Deer hunting and flooding rains

[marshman]

Was all set to get started this Saturday but went to the lease yesterday to put hand corn and hang my climber and the area I intended to hunt had nearly a foot of water for hundreds of yards around. I finally found a small knoll that was out of the water and put the corn there but with the rain we got this morning and what’s forcated it may be under water by the weekend too. I hunt in extreme southern Jasper county and in fact my lease borders the county line with Orange County. The terrain is extremely flat and drainage is poor. Just wondering if it’s even worth fighting the water and mosquitoes this weekend. I know the old saying about you can’t kill one from your couch but I’m just not feeling very good about it. What are y’all thought s about hunting in situations like this?

[HighwayHunter]

I’m sure there’s somewhere the deer have laid up. If there’s any high areas on the property greater than an acre or so I’d go there


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[marshman]

I’m sure there’s somewhere the deer have laid up. If there’s any high areas on the property greater than an acre or so I’d go there


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Yeah that’s true but I’d probably be infringing on someone’s else’s area.

[Redbone]

I used to hunt north vidor. The year of Rita most all of the lease was under water. I found a small dry hill, corned it and hung a lock on. Was the best bow season I had out there.

[marshman]

I’m sure there’s somewhere the deer have laid up. If there’s any high areas on the property greater than an acre or so I’d go there


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Yeah that’s true but I’d probably be infringing on someone’s else’s area.

[The Cajun]

I hunt Louisiana bottom lands and love nothing more than hunting over water for dem swamp donkeys.

My question for you is: What was your purpose for hunting the original spot that is now flooded? did you have a camera on it with deer frequenting the area? is it on a trail?

If it was on a trail then I'd still hunt it. Those deer will walk through the water. Walk in quietly and climb the same tree. With the water you will have no scent on the ground.

But I do agree with others, now that its flooded, any food source on dry land or land above water should be targeted especially in the evenings.

[The Cajun]

This post got me excited so I figured I'd share a few more things I've found hunting flooded land. I do want to mention that I hunt public land. Thus the deer move to flooded waters for safety. Deer feel safe in the flooded waters because they can see any ripples from predators or hunters. On one hunt I had, a lot of hunters where entering the woods this particular morning. Shortly after first light, I watched a mature buck come walking through the flooded timber. It got to some thick stuff and literally stood still for about 3 hours. Once hunters fourwheelers started up and left, the deer began to move again. Not sure how much pressure your place has, but this may apply to you.

I love when it floods because the ducks come in and eat up all the acorns. If you scout the land and know where there are acorns on dry land, you will know where to hunt. I hunt these food sources in the evening because I find the bucks are searching for doe in the morning and are feeding in the evenings.

If the water does go down and back to dry land this season, I'd suggest you get out there any time you can when the land is still saturated. Perfect for finding where deer are traveling on your land. I know its hard to not hunt during the season, but its worth the scouting time especially if you plan to hunt this place for years to come. You'll be able to nail down there travel routes or at the least get a better understanding of how they travel. When it rains where I hunt. I try to take the time to drive the roads and see where deer are crossing as well.

Aim small, miss small cause the tracking is much harder. Definitely be very detailed oriented when you shoot a deer. Mark trees and directions they head because everything will look a whole lot different when you get down.

[Silvey]

I watched a doe and yearling stick their face in water up to the eyeballs to eat corn under my flooded feeder. They will still come through there.

[elliscountyhog]

I remember hunting the swamps of Louisiana and the ol boy told me to walk in the woods till I hit knee high water then site on a tree or log and listen for the splashes coming to me and get ready. IF they stop splashing and I cant see them just shoot the water and make em move again. That way the next guy can have a chance. Craziest hunt I ever been on. Been wanting to go back ever since! Moral is they will still move through the water eating floating acorns.