But when a bird won't cross a stream, the obvious alternative is to go to him. With a bit of preparation, that should not pose a major problem. When hunting in wetlands or areas interlaced by small streams, I usually wear a pair of l6-inch-high LaCrosse rubber boots. They let me wade many waters and shallow swamps while staying dry.

If perchance you come to a stream that is deep enough to come up over the tops of your boots, you might want to consider removing your boots and socks, rolling up or even taking off your pants, and wading across. Only a brief pause on the opposite side will be required, and once you re-dress, you can proceed on your mission.

For that matter, in warmer weather, getting wet is well worthwhile if a fine tom is in the offing. I first got such a soaking when I shot a fine bird on the opposite side of a creek that normally ran only inches deep. At the time, it was rushing right along, thanks to heavy overnight rains. However, I got my reward, and rest assured, I didn't give a second thought to wading to my prize.

STREAMSIDE HUNTING STRATEGIES
The points made already suggest some of the effective strategies that can be employed around water, most notably approaches by watercraft. However, there is one matter that deserves much closer scrutiny. Choosing that setup spot in either swamps or along a stream can be crucial. In swamps, for example, you want to make sure you are in an area that is easily approached by birds, and you are much better off if you nestle down on dry ground. How well I remember a hunt in my home state. My host mentioned a supposedly "impossible" bird that consistently roosted deep in a sizable swamp.

I discussed the matter with him in some detail. And then, with the aid of an aerial photograph of the area, I decided that an old dike running through the heart of the swamp might provide a solution to getting close enough to the old tom for meaningful calling.

The dike gave me a way of getting to him without getting wet, and I also felt reasonably certain he would fly to the dike upon leaving the roost or at least use it as a strutting area. That proved to be the case, and he came readily within gun range for the friend I was calling for that morning. It was all a matter of getting into a place where the bird felt comfortable. That's often the case when you're dealing with turkeys in watery situations.

Along streams, your setup should be reasonably close to the edge of the water, and in the case of smaller creeks, I like to get right on the bank if feasible. Often this will allow me to cover ground on both sides of the creek.