River bottoms are not nearly as dicey as hilly or mountainous terrain, where wind can swirl unpredictably in ravines. They will get the best bedding locations and the other deer will take the less ideal spots. For those stands that require swamp walking, you need a good flashlight. When hunting terrain characterized by river bottoms and ridgelines, remember that the wind will usually run through the draw, following the course of the bottom feature, usually a river or other drainage. Mature bucks will live in the areas where they don’t encounter human scent. Bottom line, mature whitetails on pressured public and private land react to danger by developing habits and seeking locations that minimize or eliminate their exposure to it… that simple. Ideal Deer Habitat The Mississippi River bottom habitat at “The Break” is ideal for both deer and deer hunters. Learn where the bucks … I like brands that have green and red beams. On the flip side, my edge stands are walking friendly. Funnels are especially attractive where two large tracts of land connect through a single narrow strip of timber in river bottoms. That’s why the overwhelming majority of mature bucks killed on public land are on 1st sits in sets hung during spring scouting or hang and hunts. Great stand sites aren't born; they're made. I prefer to walk through the open timber directly to the edge and set up on the downwind side of a heavily used highway. If you hunt in ag-heavy areas, you'd be wise to look over your hunting grounds via aerial photos for a spot where two fields are separated by a thin strip of cover. Accessing river bottom stand sites can be difficult. For info call 816-271-3100. Bucks often bed on dry islands or raised areas surrounded by the water and soil. The author shot this nice buck last season while hunting a river bottom hotspot. River bottoms are muddy, wet and thick. First you must determine if it is likely a buck bed and then if it is one he will use regularly or just a temporary spot. For a large portion of southern hunters, this scenario is their everyday reality when hunting river bottom public or private land. So to answer your question, this particular spot looks like one we can hunt all season. In addition to world-class deer hunting, River Bottom Bucks offers comfortable on-site accommodations and delicious, home-cooked meals shared with the Blairs at their dining room table. I swiveled my head like a peacock to investigate, and dropped my tongue! Especially in the morning. Good knee-high rubber boots are a necessity in most situations. Then it happened€¦. A deep river bottom tracking-job is easier accomplished with two people. With a pull of the trigger, the R18's limbs will expand vertically thanks to the VertiCoil Cam... Get in shape for archery season with this step-by-step, 10-week plan and guide. These stands are tailor-made for a boat entrance right off the water and a stand between the water and the trail. This is the ideal situation, because bucks will cruise the creek bottoms all morning scent-checking these bedding areas. You can stay on dry ground for a good bit sometimes but mostly you're trying not to make an exploding suction noise that comes along with walking in the mud. Usually, this is a bit heavier than a climber (depending on the brand) but the versatility gets me into any tree. We offer a 380-acre secluded setting; ideal for providing the kind of archery hunting you are looking for. It generally takes a little time getting use to hunting these shy deer given the nifty terrain challenges. I'll walk these ditches from one end to the other with my eyes peeled. Glass these areas months before the season opens. Hunting season can impact where bucks bed. Find as many of these as you can and lay out your stakes. Other areas have a small amount of timber and more water. I already said that I hunt two stands that require me to paddle in a boat and they're probably my most difficult stands to access. Sir Bill, One of the MW videos prompted yet another question…watching Aaron and Zach’s latest video was like watching them walk around in my river bottoms. Buy both a topographical map and aerial photo and go through them with a fine-toothed comb. But as sure as the sun rises in the east, once you pin your tag on a good buck's antlers, you will become a river bottom addict just like me and thousands of other hunters who dream long and hard about playing cat-and-mouse with a clever river bottom buck. Swamp-type hunting almost always requires knee high rubber boots. If those other deer are alerted, so is he. Some buck bedding areas we find are seasonal. 3. Water bearing areas such as river bottoms also hold an abundance of aquatic vegetation and other soft mast like berries, wild grapes and fruits. If you get a little turned around and frustrated you may end up scaring deer off and axing your hunt. This bed along the edge of the field is not a primary bedding area. Occasionally you'll find a shallow or deep ditch with a well-pounded deer trail running across it somewhere that's huntable. Buck Calling River bottoms can be terrific areas to employ calling techniques as the rut heats up. Water Water can be very attractive, and its influence on deer dramatic. The buck made the mistake of cruising for does along the riverbank, bringing him right past the author's stand. Any predator approaching can be heard splashing from a distance. Every strategy begins with an overall goal or aim to achieve success, and an all-day buck hunting strategy is no exception. River Bottom Bucks is a part of a large forested river corridor that extends from north to south across the entire county and contains several thousand acres of prime whitetail deer habitat. Three of those bucks were downright young with scraggly horns, though entertaining, but the fourth and last one to come by was a stunning eight-point. A safe haven for sure. The Foundation of Morning to Evening Buck Hunting Tactics. Tough winds but also a chance at big rewards. I breeze through the hardwoods to the edge of the marsh through the back door. River Bottom Bucks, Hunting in the Snow | Midwest Whitetail Midwest Whitetail. For more information about whitetail hunting at