Down River Deer

[ko4nrbs]

Heading down river this week to deer hunt. Killed 3 there last year, spike, button buck and a nice doe. Been supplying deer meat for 3 different family's so I hope I get into them again.

Using the climbing tree stand and my trusty Exomax. No place to camp so I sleep in my boat. It's only about 40 yards or so from the tree I sit in. It's not as bad as it sounds but until I get dressed in the mornings it is cold. Morning lows supposed to be in the low to mid 40's with daily highs in the low to mid 60's. I will tie off in a creek about 100 yards or so from where it joins the river. It's right off the main river/navigation canal. Too much tree debris and Barge traffic to navigate it in the dark so I just camp in the boat to avoid the danger. Passing a barge in the dark on this river would spooky!!

I guess I should devise some type of temporary cover or shelter for the boat but never seem to get around to it. As it is now I tie off alongside a high bank that keeps me well below the deer's line of sight so adding height to the boat would enable to deer to see me. It is a chore climbing out of the boat and up the bank every morning but a small price to pay for such an excellent hunting spot.

My four daughters think I am crazy and have tried to talk me out of it but I intend to carry on as long as I can.

I was wondering how many of you have to really rough it to hunt your spots? The subdivision I hunt most of the time is a luxury hotel compared to hunting down river. Love my Doghouse blind and little propane heater!!

Bill

[retrieverman]

Good luck!

I’m planning to make it up to my place NW OK next weekend and assess the damage after the flood last week, and I hope to get to do a little hunting while I’m there.

[longbow joe]

I hunt a large tidal swamp .l can walk to my spot but sometimes after shooting one they run to the deepest of darkest muddy thick places.Thats why a dead ringer super freak is in my quiver this year......because you don't want them to cross the creek!!!

[Goose52]

In my younger days i had a stand on a hogsback in the middle of a large swamp. i wore waders going in & out and tied my sorels around my neck. despite the great sign on that little hump i never shot a buck there but after hauling the second doe thru the swamp i never went back! now there are wheeler trails to walk on that run right to most of my posts and if i discipline myself to take only the "money shots" the drags to a trail aren't bad at all. a concession to age but one that leads to more ethical kills.

[gerald strine]

Sounds like you have an interesting hunting set up I hope you have a great hunt, always kind of fun getting boats in the mix !

[ko4nrbs]

Spent all morning getting my hunting gear together for the Down River hunt. I learned the hard way to put everything in plastic totes and then label what's inside. Before I started doing that it was hard to remember where I had stashed everything the year before. Glad I figured it out!!

Perfect weather for the hunt and will head down river Thursday morning after it warms up a little. Offered to take one of my brother's who complains all the time about not having a good place to hunt but no sleeping in the boat for him.

I'll update how it went when I get back.

Bill