Great Dismal Swamp National Wildlife Refuge contains some of the most important wildlife habitat in the mid-Atlantic region. A Creepy Bear Hunt in the Great Dismal Swamp, From the Archives By James KimbleNovember 1, 202220 mins read53 Views The tall man from the boat carried no gun but had a couple of good-looking hounds on the leash. Follow US 58/460/13 east for 7.0 miles to I-664/I-64. Researchers from universities and other organizations are also welcome to submit proposals for research on the wildlife refuge. It also was agreed that no one would shoot at anything but a bear or a deer. It was established as a national refuge in 1974. This information is typically posted on a site's own website. Starting near the camp there is a partly overgrown trail that twists through the hardwood-and-brush thickets, roughly paralleling the feeder ditch for a mile, then turning north and then back east to form a three-quarter loop around an area of relatively high and dry land. Attracted by the shooting, Lloyd came running up. WHEN WE SAW that first bear sign we were still close enough to the highway to look back and see cars passing on it, but already the big swamp had walled us in with its weird silence. On the rises we had to go carefully over exposed tree roots and foot-tangling creepers. Bald Cypress trees thrust their gnarled trunks out of the water. Up against The Great Dismal Swamp National Wildlife Refuge, we have some of Eastern North Carolina'sbest Black Bear and Whitetail Deer. Cortez Temple was still sitting on the steps playing with the hound puppy. Thats about 25 miles south of Norfolk on U.S. Route 17. Refuge Headquarters and Pines Trail:3100 Desert Road, Suffolk, VA 23434, Jericho Lane entrance (popular for birding and has a seasonal bird banding station): 1325 White Marsh Road,Suffolk, VA 23434, Washington Ditch entrance (popular for hiking and biking): 3100 White Marsh Road,Suffolk, VA 23434, Lake Drummond Wildlife Drive/ Railroad Ditch entrance (This is the wildlife drive route to Lake Drummond): 3120 Desert Road,Suffolk, VA 23434, Portsmouth Ditch entrance:3457 Martin Johnson Road, Chesapeake, VA 23323. He shook his head, smiled, and said: Im just keepin the cook company here in camp, son. Then he sat down on the front steps and started playing with a little hound pup which had been busy winning friends and influencing people ever since our arrival. Before heading out to visit a site on the Virginia Bird & Wildlife Trail, be sure to check if that site has any COVID-19 policies or closures in place. Our guides will drop you off in the perfect spot, pick you up when you are done, andthen let you relax and talk about your day while your Bear or Deer isbeing cleaned. Dismal Swamp Outfitters is a one stop shop for amazing Black Bear and Whitetail Deer hunts here inEastern North Carolina.Located inGates County, NC, up against The Great Dismal Swamp National Wildlife Refuge . With lodging and meals included, give us a call for your 3 day Black Bear Hunt. Lloyd had the heavy end of the load on the final leg of the trip. FOR ANOTHER long time nothing at all happened. A BIG POTLICKER whimpered, then tilted its nose skyward and sounded off mournfully. Sixty-two seemed to me to be a lot of bears, but before long I was to find out that Cortez Temple was a lot of hunter. Whether youre in a canoe, a kayak or a rowboat, propelling yourself through waters in unspoiled nature is physically and spiritually exhilarating. Loading. Although the author mentions potential protections for the Dismal Swamp, it wasnt designated for conservation until 1974, when it became the Great Dismal Swamp National Wildlife Refuge. When he heard us and turned his head, we saw that his blue eyes were blazing. Evenin, Mr. Temple. It wasnt always that way. It had a strong spice of novelty. The audience were swayed by him like trees before the wind. At once we were in the heart of Dismal Swamp. Maybe a sapling deflected the bullet, or maybe it was just a lousy shot. A few steps more, and we could see into the thicket where the bear was making its last stand. The refuge offers hunting of white-tailed deer, black bear, wild turkey, coyote and grey squirrel through designated areas in accordance with local, State and Federal regulations. We havelodgingand meals provided. Working with others to conserve, protect and enhance fish, wildlife, plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. No hunter who is interested in keeping his skin whole should ever make the mistake of thinking that he knows what a wounded or cornered bear is going to do next. Aint he big enough to suit you?, Nice he-bear, with plenty of good eatin on him, the veteran said. Mist, gray-green against the background of marsh and brush, ghosted up from nowhere and slowly thickened until it blotted out even the trees at the edge of the little clearing. Although the author mentions potential protections for the Dismal Swamp, it wasn't designated for conservation until 1974, when it became the Great Dismal Swamp National Wildlife Refuge. Search for volunteer opportunities around the country, News about wonderful wild things and places, FWS is taking steps to mitigate climate impacts, Search employment opportunities with USFWS, Candidate Conservation Agreements (CCA & CCAA), Coastal Barrier Resources Act Project Consultation, Coastal Barrier Resources System Property Documentation, Great Dismal Swamp National Wildlife Refuge, Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp Act. We have lodging and meals provided. Great Dismal Swamp NWR participates in several on-going regional and national research projects. The boys on my club usually kill at least 1 a day. Best of all, we were going bear hunting! Once