If flotation and wading are out then you're left with looking for another place to cross. Are there no shallow spots above or below an "S" curve? The animals are crossing somewhere so maybe find the trail that crosses & use it?
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how would you cross a water obstacle
- Thread starter tahtah
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If flotation and wading are out then you're left with looking for another place to cross. Are there no shallow spots above or below an "S" curve? The animals are crossing somewhere so maybe find the trail that crosses & use it?
That's probably very good advice. I'm guessing you are speaking from experience. Would you expound on it a little?
This is a channel of back water. The deer are accessing the other side via a very swampy area at the end and where it does indeed get shallow enough to cross with my hip waders. I attempted to cross through the swamp the other day and it's possible. However, there are a lot of downed trees and a lot of suctioning mud. It was very difficult to navigate even a quarter of a mile. For safety reasons, I wouldn't do it in the dark and I'm unsure I could drag my jet sled through the maze of down falls and undergrowth.
I've looked. I haven't found any other way in other than going through a swamp, which is pretty difficult to navigate. And your point about the depth of mud is a real concern.
lol
Well-Known Member
Get you some mudder boots.
Yes indeed. I just ordered a pair of lightweight waders from Amazon. They are supposed to arrive tomorrow.
I'll carry them in, put them on for the crossing. I'll probably also wear a lifejacket and tie a rope at both sides for something to hold onto and be able to pull myself out if something goes awry. Hopefully there are no trail cams in the area to capture me wearing waders and a lifejacket, while carrying a treestand over my head. I'm sure that'll be a sight.
Of course, waiting on MADBOWH to let me know why it's a bad idea. I'd much rather learn from someone else than figure it out the hard way! Thanks for all the suggestions and input.
Missin out on an opportunity to be a Legend with the pole vault idea. Just sayin...
deerhunter10
Well-Known Member
Why? There's no big deal to waders, they just need to be packed in and out. Just be careful like with anything.
I've stripped down and waded across stuff like that before, but not 3-4' deep. The jet sled may help to keep pack, clothes and stand dry ifn ya did
That sounds like a good plan. And I wouldn't worry what anyone else thought if they see you doing it. You'll be the one hunting where nobody else can get. I'm also not sure why waders are a bad idea. I've done it and they absolutely allowed me to access ground I otherwise wouldn't have gotten to. If you're clumsy or in bad enough shape that you can't get yourself out of a pickle then I understand why it would be a bad idea, but I'm guessing if you're even considering getting into that area you're probably capable & comfortable enough to do so.
Weegee
Well-Known Member
Make sure you wear a wader belt in addition to the life jacket.
I deal with same situation where I hunt in Illinois, it is a little bit time consuming and aggravating but I pack in waders, when I get to the river crossing I have a folding camping chair stashed where I set down to take boots off and put waders on. I put my waders on and cross river it has muddy banks too so I have a rope tied off to trees on on the bank to decend and accend the muddy slippery river banks. Depending on the temperature I may take the waiders off on other side and put boots back on or if colder just wear the waiders to the stand and hunt in them, I used to use neoprene waiders they sucked I have some breathable Banded brand now they are way better but expensive but it's worth it being able to access that part of the farm I hunt.
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I had a spot I used to cross like that years ago. I used long stick and vaulted across. Sounds funny but it worked and I did it many times.
megalomaniac
Well-Known Member
Waders IF the bottom is hard and not mud, and if it's 3ft or less without strong current.
Inflatable raft if none of the above are true
Inflatable raft if none of the above are true
Madbowh
Well-Known Member
I was avoiding saying anything I don't want someone thinking they've got it covered by reading something.
I was trout fishing once and for one reason or another the ground under me caved in, the only reason I'm here to tell it is a branch that was over my head. I laid on the bank thanking God for a while after that.
if water gets in those waders you will never get them off.
while in water you never walk its a shuffle. Having anything on your back while having waders on in the water will surely topple you over especially a climber.
if any man does what was described here and is successful, I'd bet those waders might be left in the woods by the time he's got to the other side and taken them off and find a new way home.
Just find someone that has a pair and try taking them on and off at home. Someone is going to do that with hunting gear on or packed?
My boots are separate from my waders, just experience and preference on that.
I've been fishing and a buddy says why are you floating around(he seen my feet pop up) they were his feet!!!
When I'm wearing my waders im naked under them
dsa5455
Well-Known Member
Whatever you decide to use going in had better work twice as good coming out with a dead buck. I think that inflatable kayak mentioned by swampbadger is a good suggestion.
MADBOWH thank you for sharing your experience and concerns. It's truly appreciated.
I completely agree about having any weight on my back. I plan to carry stand, pack and bow over my head and make 3 separate trips to get everything across.
As mentioned, this is backwater, so there's little to no current.
The bottom is unknown. The water is murky and I'm afraid it could be soft mud. If that's the case, I'll have to abort.
Thanks again for all the input and suggestions.
I completely agree about having any weight on my back. I plan to carry stand, pack and bow over my head and make 3 separate trips to get everything across.
As mentioned, this is backwater, so there's little to no current.
The bottom is unknown. The water is murky and I'm afraid it could be soft mud. If that's the case, I'll have to abort.
Thanks again for all the input and suggestions.
Thank you for this recommendation. I had to "google" wader belt and purpose. That's definitely something I'll add.
