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Thread: swamp work

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Nov 2012
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    York Co
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    Default swamp work

    A few years ago while deer hunting, I came across a beaver swamp on the back of our property. I didn't really care much about duck hunting when I first moved here. We hunted it a few times for wood ducks, but it wasn't very productive. The grass was head high, so even if you could get a shot at a bird, finding them wasn't easy. The creek seemed to be a good flyway though, and we would normally see decent amount of ducks.

    Summer 2014 I had more time and opened a small pocket. We also had to spend a few days cutting a 4 wheeler trail. This was a big challenge in itself. The woods around the swamp was clearcut many years ago, and grew back natural. Extremely thick scrub and trash trees. I hunted it once, Christmas day, and killed two ducks.

    Summer 2015 I got more serious. I realized that cutting trees and grass was much easier when not standing in 3 foot of water. Also, burning dead grass was a lot better than burning green.. My method; trench a gap in beaver dam 2 days earlier to drain, weed-eat a section of grass, spray grass mounds, and finally burn it all a couple weeks later. A week's worth of labor and I had close to an acre cleared, of 9 acres total. I went back early September and broadcasted jap millet. Also added a 6inch PVC pipe to drain the swamp easier.

    It's been a learning process for sure. Next season I plan to clear two more sections, 1 for millet, and the other for duck potato. Right now, the ducks seemed to be more interested in loafing in the flood scrub trees than the food, so I will be sure to leave some of that, instead of just clearing out the entire swamp.

    2013
    2014rabbitslideGrass.jpg

    Summer 2014, work begins
    2014rabbitslideCutTrees.jpg
    2014rabbitslideBurn.jpg

    2015
    2015rabbitslideDrainWater2.jpg
    2015rabbitslideTreeTrim.jpg


    2016
    20160905_122303.jpg
    20160820_100051.jpg
    Last edited by YoungBuckTX; 11-07-2017 at 10:10 AM.

  2. #2
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    Default

    Man that is awesome. Your hardwork will surely payoff this year


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

  3. #3
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    Mar 2012
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    bennettsville/hyde co
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    Default

    Heck of a job man, need to do something like that myself on my new place

  4. #4
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    Default

    Great work...keep at it! Can you disk it at all when it's drained? If so it'll do wonders for your growth.

  5. #5
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    Mars Bluff, SC
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    Dang man that's awesome. Very nice work. Should be a fun place to hunt this year for sure.

  6. #6
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    Summerville
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    Very cool! Hope yall kill a bunch this year
    Member of the Tenth Legion Since 2004

  7. #7
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    Quote Originally Posted by Elcid_Fowler View Post
    Great work...keep at it! Can you disk it at all when it's drained? If so it'll do wonders for your growth.
    Yep. I should be able to get a tractor down there next year.

  8. #8
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    Looks great!

    It's cool to see the progression over the years.

  9. #9
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    Greenville, SC
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    Go Man! That is some impressive work.
    I hope anyone who ever calls an impoundment hunter a "gatherer" will look at this thread and realize how much effort is required to improve habitat.

  10. #10
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    DJP, I used to feel that way too.. Those that put gloves on and do work, no. Writing a check, maybe

  11. #11
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    Oct 2010
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    Awesome job!

    I am starting a very similar project this spring. Hope it works out as well as yours.
    "This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you." John 15:12

    "Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord." Hebrews 12:14

  12. #12
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    Looks good Phillip


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
    "Some high society lady says is your horse outside, no ma'am he's between my legs, but you're too fat to ride" Hank Jr

  13. #13
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    Really is great work. I absolutely enjoy seeing these threads of progress made by someone who picks up waterfowl hunting and enjoys building habitat. Keep up the hard work. It'll pay off and depending on where you are could be great this year based on the shift in flood waters across the state.

  14. #14
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    Oct 2007
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    columbia
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    Looks jam up keep up the good work!

  15. #15
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    Quote Originally Posted by YoungBuckTX View Post
    DJP, I used to feel that way too.. Those that put gloves on and do work, no. Writing a check, maybe
    I hear ya!

  16. #16
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    Southern LC
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    Awesome!
    Private Land Rubberhead # 1

  17. #17
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    Flat Creek Escapee
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    that is some good work right there.
    The unforgivable crime is soft hitting. Do not hit at all if it can be avoided; but never hit softly.
    Theodore Roosevelt

    “To announce that there must be no criticism of the President, or that we are to stand by the President, right or wrong, is not only unpatriotic and servile, but is morally treasonable to the American public.”
    ― Theodore Roosevelt

  18. #18
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    Dec 2010
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    Nice work!

  19. #19
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    Nov 2008
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    Default

    Since your putting this out on the internet, ,, I assume no permits were required. ..

  20. #20
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    Jan 2010
    Location
    Greenville, SC
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    Default

    No permits are required to bust up a beaver dam.

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