we were out of sight of the feeder ditch it wasnt hard to imagine that we were in a hitherto unexplored wilderness, but Dismal Swamp has been very thoroughly exploited through the two centuries since William Byrd gave it its forbidding and accurately descriptive name. Adequate cooperative management by the U.S. Forest Service and the state commission could make much of the higher ground produce sizable annual crops of upland game birds. After a couple of hurried failures, I scrambled to its top. Dave slanted an experienced eye in the direction they had gone and shook his head. The only things that moved were a hawk and a turtle. Home. It doesn't get any better than right here at The Dismal Swamp Lodge.. Most Virginia bears, whether they live in the swamp or in the mountains, are rather on the small side, and maybe they are as big cowards as my friend Bob Lattimer, a Pennsylvania game protector, claims all black bears are, but they carry an armament of claws and fangs backed by brute power that makes them potentially dangerous game. As soon as we had finished stoking up for a long day we went into a huddle outside the cabin to decide on a plan of operations against the bears. Hunt im ! Multiple entrances are available. Even after the frenzy of spring migration subsides, wildlife watching in the Swamp can still be very rewarding. The hunt will take place on December 1 and 2, 2006. Why, Mr. Cherry did that the other night out of his bedroom window. The sound of the hounds didnt come any closer, and after a while they seemed to separate, some working toward the east and some toward the west. When it comes to hunting game most newbies get excited about their first experience. Once hes across it, hes got us licked.. Dismal Swamp hunts include Lodging and Meals. It wasnt a very big bear-something less than 200 poundsbut getting it out of the brush wasnt too easy. Dismal Swamp is familiar hunting ground to Ed and Dave, but it was both new country and a new kind of country to Lloyd and me. Houndsmen and consumate Bear. Watch out you dont hit the dogs, but soon as you can get a clear shot at him, let him have it!. The U.S. Either way, it didnt do anything to the bear but scare it. Reserve your Spring or Fall bear hunt today. A couple of minutes later, while we were still trying to decide what to do next, Dave and two other hunters, with three or four hounds at their heels, arrived breathless from the other direction. Lets go!. Proceed 0.7 miles and turn right on White Marsh Road/Rt. A quick stroll through the woods around our headquarters office, this trail meanders through a mature loblolly pine and switch cane. From Black Bear to Whitetail Deer, 3 to 6 day hunts, Lodging and Meals, Bow, Black Powder,Rifle, We Have Got you Covered. Turn right/east and follow US 58/US 460 Business to they rejoin the bypass. As a result, the federal government had to provide a measure of fire protection. Lloyd had drawn the stand nearest the cabin-a slight elevation where a good-size tree had been wind-thrown across the trail. We all pounded down the trail toward the cabin, jumping or scrambling over the trunks of fallen trees, slithering through mud, tripping over roots, and getting our feet snarled up in creepers. Hunt im!. The 2021 Black Bear season is Nov. 12-21 and Dec. 11-26. Use the info below to apply for your Swan Permit today. For what seemed a long time nothing else happened. The narrow trail, hedged in by a tangle so thick that you could see only a few yards into it, was a succession of dips into shallow gullies and rises over slight elevations. If you experience any issues with the site or this page does not refresh try again in a few minutes. Then I heard a rifle shot, followed after a couple of seconds by two others close together. The animal spun round so that it was broadside to me, shifted into high gear, and headed straight for the tree trunk on which Jim was sitting. Please visit the refuge's hunt permitting and information page for permits, rules and regulations, and detailed hunt information. Did one hike and one bike ride at Great Dismal. Applications go on sale July 1st, deadline is Oct. 1st $10 to apply Chances are about 90% if you apply in July!!!! Great Dismal Swamp NWR's updated (2021) Hunt Plan outlines the expanded hunting opportunities permitted on the refuge. He hadnt seen or heard any more than I had, and I went back to my stand. In places where deep peat beds covered the underlying clay and sand, groves of dead trees, their roots charred away by the slow ground fires that sometimes smolder in the peat for years, waited for the big wind which someday will topple them. Again for a long time nothing happened, and I took the opportunity for a good look around me. Saw a bear! Dismal Swamp Outfitters. But really they kill some bears in the county during the two bear seasons. (Jericho Lane and Washington Ditch trailheads are on White Marsh Road.) A self-guided driving tour, the Lake Drummond Wildlife Drive, can be accessed from the Railroad Ditch trailhead. Great Dismal Swamp National Wildlife Refuge (757) 986-3705 3100 Desert Road Suffolk, VA 23434-8973 View Details Our Species Wildlife thrives here and plant life abounds. Hunting on the refuge is open on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays from October 1 through the first Saturday in January. Then it bolted across the trail, skidded to a stop, and came tearing back. The Great Dismal Swamp National Wildlife Refuge is a place of both ecological. If a bear comes through here, he remarked, hell be so close to me by the time I see him, Ill have to do some fast shooting. I was sitting on the cabin steps and heard the shots and then the hounds, the veteran explained. Then the