I grabbed my longbow right after lunch today and decided to go for a walk on a piece of Public land I have not hunted in years. Deer season is not open on the place but small game and pigs are for the taking. I have killed a hog here in the past but having not been on it in a few years I did not know if they were there are not. Did`nt really matter because an evening of shooting my longbow and walking some fine Country was the goal of the day. When I made my "loop" it would be about a 7 mile walk. Lotta good stump shots in that. Trying to get my legs right for a Mountain adventure this coming year anyway.
I headed across a fine oak flat that funneled into a tall ridge and Beaver pond. Years ago when I deer hunted here I would see a good many deer use through the edge of the ridge and I have seen a few pigs there as well....
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They are still using here as you can tell by this nice rub. I killed a doe under a White Oak maybe 8-10 years ago about 75 yards to the left of this tree. Kinda cool to go through some "Old" hunting spots like this and remember the hunts as if they just happened.
A little Farther down and there was a bit of old pig sign. about 100 yards from here is where my Very Good Friend "MudFeather" got his name..
(http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/rcswampbucket/IMG_0251_zpsd961a29b.jpg) (http://s172.photobucket.com/user/rcswampbucket/media/IMG_0251_zpsd961a29b.jpg.html)
I went on about another 100 yards where the funnel tightened up some and started wishing I had hunted here THIS year some...
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I crossed a small run of water and went out into some small ridges that jutted out into a marsh. There was some beat down paths coming across them. the last time I hunted here you could not even begin to walk through this stuff because it was so thick. I had a good wind and even though the pig sign was sparse I took my time looking thinking if pork was here it would be in these thicker areas. I caught a glimpse of movement ahead and a flash of white and spotted a deer. I eased to within 40 yards before I got busted. Can`t shot one here now but its fun to try and sneak up on one.I walked to where it crossed and found a fine trail with an old beaver/pig tree...
(http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/rcswampbucket/IMG_0253_zps90f35b57.jpg) (http://s172.photobucket.com/user/rcswampbucket/media/IMG_0253_zps90f35b57.jpg.html)
Crossed the last finer of pines and dropped off into the Swamp. A beautiful day to be stirring with the longbow. I shot a lot of arrows before I reached this spot. This tree with a high water mark on it caught my eye and I took a pic of it..
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The swamp is narrow at this particuler spot and I was standing on the River bank before long. The Altamaha at just a bit over 3 miles old from where the Ocmulgee and Oconee Rivers merge to Birth it....
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I looked down from the river bank and spotted this Turtle that did not make it...
(http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/rcswampbucket/IMG_0258_zps5db73f91.jpg) (http://s172.photobucket.com/user/rcswampbucket/media/IMG_0258_zps5db73f91.jpg.html)
I then headed on away from the River NorthWest to spot I have hunted a lot. Then it was a good bit thicker and Deer were seen at least half of the times I climbed.
In this pic you can see a persimmon tree that is now dead near center of the picture. I killed a doe standing under it years ago . she had two more does with her and I shot her with a homemade longbow. I was climbed in the cypress tree a bit left near the palmetto from the persimmon. About a 12 yard shot. The bright eye tack I used to mark the tree was rusted and gone...
(http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/rcswampbucket/IMG_0260_zps2d40ff69.jpg) (http://s172.photobucket.com/user/rcswampbucket/media/IMG_0260_zps2d40ff69.jpg.html)
A little bit farther...I gotta get in here next years deer season..
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On through the swamp I went ...Make a sound you reckon....
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:campfire:
I crossed a big palmetto flat and came to a Slew. ducks were on it when I came up and flew off. If I would have had an arrow on the string I woulda probably shot one.........next slide please.
(http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/rcswampbucket/IMG_0264_zps2f6b48bc.jpg) (http://s172.photobucket.com/user/rcswampbucket/media/IMG_0264_zps2f6b48bc.jpg.html)
Heck of a funnel around the end of it. Lots of deer sign. I walked about 50 yards from here and jumped one. Notice the bass bed with leaves in it at the bottom of the pic..
