hunting area,thank you for sharing.Larry
Great stuff buddy!
Your walks are always very entertaining and enjoyable. That was indeed a very cool tree with the hollow at the base.
That mark on the tree you found, I have one very similar to it on an Oak tree on our land here in Nova Scotia. Can't figure it out either.
Sasquatch?
Loved it.
Thanks RC...because of you, I have had several introductions to the swamps of Georgia.
In Michigan, black bears often make scratch marks VERY similar to the one you showed. Usually, close inspection with reveal some hairs left behind. Also, most of the ones I find are a bit higher off the ground.
Thanks again RC...god bless you and yours. :wavey: :campfire:
Always like hangin out with ya RC. I love it when you take us along. Very Cool!
Jason
A very nice post. Nice photos too. Thanks for sharing.
I enjoyed the "walkabout" Thank you RC!
God bless,Mudd
Cool...now with video :thumbsup: I can't wait till you do a full length feature film :biglaugh: But as always ....excellent!!
Great pics!!! Thanks for taking me along, again. I always enjoy your posts.
In the pic with the coon, is that a deer too the right of it?
Mike
wingnut,
looks like another light-colored coon.
Thanks RC.I enjoyed looking at the pics and reading about your hunt.Any more thoughts on what caused the markings on the tree?
Nice Day out for sure RD.
I have heard that animals will lick a tree to death trying to get after salt if someone pees on it. That seems to be about the right height. This is just a guess though as they have not been pouring in for you.
Great story as always. I look foreward to your tales everytime I log on, with the pics added it's like were right there with you. Thanks for taking us along and keep those stories coming.
Cool thread as usual!
Good stuff RC,thanks and keep it coming.
I love your "walk in the swamp" posts!
Thank you for sharin' another great outing with us Trad Gangers, Brother!
I can definitely relate to the challenges of havin' DRY, NOISY groundcover and attempting to stalk game....
You're gettin' to be high-tech now with all of that video action!
Keep the wind in your face RC!
Shoot straight, Shinken
:archer2:
nice
:thumbsup:
:clapper: :clapper:
Nice looking porkers too...
Another good one Robert. Thanks for sharing your trip with us...
Thanks RC your post are always a joy.
Great story again. Thanks for sharing.