LIVE from the Saddle 2024

[mschultz373]

today was my first day going in and out on my kayak. hunted a swamp island that was about a .6mi paddle from the access road. I didn't hunt until last light, as I didn't want my first paddle out to be in the dark, but I would confidently do so next time.

while the kayak did well in the swamp, for this particularly area, I've decided waders would be the better tool. the water was probably never more than mid-thigh deep (4' ?), and the spots of alligator grass always needed more of push-pole to maneuver over. I also learned that I have to be extra diligent to not wack the sides with the paddle - the kayak is basically a giant hollow amplifier and if struck, it sounds like a giant drum. still, i'm pleased and excited to use it for more access in upcoming post-season scouting.



I scouted in and settled in this thick area that sat at a pinch on the swamp island. didn't scout a whole lot and didn't see much outstanding sign, but I liked this cover. I grunted and heard a deer in some water 10min later, and then 25min after my initial grunt I heard a short snort downwind of me. we all know that drill.


on my drive home I saw about 15 deer on the side of the interstate. eating grass. I called my buddy who was out in this swamp that morning and I told him: we need to hunt over grass. they barely have anything else to eat out here anymore...

 

[Blacksmith]

today was my first day going in and out on my kayak. hunted a swamp island that was about a .6mi paddle from the access road. I didn't hunt until last light, as I didn't want my first paddle out to be in the dark, but I would confidently do so next time.

while the kayak did well in the swamp, for this particularly area, I've decided waders would be the better tool. the water was probably never more than mid-thigh deep (4' ?), and the spots of alligator grass always needed more of push-pole to maneuver over. I also learned that I have to be extra diligent to not wack the sides with the paddle - the kayak is basically a giant hollow amplifier and if struck, it sounds like a giant drum. still, i'm pleased and excited to use it for more access in upcoming post-season scouting.
View attachment 99297


I scouted in and settled in this thick area that sat at a pinch on the swamp island. didn't scout a whole lot and didn't see much outstanding sign, but I liked this cover. I grunted and heard a deer in some water 10min later, and then 25min after my initial grunt I heard a short snort downwind of me. we all know that drill.
View attachment 99298

on my drive home I saw about 15 deer on the side of the interstate. eating grass. I called my buddy who was out in this swamp that morning and I told him: we need to hunt over grass. they barely have anything else to eat out here anymore...

Cut a pc of foam pipe insulation and slide it over the bottom 12" or so of your paddle shaft to keep from hitting sides of Yak.

 

[casts_by_fly]

today was my first day going in and out on my kayak. hunted a swamp island that was about a .6mi paddle from the access road. I didn't hunt until last light, as I didn't want my first paddle out to be in the dark, but I would confidently do so next time.

while the kayak did well in the swamp, for this particularly area, I've decided waders would be the better tool. the water was probably never more than mid-thigh deep (4' ?), and the spots of alligator grass always needed more of push-pole to maneuver over. I also learned that I have to be extra diligent to not wack the sides with the paddle - the kayak is basically a giant hollow amplifier and if struck, it sounds like a giant drum. still, i'm pleased and excited to use it for more access in upcoming post-season scouting.
View attachment 99297


I scouted in and settled in this thick area that sat at a pinch on the swamp island. didn't scout a whole lot and didn't see much outstanding sign, but I liked this cover. I grunted and heard a deer in some water 10min later, and then 25min after my initial grunt I heard a short snort downwind of me. we all know that drill.
View attachment 99298

on my drive home I saw about 15 deer on the side of the interstate. eating grass. I called my buddy who was out in this swamp that morning and I told him: we need to hunt over grass. they barely have anything else to eat out here anymore...

Be careful wading the swamps. Under 2' of water can be 2' of mud. If the water itself is waist deep that's about too much to risk wading. its too easy to hit a soft spot and you're suddenly over you're waders. Instead, next time you go take a pair of garden shears or hedge clippers with you and make your trail a little easier.

 

[NMSbowhunter]

I agree. Definitely something to be aware of. I went out this summer and tried to scout a spot and it looked pretty passable, about a foot of water and then mud but when I stepped into the water there was no bottom I ever found. I was wearing hip waders and luckily I just put that one leg in or it would have been interesting. I tend to step on clumps of marsh grass instead of actually wading the marsh, most times.

 

[mschultz373]

i've waded in this swamp before and the ground is hard enough to walk on. it's a cypress-tupelo swamp, if that makes any difference. I do keep meaning to put some small shears in my bag!

I have, however, had that experience in the marshes and it's kind of scary. i've heard people recommend using snow shoes in the marsh, on the 'floatante", that sort of semi-soft gress bed that you will fall through without warning?

 

[BTaylor]

Be careful wading the swamps. Under 2' of water can be 2' of mud. If the water itself is waist deep that's about too much to risk wading. its too easy to hit a soft spot and you're suddenly over you're waders. Instead, next time you go take a pair of garden shears or hedge clippers with you and make your trail a little easier.

And add a push pole.

 

[mschultz373]

And add a push pole.

I just put a length of brass pole from our backyard with the 'yak. ready to roll.

 

[NMSbowhunter]

I ended up the season today in the Wraptor sling saddle at a spot that I neglected this season. I just never got around to hunting it though I knew it should be good. I sat 9 to dark, saw a doe at 9:50 and I am a bit out of saddle shape from hunting off the ground so much lately. This was one of my primary scrape locations in thick cover. I decided to hunt it today just for fun, to round out the year. I had a camera soaking in there since March and I pulled it on the way out. As I thought, the action was mostly pre rut, which for us is the first 2 weeks in December. There was a good bit of doe activity, some bobcats, raccoons, coyotes, armadillos, spikes and several decent bucks. I need to get off my rear end and hunt it this upcoming season at the right time.

Anyway, it's been a good season. Now to start scouting...

 

[mschultz373]

Decent bucks?? Damn those look great to me!! Good spot

 

[NMSbowhunter]

Decent bucks?? Damn those look great to me!! Good spot

Yeah, if they know what's good for them, they won't walk by me when I'm in that tree, lol. I just need to be in it during the right time frame. The spot is not used much at all and certainly not by good bucks until a narrow window of time each year. Then it gets hot.

 

[BTaylor]

I just put a length of brass pole from our backyard with the 'yak. ready to roll.

I was thinking more like one made from cypress rather than brass, lol. Off season project for both of us. I actually have one roughed out, just need to finish it.

 

[gcr0003]

Didn’t get to hunt like I planned this year but am very blessed to get out this afternoon. Last one for me. Bumped 5-6 does coming in-maybe something else will swing around.

 

[boyne bowhunter]

Didn’t get to hunt like I planned this year but am very blessed to get out this afternoon. Last one for me. Bumped 5-6 does coming in-maybe something else will swing around. View attachment 99680

Sooooo jealous !!!!!

 

[gcr0003]

Sooooo jealous !!!!!

65 deg and skeeters might be a net neutral for ya haha!

 

[gcr0003]

I don’t trust a weatherman or a radar. Storms just aren’t predictable. Pleased that I chose to go despite the rain. I’m right on the edge of it and it hasn’t been bad. I bumped a nice narrow but tall 8pt out of some flooded corn coming in and I just got skylined by a doe that didn’t blow. Maybe something else will come on through. Last day of the season so my official last last hunt.

 

[Nosaj]

Doing a little ROS archery and 2TC practice!