(http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/rcswampbucket/IMG_0265_zps95addbdb.jpg) (http://s172.photobucket.com/user/rcswampbucket/media/IMG_0265_zps95addbdb.jpg.html)
On up the other side and there is another fine rub...
(http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/rcswampbucket/IMG_0266_zps4afeba3d.jpg) (http://s172.photobucket.com/user/rcswampbucket/media/IMG_0266_zps4afeba3d.jpg.html)
at the end of another slew there is another fine crossing coming from the bank on the other side as well as another bass bed...
(http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/rcswampbucket/IMG_0267_zps7a0b3e3f.jpg) (http://s172.photobucket.com/user/rcswampbucket/media/IMG_0267_zps7a0b3e3f.jpg.html)
Another slew close to the River covered in deer tracks and a small bit of pork sign...
(http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/rcswampbucket/IMG_0268_zpsf106326a.jpg) (http://s172.photobucket.com/user/rcswampbucket/media/IMG_0268_zpsf106326a.jpg.html)
(http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/rcswampbucket/IMG_0269_zpsf3670302.jpg) (http://s172.photobucket.com/user/rcswampbucket/media/IMG_0269_zpsf3670302.jpg.html)
A huge cypress aint it? If you`ve been to swamper school the persimmon on the right would have caught your eye with plans of deer killing in Sept next year...
I love getting to see your part of the world, RC!
Bisch
Thanks for taking us along . :coffee:
Aside from running into any slithering creatures with fangs...that looks like a great place to still hunt for the day. Some great deer sign too....as always...great photos.
Finally after a whole lotta walking I come across a Beaver pond with a whole bunch of pig sign . Not a lot is fresh, I walked the whole edge with high hopes but no pork was around..
(http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/rcswampbucket/IMG_0273_zps058b4504.jpg) (http://s172.photobucket.com/user/rcswampbucket/media/IMG_0273_zps058b4504.jpg.html)
There were plenty of rubs around it though...
(http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/rcswampbucket/IMG_0274_zpsaaf70844.jpg) (http://s172.photobucket.com/user/rcswampbucket/media/IMG_0274_zpsaaf70844.jpg.html)
I crossed another rise where I killed a White pig years ago with the first bow I ever made. A short recurve..I was proud of that bow. Had to snap a pic of this fine Christmas Tree the good Lord planted for us to admire...
(http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/rcswampbucket/IMG_0275_zpsf582f56a.jpg) (http://s172.photobucket.com/user/rcswampbucket/media/IMG_0275_zpsf582f56a.jpg.html)
Good pork crossing here I`d say...
(http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/rcswampbucket/IMG_0276_zps1ca0d156.jpg) (http://s172.photobucket.com/user/rcswampbucket/media/IMG_0276_zps1ca0d156.jpg.html)
And finally with some tired legs and a lot of bow shots I`m about back to the truck and spot another fine Christmas Tree. Which I hope does not make you think of Santa Claus but of Christ that is here to save all. God Bless and Merry Christmas.RC
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RC, Thanx for sharing, we are very cold and snowy here so its nice to take a walk with you.
Awesome walkabout there Robert. I would like to go along with you cause we've got a bit of snow on the ground and it's supposed to be 5 degrees in the morning.
Thanks for taking us with you.
Very fine walk indeed Robert
Thanks Robert. Enjoyed it as always.
:thumbsup: Nice trip you took us on!!
That is a pretty stretch of country.
great pics and thanks for the walk in the southern states!!
Thanks for sharing RC!!
That's some great looking country you have there RC :thumbsup: .
Love the bass beds not many would of known what made them. Bet there's all kinds of bob cats and coyotes there. Great pictures
Beautiful Robert! Fine day bud.
Thanks for that, I really like Georgia.
I dug around and found some pics. this is the doe I killed on the white oak...Homemade longbow and snuffer..
(http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/rcswampbucket/bullarddoe.jpg) (http://s172.photobucket.com/user/rcswampbucket/media/bullarddoe.jpg.html)
The white pig I killed with my first homemade bow..
