Are swamps dangerous?

[G-Hunter]

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

[sits in trees]

I love my swamps and they never hurt me. No sinkholes or false bottoms. Snakes only in the warmer weather maybe seen one or 2 in May turkey season, their fine. Wasp and hornet nests, no different than anywhere else in the woods.

Edited April 20, 2013 by sits in trees

[Doc]

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.

[Lawdwaz]

Only way to kill a swamp donkey is to hunt the swamp.  Fear no swamps.........................

[phade]

One of your best freinds in a swamp can be a good walk or poke stick to test areas that look bad.

The other is a rope strong enough to pull you out if you get stuck. And a cell phone.

[First-light]

One of your best freinds in a swamp can be a good walk or poke stick to test areas that look bad.

The other is a rope strong enough to pull you out if you get stuck. And a cell phone.

What he said.......

[G-Hunter]

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!

[G-Hunter]

One of your best freinds in a swamp can be a good walk or poke stick to test areas that look bad.

The other is a rope strong enough to pull you out if you get stuck. And a cell phone.

 

 

The rope idea is pretty smart actually, how would you set this up?  

 

Tie it around a tree then just keep tension on it as you wade out into the swamp?  Or would you actually tie it around your waist instead of just holding it?  Thanks man

[PREDATE]

I have a few of my spots outlined on Google earth. I tell my fiance where I will be and she knows she can find it on Google earth. I've never needed to be rescued, thus far!

Snakes are mostly not bothersome.

 Just don't take avoidable risks. Avoid injuries/lacerations and know how to apply a tourniquit.

Paracord could be a useful lightweight cordage for emergencies. A flashlight, knife and a lighter are good items to have as well.

[tuckersdaddy]

waterproof boots, a good topo map, and a gps (or compass if your old school). the 2 worst things ive found in the swap is wet feet and getting turned around. a few times ive gone out 'for a few hours', got turned around and it turned into an all day nature walk. not that i didnt enjoy it but its not recommened. so if its a new area a map and compass are handy. And waterproof boots. did i mention waterproof boots? 

[coonhunter]

watch out for beaver runs. Nothing like walking in knee deep water and suddenly dropping in up to your chest.

[Lawdwaz]

Today I was really on the edge...............

 

I took a walk in a pretty swampy area!  I made it back OK but believe me, I was on pins & needles.  Although it was only about 40 degrees and all the bad critters should have been snozzing, I still kept my eyes peeled for snakes, spiders, wasps, hornets, cougars & grizzly.

 

I probably should have had a walking stick but I felt pretty confident in NOT taking one after reading all the previous posts and great tips.

 

Phewwwwwwwww.  Pass the Bud Light................................................

[Pygmy]

Glad you survived, lawdwaz...

 

I  considered duck hunting once, but after considering the hazards of being around SWAMPS, I decided to stick with croquet and badminton...

 

Won't  you stop over to my place tomorrow after your nail appointment for some nice tea and crumpets ?

[Zag]

Walking thru a swamp one time one one leg went into a sink hole right up to my waist. It scared the crap out of me when I went down. I pulled my leg out of there super fast. Beside a boot full of mud and shaky legs for a few minutes no big deal!! Always watch ur step!!

[Doc]

waterproof boots, a good topo map, and a gps (or compass if your old school). the 2 worst things ive found in the swap is wet feet and getting turned around. a few times ive gone out 'for a few hours', got turned around and it turned into an all day nature walk. not that i didnt enjoy it but its not recommened. so if its a new area a map and compass are handy. And waterproof boots. did i mention waterproof boots? 

We have a swamp just north of Naples that has some very thick cattails that are well over your head. When you get a ways out into it, getting turned around and disoriented is a very real possibility. Then to make matters worse, there are several sets of canals and ponds that were dug by the DEC out in the middle that can force you to detour and switch-back. And then if you really get messed up, there is a river that will stop you cold. I was out there one time and spent a few hours that I really didn't want to. I never did go back out there again.

[wooly]

The only thing that freaks me out in a swamp are the leaches.

I've seen them stuck to everything from snakes, to frogs, turtles, fish, and ducks.

Never had one latch on to me, but I've had a few hitch hikers on my boots and pant legs. I like sloshing around in the swamps here in the summer to photograph the critters and insect life that's so abundant there, but I'm constantly double and triple checking myself for the little suckers!

[Lawdwaz]

Glad you survived, lawdwaz...

 

 

 

Won't  you stop over to my place tomorrow after your nail appointment for some nice tea and crumpets ?

 

Ohhhh, I can't wait !!  See you around 10am.

 

[Doewhacker]

I once got nervous just driving by a swamp, good luck. I heard there are leaches in swamps, and racoons.

[laketrout]

 
I can vouch for Pygmys crumpets, the tea---well------

[G-Hunter]

watch out for beaver runs. Nothing like walking in knee deep water and suddenly dropping in up to your chest.

