[Are swamps dangerous?]

From the age of 11, I trapped around and in swamps and survived to tell about it. That's not to say that you can be foolish when walking around in a swamp. There are features hidden under water. Slippery mud can put you into water over your head before you know it. When submerged creekbeds are totally under water and not all that obvious, slow things down and move with extreme caustion. Hip boots/waders can fill with water and put you into an "un-swimable" condition.

 

Boots can get stuck in the mud so tight you can't move your legs. Snakes were never a concern for me (western NY). Beavers can make some pretty treacherous features that can't always be seen. Underwater ditches, pot-holes, etc. I have also seen under-water entrances for bank-beavers that had some rather thin ceilings on them. So a cave-in along the creekbed might all of a sudden slide you into water over your head.

 

 I have been in situations that I wasn't completely sure I was going to get out of, so some common sense and a cautious attitude can help keep you out of trouble but with no guarantees. I always had a walking stick to probe ahead of me when I wasn't sure of what was there. I also kept all my movements down to careful un-hurried and thought out progress.

 

In our swamp, there was always a time of the year when you had to exercise a lot of extra caution. In the spring time, sudden thaws could elevate creeks and make surrounding swamp lands extra deep. There was even some parts of the swamp that actually developed a pretty severe current. Ice that was previously safe could develop soft thin spots overnight. In a race to save some of my traps that were in danger of washing out, there were a few times when I may not have used the best judgement.... lol.

 

Just use your head and recognize that there are a few dangers there that you won't find on high and dry land, and you will probably do all right. But like I said, there are no guarantees.

 

Thanks for all the advice Doc, you mentioned some things I haven't even considered yet.  I heard of bringing probing sticks to tap on nearby shrubs to scare snakes off, and for testing ground ahead of you as well so I'll be doing that this season for sure.

 

It's really the unknown that creeps me out, since I'll be alone I'm truly worried about those quicksand-like depressions that I may not be able to get out of.  My swamps don't have current, so I don't have to worry about that so much.  I'll be on my toes though, and take everything you mentioned into consideration.  Thanks Doc!

[Are swamps dangerous?]

What are the dangers of swamps/bogs/wetlands??   (eastern NY) 

 

 

 

 

 

- SNAKES?  (I've read that copperheads and rattlesnakes like wetlands)

 

- BEES/WASPS/HORNETS?

 

- FALSE SWAMP FLOORS?  (sinkholes)

 

 

 

 

^ I'm wondering if any of you have encountered any of these...

 

 

 

I'm obviously new to wetlands and hunting in general, sort of following in my father's foot steps this year but he's not with us anymore so I can't ask him for his advice...

 

 

Any help/warnings would be much appreciated everyone

[Public land? or Private?]

I mean I wouldn't show up in camo opening day and expect to get permission. now is a good time, not 2 weeks before deer/ duck season. I go in the summer before hay cutting and offer to help do hay, spring and fall are busy seasons for farmers and they are usually busiest then and a week or two before getting equipment ready to go or fixing problems. How would you feel if your up to your elbows in grease fixing your car/ truck and some comes up and interrupts you so yu have to crawl out from under it ti talk to them???  Or the owner is getting ready to walk out and hunt  and sees another hunter walking up his driveway? far away from a hunting season make you more respected as your trying ti secura a place in the future giving enough time to trade labor or lend a hand , scout , learnt the property lines before you hunt. asking someone to give up time to show you lines boundries no hunt areas (where he/she might hunt) ahead is just respectful and is much appreciated in todays world by good hard working people.  

 

That's great advice G-man, I'm going to the county clerk's office in an hour to learn the boundary lines of the area and then I'll go from there.  

 

Def wouldn't mind giving back to the owner with labor like you mentioned for a nice secure spot to hunt, that's for sure.  Respect goes a long way, you brought up a lot of good points.  Thanks bud

[Public land? or Private?]

all land is owned by someone, public lands are almost always properly marked..but I know of instances where private owners like to remove public land signs to keep people off......DEC has a very good interactive map.

 

Yeah I'm not sure, but I saw only one hunting stand with an old wooden ladder that was rotted so it hasnt been used in a long time.  I'm guessing hunters once used the lands, and either it was sold or it was never allowed to be hunted on and this stand was constructed before they started cracking down on illegal hunting... hmm

[Public land? or Private?]

_{From the County Clerk's office. Start with the closest address you can identify on the road and if possible determine the distance from that property to the one you want to knwo about. It isn't that hard to do.}

 

Thanks culver, will do.  

[Public land? or Private?]

tax maps are the way to go, most have an overhead of the town with boundries roughley laid out and the tax number in them. then its just a matter of looking up the number for the owner's address. If you don't own it someone does! take the time to figure it out and ask.. lots of people just want to know who's there and best to ask far away from any open seasons...

 

Thanks G-Man, I'll go check out some maps in my county clerk's office.  Or would a tax office be a better bet?

 

And I know!  I'm just trying not to step on anyone's heels here, I'd like to have a good season this year.  

 

 

What did you mean by "best to ask far away from any open seasons..." ?

[Public land? or Private?]

County clerks office will have info on who owns it.

Unless it is unmarked public land, you have already trespassed in getting those pictures.

Not being posted is not an invitation.

I go by a simple rule - if I don't have permission, I don't go.

 

Thats a good rule of thumb to go by Steve.

 

How would you get permission though if you don't know who owns the land?

[Public land? or Private?]

you only need to post this once you will get answers patience just like hunting

It is ilegal to hunt private land without permission posted or not

Public land is usually marked fairly well

 

Yeah sorry about the multi-post, on other forums it works but this one not so much.  Won't be doing that again...

[Public land? or Private?]

Wait, so before you actually know whether private or public...you walked it?

 

Wow.

 

I know, it was risky and I normally don't do that but I really like this spot and it's not too far from the road I drive in on.  I snapped a few pictures for this forum, and got out of there.  

 

If it's your land, I apologize!  lol

[Public land? or Private?]

How are we supposed to find out if land is public or private everyone?

 

I'm aware of the posted signs obviously but what if there are none?  I found a great spot (or at least I'm hoping so) for waterfowl hunting in my area but I'm not trying to piss anyone off by trespassing.

 

The swamp I have my eye on has about 3 duck nests spread out through it so I think it's a good spot to hunt.  

Here are some photos of the area to give you guys a better idea of what I'm talking about:

 

 

 

Photos 1 & 2 - the swamp

 

 

 

Photos 3 & 4 - an old hunting post with a ladder that's inaccessible due to age (looks like hunters once used this land at some point)

 

 

 

Photos 5 & 6 - an inaccessible (logging?) trail that's very overgrown with brush/fallen trees/moss

 

 

 

 

***It certainly looks like this location was once used but no longer anymore.  Is this a good sign?  Or can I expect trouble?  

Any input is really appreciated, as I'd like to get some spots marked down on my map for this season.