creek crossing


hunter_mike

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was out cutting shooting lanes today and i realized i have a problem with my new hunting area that i've never had before. there is a creek that runs through the area that i have to cross to get to my stand area. this wouldnt be much of a problem normally but the creek has steep banks every where and it is abnormally deep everywhere so i cant cross it with out getting wet up to my knees. i dont mind getting wet right now, but when it starts getting wisconsin cold out, it will be an issue. any suggestions or ideas to keep me high and dry?picture.php?albumid=176&pictureid=1123

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Deal with the same thing here every year. Be smart and safe about it. Got frostbite about 4 seasons ago trying to tough it up after a wet crossing like yours slipping off some stepping stones.

Only good that came out of that hunt was now I have no feeling in the top of my left foot so it's immune to feeling anything uncomfortable. Kinda ugly too.

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Get a pair of hip boots. Or practice your long jump technique!

I would not do the long jump technique! I did that shed hunting from seeing this...

7-1.jpg

and I ended up a foot short on jump! SPLASH! Now I have been seeing the doctor for the past 4 months trying not to have to go under the knife for a blown out knee. I have a possible small cut in my MCL. Doctor slapped me in the face for my next appointment because it is on opening day of bow season. I told him it had to be early in morning or late that way I can get at least one hunt in on Oct. 1st! So get some hip waders or a small boat to push you accross. You might not want to build due to a flood pushing your bridge away but hip waders would be the way to go!

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Looks like the creek is only about 6 feet across?

I'd buy a treated 4x6x8 or if needed a 4x6x12 and leave it there. After crossing just move it up on the bank so it doesn't wash away in a heavy rain. I use these to drive my riding lawn mower into the bed of my truck.

Cost should be around 20 bucks.

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I wouldn't try jumping it. You're creek looks exactly like the one on my land in Indiana. One thing you could do is put a cement block right in the middle - that way your boots would only go down a few inches and you could just hop across it - it wouldn't cause a dam either.

I tried mine after shooting a nice buck. Looks a lot closer than it is - especially with boots on and the grass and weeds take a bit of your distance away from you. I learned this the hard way. I jumped across and made it - then my weight was too far back and I did the Nestea Plunge. You got it! Every ounce of me was drenched. Luckily it wasn't that cold out yet - mid 40's.

I have the same problem on some public land at Lasalle Fish and Wildlife. There is untouched land across a wide creek/river (about 30 feet across and steep). Waders are too dangerous cause you never know how deep or what the bottom is like and way too wide to build something (I'd have to drag everything there - about 600 meter from the nearest dirt road).

I thought about waiting until it freezes over, but last year it never did. We'll see.

Good luck.

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