silence of the swamp was broken by the far-away baying of a hound. The refuge offers hunting of white-tailed deer, black bear, wild turkey, coyote and grey squirrel through designated areas in accordance with local, State and Federal regulations. Species-specific seasons are in accordance with local and State regulations within the refuge's open hunt period. The bears have been bustin up his beehives somethin scandalous this year, and hes provoked at em.. . For more information about this hunt and the Great Dismal Swamp Wildlife Refuge, you can call them at (757) 986-3705. Past the library head toward Cedar Fork Elementary School at 1050 B Town Hall Dr. Morrisville, NC 27560. Long bows, recurve bows, compound bows, and crossbows are all permitted. With meals and lodging included, book your hunt with us and let us handle the rest. Of course idiots who believe that bears have more rights than humans are happy and I even read comments from people saying that this proves there isn't an overpopulation of bears because "even hunters" couldn't find the bears. In the dips we quashed through sticky black mud. I have written it in several articles, but it is worth writing again documenting one's lineage is not a linear process. Well get him. My articles narrate my experience on the genealogical learning curve. Theyve bayed him! Cortez Temple said. Hunters must apply for and receive a Swan Permit before booking a Swan Hunt!! The number of Black Bear in and near this refuge reach staggering numbers which makes our success 100% most all the time. top of page. Out of the first boat that arrived there stepped a tall, white-haired man who didnt carry a rifle, but had a couple of good-looking hounds on leash. 252-340-2585. The diverse ecosystem boasts communities ranging from bald cypress to red maple and the globally rare Atlantic white cedar. I used to go after em when I was younger, he told me, and there are plenty of em around here for yall to hunt, but now I leave em alone unless they pester me out of all patience. Services. Then, although it was the end of October, the mosquitoes came down on meclouds of them, and every one ravenous. Learn more about invasive species It's a **** of a sound. Hunting on the refuge is open on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays from October 1 through the first Saturday in January. - 855- 488-1116 or click on "contact us" to e-mail us from our web site At Harris Hill Resort we offer quality service, great hospitality, . Waterfowl, however, for some unknown reason, seldom visit the swamp. Tom Remington At Wallaceton we loaded hounds, rifles, duffel, and ourselves into an ancient boat, Ed spun its outboard into action, and we headed up the feeder ditch which leads to mysterious Lake Drummond, hidden in the heart of the swamp. Great Dismal Swamp National Wildlife Refuge | Suffolk VA Heres where he crossed, he said, and led the way into the brush. We offer the best North Carolina has to offer in Big Black Bears and Whitetail Deer. The Swamp remains alive with the summer songs of breeding prothonotary, prairie, Swainsons, pine, black-and-white, yellow-throated, yellow, hooded, Kentucky, and black-throated green warblers, northern parula, and dozens of other birds. Please ensure that Javascript is enabled in your browser settings before accessing Smartsheet. That bears likely swum the feeder ditch, someone said. Turn right on White Marsh Rd. We tied its legs together, strung it on a sapling, and sweated happily over the job of carrying it to camp. You might just find a letterbox to stamp! Last stop on the letterboxing tour! The tall man from the boat carried no gun but had a couple of good-looking hounds on the leash. Anyone hit him?. We offer the bestNorth Carolina has to offer inBig Black Bears and Whitetail Deer. When we got into the thicket we found a very quiet bear. Washington Ditch entrance: From the Jericho Lane entrance, go south on Rt. Resident wildlife in this area includes pileated woodpeckers, five-lined skinks, and white-tailed deer. We cant get through theretoo thick and boggy, he decided. Look for signs for the feeder ditch to Lake Drummond along US 17 at the Dismal Swamp Canal. For help with site loading issues click here. It's a home and a stopover for about 47 species of mammals, 200 birds, 96 species of butterflies, and much more. Jim and I had to admit that wed wasted our ammunition. The hounds whimpered and strained at their rope leashes as we passed other gum trees freshly stripped of their berries, but thats as close as we came to seeing any bears on our way in. Thick tangles of red maples, magnolias, and black gums grew out of oozy quagmires. and follow it north to White Marsh Rd. Theres no other music so exciting as that made by hounds and hunters. For more than 30 miles the highway parallels the Dismal Swamp Canaleastern border of the 700 square miles of marshy wilderness that sprawls over a sizable portion of two Virginia and five North Carolina counties. Bear hunts are semi- guided and you will be taken good care of!!! The Great Dismal Swamp proved to be too big an obstacle for hunters as no bears were taken during the hunt. Below white with black spots on flanks. To return to the interstate, from the Refuge headquarters, turn right on Desert Rd. A "blue" phase occurs near Yakutat Bay, Alaska, and a nearly white population on Gribble Island, British Columbia, and the neighboring mainland. 