River Bottom Bucks, call Bob Blair at 217-349-8688 or visit www.riverbottombucks.com. Entry and exit is silent, and wind currents predictable. Especially when targeting mature bucks. They will get the best bedding locations and the other deer will take the less ideal spots. In some areas deer will travel somewhat close to the rivers edge, parallel to the water. Since 2007 I've taken 13 bucks that I decided to hunt based on trail camera photos. ©2021 Outdoor Sportsman Group. Stay at home or leave and roam — which strategy provides the best results for a breeding buck? The woods are feverishly thick on the west side and semi-open on the east. With nearly 3 dozen mature buck opportunities (bucks 4 years old or older) during the last 2 decades (many specifically relating to the above diagram's illustrated buck bedding areas), a great passion and love for hunting mature bucks within extreme elevation changes, has been forever forged. Bugs and snakes are around in the early season. Bob and Marsha Blair are looking for a limited number of serious hunters who appreciate the challenge of hunting free roaming trophy whitetails in prime habitat. Deer do not hesitate to jump a river or smaller body of water to escape danger. Maps River bottoms are not typically walking friendly. Swamp and Marsh Islands. They can survive in this general area on browse and acorns for much of the year. The key is finding the doe groups closest to the primary buck bedding, in the most secure location. Seven Cutting-Edge Tactics for Hunting Big Old Bucks. If you hunt in an area where hunting pressure is controlled, you have a better chance of finding a mature buck in one of these areas. They offer deer and turkey hunts in South Central Nebraska that provide great success rates. Is a Water Source Important for Deer Hunting? Edges in river bottoms are no different than other edges such as an open field meeting hardwoods. The thought of river bottoms turns noses for some. Winchester Ammunition manufactures ammo for all shooting activities: hunting ammo, shooting, target ammo, and personal defense ammo. The clouds quickly grew thick as cotton candy plugging all holes that were left of beaming light. Individual campsites are available. A. deer cart can be tough to use and dragging a deer out should be the last resort. Gregg, Like many others have said, the river bottoms are a risk/reward proposition. This may be a timbered section rubbing up against another piece of property that was cut or thinned not long ago to form a neat little borderline that bucks relate to when traveling--a river bottom jewel. Give a Gift   A good hunting buddy of mine loves hunting ditch crossings in river bottoms. |   River Bottom Bucks Outfitters is located in trophy whiletail country in East central IL. Notice where the waypoints fall depending on the wind they plan to hunt on. Products . They not only keep me from getting turned around, they are also generally comforting. Good luck this season! Getting In And Out This is the key to all good stand sites. Water also makes access more difficult. I have to get up extra early to get over there. Occasionally you can pick one up on an aerial photo but not always. River Bottom Terrain River bottoms are usually flat and expansive. Employing the use of a johnboat or canoe can give archery hunters the means to get in and out quietly and quickly. Hunters can only use archery methods. River Bottom Bucks, Hunting in the Snow | Midwest Whitetail. Hence the reason why finding the does during rut is important. This means you have the option to read your magazine on most popular phones and tablets. Picture a river bottom with multiple river bends (bedding areas) lined with thick cover on both sides. A truly mature whitetail is practically a different animal, and you need to hunt differently to tag one. Company: River Bottom Bucks Street: 21885 E. Co. Rd. On this week’s episode we join multiple members of the team who had successful hunts this past week. Thanks again! Are those early season spots, pre-rut or rut spots? If you’re in hill country imagine a ridge system with multiple points (bedding areas) while you hunt the … Entering and exiting river bottom hideouts undetected plainly takes a little more doing. We’ve heard the “big” bucks like to hang out in these drainages. From there he has a 20-minute walk. Not even shed hunting is allowed. To put this plainly, every time we hunt it revolves around buck bedding. The river bottom itself serves as the funnel. It's his favorite place in the world to hunt, and the extra time and effort needed to get in and get out is just part of the thrill. Offbeat calling methods are becoming more popular. Put in the work now and you’ll be rewarded this fall. Water can also impose challenges when tracking deer. The next morning I came back with a friend and took up the blood trail. Since river bottoms are generally flat, you don't have conventional ridgetops, saddles and benches that influence deer movement so well. Food isn’t an issue here. A river bottom hustler friend from Mississippi climbs in his bass boat and makes a 15-minute drive to an island, anchors the boat and enters the property he hunts from the backside. New for 2021: Excalibur Crossbow, BowTech Bows, TightSpot Quiver, Ripcord Rests, Black Gold Sights, New for 2021: Bear Redemption EKO, Legit RTH Compound Bows, Crossbow Review: TenPoint Havoc RS440 XERO. Bucks don’t generally flow right through the bottom like water, so you have to pick a side. I never climb out of my truck near a river bottom without maps. The all-new 2021 offering will certainly be one of the most accurate long-range crossbows ever built. It was a great feeling. A steady breeze blowing your scent backwards to the water is fabulous. Many archery hunters only carry a grunt call and I think they are making a mistake. Description. I would rather be hunting for deer than hunting for a straight limbless tree. It gets me away from the crowd and into some deer-dwelling hot spots. I made that boat trip with him several years back when the temperature before dawn was freezing and pencil thin ice chunks clammed the river surface. 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