Big Slough Wilderness

[GarGuy]

I was afraid of that... was debating on bringing my kayak to get a little further into the bottom land. Playin with 2 scenarios in my head: high water pushing the deer out of the bottom towards us.. Or high water holding deer on islands of dry land deep towards the river. thoughts Steve?

Islands....oh.my.gosh islands! Im sure you know the ones Im talking about from your posts.

[..Ambush..]

Water is high. You wont be able to get in deep as the river is still running through the slough. A canoe might be a great tool.

I was afraid of that... was debating on bringing my kayak to get a little further into the bottom land. Playin with 2 scenarios in my head: high water pushing the deer out of the bottom towards us.. Or high water holding deer on islands of dry land deep towards the river. thoughts Steve?

[GarGuy]

Well we are heading up to the Slough Wednesday evening for our annual trip to my favorite piece of East Texas paradise... We normally go in late October, but since we usually are there a bit early for the rut we pushed the trip into November.. hopefully the hunting pressure is little to none haha. Anyone been up lately or plan on going this weekend? How high is the water in there with the recent rains??

Water is high. You wont be able to get in deep as the river is still running through the slough. A canoe might be a great tool.

[..Ambush..]

Well we are heading up to the Slough Wednesday evening for our annual trip to my favorite piece of East Texas paradise... We normally go in late October, but since we usually are there a bit early for the rut we pushed the trip into November.. hopefully the hunting pressure is little to none haha. Anyone been up lately or plan on going this weekend? How high is the water in there with the recent rains??

[..Ambush..]

Its drying up now. the river ran through the bottom for months though so all the fishing holes should be loaded.

Good deal! Should be fun doing a little fishing between hunts, thanks for the report Steve..

[GarGuy]

Its drying up now. the river ran through the bottom for months though so all the fishing holes should be loaded.

[..Ambush..]

Anybody been up recently? Was wondering what the water situation is like this year... water high or dry?

[..Ambush..]

No sir... ill be huntin in Trinity this weekend but might swing up there Saturday the 15th for a morning and evening hunt. Still kinda up in the air, depends on how the weather acts

[Nocked Up]

Ambush,

I really enjoyed the report. Thanks. Im gonna be up there this weekend. Will you? Maybe we could meet and shake hands. Ive never been into the slough before so i would do me good to have a conversation with you.

[..Ambush..]

Thanks woodsman.. ya missing a shot is just all part of it, its inevitable. I actually only fished for probably 45 mins and caught 3 crappie, 4 bass and a handful of assorted perch and sunfish. No tellin what youd catch with live bait! Just an added bonus to the trip gettin a lil fishin in. Its crazy but we were there 4 solid days and it still just wasnt long enough. Having to scout new areas was a challenge but in that slough its a must, you absolutely have to adjust because the deer move differently every year based on water levels. I love this place, it has sooo much to offer and everyday is filled with excitement.. the name pretty much says it all "Big Slough Wilderness"!!

[woodsman]

Great report and photos, Ambush Sounds like you had a great time. Sorry to hear of the miss on the buck. Props on getting set up in the right spot though! Can't wait to check out Big Slough myself, looks like an awesome place. There's got to be some momma crappie in that lake, makes me want to grab my pole and hit the banks. Cool shot of the cicadae shells

[..Ambush..]

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[..Ambush..]

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[..Ambush..]

Well its the last morning here at the slough as i sit here in my favorite tree listening to hoot owls and wood ducks pierce the silence only the backwoods provide.. everytime we make this trip up here to Big Slough im reminded of the awesomeness of this place. Ive seen bucks, does, hogs, coyotes,  coons, and enough cat squirrels to fill all your stew pots.. heck we even caught some bass and crappie out of Tub Lake on tube jigs... Now im not going home with a deer this year, but i had my opportunity on friday morning when a 120ish 8 pointer strolled by my stand at 30 yds.. for whatever reason i just shot clean over him and had to watch that tail dissappear into the brush. We've all been there and it doesn't seem to get any less deflating, it stings like the first time.. the water is definitely higher than last year, without a pair of waders youre just not gonna get to the back section unless you walk a 1/4 mile outta your way to find a good log crossing. Kayak would've been a great asset but hindsight is 20/20. The rut is still a week or two away, no bucks chasing yet but plenty of scrapes and rubs to go around. Id sure like to come back when its on, but walking thru the woods during rifle season up here just doesn't seem wise. Maybe we'll come in December after most guys have given up on it for the year... anyhow thats kinda whats goin on in the woods, yall get in the tree because the rut is just about to bust loose!

[howie1968]

walnut creek is another great access point