Great swamp

[SteveHo]

Anybody hunt great swamp NWR?????

[mudmarlin70]

watcha wanna know? I know the area well.

Conservation zone was shotgun or muzzy, the widerness area is muzzy only. SHotgun was earn a buck, the muzzy guys had hunter's choice. Numbers are down, but quality is up. They took some beauties this season. One group I know that does it every year had five bucks the first day, three of those were over 3 1/2 or 4 1/2 year olds including an 11 point 5x4 with split brows.

They may go back to earn a buck next season....up inthe air till next season.

[mudmarlin70]

couple swampers

[Bird Boy]

i go up there every year to hunt with my uncle on the special season youth day they have in there. last year was very unsuccesful. it poured all day andd in the afternoon was close to 60 degrees in late november. this year we went up and scounted and found our spot and then 2 days before the hunt we realized that we had to "claim" our permit. supposedly it was a new thing they added to the book and alot of people who were going to go had the same problem. but, ill get em next year. remember, if you do hunt there, make sure you claim your permit!!

[SteveHo]

That's pretty good. Do they still have the range qualification??? The last time I hunted there was 15+ years ago. Lots of does at that time and pretty small deer. I am looking for different places and was thinking about going back in there again. The area I was assigned to at the time was near the long walkway if you know where I'm talking about.

[Bird Boy]

there are many "long walkways" in it, the place is hugeee. do you know which parking lot you were in?

[mudmarlin70]

No more range day.

No more assigned areas. Participation is down and you can go in any of the lots as long as you're in the weapon specific zone.

Very different than 15 years ago. Far fewer deer. but much older age class on the antlered deer. 4 1/2 year olds on the eastern muzzy side is not an unrealistic goal even in the 4 day hunt. I highly recommend it if you hunt with a muzzleloader. But Craig is retiring after next season and the management will be up in the air after he is retired. DO it next season before things may change.

[fishy]

Somebody got that beast? What a buck:thup:

[mudmarlin70]

The one I sent you the video of Fishy??? Dont think so...may not have made it through last winter though. Thought I saw him early this fall, but cant be sure. They killed some big'uns this year for sure though.

Shoulda taken a pic of the one pole this season...looked real nice. The hunt was prime pre-rut this year. somethin like november 4, 5 , 6 and 7. They did great. Firearms just isnt my thing though.

[SteveHo]

I may go back up and try the ML. Would be nice to gun hunt the rut!!!!

[SteveHo]

Is it a pressured deer movement hunt or more of a natural movement hunt????

[Bird Boy]

deffinately natural on the youth day hunt there. have not yet hunted the reg season hunt in there