| Float-hunting for deer is an old Indian method. | | | | weight, purpose, and everything else in deciding |
| Camouflaged canoes flowing with the current | | | | the appropriate size and shape. There is great |
| allowed the hunter to get within stonehead-arrow | | | | variety. |
| range of unsuspecting deer, which had gathered | | | | CAMPS |
| at the water's edge to cool, to drink and feed. | | | | Deer camps are special places where |
| Deer eat aquatic vegetation. In addition to the | | | | story-swapping camaraderie plays a big role in the |
| general succulence of browse to be found at the | | | | overall experience. Hunters learn a lot from one |
| sunlit edge of waterways, such as the favored | | | | another. Members who have enjoyed success |
| willows, vegetation draws deer into the water for | | | | themselves often assist others who have as yet |
| food. Deer will bring up whole lily pad plants with | | | | been less fortunate. Here seasoned hunters give |
| their feet to consume them or actually plunge | | | | newcomers advice and counsel. Deer camps can |
| their heads underwater to forage for other | | | | be ideal for beginning hunters providing that the |
| aquatic vegetation. Almost all aquatic vegetation | | | | members or guests, staff or elders, are serious |
| makes good salad-bar food for deer. They will | | | | hunters interested in the welfare of others. A |
| separate the earth muck around cattails in | | | | deer camp guide can point the way to success |
| swampy locations a foot deep to reach the | | | | through his various experiences and familiarity |
| tender and starchy roots. Cattail wallows actually | | | | with the particular area. Small, family-style camps |
| made by deer look like the work of hogs. | | | | set up from a mobile camper, hunting cabins, or |
| Canoeing to scout for deer along creeks is one of | | | | tents are necessary for some hunters who travel |
| the best ways to scout. Boating rivers and creeks | | | | considerable distances to hunt, making the drive |
| while looking for bank trails and deer sign is also | | | | to and from the site too long. These camps can |
| very productive. In shallow streams, look for | | | | range from a handful of hunters with sheets of |
| disruptions in color in the stream bed as telltale | | | | plastic for shelter and sleeping bags for beds |
| signs of deer crossings, as well as the obvious | | | | around a campfire to lush extravaganzas with |
| paths and skids down banks. Remember that | | | | saunas, video presentations, casinos, and all the |
| deer do not often go straight across waterways | | | | trimmings of the international playboy scene. |
| but attempt to confuse their backtrails by going | | | | Whatever the circumstances as far as comfort, |
| upstream to exit the water. Enjoyment is likely | | | | cost, and conveniences, the fellowship can be |
| another reason that deer take a long route | | | | great. The opportunity to interact with people you |
| crossing a stream. | | | | might not encounter in the ordinary circles of your |
| A boat is at times the best method of reaching | | | | life leave you with something tangible that trips by |
| wilderness hunting areas, where the moving water | | | | yourself do not. |
| naturally took the easiest route. This path of least | | | | Resort camps on private game preserves are |
| resistance can be the most practical method of | | | | wonderful retreats. The operators of such camps |
| bringing deer out as well. | | | | are familiar with the needs of the hunters and |
| A houseboat makes a good base camp for a | | | | equip the camps to cater to them. They try to |
| party of river or reservoir hunters. The entire | | | | make the stay as comfortable as possible after a |
| camp can readily be moved. | | | | day of rugged experiences in the field. It can be a |
| Scouting or hunting waterways is the best | | | | comfortable vacation. These facilities have bathing, |
| method known to give you access to prime deer | | | | laundering, hot meals, telephones, meat lockers, |
| habitats. Some of the land you cover may be | | | | taxidermy services, and comfortable beds. They |
| posted. You have a right to navigate the | | | | keep track of their guests and are ready to |
| waterways but are considered a trespasser if | | | | assist should an emergency arise. |
| you leave your boat to hunt land without | | | | Choose a camp on the basis of a good |
| permission in privately-owned areas. Upon locating | | | | recommendation from a trusted friend, or write |
| a choice spot to hunt you might check with the | | | | to camps which advertise in hunting magazines |
| local court clerks to find the owner of the land to | | | | for information. Perhaps you will be asked to join |
| obtain permission. | | | | a fellowship of hunters who have a lease and |
| Use all the common sense you can muster in | | | | organize hunts. Leases and commercial acreages |
| employing aquatic transportation. Safety should | | | | are swiftly becoming more common due to |
| always be the first thought. Since you are | | | | dwindling habitat, the need for herd regulation, and |
| entering areas by the "back door" instead of by | | | | hunters' desires to have someplace to hunt they |
| the highway access "front door" you may not be | | | | can count on. Some hunting preserves offer |
| able to accurately judge what is beyond the trees | | | | other types of hunting coupled with deer. Perhaps |
| that border the creek You should take the time | | | | you would like to take home a boar, a turkey, a |
| and exert the effort to obtain a map of the | | | | bear, quail, sheep, pheasant, fish or waterfowl. |
| waterway to help you familiarize. A shot from a | | | | Exotic deer are available many places. |
| high-powered rifle can throw an unstable canoeist | | | | If you choose to hunt alone and have a place to |
| into the water. Attempting to stand in a wobbly | | | | do it, this is of course your prerogative. I have |
| canoe to fire an arrow can be very awkward. | | | | mentioned the commercial camps for their merit |
| Find a stable canoe for hunting, one of the | | | | to those thus inclined. For those with a desire to |
| functional, rather than recreational types. There | | | | rough it by primitive camping, I hope you enjoy it, |
| are canoes made for a variety of purposes. With | | | | for the opportunities for the rugged enthusiast |
| a brief search, the hunter can locate the canoe | | | | are unending, as are the adventures. |
| exactly suited to his needs, considering portage, | | | | |