47K views 2 years ago It's the North Carolina bear season again and the crew heads "Down East" again to hunt the giants of the swamps of Eastern North Carolina. He pointed down the trail. How many bears was it that you told me was the most you ever killed in one year?. Finally I called to Lloyd, got a low-voiced reply, and went back along the trail to see what he was doing. To register, contact the Hog Island WMA between January 16-20, 2023, at (757) 357-5224. But 10 minutes later I heard the hounds again. Small mammals are abundant, and large species such as black bear, bobcat, and river otter are encountered with unusual frequency. Bear hunts are semi- guided and you will be taken good care of!!! Now his doctor wont let him go huntin, but he just couldnt stay away when we told him we were goin to have a bear race. Dismal Swamp Outfitters . Down, dogsdown! Dave commanded, hauling back a neat-footed little bitch that was doing a tightrope-walking act on the gunwale. In the hope of being able to see over the obscuring green screen that I couldnt see into, I looked around for a tree I could climb. There are too many water moccasins in this ditch for comfort, if you should tip us over!. Sitting on the screened porch and watching twilight and then darkness steal over the swamp was a creepy experience. Three-mile wide Lake Drummond, located in the heart of the Swamp, is one of only two natural lakes in Virginia. Black crown, nape and moustachial stripe border white cheeks and side of neck. Photos. One of the easiest ways that anyone can support bird habitat conservation is by buying duck stamps. From I-664 South in Suffolk, take Exit 13A- Suffolk (460/58/13 west). After a couple of minutes we came to where the narrow cross trail branched off, and turned into it. This story, Bear Hunt in Dismal Swamp, originally ran in the February 1946 issue of Outdoor Life. $5.00 Vehicle Access Fee for the Auto Tour route to Lake Drummond, via the Railroad Ditch Entrance (Auto Tour hours vary seasonally - check website). At almost the same instant, Lloyds and Daves rifles spat. It was late afternoon when we got back to camp. Down! Hunting on the Dismal Swamp tract is with archery tackle only. The refuge may be explored via 40 miles of nearly level trails and roads, many of which parallel drainage ditches surveyed by George Washington during the mid-1700s. At times in the recent war, smoke from these fires was so thick that it served as a screen for prowling German submarines offshore and often interfered with Army and Navy flight training. When we got to the edge, a big stump in my way made me drop behind Temple. Registration on or use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Service. Give us a call to book a hunt of a lifetime up against The Great Dismal Swamp National Wildlife Refuge 3 Day Black Bear Hunt The 2021 Black Bear season is Nov. 12-21 and Dec. 11-26. Some hunt areas may be closed early or closed completely due to weather, road conditions, or emergency operations. Leave Indian Creek Trailhead by following the greenway past the stormwater pond and up to Town Hall Drive toward the library. By that time Jim, justifiably startled but still balanced precariously on the log, had jerked his gun up. The deer season in the refuge. Last night, I reckon.. The panic-stricken bear kept right on going, hurdled the trunk and just missed Jim, who was sprawled on his back on the ground behind it, and plunged into a thicket before I dared risk another shot. After half an hour or so we arrived at the dam whose gates control the flow of water from Lake Drummond through the feeder ditch into the Dismal Swamp Canal. For your Black Bear or Whitetail Deer Hunt of a Lifetime. Lloyd, who started life on a California cattle ranch and still wears blue jeans when he goes hunting, wiped his hands on them and picked up his .30/30 Winchester. Turn right on BUS-13/ E Washington St and proceed for 2.0 miles to US 58/US 460 Business. The hounds subsided obediently on the floor boards, and the boat rocked back onto its flat bottom. These include collecting data on hydrological conditions, wildlife populations, forest habitats, invasive species How come you got here so quick? Dave asked him as we hurried along in his wake. The first hike was over Thankgiving weekend 2012. I couldnt see Lloyd, but in the other direction the cover wasnt quite so thick, and I could make out Jim. Explore the scenic and accessible trails on national wildlife refuges in the Northeast, from Maine to Virginia. Turn right, travel for 6 miles, then turn right on US 17 South and proceed 11 miles. The tour is a 6-mile trail on a one-way gravel road, and features three boardwalks to stop at along the way. Never mind, Dave consoled me as he swung the bow around, I guarantee well get one tomorrow.. This tannin-stained, cypress-lined, isolated lake may be visited from the east by small paddled craft, or from the west by road and hiking/ biking trails. Read more OL+ stories. My stand was the next one, fifty yards farther along and as closely brushed in. Wildlife thrives here and plant life abounds. To continue to the headquarters, proceed on White Marsh Rd to the four-way stop. So Dave and I set out in a boat on the off chance of jumping a bear. . View Seasonal Observations Submitted to eBird, Great Dismal Swamp National Wildlife Refuge, Site Contact: 757-986-3705, GreatDismalSwamp@fws.gov. I couldnt see anything but the green walls that fenced me in, and I didnt hear anything but an occasional muffled cough from Jim. No matter how many hunting trips youve made, there is a sense of taut-nerved expectancy on each new going in that sets your blood to circulating faster. And anyhow, the outboard makes too much noise. Sixty-two, Temple said in a matter of-fact way. Whats the matter, Cort? someone asked. 