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Hunting creekbottoms/ swamps

Thegreatwhitehunter1776

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I'm still new to turkey hunting and i have been hunting hardwoods but the hunting pressure has been pretty heavy this year. There is a 4000 acre creek bottom piece of public that gets flooded for the duck hunters by me. parts of it is dry and other parts are submerged. So far according to the hunters toolbox only 1 turkey has been killed out of this swamp this year. last year 3 were killed, and 2 were killed the year before that so obviously there are birds in it. It is surrounded on all sides by ag fields too which is good for the turkeys. The season is getting late and im getting nervous only having killed one jake in the first week. Should I still try and hunt Natchez trace and just push deeper in the areas I think have birds or just have fun, bring out the chest waders/jon boat and explore new unpressured areas and hope for the best. So far i've turkey hunted 2 years now and have one longbeard from least year and a jake from this year which doesn't feel too bad for a beginner and it seems like turkeys are on the verge of extinction from reading around here.
 
I would try the bottoms if you think there is turkeys in the area. I'm always up to try different areas and terrain if I think there might be turkeys in the area. If it hasn't had much pressure you might find a honey hole.
 
It sounds like tough hunting, but also sounds like a great place for a subordinate bird to hang out


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Sounds fun to get the boat and waders and explore. If one thing ain't working, try something different


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If there is a dry ridge in the swamp, I would at least trudge back in to it and check it out. Birds head to areas with less pressure... as long as noone else has your idea, I wouldnt be surprised if you don't find a small flock with a tom on the highest ground in the middle of the swamp.

If the whole area is underwater, I'd work the edges of the swamp next to the ag fields. Expect them to roost over water in the swamp, then pitch to the high ground in the fields.

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Man been there done that in the West TN bottoms.. One time packed in blind just to get out of the mosquitos but there was a 100 in there before we could get it zipped...

I would drive 100 miles or more to hunt some hardwood ridges before I did that again...
 
That's what I hunt primarily. I grew up hunting the Hatchie bottoms and now Obion bottoms. It can be difficult to hunt. Just get in there and look for sign. It can be difficult to move around on these birds because it is flat and you can see a long ways. Also, obstacles of creeks, etc.
Good luck!
 

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