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Author
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Topic: Hunting Swamps and Marshes
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csmithers
unknown comic
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posted March 28, 2011 07:07 PM
In MI where I hunt the coyotes live in the swamps and marshes, IMO, because people usually don't go traipsing through them. It provides great cover and of course food and water.
In my area I can walk around fields and in the woods for hours and not see a track or any sign at all. Believe me, I've done it many times. But as soon as I step just inside the edge of a marsh, the ground comes alive with sign. They of course use the woods as well, but I have noticed, a lot of times it is just for passing from one swamp to another. This is where I call! The shortest distance in the woods between two marshes make the best stands for me.
A lot of deer hunters say, "I saw a bunch of coyotes when I was out hunting deer but I can't call any in!" Well, if you want to kill a big buck, you're in the most inhospitable place for a human to be, a swamp. So why would you abandon the place you saw coyotes to go and call field edges? They live in the same place. Swamps! Marshes! Places you and I normally don't go! That's where I hunt. Because, that's where, in my experience, they spend most of their time, 'round here.
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Cdog911
"There are some ideas so absurd only an intellectual could believe them."--George Orwell.
Member # 7
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posted March 28, 2011 07:22 PM
smithers,
I've only been in Michigan once, and that was around Spring Arbor. Paved roads every 1/8-mile, so very non-conducive to calling coyotes.
If your heavy cover areas are like ours (yes, Kansas does have some), I'm a firm believer that coyotes are a product of their environment and that if there is structure or cover to exploit, they will, and often to get downwind and that being able to read the coyotes in new country is only as hard as being able to read the terrain and cover and anticipating how the coyotes move in and around it. No true revelation in those statements. LOL
But, what do you do to hunt these swamps? How large of tracts are we talking before you get some openings? How do you set up? Put a gunner downwind of you or sit well downwind of the caller to intercept? What kind of human presence is there for the coyotes to deal with? Are they bumped often, people within a quarter-mile?
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I am only one. But still, I am one. I cannot do everything, but still, I can do something; and, because I cannot do everything, I will not refuse to do something that I can do.
Posts: 5440 | From: The gun-lovin', gun-friendly wild, wild west | Registered: Jan 2003
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TA17Rem
Hello, I'm the legendary Tim Anderson, Southern Minneesota Know it all
Member # 794
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posted March 28, 2011 08:24 PM
Same way here smithers.. That marsh is there comfort zone and most are'nt about to leave it for anything. My area consists of smaller patches so the coyotes do have to come out at some point in time to find more food or get to the next patch, plus most sections here are one mile square..
Since the section are so small all a caller can do is walk in just a short ways and set up along the edge and hope its good enough for the coyote to feel comfortable enough to come in..
Up north where we have the big swamps, like you said they are full of life and if you can find a narrow strip going from one to the other is a good place to call from...
The areas with large cattail patches I would look for a cleared out area close to a muskrat house and set up there on top of the house...
Usually there would be runs going from one pot hole to the next and the coyotes would use these for travel..
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What if I told you, the left wing and right wing both belong to same bird!
Posts: 5615 | From: S.D. | Registered: Jan 2006
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csmithers
unknown comic
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posted March 28, 2011 08:29 PM
But, what do you do to hunt these swamps?
There is usually point of elevation surrounding the marshes so I will find a likely crossing area and set up with a cross wind. They usually approach to within 10-20 yds of the edge and stop and survey.
How large of tracts are we talking before you get some openings?
Openings are relative and all about what you are used to. The marshes are filled with dead and dying trees and it's thick but not tall and nasty. There are openings but i pass those up. ![[Smile]](smile.gif) Southern Michigan is mainly farmland and probably close to what you see in Kansas. A lot of the land is long but not wide. Could be a 1 mile long section that's only a 1/4 mile wide. It varies. Most of the land I hunt is public land so it's a big area cut into a million pieces by roads.
How do you set up? Put a gunner downwind of you or sit well downwind of the caller to intercept?
I hunt alone majority of the time. Crosswind most often. Wind in my face if I have a reasonable view of the area. Rarely face downwind. We have mainly westerly wind so I try and head into an area from the East and work my way west. Calling softly the sound doesn't travel far. But I have found that, for me, calling loud and often works best. These coyotes aren't starving so I'm mainly trying to get their curiosity up and working.
What kind of human presence is there for the coyotes to deal with?