170 talking about this. Lineage. Limited spots available- 705-892-2204. About 40 of the 58 hunters who had been selected via a lottery drawing to participate in the hunt, found out just how tough hunting in the swamp is. At almost 113,000 acres the refuge offers a little bit of everythinga lake, small ponds, sphagnum moss bogs, and marshes, as well as some forested wetlands. The Great Dismal Swamp consists of 112,000 acres in southeastern Virginia and northeastern North Carolina. 5,858 were here. Then we went back to the dam and listened to Cherry tell bear and snake stories while we waited for the rest of our party. In fact, the Refuge may currently provide the best opportunity to see black bears in the entire state. Nowadays that narrow, straight-as-a-string channel of black water is the only route you can travel into the part of the swamp where the bears are thickest. This project is endorsed enthusiastically by the Virginia Commission of Game and Inland Fisheries, which sees in it an opportunity to open the swamp to thousands of hunters now barred by lack of transportation and other facilities and by the exclusive privileges given to local hunting clubs on the western side of the swamp by some of the absentee landowners. Getting involved at Great Dismal Swamp NWR is a great opportunity to learn new skills and help conserve our public lands. Any one of the three shots which had hit it would have settled its account. Related Posts. Now they seemed much nearer-close enough for me to hear someone urging them on with high-pitched yells of Hunt im! 642. Ready for a Hunt you will never forget? Your guide Earl will take good care of . Moose Droppings has the updated story of the event. Discontinuance of this wartime protection now is giving the swamp and its game back to the fire devils, and interest has been revived and intensified in a proposal that the government buy a quarter million acres in the swamp and create a national forest. Tour routes of great scenic drives on National Wildlife Refuges. Harvest numbers will be closely monitored and when 20 bears have been killed, the two-day hunt will end. It would be both easy and dangerous to get lost in the swamp, and my advice to the hunter who visits it for the first time is to hire a guide who really knows itand to stick close to him. Reared up on its hind legs, it was snarling and cuffing at the worrying hounds. FAQ. Great Creek Hunt Club: Brunswick Co. Green Town Hunt Club: Brunswick Co. Grey Swamp Hunt Club: . 2023 Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources. WINTERPOCK HUNT CLUB: CHESTERFIELD: CATWABA BEAR HUNTERS: CRAIG CO. Locast Hill Hunt Club: Culpeper: MILAM RIDGE HUNT CLUB: . One of the easiest ways that anyone can support bird habitat conservation is by buying duck stamps. The number of Black Bear in and near this refuge reach staggering numbers which makes our success 100% most all the time. Dave was just opening his mouth to reply when what sounded like the daddy of all dogfights broke out in a hardwood thicket a few hundred feet ahead of us. 100% Success on Tundra Swan (Feild/Open Water) www.ncwildlife.org 1-888-248-6834 We unloaded our boat and packed our duffel a few hundred yards along a muddy trail leading through jungle-thick brush to the comfortable camp of the South Side Gun Club, whose members hospitality Lloyd and I were enjoying. Id rather kill a rattler or a moccasin than the biggest bear or the finest buck thats ever been taken out of the swamp.. Ed, who was steering, laughed and pointed to the clean-stripped branches of a black gum tree on the bank. 0. Whether its Black Bear or Whitetail Deer, we've got you covered. He has a farm on the edge of the swamp a few miles below the state line in Carolina, and I reckon he knows more about the Dismal than anyone else alive. At nearly 113,000 acres, the refuge is the largest intact remnant of a vast swamp that once covered more than one million acres of Virginia and North Carolina. Father Bonnie led off in an animated strain. Snout tan or grizzled; in profile straight or slightly convex. After a moment he shook his head sadly. It doesn't get any better than right here at The Dismal Swamp Lodge.. Dismal Swamp Outfitters offers Black Bear and whitetail deer Hunts in Gates County, with some of. Come on!. The somber gaze of the half a dozen other hounds crowded in the bow of the boat had been held unswervingly on the bank, but now they all surged to one side of our overloaded skiff. Arthur Grahame He was perched precariously on the trunk of a big down tree, with a double-barrel shotgun in the crook of his arm. Dismal Swamp Outfitters is here to help you make your hunting dreams come true. Give us a call and let us get you booked for a hunt of a lifetime. The Swamp is an excellent locale for studying butterflies of the southeastern United States, including cane-specialists such as lace-winged roadside-skipper and creole pearlyeye. It's becoming increasingly more popular as hunters realize there is a lot more Great Dismal Swamp National Wildlife Refuge. Too early now for the chance of a shot, Dave discouraged him. The Service and our partnerstowns, states, Tribes, universities, industries, landowners, and nonprofitshope to make working with nature a new normal up and down the Atlantic Coast. This desolate Virginia marshland gives off weird and spooky vibes, but theres an antidote for thata bruin hunt, By Theres always a thrill in that. We brought our dogs and luckily one of them spotted a momma bear and her cub before it was too late. The Great Dismal Swamp is the largest site on the entirety of the coastal region of the VBWT system. Home to some of Eastern NC's biggest Black Bear and Whitetail Deer. There was no movement in the tangle of creeper-interlaced brush that covers the low banks of the feeder ditch; not a leaf shivered in the foliage of the occasional black gums and sweet magnolias that rise out of it. The other