Had a very good day today in Gods Country. Been having a bit of sinus trouble the last few days and finally slept very well last night . Rolled out about 9 this Morning and decided to put on the leafy suit and a grab my bow and gear with a few turkey calls and head to the swamp. The river has been flooded for near two months but has began to fall back some. So I hoped to be able to cover a few dry spots and maybe call an old swamp Rooster up.
 There was more water than I hoped and I spent a whole lot of time walking in it. Finally hit some high ground and set up against a big pine and called some.The sinus medicine I had took the night before was still on me and I caught a nap that lasted till the thermacel ran out of gas...it got ugly for a few minutes.

 I got up to move some and it hit me how beautiful the high ground I was on was.Lilies were flowered and it was just plain purty...



The ground was covered with them here...



This tree was begging for a picture...




I cut across and went to other side of this to another high spot...



I cut a good trail and could spot a few white oaks on a rise. I always like to check deep woods white oaks . If they feed its usually a good spot to remember for the fall.
I was easing up to them and spotted a nice keepsake for the trip..



 I went maybe a 100 yards farther . I was easing kinda slow because pig sign was getting thick and fresh and I felt a slight rustle in the leaves beside my foot and a slight "tap" on it. I looked down and about lost my breath for a few seconds...



 If you can see the impression in the leaves and ground at the bottom right of the pic ,that is where my foot was when I saw the rascal.I dont like snakes.

 I found another place to set up and call Turkeys for a while as I needed some time to regroup. No Turkey conversations again but did have a small bird land on my knee for a second. The leafy suit works good.Did not help my nerves much though. It began to get late and I wanted to get across most of the water headed back to the truck before dark . Its hard to judge water depth in the dark and the snake had me shook a bit still.
 I was headed along the edge of another small rise when I heard a stick break and a little bit of scuffling. I worked my way forward with the wind good and spotted 3 shoats. I managed to get 11 steps from one and he finally hit a small gap and I made a decent shot. Pig ran about 40 yards and fell 15 yards from the edge of a big run of water. Made it back to the truck with only a little water in the snake boots and no more reptile encounters. Never heard a Turkey the whole day but had a very good outing. Thank You Lord.RC

Good day indeed Robert.  Snakes are starting to move about around here as well. Don

Wow RC, that was a great day. I thank the Good Lord that you were not bitten by that hog of a copperhead. Did you kill the snake? Was the tap on your foot him striking? Anyway, congrats on the pig!!! I always enjoy your posts, so thanks for posting!!!

Charlie

RC you are a hog killin' machine!
I always read your posts.  Keep at it and congratulations.
Oh....and I hate snakes!
Ken

Nice  

RC,

That Copperhead would look good on that Stalker!  I've yet to run across a snake this spring, which has been usual for me, and like you I don't like running into a snake when my senses are not concentrating on the forrest floor!

Hey RC! A very good day indeed!      

And forgot to mention well done on another hog!

That looks like the pig I missed in the field at Ocmulgee RC. Thanks for getting him for me.  

The worst day hunting is better than sitting at the house or working.

Good for you RC!!

I am thankful you didn't have to deal with that slither stick much.

Thank you for sharing!

God bless,Mudd

Looks like a great day out........that snake woulda freaked me out BAD though. I like snakes........just not snakes that bite. I'm a bit too far north for them poisonous ones thankfully.
Darcy

Thanks guys. I don`t know if he "struck" me or not. I do know I felt it on the side of my shoe. It about had to be an attempt to bite.About 10 years ago I stepped on two copperheads at the same time. I felt one hit my leg twice and saw it once. I remember as I got away from them that I thought I was bitten. I pulled my pants leg up and not a mark. The Good Lord was taking care of a swamper again. No snakeboots for me back then. I told my Wife about it and she made me promise to get some so now I wear`m. Its a bad feeling to feel a snake under your foot.
A lot of folks scold me for killing a snake and if you don`t walk around where they are thick you may think they are cool. But let me tell you that where they are plentiful it ain`t cool to get on one.RC

Great Day RC!      

I know how bad you hate it when you're just trying to get back to the truck, but the pigs won't let you. Good stuff Robert.

Nice hog.
 Don't much like snakes though,couple close calls with rattlers in Eastern Wa.is why!

An excellent day RC and great harvest! Glad all was good with the snake though. Really hate them little suckers!!   :eek:

Nice pig RC.  I agree with you about the snakes!  I hate them, esp. the poisonous ones.  They can ruin a good hunt quick when you get surprised!  Again, nice pig!  You live in some beautiful country.  Thanks for the pics also.

That is a beautiful bit of swamp mate. That snake sure does have the camo idea sorted. Cheers for sharing.

nice

Very nice RC!