Well, there are 1.2 million people in the county I live in. Some areas are more desolate than others but there are people pretty much everywhere. I told my brother once about this PERFECT spot I had found out in the middle of nowhere. Took me a half hour to get there trampling weeds and briars tearing my face up. I set up and start calling and 5 minutes in, here come two jackoffs on their mountain bikes 60 ft behind me, whoopin' it up. There was a friggin trail RIGHT THERE! I nearly killed myself getting to it and Lance Armstrong and his buddy ride by in their nuthuggers and fanny packs. I do most of my hunting at night for this reason alone.
Are they bumped often, people within a quarter-mile?
I don't think they are bumped often. Maybe more during deer season when the masses descend on the woods. They are pretty much like the deer, you have to get pretty damn close when they are bedded in the thick stuff for them to get outta Dodge. Always people! People and more people!
It's fun. I have a good time:)
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RagnCajn
ADDS ABSOLUTELY NOTHING
Member # 879
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posted March 28, 2011 09:05 PM
Swamps, did someone say swamps?
I have three tactics for these situations and they are all wind direction sensative.
First scenario-If there is any type cover downwind for me to get into undetected, I will sit in it and call to the swamp. He will come out at least to the edge and take a look see.
Second Scenario-No cover down wind, walk straight into the wind right up to the cover. About 100 yards before I hit my sit spot, I will drop the caller off. Sit about a foot back into the cover and hit the sound. Watch right and left. Unless he jumps over your head, he will swing out from either side and trot down the cover towards the caller.
Third scenario-Shotgun only, walk just far enough into the cover till you can find a 30-50 yard area that is open enough to see through. Set the caller at the outer limits of your shotgun, upwind. He will come in fast most of the time because he feels so safe in there. Stealth of getting there is of importance. I just started doing this during the last season. They had quit coming out of the thick using the first two options and I knew they were in there. Picked up a few doing it that way.
Those are my tactics and your results may vary.
Posts: 362 | From: Shreveport LA | Registered: Jul 2006
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JD
HONORARY OKIE .... and Tim's at fault!
Member # 768
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posted March 28, 2011 11:00 PM
Good set ups Ragin, I've done exactly like your second suggestion on a couple tough areas with very good success. In fact I can remember a couple in particular that ended up working the edge of the cover until they were nearly against my leg, still intent on seeing what was making the noise, very effective in super thick stuff with a definite border. If the wind is in your favor.
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Jason
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What do Obama & TA17Rem have in common........both are clueless asshats!!!
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Leonard
HMFIC
Member # 2
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posted March 28, 2011 11:15 PM
I just had a brilliant idea, Randy! You need a SkeeDoo. Run in a circle, chum liberally and drop anchor downwind. Perfect!
GH/LB
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EL BEE Knows It All and Done It All.
Don't piss me off!
Posts: 32365 | From: Upland, CA | Registered: Jan 2003
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Greenside
seems to know what he is talking about
Member # 10
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posted March 29, 2011 06:34 AM
I'm not sure if there's much diffence between swamps,marshes,crp,standing corn,sweet clover or sagebrush flats. Personally, I think your best bet is to get them out of it and kill them in the open.
Posts: 719 | From: IA | Registered: Jan 2003
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csmithers
unknown comic
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posted March 29, 2011 06:41 AM
The "swamps" I hunt are frozen over Maybe wetlands is a better term. Big nasty wet frozen and brush choked. Flooded in the spring, sorta dry in summer, wet again in the fall and frozen in mid December- March.
I use a shotgun 99% of the time.
I'll post a pic of a typical stand. Sitting 30-ish yards into the woods, facing the marsh. Unlike Ragn, I only go into the marsh usually only to find sign or if it is huge and I see an "island in the sea". I sit outside and watch the perimeter.
I walk along the edges checking for a point where they exit the cover to travel through the woods or onto a road or trail. When and if i can find the exit point I plop down right there.
Hunting this way puts the odds in my favor. If I were to hunt "open" woods they could come from any direction and get downwind much more often. I am sure I call a bunch that still go waaaay downwind and I'll never see them or know they were there but this works for me and I'm stickin with it. As long as the tracks and other sign dictate it.
Greenside, easier said than done The entire reason I hunt this way is because it works and getting them to come out into the open doesn't. AROUND HERE. AROUND HERE.
