Guru is a killin machine! I'm gonna let him tell y'all about it later. Hold please.
SWEET thats awesome GURU. :bigsmyl:
Now its time for the story and pictures.
and you still have a day or two left.
Great, now he's teaching Marty how to milk out a story :rolleyes:
Dog gone Lamb disciples... :biglaugh:
Awesome, looking forward to the story :)
Was there ever any doubt?
Marty puts Curt in an area with a lot of hogs and there really is only one outcome!
Great job by both of you!
Congratulations!
:campfire: :coffee:
:thumbsup:
Way to go. Glad to hear you others are leaving some for me. See you tomorrow.
:saywhat: :coffee:
bring it on Buddy
I hope there is pics.. :bigsmyl:
Oh, I'm sure there'll be pics. Guru takes some GREAT pics! Please hurry! Can't wait.
Let's see those pic's ?
I hate it when you guys do this!
Patience fella's - he's back on a tree! Til Sunday!
:thumbsup: :thumbsup:
Marty...we already knew Curt is a killin' machine. Old news!
Ok it's been over two hours this is bordering on rude. Lets hear it....
Come on Curt, at least throw us a crumb....
I'll bet it's a hog he's killed. I think he's in Florida. I noticed he was lookin' for one certain kind of arrow(s) in the classifieds for hog huntin' while in Florida. Yeah, that's it! He's killed a big ole razorback!
I could be wrong though.
I would guess that he is busy shooting or keeping up with Terry at the Solana hunt.
Now that everyone is chummed up... whaz up?
Man you guys are a tuff crowd to please :goldtooth: :jumper:
Tracy
No pictures- never happened...
Joshua
Looking forward to details of adventure !!
We're waiting........
chris <><
He's just waiting for midnight to make sure Biggie is in on all the updates...
Guru and Biggie went to bed- tired from trailin and skinnin! He told me to tell you guys that he'll fill you in next year.
:thumbsup: :thumbsup: :coffee:
Skyler has a pic from Curt that has a Big Pile of Dead Critters in it....Several species....Probably gonna have too wait till Curt gets tired of killing or gets home :)
:coffee: :coffee: :coffee: :coffee:
I hope he used the shafts I sent him! That'd be neat. Hap
Ok its next year why aren't these guys posting yet? :bigsmyl:
Can't wait to see the results. Happy New Year everyone.
:coffee:
gonna have to wait. Temps in 60's.. perfect for a long morning sit.
Hap, ya know I am supposed to get all your shafts!! Where are bro? I am finally alive after last night and needs the story!! Shawn
Hmmmm,m it's around 9:30 next year. Rattler must have got him.
Awe.. come on.. let the poor guys hunt. They never get to hunt the rest of the year. 8^) bw
:campfire: :coffee:
Tick... tick..... tick.
Now I'm thinkin serious hangover
Now, Wait a minute...
"Guru Scores"
Read between the lines.
Marty must have missed something! Marty Tell us about your miss!
pete
Peanut master did it again Pete yesterday or day before. As far as Guru he is on stand for the enening. As are the rest of us
Not a hangover, Curt doesn't drink :readit:
Tracy
What did the Peanut Master DO??? Good Luck!
Yeah , but if his "guides" are hungover and can't keep the rattlers, gators, panthers, bears, and skunk apes away , then do you really expect the little feller go out into the Okeechobee swamps by himself?? OR maybe he did go out and got lost..OR maybe the boys took him out and lost him.. OR maybe he went crazy and shot a bunch of pigs and is still skinning...OR...
skunk apes :scared:
My guess is Guru is still skinnin' hogs.
FYI The official Skunk Ape Day is Dec. 27.
Historically, it is the day Skunk Ape comes out of the 'glades and smells his shadow. Legend has it if he smells his shadow there will be 11 more months of heat and humidity if he doesn't there will be 11 more months of heat and humidity.
Just food for thought.
OH!! so that was what I was smelling when Guru hunted with me on the 27th!! I thought it was the little Yankee. Sorry Curt
Still waiting...
Still hunting! The number down climbs!
I'm done waiting- gonna head out and kill something of my own. See ya!
Don you get Anything? I did but this is all about Guru
Doesn't he come in at night and check the gang before bed? Not fair to bait us all with this thread. 4 pages and counting and we don't know what he shot. Killing me! :)
Has anybody seen Guru? He was supposed to come huntin with me and Biggie last weekend?
:knothead:
Tracy
Marty did you loose Guru?????????
I'll never tell.
Guru-Guru- whereforeartthou Guru?
