I went to Fort Stewart yesterday mainly to scout some for deer and maybe run in to a pig. Did both.
I reneawed my pass and checked in to my favorite area. I have not been there for over a year so it was enjoyable seeing these places again.
I made a loop through the edge of the swamp trying to avoid all the water and came out on a small pine ridge. there more pig sign than I`ve seen there in years. The place has been closed for most of the year due to training. I took this pic of a mud rub..
(http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/rcswampbucket/IMG_0093.jpg)
then went another 100 yards and almost got a shot on a doe. I ran her off just as I was getting into bow range.
Took this pic of a live oak that is at least a year or two old...
(http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/rcswampbucket/IMG_0094.jpg)
Then I looped back into the swamp on a bearing that would carry me towards the truck.I had taken a few pine cone shots and was about to shoot at a stump and noticed something black behind a pine .Then it moved. I hunkered down into stalking mode loaded up a MagI and headed to them . There were about 10 or so butterball shoats and a nice boar around a 100 lbs I never did see the sow but I`m sure she was around. I got about ten yards from two shoats and considered shooting one but really wanted the 100lb boar. They were coming my way and at about 15 yards I slwly shifted for the short and made the very slightist sound in the water and the boar pegged me.After a short stare down he broke camp and the shoats went with him.
Not a bad trip for the first time over there in a year or so. Headed back right now. Maybe some meat this evening.RC
While in the military, around 1970, I attended jungle survival school at Stewart, where most of our "exercises" amounted to slopping through the swamps alone on moonless nights, navigating from A to B. I still recall all the instructors' scare stories about giant mean-tempered hogs, alligators, and quicksand. Never saw any such, but sure looked like a good place for all.
Good luck RC. Can you hog hunt there after deer season? I have been wanting to try it down there. Lots of land though to figure out where to hunt. One heck of a deal money wise from what I heard.
RC, have you hunted the swamps on Warner Robins AFB? Lots of bottom land and lots of hogs.
Man I sure wish we had pigs around here!!
Barry,
Cant wait till spring. Good luck RC.
I hunted there last February or March while training at Fort Gordon. Fellow Tradganger Steve Sheetz got me on a couple little piggies. Most of the areas we wanted to hunt were closed so we made the best of it. They were sure tearing things up.
I spent some quality time on Ft. Stewart in the early 90's. Saw a Volkswagon Bug hit a big boar one night driving back into the post from Savannah. The boar got up and ran off, the bug was dead! Another time we were on a FTX when a large sow with a bunch of piglets following here wandered into the middle of our site at about 0530 when we were all trying to be nice and quiet. She got upset when she figured out what had happened and ran several people up onto the hoods of their trucks befroe she headed for the swamp.
I think I know EXACTLY where you are hunting :)
(http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y295/jkmolongbow/HPIM0475.jpg)
Good luck!
Went back today.Spooked a Big Boar from his Bed up on a pine ridge. I headed through a Water Oak flat where I`ve killed pigs before and Got on a sow with 6 shoats. I was in kinda thick palmettas and once was within ten yards and coud`nt get a shot. Once again a shoat came into the open and I passed wanting to shoot the bigger pig . The small one got down wind and hollered MAMA and they all split.
I was beside a swamp and heard walking in water. I slipped to the edge and saw a Turkey Gobbler walking in water about 6" deep. Who said Turkeys won`t go in water.
Most pig sign I`ve seen there in years. I`m headed back next week God willing.
Here is a pic of a pond I saw tons of Gators in years ago.RC
(http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/rcswampbucket/IMG_0097.jpg)
Jeff , You can hunt pigs on Stewart all year except for during Turkey season.
KnifeRiver, I have not hunted Warner Robbins but I have hunted and killed a lot of pork on Ocmulgee WMA thats close to it.RC
Go get 'um, Robert. Glad to see the good units are open again. My last 3 trips to the Fort found them closed, but I still saw a few pigs in other units, just haven't been able to get back to the honey holes you and Mudfeather showed me.
In the mid 70s I used to roam the swamps down there after deer and hogs and it was some of the best times I have ever spent in the woods. Your a lucky man.
I was stationed there 6 years ago, Was too busy to get in the woods. We trained up, then left too Iraq for the initial push. I wish I had the chance, cause it is the largest military reservation East of the Mississippi. I was at FT. Benning prior to that, and had a blast there. Spent many moons scouting and hunting......
Now Im in Colorado, and having the same luck. Training-Deploy-Training-Deploy-Training-Deploy. Hopfully I'll get a chance after this deployment.
I need a break.
Casey
Robert, I think I walked by that pond many times during the 80's - that used to be some of my ol stompin' grounds.
Great hunting on Stewart. Good luck.
Gotta say, the title threw me off.