Edit: change Ragn's name
[ March 29, 2011, 09:50 AM: Message edited by: smithers ]
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Leonard
HMFIC
Member # 2
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posted March 29, 2011 01:24 PM
Randy's custom title was one I awarded due to inspiration coming from a post he made. I changed it recently and he squawked, wanted old title back; I accommodated his request.
I will agree with stinkers, calling them out into the open fields is easier said than done, but it can be done.
The problem is that shotgun strategies are very specific as to application, yet versatile within range limitations, which is obvious.
Finally, an application for those high tops. At least in Louisiana. Frozen ground, except when it thaws, I guess not so much. But, doesn't the whole concept of "swamp" change, when it's frozen?
Good hunting. LB
PS, but good info. I will have to remember it, if I ever stumble across a swamp.
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EL BEE Knows It All and Done It All.
Don't piss me off!
Posts: 32365 | From: Upland, CA | Registered: Jan 2003
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TA17Rem
Hello, I'm the legendary Tim Anderson, Southern Minneesota Know it all
Member # 794
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posted March 29, 2011 02:03 PM
quote:
I will agree with stinkers, calling them out into the open fields is easier said than done, but it can be done.
Sure it can be done and in most cases a caller has to go out at night when the coyote is more comfortable with leaveing the heavey cover....
Not too many here that will step out of heavey cover dureing daylight and the one's that do only step out just a few feet and about 300 yds from the caller...
When calling alone all you can hope for is you see the coyote soon enough and get a shot before they change there mind and dive back in..
If calling with a partner you can put the second shooter down range from youre stand a couple hundred yards and get a chip shot as they pop out for a look...
quote:
Finally, an application for those high tops.
Those high tops depending on what you get has alot of applications for there use..
They give you more ankle and lower leg support when walking on alot of uneven ground compared to the ankle boot..
They also protect youre ankles and lower legs from Cactus thorns, corn-stalks that have been cut off higher than normal, from plum brush that has been cut down by a beaver which leaves a area with lots of pointy sticks sticking up from the ground anywhere from 6" to a foot..They also help to keep the snow out, last thing you want is wet feet when hunting in the cold...
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What if I told you, the left wing and right wing both belong to same bird!
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Leonard
HMFIC
Member # 2
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posted March 29, 2011 02:20 PM
But, I was always told to blouse my pantleg to prevent snow getting inside my boot. Also protects from sticks, but I learned a long time ago, in the desert, you don't brush against any vegetation, or expect cactus spines, that may be hidden inside a another harmless bush. I know I rag on those high tops and I know they have value, but they look a little hokey.
GH/LB
edit: PS Randy wore them to the last campout and of course, evoked a comment from me. And, he told me he brought them just for that purpose. I guess I'm too predictable?
[ March 29, 2011, 02:23 PM: Message edited by: Leonard ]
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EL BEE Knows It All and Done It All.
Don't piss me off!
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TundraWookie
Knows what it's all about
Member # 1044
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posted March 29, 2011 02:27 PM
Smithers,
Have you ever done any calling around the Bald Mountain Rec area? The swamps you're talking about fit some areas of Bald Mountain to a Tee. It's been awhile since I've been back there though. If you're in area X....no need to elaborate further, I understand.
Posts: 857 | From: Alaska | Registered: Dec 2006
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TA17Rem
Hello, I'm the legendary Tim Anderson, Southern Minneesota Know it all
Member # 794
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posted March 29, 2011 02:49 PM
quote:
But, I was always told to blouse my pantleg to prevent snow getting inside my boot. Also protects from sticks, but I learned a long time ago, in the desert, you don't brush against any vegetation, or expect cactus spines, that may be hidden inside a another harmless bush. I know I rag on those high tops and I know they have value, but they look a little hokey.
I use to do that to Leonard since most camo pants are of military style with the draw string.. Problem was when doing alot of walking over snow that was'nt deep enough to use snow shoes the snow and what ever is under-neath it would push up on the side and sooner or later the bloused pant leg would be rideing up to high and snow would get in, plus there was no protection for youre lower legs.
When calling out in the Dakotas they have alot of pear catus in the areas I call and with a little snow cover it gets hidden.. On most of my stands I'm laying on my side so I want to protect as much areas of my body as I can from the catus... You get snagged by a few you catch on real quick.... ![[Wink]](wink.gif)
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What if I told you, the left wing and right wing both belong to same bird!
Posts: 5615 | From: S.D. | Registered: Jan 2006
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csmithers
unknown comic
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posted March 29, 2011 03:24 PM
Tundrawookie, I am in area X. There and up off of Oakwood Rd in Oxford Over in Holly Rec. And and and...