(http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/rcswampbucket/laughingwhitepig.jpg) (http://s172.photobucket.com/user/rcswampbucket/media/laughingwhitepig.jpg.html)
Still looking for a pic of the one killed on the persimmon.RC
Thanks RC, enjoyed the walk...
Very nice buddy
Great photos! I really dig the white pig.
Sounds like a chapter from Maurice Thompson. Thanks
Awesome day in the swamp, brother!
Merry Christmas to you, and all the gang!
Bisch
A great way to end my day!! Always enjoy going to the swamps with you!
That's a good Christmas present to everyone on Trad Gang RC. It's like getting 20 postcards at once. You have a blessed Christmas and thanks for sharing that!
That's beautiful country you got there . I wouldn't mind making my way down there sometime
A journey travelled by many while the treasures remain obscure for many.
Thank you for sharing a splendid outing.
Grea Pictures Robert. Thanks For taking us on your hike.
Brother, I always enjoy our walks together especially when they take you down "good memory lane".
Great pictures and story telling.
God bless,Mudd
I'd be excited too seeing those big rubs for next September's deer hunts! I always enjoy your pictures of the swamp country. Thanks for sharing your hike in the woods!
Bernie Bjorklund
NC Iowa/SW Wisconsin
Nice diversity in a public land spot, looks like some good sign for next season. Good luck pursuing the hogs, Thanks for the great pix.
Thanks for sharing, RC.
Love those tree pics. You're right, it's nice to get back to the "old hunting grounds" and remember particular spots. Looks like yours will need a re-visit during the season, for sure.
Thanks for the show RC! :thumbsup:
You are a great woodsman RC...and I am certain it makes god happy when you walk among his creation.
Few people appreciate what he has done as much as hunters, and in my minds eye I can see him smiling as you walk along an remember all of your adventures!
Outstanding thread. Thanks for taking us along, and I like many other look forward always to your threads
Thanks RC, I love your posts!
Thanks for sharing RC.....felt like I was walking along with you except my legs aren't as tired. :thumbsup:
Awesome pictures, Long walks like this are great for the soul. Thanks for the share.
Thanks, that was great.
RC,
You are in a heaven on earth.
Thanks for taking us along again. I look forward to all of your posts.
Amazing how I can be sitting here in the snowy mountains in sub zero weather and suddenly be taking a swamp walk...Thanks RC..and Merry Christmas. Wouldnt it be nice if Christmas put more people in mind of Christ and a little less of Santa.
:thumbsup:
That was very cool.
Thanks for taking us with you!
You have definitely been blessed sir :thumbsup:
Looking forward to more of your stories.
Man that is a wonderful place. I hunt gators there and it is a place of unreal beauty.
Thanks for the pictures RC. Hopefully I will be recovered enough that I can start back to walking the swamps next month.
Absolutely wonderful...Thanks for the present...Merry Christmas to you.
Thanks, RC, and those Christmas Trees indeed are reminders of Him...not the fat guy with white beard!
Thanks for taking us along. Im glad you share your hunts and especialy glad you share the Good News!
Made my evening RC...... nice read while sitting in front of the fireplace, sipping coffee with a splash of Bailey's Irish Cream in it and a slice of Key Lime pie........ :campfire: :coffee:
Thank you very much for taking us along. I always look forward to reading your threads. You are a gifted story teller and picture taker.
Thanks for the walk... :thumbsup:
Great Story,Thanks for shareing
Very cool! Thanks for sharing your day and stomping grounds with us RC. Great pics as always.
Thank you. I am currently in DC, going through some training before heading off to Afghanistan, weather here is rain, sheet, and snow. Great to see those pictures, I love the south Georgia swamps and wish I had some way to make a living there. Keep it up...h*ll of lot better than where I am now....
RC, you need to consider writing a hunting book featuring your photography. You could call it Pig Man's Photo Journal. Thanks for posting so many interesting items.
Well done, thanks for sharing.
RC, thanks for taking us on your Hunt!
Back to the tip top for my bud RC...... He said "Lets go for a walk", so bumping it back up top so some can "Go for a good read "...... :coffee:
Loved it thanks RC. Wish I could wonder for miles on public land particularly this time of the year.
great pics ! thanks for sharing.