Shakessperian call for the Guru.
How can you resist that Guru.
I passed up a bunch of hogs this weekend so's not to bugger up his chances and I know Marty did too. The least he coulda done was show....
Ferret don't you pull that one on us too!
maybe the skunk ape really did get him :eek:
I don't know, he was sending out all kinds of pictures of piles of dead critters caliming he and Biggie and Marty were shooting them...
Well now we know for sure what many of have been thinking.....Guru is an urban legend. Biggie and Marty created this Guru persona-hard working family man, good father and husband and successful bowhunter. Man, we should've known better! I wonder who the guy is in the pictures that get posted here on tradgang? Hey, I think that Terry is even in on this! :saywhat:
My dreams have been shattered! :knothead: Mike
if they were going to create a fictional character you'd think they would have at least made him better looking ! :eek:
hogdancer, the whole scenario was a little tough to believe anyway....a GQ model would've been too much! Mike
May be the Swamp Guy did get him.
(http://i261.photobucket.com/albums/ii45/heilakka/2010/racoon/realguru.jpg)
dang, I would'nt want my kids to see that !
I honestly don't know where to start this one...
I don't have much time right now, as I'm catching up with the family and I'll be leaving for home in the morning.
I will say now, that without a doubt, I just sent 4 days with two of the finest men I've ever had the priveledge to spend time with!
Marty McMahon and Wayne "Biggie" Hoffman
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v77/Guru39/Florida%2009/P1050968.jpg)
I really need to think about this one a little before I go ahead....
What I experienced the last 4 days is going to be so hard to explain...... I'm truly without words because I know, anything, in any way I try to describe it, will pale in comparison to being there....
I have almost 200 pix to sort thru....this on'es going to take a while....so please be patient....
My favorite picture from the weekend....an example of the comraderie,fun, and friendship we all shared....
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v77/Guru39/Florida%2009/P1060157.jpg)
Stay tuned.....
Nice hog Curt, you need to get some meat on your bones if you are going to hang with the big dogs. :biglaugh:
Jack
Where is Guru? he said he is in the picture but I don' see him. Uh hold on, my daughter is cleaning my glasses. ... OH there he is. That little piggy is twice your size! Nice Hog!!!!! I guess he ain't so little!
I do know what you mean about the actual experience of being there and trying to tell the story. Sometimes the saying " Ya had to be there." holds true as it most certainly does in this case.
pete
I am looking forward to following this thread.
Good for you Curt. That smile says it all..
Curt sounds like you had a great time and we haven't even gotten too much of a taste of it and it looks like that Marty and Biggie are as good of folks as we thought they were!!! Nice hog too by the way...
waiting on the rest of the story!
Dang, couldn't go hunting this weekend. I forgot I was grounded for hunting with Guru last weekend. Something about having to take my daughter to some stupid volleyball tournament. I get tired of all those hot volleyball moms undressing me with their eyes but I guess I gotta take one for the family.
Knowing that area Marty hunts, Guru should have have laid down a dozen or so hogs before the skunk ape got after him.
Uh, which one's Marty and which one is Biggie?
I recognize you...I think. Who's the little Yoda with the back'ards hat?
Killdeer ;)
That does look like a killing team that is for sure.
Wait , there's 3 people in that pic?? I only see 2.5
Oh-Oh... I smell a 300 post thread coming up. BW
Way to go Curt! Lookin forward to the story and pics!!
That looks like a BW bow in his hand
I think that would be a kwick stick he has a hold of there.
I was always under the impression that Two and A Half Men was the title of a TV sitcom.
Looks like it turns out to be the name of a Florida hunting camp :saywhat:
Will be waiting on the stories :thumbsup:
Fellas, Just checking in as I pack for the trip north to NY.....it'll be a few days before I get to pix and stories....but I bet Marty and Biggie can keep you all entertained in my absense.
Those two are like a 2 man comedy show....and I gave them plenty to talk about...but remember boys..."what happens in camp, stays in camp" :pray:
Curt,
I can't wait to read about it buddy.. I'm glad it was so awesome you have to think about how to tell it. That right there speaks volumes of how this adventure went...
Take care,
Todd
Todd, Honestly...what this experience meant to me, the company I shared, the camp, the hunting...it all added up to an experience that for me is hard to put to words....
Just a couple random pix to hold you guys over for a couple days....