 

what's a beaver run?  are they near the dams at all?  never heard of these things... not crazy about going swimming though.  Plus I have some waist waders and I've read that they can cause you to drown - some disagree but then some swear by it.  I wonder what the truth is...

 

Walking thru a swamp one time one one leg went into a sink hole right up to my waist. It scared the crap out of me when I went down. I pulled my leg out of there super fast. Beside a boot full of mud and shaky legs for a few minutes no big deal!! Always watch ur step!!

 

I know that feeling, not a good one.  Will waist waders bog you down if theyre filled up with water you think?  I mentioned it above but I'm tryin to get everyones feedback on this rumor

[G-Hunter]

The only thing that freaks me out in a swamp are the leaches.

I've seen them stuck to everything from snakes, to frogs, turtles, fish, and ducks.

Never had one latch on to me, but I've had a few hitch hikers on my boots and pant legs. I like sloshing around in the swamps here in the summer to photograph the critters and insect life that's so abundant there, but I'm constantly double and triple checking myself for the little suckers!

 

haven't ran into them yet, but then again I've just been scoping out swamps on their shores.  What creeps me out are the TICKS.  I'm always covered with about 30-40 of those bastards when I leave... leaches are no better though, can't wait to encounter my first dozen!  ....NOT lol

 

We have a swamp just north of Naples that has some very thick cattails that are well over your head. When you get a ways out into it, getting turned around and disoriented is a very real possibility. Then to make matters worse, there are several sets of canals and ponds that were dug by the DEC out in the middle that can force you to detour and switch-back. And then if you really get messed up, there is a river that will stop you cold. I was out there one time and spent a few hours that I really didn't want to. I never did go back out there again.

 

 that's not too good, the swamps I go in sound a lot like that actually.  you recommend just bringing a good compass man?  and are there any ways judging by surroundings to tell where there are ponds/canals dug before stepping in them?  I feel like a probing stick can only do so much, if there's another way to spot any red flags before plunging into them with just a stick to guide my way that'd make me feel more confident in the swamp for sure.

[Doc]

haven't ran into them yet, but then again I've just been scoping out swamps on their shores.  What creeps me out are the TICKS.  I'm always covered with about 30-40 of those bastards when I leave... leaches are no better though, can't wait to encounter my first dozen!  ....NOT lol

 

 

shit.  that's not too good, the swamps I go in sound a lot like that actually.  you recommend just bringing a good compass man?  and are there any ways judging by surroundings to tell where there are ponds/canals dug before stepping in them?  I feel like a probing stick can only do so much, if there's another way to spot any red flags before plunging into them with just a stick to guide my way that'd make me feel more confident in the swamp for sure.

The ponds and canals are simply barriers that keep you from traveling a straight line. They are very obvious as the areas around them are lined with the dredgings that were piled up to form banks. There is no way that you could accidentally step into them unless you are trying to travel at night. Also, around these canals and ponds, the muskrats have pretty thoroughly undermined the banks at the waters edge and what may look like solid dry ground, may cave away under your weight. 

 

Actually, these dredged out areas are good places to regain your bearings because the banks are elevated and give you a view from above the cattails of surrounding landmarks. What these features do pose is an interuption to maintaining a straight line of travel to maintain. That makes compass use a bit frustrating, because you have to do a lot of twisting and turning to get around these things. Some of those canals are quite long and irregular in shape. Maybe a GPS unit might be more useful. If you plan on going out in an area like this, I would suggest a good detailed aerial map might make planning such a trip a whole lot easier.

[martin]

If you can...Listen for automobiles as well. Look at a map on-line and plan your trip. Start slow and pick a small section and learn it. Then continue on to another section. Bring something to cut branches or other things out their. Make a path and stick to it. Tie orange markers on branches to help you get in and out all the time. Leave notes on them witha sharpy. Hope this helps. Walked many swamps in Oswego county. They are fun but have been swimming not to my liking. Good luck and keep us posted.

[coonhunter]

G-Hunter,

 

What I call a beaver run is an underwater trail in relatively shallow water. I used to hit them once in awhile when I ran hounds. Just like I said, you are minding your own business walking along, and in one step you drop down an extra foot or two. Then, to top it off, you stumble up the other side of the run and get even wetter.

[clayshooter25]

A few years back I went into a swamp in Putnam county with a shotgun and a backpack in the dark after duck. I was headed to a particular spot where I could get out of the muck by sitting on a downed tree using my gps. Wearing chest waders, my right foot went deep into the muck - up to my knee. When I couldn't get any leverage I began to panic and worked up a serious sweat. I didn't want to dip my gun nor did I want to fall over. After a period of time I calmed down since I realized if I just stood still the situation wasn't getting any worse. I finally got my foot out by slowly shifting it and giving the muck time to fill in under the boot. When I was finally out the sun had risen and I was physically and emotionally spent, so I just walked out and got some breakfast at a local dinner and headed home early. I never told my wife that story or she would give me a hard time going out alone.