hunters cautioned me that Jim, the third stander, would be close to me, wished me luck, and disappeared up the trail. Comments can be submitted by email to greatdismalswamp@fws.gov or mailed to . and follow it for 7.0 miles north to downtown Suffolk and BUS-13/ E Washington St. Where the path turned into the brush I looked back. There are plenty of them in the swamp, of course, but by the time the hunting season opens they usually have pretty well quieted down for the winter, and swamp-wise sportsmen refuse to concern themselves over what they say is just about one chance in a million of getting bitten. Archery tackle may be used to take any legal species in season. , and wildfire. Fanning out in that tangle was easier recommended than performed, but we managed to form a sort of ragged skirmish line and, with rifles and shot guns ready, advanced on the thicket. Paddling quietly, we headed up the feeder ditch and turned the boat into a sluggish waterway which branched off from it. He was swatting mosquitoes and cussing fluently. Proceed 2 miles to the refuge office. About. Daybreak in the swamp was as dreary as twilight had been, but with a couple of dozen impatient hounds yelping outside the cabin and half as many equally eager hunters stamping into their boots and demanding breakfast, it didnt have a chance to get us down. It was Cortez Temple. 3 22 cm. Male has small red mark on the side of nape. Now and then we skirted considerable areas of fairly dry land lying a foot or two above the high-water level and covered with thick jungles of second-growth hardwoods, brush, and creepers. It seemed a long time since we had heard the hounds. With lodging and meals provided, the only thing you will have to worry about is which one to harvest. Lodging and meals provided. Give us a call and let us help you with a hunt of a lifetime. Been eatin berries. Thats Cortez Temple, Ed told me. It was agreed that the hounds would be unleashed at the far end of this trail, so that they would drive any game they put up toward standers who would be stationed along the mile of trail that paralleled the ditch. Dismal Swamp hunts include Lodging and Meals. In the days when cypress and cedar were being cut, the ditches which lead into Lake Drummond from the western side of the swamp were busy waterways, but now they are so barricaded by wind-toppled trees and so clogged by snake-infested aquatic growth that it is impossible to pole even a canoe through them. The Great Dismal Swamp is a naturalists dream. The level of the canal is of more than local importance, since it is a link of the Intracoastal Waterway. By standing on its trunk he could see a scant five yards into the brush and perhaps twice that far along the trail in either direction. His hurried shot sent a rifled slug smacking into the brush a few inches above the bears head, and the guns kick unbalanced him and knocked him backward off the tree. This text has been minimally edited to meet contemporary standards. The hardest part about your hunt is picking out the perfect Bear or Deer to harvest. Cortez Temple stood looking down at the carcass. Here in Columbia the boys run them critters w/dogs. What I want to know, he said, is what darned fool named this swamp Dismal?. Earle B. Winslow / Outdoor Life This story, "Bear Hunt in Dismal Swamp," originally ran in the February 1946 issue of Outdoor Life. Cortez Temple grunted. Comprised of nearly 113,000 acres of forested wetlands, canals, ponds, lakes, sphagnum bogs, evergreen shrubs, and marshy borders, the Great Dismal Swamp National Wildlife Refuge is the largest site on the Coastal section of the Virginia Birding and Wildlife Trail. With a variety of opportunities in a wide range of programs, anything from visitor services to habitat management, there is a place for everyone. 252-340-2585, 1365 Turnpike RdElizabeth City NC, 27909. Dismal Swamp Outfitters is a one stop shop for amazing Black Bear and Whitetail Deer hunts here in Eastern North Carolina.Located in Gates County, NC, up against The Great Dismal Swamp National Wildlife Refuge . Before I could lever another cartridge into the chamber it was scrambling over the trunk, not six feet from him. Even after the frenzy of spring migration subsides, wildlife watching in the Swamp can still be very rewarding. Office open Mon.- Fri, 8:00am - 4:00pm; closed holidays. Dismal Swamp Fox Hunt Club: Southampton Co. Flagtail Hunt Club: Southampton: FORKS OF THE RIVER HUNT CLUB: Turn left onto Desert Rd. Its recommended to obtain a map from the Refuge website or visitor center. Over 200 species of birds, including 35 kinds of warblers, attract birders, most of whom visit the Swamp during spring migration in mid-April to mid-May. It was a bear! Bear sign, and fresh, he commented. Its a wonderful way to spend a few hours outdoors with friends or by yourself. Access: Free. If you're keeping score, the bears that inhabit the Great Dismal Swamp that stretches from Virginia into North Carolina, won the first round of the bear hunt on Friday. Dismal Swamp Outfitters LLC. He was carrying an old single-barrel shotgun that I recognized as one Id seen standing in a corner of the cabin kitchen. With the relaunch of the full Ontario Spring Bear Hunt in 2016, . His discourse was like the tropical swamp, bursting out with a lush abundance of every kind of growthgrave, gay, grotesque, solemn, fanciful, and even coarse caricature, provoking the broadest laughter. The hounds neck hairs bristled when their noses caught the bear smell, then they were off on the red-hot trail, running with their heads up and giving tongue in a way that promised a short chase. Trail Length (mi) 0.44 Trail Difficulty Easy Route Type Loop Trail Activities