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Post by freedomrules3 on Dec 2, 2005 23:04:14 GMT -5
Ive been onto this big buck but he seems to have dissappeared , except for his tracks. i may have an idea where he is, now the problem.... getting to it . i checked out access to the island from one side today with a no go. i would have to take in a small boat to cross a creek. here is the higher ground in the marsh  i am going to try and access between the two woodlots in the picture. if i can get to the one on the left i may be able to get to the island or higher ground  as you can see the marsh grass goes forever  i'm hoping to do some more exploring tomorrow on how to get over there. i hope its worth all the effort. the deer can easily move back and forth as trails are everywhere in the marshgrass |
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Post by Buckfever on Dec 2, 2005 23:39:01 GMT -5
I have a similar situation here in IL. On one of the parks there is an Island Oak flat in the middle of a marsh and there is an island thicket off of that. I chased a 12 last year for 2 and a half weeks. I swear looking at that picture it looks damned near the same. I just kept following the deer trails till I found the best way in. But yeah to the small woodlot, they'll be running across there anyway. Once you find your way in, you might want to give some thought as to how you'll get him out.
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Post by eshoremd on Dec 3, 2005 0:07:53 GMT -5
that islands big enough for the both of us. i can get us in there. air boat?  |
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Post by freedomrules3 on Dec 3, 2005 0:39:07 GMT -5
here is an aerial of the place. notice the higher ground above the pond in the marsh. the woodlot to the left is the one in the picture. i think i can make it there but will piss off a few hunters along the way  .  here is a closer version of where i plan to cross the marsh.  |
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Post by ncboman on Dec 3, 2005 2:02:09 GMT -5
You might do well to keep watch of the tide charts when you go for it. If you can cross at high tide, I'd figure it doable at any time. Wouldn't want to cross on low tide and find you have to wait to get back. The deer trails should show you the easiest way back and forth. Some long reeds with reflective tape stuck along the way may help guide you back later. |
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Post by ncboman on Dec 3, 2005 18:18:01 GMT -5
well??? did you manage to get over there and back without going over your boots? ;D
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Post by freedomrules3 on Dec 3, 2005 18:24:05 GMT -5
lol, i was sooo close but no cigar. i got into some pretty sinking mud and felt i should leave better alone..... for now. i have to figure a way to be able to park closer somehow. its about 2 miles or so 1 way. mucky marsh isnt the best walking either, neither is corn stubble . i'll get the camera and show some pics of the cowpaths going to the island . i must find a better way. |
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Post by ncboman on Dec 3, 2005 18:41:05 GMT -5
Is the grass over your head once you get into it?
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Post by freedomrules3 on Dec 3, 2005 18:48:34 GMT -5
no the grass isnt bad at all. i really got pretty close to being on it . this is how close, notice the muck at the bottom of the picture.  the deer went through this but first step into it i knew i didnt want to try it. a 15 inch wide piece of plywood maybe.   |
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Post by freedomrules3 on Dec 3, 2005 19:05:50 GMT -5
here are a few pics of the cowpaths, this picture says it all . island is in the background    these are heavily traveled paths, my guess is its dark when they are on them .. wouldnt want to let the hunters know where we are lol |
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Post by eshoremd on Dec 3, 2005 19:57:29 GMT -5
what area is that
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Post by freedomrules3 on Dec 3, 2005 20:17:19 GMT -5
still didnt put a boot on the island. this appears to be a looong project . i may need to make some sort of a makeshift bridge or 2. i did get a chance to look at the trees and get some sort of layout of the island. there are some oaks in the middle of the pines. there is a tall phragmite grass section between two main high ground places. there were trails and tracks everywhere leading to and from it. i may have found a honeyhole or a nightmare lol i'm not quite sure which yet.
Todd,
cant quite say on the internet, wouldnt want to have company that i didnt know. it is public though.
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Post by ncboman on Dec 3, 2005 20:20:52 GMT -5
looks like you could make it with hip boots, maybe a Sunday walk with some scrap plywood would get you there.
You'll need a sled of some type to get the deer out.
I doubt a 4 wheeler would do it but I know a 3wheeler with balloon tires would cross it, of course that probably wouldn't be legal.
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Post by freedomrules3 on Dec 3, 2005 20:44:26 GMT -5
this could be something i may want to leave until rifle and muzzleloader seasons are over. i am just curious as hell to whether this is a refuge for them or not. i have found the best place i think to get close. just a couple of mud obstacles and i could get onto the island. i would love to have a webcam set up facing that path leading to the island |
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Post by Buckfever on Dec 3, 2005 21:35:56 GMT -5
Maybe one of those folding aluminum ladders. I don't like the idea of leaving anything down that would educate other hunters. It wouldn't take much to ruin that spot. I'd still prefer that you keep at it and find a way in without needing anything. Of course once you get on the island it's a lot easier to figure that out as you'll get to see all the trails coming in. As far as figuring things out, if this place is anything like the refuge I found over here, on the first scouting trip you'll have all your answers. I found a rub line with fresh shaving that I could literally follow back to his bedding area. And the character of the rubs left little doubt about the quality of the rack. I mean deep gashes in the wood and in this type of setup, typically there will be excellent opportunity to observe the size of the tracks.
If I were you I wouldn't wait for nothing. If anything once the guns are done, he might leave the island. Plus the main island may not be where he beds. He might be on one of the small adjacent ones.
I'm going to pull up a picture of the one I hunted last year.
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