123 4/8 P&Y Posted September 21, 2006 Report Share Posted September 21, 2006 I am planning on hunting a small piece of public land on the Eastern border of Nebraska that touches the Missouri river. In this area, the Missouri is channelized, which makes it very deep and swift. What are my odds of some Iowa deer crossing the Missouri onto the land that I am hunting? The timber on this land is mostly surrounded by a canal that comes off the river on the north end and re-connects to the river on the south end, making a big island. This canal is about 40 ft wide and waist deep. The banks are fairly steep and tough for me to climb. I haven't seen any really obvious deer crossings. There is lots of cover and timber on the island, but all of the crops are on the main land. Do you guys think the deer from the main land will cross this canal to bed in the timber? Before you guys decide that I am crazy, let me explain to you my thought process. Keep in mind that this land is public land in eastern Nebraska, the most populated part of the state. I am hoping that, when the hunting pressure is too much for the bigger bucks to take, they will bed in deep cover, i.e. on my island. I am planning on setting a stand deep in the timber on the secluded island, where the hunting pressure will be low(because it is over a mile back in there!). So now... am I crazy, or does this seem like an effective plan? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Swamphunter Posted September 21, 2006 Report Share Posted September 21, 2006 Re: Will Bucks Cross Water? I shot this guy on an island. Very wide river, very fast current. Give it a try, what have you got to lose other than a couple of days of your time? Maybe you'll find a honey hole. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hutchies Posted September 21, 2006 Report Share Posted September 21, 2006 Re: Will Bucks Cross Water? Hey Swampy, Smile next time you kill something like that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buckee Posted September 21, 2006 Report Share Posted September 21, 2006 Re: Will Bucks Cross Water? Hunting the island is a great idea. I've never seen a wide river or fast currents stop a deer from swimming for cover. Many times dogs, coyotes and wolves will push deer into those secluded spots too. Go for it. It sounds like a great spot. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest nebraskahunter Posted September 21, 2006 Report Share Posted September 21, 2006 Re: Will Bucks Cross Water? I'm also from eastern part of Nebraska and I used to live in Sioux City IA. and hunted alot of ducks along the missouri from about Salix to Missourivalley and have seen plenty of deer swim that river more from Nebraska during rifle season. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
unioncountyslayer Posted September 21, 2006 Report Share Posted September 21, 2006 Re: Will Bucks Cross Water? Check this out... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hunterfisherman Posted September 21, 2006 Report Share Posted September 21, 2006 Re: Will Bucks Cross Water? They will swim it. Depends on what they thinks on the other side Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cutter Posted September 21, 2006 Report Share Posted September 21, 2006 Re: Will Bucks Cross Water? No pressure usually means big buck haven. Get after them they'll be there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mirage Posted September 21, 2006 Report Share Posted September 21, 2006 Re: Will Bucks Cross Water? yeah they will swim and swim well! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Swamphunter Posted September 22, 2006 Report Share Posted September 22, 2006 Re: Will Bucks Cross Water? [ QUOTE ] Hey Swampy, Smile next time you kill something like that. [/ QUOTE ] I'm not a very happy person ...I'm trying to find a way to somehow blame it on my upbringing... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tp793 Posted September 22, 2006 Report Share Posted September 22, 2006 Re: Will Bucks Cross Water? yeah they will definetely swim it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shaun_300 Posted September 22, 2006 Report Share Posted September 22, 2006 Re: Will Bucks Cross Water? [ QUOTE ] Check this out... [/ QUOTE ] I've saw scenes like this many times during rifle season. Deer will swim in water which would be over an average man's head in freezing temps. Not sure what their motive is in doing this when they can walk around the pond. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deerhunted Posted September 22, 2006 Report Share Posted September 22, 2006 Re: Will Bucks Cross Water? Hunting islands on a river is one of the best places for big bucks. We always get a group of guys together during bow season and have pushers and standers and drive the islands. It is probably the most exciting things that I have ever done. At times the deer will be so close when they come thru that you can reach out and touch them. I have actually had to jump out of the way to avoid being run over by a few does. The great part about these islands is that the does will run down the island while the bucks will sneak through making for an easier shot. I have seen some of the biggest bucks I have ever seen on these islands and must say that it is an adrenilen rush. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SaskMan Posted September 22, 2006 Report Share Posted September 22, 2006 Re: Will Bucks Cross Water? I'm betting some of the best bucks in the area are using that island to bed. You bet they'll cross water. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arrow32 Posted September 22, 2006 Report Share Posted September 22, 2006 Re: Will Bucks Cross Water? Theyll make a run for it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ODH Posted September 22, 2006 Report Share Posted September 22, 2006 Re: Will Bucks Cross Water? oh yes they do cross water. We usually have some does go out on the ice too every gun season and get suck out on the ice on the river Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest asilvia68 Posted September 22, 2006 Report Share Posted September 22, 2006 Re: Will Bucks Cross Water? Deer will deffinetly swim to an island. I line in Rhode Island and on the Narragansett we have 2 large islands, Prudence and Patience. There is a large population of deer on those 2 islands and I dont think they are more then 100-150 acres. During the summer, I would go out with my grandfather in his 42ft cabin cruiser and anchor between them. In the morning I would see 10-20 deer swim between them and the mainland. Oh and its salt water also. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ravin R10 man Posted September 22, 2006 Report Share Posted September 22, 2006 Re: Will Bucks Cross Water? They will do what they have to to get where they have to be to be safe. Water is not an obstacle. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AdvantageTimberLou Posted September 22, 2006 Report Share Posted September 22, 2006 Re: Will Bucks Cross Water? If an area with water makes them feel safe, I think they surely will stay in that area. The water might be their escape route in their eyes. Like Ken said, you could find a honey hole by hunting near one!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
123 4/8 P&Y Posted September 22, 2006 Author Report Share Posted September 22, 2006 Re: Will Bucks Cross Water? Wow guys, you are really building my confidence in the area! I'll let you know how it works out. Thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhunt Posted September 22, 2006 Report Share Posted September 22, 2006 Re: Will Bucks Cross Water? I quite often hunt a ladder stand next to a river where the deer used to have a good preferred crossing where the water was shallow and the river was pretty narrow. Watch deer cross the water there every year. Have called several bucks in across the water over the years with a grunt call in mid November. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buckee Posted September 22, 2006 Report Share Posted September 22, 2006 Re: Will Bucks Cross Water? [ QUOTE ] Wow guys, you are really building my confidence in the area! I'll let you know how it works out. Thanks. [/ QUOTE ] Yeah, and we expect pictures and a great story too...EH Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest deadeye270 Posted September 22, 2006 Report Share Posted September 22, 2006 Re: Will Bucks Cross Water? Make sure to do your homework scouting and if you can get close to your stand by boat quitely you will be in a prime location Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rifleman25 Posted September 22, 2006 Report Share Posted September 22, 2006 Re: Will Bucks Cross Water? [ QUOTE ] Wow guys, you are really building my confidence in the area! I'll let you know how it works out. Thanks. [/ QUOTE ] Do you hunt near Tekamah or Decatur? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rifleman25 Posted September 22, 2006 Report Share Posted September 22, 2006 Re: Will Bucks Cross Water? [ QUOTE ] I'm also from eastern part of Nebraska and I used to live in Sioux City IA. and hunted alot of ducks along the missouri from about Salix to Missourivalley and have seen plenty of deer swim that river more from Nebraska during rifle season. [/ QUOTE ] I see your from Wayne. I have taken several good bucks around there when I was a WSC student. Dixon county gave me my personal best buck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.