Birding Dog walking Photography The Great Dismal Swamp is a naturalist's dream. All youth hunters must register for this event and registration will be first come, first served. He wasnt running, but he was walking almost as fast as we could run over that bad footing. Fan out, boys! My rifle brought itself up to my shoulder, and I lined the sights on the black body and squeezed the trigger. The hunters of the Dismal Swamp say that these deer have been produced by natural selection, that deer with huge spreading racks could not survive in the thickness of the swamp and were. And the swamp was as still as it was silent. Some one, forgetting that the swamp veterans doctor has ordered him not to go hunting, asked him which stand he had drawn. Camden County Bear Hunt. By that time the sun was shining brightly, but in the brush it was as dim as twilight. Note: Mosquitoes are also present in large numbers, so bug spray is highly recommended. Jericho Lane entrance: From SR 32 South in Suffolk, turn left on Washington Street/SR 337. Over 200 species of birds, including 35 kinds of warblers, attract birders, most of whom visit the Swamp during spring migration in mid-April to mid-May. Follow the fall foliage on a tour of the Northeast national wildlife refuges. Published Oct 31, 2022 12:00 PM. Hes been huntin bear and deer in here all his life. Back on September 8th I brought you the story of a proposed bear hunt in the Virginia portion of the Great Dismal Swamp. 252-340-2585, Our 2021 Black Bear season is Nov. 12-21 and Dec.11-26. Tour routes of great scenic drives on National Wildlife Refuges. Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made. When they had squeezed that juicy subject dry they got onto the legends about swamp spirits and spooks which are so well believed that many people who live all their lives in the villages on the edge of the Dismal never set foot in it. Important things that matter like protecting your ears, eyes, Read More >>> Night Vision VS Thermal Optics for Hunting. Then I saw something black and big moving quietly and quickly through the brush behind him. In the East, nearly black; in the West, black to cinnamon, with white blaze on chest. There I waited impatiently, but no bear came crashing through the brush across the trail from my perch. But sometimes late in the evenin, when its almost dark, you can sneak along in a row boat and shoot a bear out of a tree., Shucks, Ed said, you dont have to go sneakin round in a boat to shoot a bear out of a tree. Above black barred white. A few yards back in the tangle I spotted just what I neededa gnarled, weather-bleached stump about eight feet high. Used to open Western country, he shook his head doubtfully. At near 113,000 acres, the refuge is the largest intact remnant of a vast swamp that once covered more than one million acres. It's a home and a stopover for about 47 species of mammals, 200 birds, 96 species of butterflies, and much more. His old single-barrel gun went smoothly to his shoulder and, a split second later, blasted out a slug. All hunters must possess a refuge hunt permit. Hence we biked the second time around. While we were drawing for our stands, Cortez Temple picked up Lloyds rifle, sighted it lovingly, and put it down again without saying anything. Their unwelcome presence can destroy ecosystems and cost millions of dollars. In the course of our boat hunt we again saw plenty of bear sign but no bears. Night hunting is a whole different ball game for hunters. But theres a cross trail, and if we get on it in a hurry we may be able to cut that bear off. In spite of his recent exploit of shooting a bear from his bedroom window, he has a live-and-let-live attitude toward most members of the bruin tribe. The price for bear hunting in the Great Dismal Swamp could drop this year if Refuge Manager Chris Lowie gets his way. The refuge is a wild area, and hunters should be prepared for rigorous hunting conditions. While searching for the refuges many birds, even the most casual observer will encounter some of the Refuges 87 species of reptiles and amphibians. You can follow I-664 north to the Lower Peninsula Loop or continue west on I-64 to the South Chesapeake Loop. It set my pulses pounding, and I stared expectantly into the brush until my eyes ached. One day last year they killed a 275 lber, 335 lber and a 577 lber in the same day. I will use this page to group articles to help readers who want to focus on specific families and, when possible, I . And if I dont knock him over, Ill have to do some even faster runningif I can find any place to run to!. Dogs are allowed and recommended. Fish and Wildlife Service is partnering with the National Park Service to share the experiences of members of the Civil Rights Movement and African American and Black leaders enjoying and finding well-being in the outdoors. Travel 0.7 miles to the Jericho Lane entrance. After we had poured some of it out of the bottle, we were cheerful enough to eat a big meal, and then start a game of penny ante on which no ghosts intruded. Bear hunting always promises excitementand not infrequently it produces it in quantity. 