With the recent rains, The camp site was cut off from the rest of the world by about 6 feet to 1foot deep water for about 1/2 a mile around. Naturally, I didn't let that stop me from going out hunting, so I strapped on some rain boots and headed out. This would pit me face to face with the most deadly creature in the flood plains.
The path is about a 3 miles long, then about a mile of hunting ground after the campsite. I started down the path, 220 in hand. after about 20 minuets of sneaking I see my first bushy tail. This little thief is darting up a tree with an ear of fresh ear of corn he stole from the field. Bad thing is, he won't stop moving, and I've got this big pack throwing me off balance. I fire with a bit of lead, and miss as he disappears into the tree tops, but all was not lost. He left his corn down here, and I was going to wait for him.
After about 1/2 hour, and no sign of the thief, I decide to move on. I need to reach the campsite before dark, and I have no clue how difficult this could be.
I find myself at the waters edge, And decide that I will wade it, till I reach the high ground where my camp spot is. The water slowly creeps up my my boots, and low and behold, they leak. A few moments latter, I'm up to my knees, and then halfway up my thighs. For some reason I get this odd feeling, like I'm being watched. I follow my gut and Instinctively point my rifle, right at the most threatening beast in the swamp. The alligator Snapping turtle. This ones as big as my chest and a barrels length away from my feet, with about a yard of water in between him and my gun. I freze, and watch him move ominously toward the corn. he turns his head, which is about the size of my hand, and looks right at me.
He turns away and continues into the corn field. That was too close, and the waters getting deeper, and murkier.
I decide to turn back, and try the trail to the left, which is on higher ground.
This path wasn't much better, and I could only wade so deep, so I decide to move back to a dry spot on the trail, and target shoot.
What a day, nearly got my foot ripped off, didn't get a kill, or make it to my campsite. Guess thats the way it goes sometimes. . .
