Todays Walk in the Swamp

[RC]

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..



 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..





 After that I crossed a wide dry slew and came upon an Island that at one time was a money maker..Illegally ..





Wonder if a Law Man busted those jugs??

Crossed on over the Island to another dry slew and a cool looking tree..

[Furseeker]

Looks like an interesting area to explore. Weather looked good too.

[RC]

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..

 

 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...

 

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....

 

Keep it coming RC!

Bisch

[wv lungbuster]

Sweet pics, and I thought WV only had these type of operations    :D

[KellyG]

oh a nice camp site.  

[DannyBows]

[Bud B.]

You could write a weekly periodical on swamp and WMA hunts. I love it!

[ti-guy]

[RC]

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..



 A tree with about 10 trunks..



 And finally the Altamaha. A cool looking chalk Bank on the other side..



 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..



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.



Made a safe walk out shooting a few stumps on the way with plans of a return trip in mind already..RC

[Day Dreamer]

Once again RC......Awesome!!

Thanks for sharing

[rainman]

Cool thanks for the story, I had to work today so I like to hear when others get out in the woods.

[gregk]

Thanks for sharing.    

[jcar315]

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.

[scbowhnter]

Good stuff as always!

[Thumper Dunker]

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

[njloco]

I enjoyed last week and this one too, thanks for sharing.

[Big Ed]

Thanks for the walk along!!

[Eric Sprick]

Love your walks RC, keep after it.

Eric