642 for 4.5 miles and turn left at the Boardwalk Trail/Washington Ditch entrance. Boat access along the refuges eastern boundary: Exit Suffolk on US 13/58/460 East/North to I-264 North for 2 miles to I-64. The game is there. Hunts of a lifetime. A damp chill penetrated my bones. After waiting a quarter of an hour, the rest of us followed them. It was a warmish, windless day at the tail end of October, and except for the putt-putting of our outboard there was no sound. But I just remembered that I clean forgot Id promised the doc not to go huntin anymore!. Overall, it's beautiful nature but the looooong straight paths are a little monotonous. Juvenile browner with variable extent of National wildlife refuges partner with volunteers, youth groups, landowners, neighborhoods and local community members to make a lasting difference. Trails open daily, sunrise to sunset. See the Hunt Brochure for detailed map and regulations. At nearly 113,000 acres, the refuge is the largest intact remnant of a vast swamp that once covered more than one million acres of Virginia and North Carolina. Not as good as my deer dogs, but acceptable. These days I do most of my killin on snakes. BY THE TIME all the dozen members of our party got to camp it was mid-afternoon, too late to start a drive. More. Of course, the talkers didnt think there was anything in the stories, but. An invasive species is any plant or animal that has spread or been introduced into a new area where they are, or could, cause harm to the environment, economy, or human, animal, or plant health. Each lucky winner will pay $50.00 for the permit. A bear was what we were after in the forbidding Dismal Swamp of tide water Virginia. Photos of black bear hunts in Eastern North Carolina with Dismal Swamp Outfitters. invasive species Rather small black-and-white woodpecker with longish bill. National wildlife refuges improve the quality of life for millions of Americans by boosting access to outdoor recreation, buffering storms, cleaning our air and water, and conserving wildlife. When we got to the cabin he dropped the pole, swabbed his wet face with a bandanna, and grinned widely. Candidate Conservation Agreements (CCA & CCAA), Coastal Barrier Resources Act Project Consultation, Coastal Barrier Resources System Property Documentation, Great Dismal Swamp National Wildlife Refuge, 11 Ways Wildlife Refuges Make Life Better, Wheelchair-accessible trails of the Northeast. Bear Hunt In The Great Dismal Swamp ; The hunt is restricted to youths (15 years of age and under) and each youth must be accompanied by a licensed adult. Working with others to conserve, protect and enhance fish, wildlife, plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. Bear just crossed, with hounds right after him, he said. Then we saw that there was someone ahead of us. Bears are plentiful, and there probably are more native Virginia white-tail deer than there were two centuries ago. Mr. Cherry, the superintendent at the dam, came down to his dock to meet us. Before we go any further, lets get ourselves oriented. The bear spun halfway round, slumped over sideways, and went down with the hounds tearing at it. If history is any indication, however, the bears have little to fear, even if the lower fees have the desired effect of bringing in more hunters. Use tab to navigate through the menu items. The sounds of the scrap going on in there had reached a new high of snarls, howls, yelps, and deep-throated growls. huntncbear@gmail.com. Turn left at the first light onto Rt 337/ East Washington St. At the second traffic light, turn left onto Rt 642/ White Marsh Rd. Half an hour earlier Lloyd and I had kept a long-standing date with Dave and Ed at the general store at Wallaceton. And going in on this amphibious hunt was even more exciting than usual. Another and another chimed in until it sounded as if they all were running on a hot scent, but after a few minutes the chorus dwindled to uncertain individual barks which soon died away. Two men sitting near me began talking in low voices about some swamp dweller who had been driven by the silence and loneliness to cut his own throat. Tom Remington. Theres an effective antidote for those Dismal Swamp blues. Ultra-heavy arrows and hefty fixed-blades have their place, but quality mechanical broadheads still rule the whitetail woods. Hunting Outfitters in Northeast North Carolina, bordered against the Great Dismal Swamp National Wildlife Refuge that's over 200,000 acres with an unlimited supply of bear. | The hawk hovered in slow circles high above our boat; and the turtle slithered noiselessly from the black mud under an overhanging bank into the thick-looking black water that our propeller churned into yellowish foam. Search for volunteer opportunities around the country, News about wonderful wild things and places, FWS is taking steps to mitigate climate impacts, Search employment opportunities with USFWS. The three club members who had volunteered for the tough job of hunting the hounds set off along the trail with the dogs at their heels. Big fortunes were made out of the cutting of its cedar and cypress, but now almost all the good timber is gone, and the lumber companies which own the land dont consider it worth while even to guard it against the fires which sometimes burn over hundreds of square miles. Bears were what we were really after, but the season was open on white-tails, and some of the hunters who had unsatisfied appetites for venison werent going to pass up an opportunity of bagging a buck. They sounded as if they came from at least half a mile up the trail. Great Dismal Swamp Bear Hunt. Your guide Earl will take good care of . The Great Dismal Swamp National Wildlife Refuge was created in 1973 when the Union Camp Corporation of Franklin, Virginia, donated 49,100 acres (19,900 ha) of land after centuries of logging and other human activities devastated the swamp's ecosystems. And that's just for starters. The silence became uncanny, and when an unseen hound howled dismally somewhere in the crowding mist it was like a voice from out of this world. Firearms are not permitted here but are allowed on the 3,800 acre main tract of Cavalier WMA, which is located approximately 6 miles to the southeast. 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