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JD
HONORARY OKIE .... and Tim's at fault!
Member # 768
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posted March 29, 2011 03:55 PM
quote:
On most of my stands I'm laying on my side so I want to protect as much areas of my body as I can from the catus.
Dang t-bag, those must be some REALLY HIGH high tops.
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Jason
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What do Obama & TA17Rem have in common........both are clueless asshats!!!
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Leonard
HMFIC
Member # 2
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posted March 29, 2011 04:35 PM
I know what he means. He's curled up in a semi fetal position, like one of those garden nymphs with the butterfly wings. They usually have a little critter perched on a finger and an angelic expression. That's our boy!
Oops. I apologize for that Lord, and be with those starving pygmies, if you will.
GH/LB
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EL BEE Knows It All and Done It All.
Don't piss me off!
Posts: 32365 | From: Upland, CA | Registered: Jan 2003
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JD
HONORARY OKIE .... and Tim's at fault!
Member # 768
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posted March 29, 2011 04:51 PM
Do you have pics of that?
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Jason
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What do Obama & TA17Rem have in common........both are clueless asshats!!!
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Leonard
HMFIC
Member # 2
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posted March 29, 2011 05:15 PM
Yeah, somewhere? I think it's a cute little chipmunk like those Golden Gophers that consistantly field a mediocre football team, year after year. Make that decade after decade.
Anyway, it's looking for fleas in his beard, or maybe giving him a kiss, I can't tell?
GH/LB
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EL BEE Knows It All and Done It All.
Don't piss me off!
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csmithers
unknown comic
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posted March 29, 2011 06:54 PM
It may not look like it with all the powder on the ground but these are two marshes. The one on top holds water all year and is quite open. The bottom is more brush and tree choked. It's more of a creek bottom wetland type terrain. I was looking for sign when these were taken, nothing doing with the top pic, sign was everywhere where the bottom pic was taken.
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R.Shaw
Peanut Butter Man, da da da da DAH!
Member # 73
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posted March 29, 2011 08:31 PM
I hunt a lot of areas here just like your photos. For me, most of the time, it is point A to point B when the coyote approachs. Not much trying to get down wind until the last moment and then it's too late. Very few hard chargers.
Posts: 567 | From: Nebraska | Registered: Jan 2003
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nd coyote killer
HUNTMASTER PRO STAFF
Member # 40
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posted March 29, 2011 08:38 PM
Thats what a lot of my wolf calling trip looked like!! I feel sorry for you boys.
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"Sure are cocky for a starving pilgrim" - Bear Claw
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TundraWookie
Knows what it's all about
Member # 1044
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posted March 29, 2011 09:41 PM
Smithers,
I'm with you now. I spent time out in the HRA when I was younger. Had family that lived in Holly. That terrain looks like lots of the stuff I call up here, very very similar looking. Fun times.
Posts: 857 | From: Alaska | Registered: Dec 2006
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TA17Rem
Hello, I'm the legendary Tim Anderson, Southern Minneesota Know it all
Member # 794
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posted March 29, 2011 10:23 PM
quote:
I know what he means. He's curled up in a semi fetal position, like one of those garden nymphs with the butterfly wings. They usually have a little critter perched on a finger and an angelic expression. That's our boy!
I've seen quit a few guys set up the same way, even Les J... Wonder what kind of little animal he has perched on his finger...
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What if I told you, the left wing and right wing both belong to same bird!
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RagnCajn
ADDS ABSOLUTELY NOTHING
Member # 879
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posted March 29, 2011 10:30 PM
Yes they will come out in the open from the thick stuff. If someone will tell me how to take a screen shot I will show the google map page of this place.
Here is a video my son did. Some have probably seen it before. His best friend was in on leave and wanted to go coyote hunting. A slight breeze was blowing into my face as I set up. I had them in the only only cover to be found. directly behind me is a drainage canal. This thicket I called him from is the same thicket I went in this year with the shotgun due to the wind from the North that day. On the other side, south side, there is nothing to sit in for a stand. I walked in about 75 yards with the wind in my face and had three there in about 30 seconds.
In this video, the shooter did not see the coyote till it was in the middle of the field. Shot with a 220 swift, 53 grin SMK.
[ March 29, 2011, 11:11 PM: Message edited by: RagnCajn ]
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