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v77/Guru39/Florida%2009/P1060001.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v77/Guru39/Florida%2009/P1050984.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v77/Guru39/Florida%2009/P1060023.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v77/Guru39/Florida%2009/P1060048.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v77/Guru39/Florida%2009/P1060073.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v77/Guru39/Florida%2009/P1060209.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v77/Guru39/Florida%2009/P1060176.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v77/Guru39/Florida%2009/P1060139.jpg)
We'll talk in a couple day...enjoy...
Curt wrote...."but remember boys...what happens in camp, stays in camp"
Oh boy sounds like this ones got "exotic dancers". Thats why you took so many pics, I knew them southern boys had more fun. :bigsmyl:
Dang it! You ship Faith off to the great white north and then go stack up a bunch of pigs. Can't wait for the story.
Mike
"Fellas, Just checking in as I pack for the trip north to NY"
Who in their right mind would want to do that!!!!
Dang Biggie look at those paws!!! no wonder you have trouble finding a bow grip that fits.
Great looking trip guys will be following this one close.
QuoteOriginally posted by Guru:
...but remember boys..."what happens in camp, stays in camp" :pray:
just don't run for public office and you should be fine.
I'm no Lord of the Rings fan, but that photo looks just like Frodo being flanked by a couple of Orcs!
Congrats Curt ,Biggie,& Marty. Cant wait to hear this.
What the hell is that growing below Biggie's beard? Is that a goiter? Is it my imagination, or is that coon smiling? My next gift/invention to Marty is going to be three five foot poles wired vertically across the front of the swamp buggy to block and catch all the spider webs and huge spiders before they smack us in the face.
Boy I can tell this is gonna be a good one.
As for the first pic with the hog, I didn't realize "Minnie Me" was a bowhunter!
Congrats curt for a nice hog,but how big is Biggie big? He can easily eat all that boar by himself.LOL
You know what they say about guys with big hands.....................they have big gloves.
QuoteAs for the first pic with the hog, I didn't realize "Minnie Me" was a bowhunter!
That's exactly what I thought :) ...good stuff. Nice work on the piggy.
Hey Curt you might want to think twice about heading back north, pretty darn cold here :readit: Looking forward to the pics when you get thawed back out.
"Minnie Me", now that's funny :biglaugh: :biglaugh:
Curt, Congrats on the hog, can't wait to hear the story.
Guru, Don't forget to send me a check for Peanut's steak diner you promised her! She's stoved up from all the trailing this weekend. She did tell me guts are easier to smell than blood and that I can have you back anytime!(sorry Guru-some things are too funny not to post)
This is going to be 300 posts for sure...can't wait. :campfire:
QuoteOriginally posted by Marty:
Guru, Don't forget to send me a check for Peanut's steak diner you promised her! She's stoved up from all the trailing this weekend.
That sounds like the pup got a work out and she maybe found a lot dead critter wich means lots of stories to tell.
So you were hunting on the Yellow Brick road when Da Plane, Da plane flew over Fantasy Island and you ended up on a hunting camp filled with HUGE hunting legends(well, it is Fantasy Island!)
Looks like fun, PLEASE keep the camp secrets a secret. :smileystooges:
Sounds like a blast,can't wait for the rest of the stories!!!
I'm glad I'm not in a car with my wife and 2 kids on the way to New York! At least there's hog meat in the trunk!!!
Even driving slow and with lots of P stops he should be home by now.
He might have bit off more than he can chew this time as far as stories and pictures go.....
You know with 200 pictures and all those stories this coudl take a while.
there are all the short videos too. The man has some stories to tell.
Yes he does....It will be interesting to see if he tells them the way I saw them.
You guys wouldn't believe the briar holes in my legs!
QuoteOriginally posted by Biggie Hoffman:
Yes he does....It will be interesting to see if he tells them the way I saw them.
You guys wouldn't believe the briar holes in my legs!
I understand you taking your britches off to go into a pond to gather a buck, but why take them off to go into a briar patch?....
Todd
Home now fellas, and editing and loading pix....so just hang on a little longer...
"My Biggie".....that's what my wife keeps calling him when she refers to the hunt...I think it's kinda cute..."My Biggie" :biglaugh:
"My Biggie", now you know I can't "tell all"...but I will tell "some", and let the pix tell a lot of the story....
Glad you and the family made it home OK....AND looking foward to this tale..can't wait....
I just bought stock in Orville Redenbacher to get ready for this one.
Tub-o-Popcorn and keg of soda at the ready. Let the stories commence!!!!!!
Glad you made it home Guru. Hit any snow?
Come on Curt, and you better bring more than a pig we've waited too long.....
5 days of memories should not be told in a single day or a large post.. I think you should streeeetch this one out. You could start today and still be posting on Sunday...
Take your time, relax, enjoy the ride. You'll just have them coming back for more and drive some of them bonkers.
Can't wait to see the pics and hear the stories.
This ought to get me pumped up for Hogs in Feb.
:coffee:
Hurry Curt i have to be at work in a hour. :banghead:
Heck Todd, those Florida Rose bushes will cut thru leather chaps so a pair of cotton britches are worthless anyway.
Curt left with a new scar across his nose and Marty got dizzy once from loss of blood....
Ok....here we go....
After finally shaking hands with Marty in Okeechobee...we were off to camp. Keeping up with Marty on the highway is not an easy feat. I wasn't the only one excited to get to camp!
It was quickly obvious to me that going to camp never gets old to Marty. He loves the place, and enjoys showing it to guests. Biggie would meet us there.
I left my car on the camp road before it got too rough, loaded my gear in Marty's truck and it was off to camp!!
I'd met Biggie last year, but had never hunted with him. This was gonna be cool!
Unloading the groceries....
• (http://www.tradgang.com/upload/curt/P1050966.JPG)
Marty's phone rings, he talks for a minute then hands me the phone saying something to the effect that Cade has something wrong with him, and he wants you home. Instantly my heart is in my throat, thinking something is wrong!
I grab the phone and hear giggling...it's Gene Wensel...they got me! Let the games begin!!!
After a slight problem with an electrical breaker, and they had me getting in my camo, and it wa time for my first buggy ride. Marty and Biggie were just going to ride, scout, and gather trail cams while I hunted to get ready for tomorrow.
The place was incredible! Bigger, badder, and more beautiful around every turn in the trail.
Before I knew it I was at my first stand and up the tree. Good luck from Marty and Biggie and they were off leaving me to enjoy the Florida wilderness.....
• (http://www.tradgang.com/upload/curt/P1050967.JPG)
"Timex"...ready to go.....
• (http://www.tradgang.com/upload/curt/P1050972.JPG)
I wasn't alone very long. Wasn't a half hour and these hogs showed up....
• (http://www.tradgang.com/upload/curt/P1050973.JPG)
• (http://www.tradgang.com/upload/curt/P1050974.JPG)
Gotta go pick the kids up....a lot more tonight...I promise :goldtooth:
It's good already! Thanks Curt and looking forward to more!
:campfire: :archer:
:banghead: :campfire:
Could I get a drum roll please?.....
When the hogs first came in, the one with the white spot on it's head was 12yds., head down, quartering away....this was happening almost too quick!
I wanted to shoot the sow without the little one's. Even though they were eating corn, so probably big enough. I wanted to try to shoot the one that the little one's didn't belong too.
So I watched them for a while and took pix and some video clips. I was in no hurry, didn't think they were going anywhere too quick. About the time I had figured out which sow the little ones belonged to, I was about to reach for my bow, when something totally unexpected happened....My watched beeped it's hourly chime! They were gone in an instant!!
I'd attached the watched to my pack to have it around camp, and had forgotten to take it off my pack in my haste to get ready...what a rookie!!
Some other first evening visitors....
• (http://www.tradgang.com/upload/curt/P1050978.JPG)
More hogs came and went at a distance as the sun set. But no dead hogs brought to camp the first night....
• (http://www.tradgang.com/upload/curt/P1050980.JPG)
What a place!!
"My Biggie" and Marty had seen some hogs and collected two cameras. So after an outstanding dinner(man we ate good), we checked them out....
Curt,
I could see in the pic of your bow that you had the cattail canister on it, like always. Did you use it or just watch that hanging moss? Great idea that you shared, by the way.
Man, I miss all that. Haven't been lived in FL since '92. I do remember those big yeller spiders though. Glad you had a great hunt and I am looking forward to the rest of your yarn!
Ray
Gosh, those squirrels are almost as big as the piglets. Glad you didn't shoot a little piggy. Although "pork on a stick" ain't all bad. Looking forward to the rest of the story. :thumbsup:
Sounds like a great start!
Sounds like a great trip. Looking forward to more of teh story. I was getting some bits riding in the truck with Terry at Solana.
Guru- You're killin me and I was there!!!!
Great story! Congratulations!
....One of the trail cams, that was set at #3 that there was a group of 4 hogs coming into the feeder religiously just after it went off in the morning, and evening. #3 has quite a history, lot's of critters have died there!
Marty decided that if the wind held, that's where I'd be going in the morning.....
After some great stories by the camp fire, we were off to bed.
Before I knew it, we were all up sitting by the campfire again. That's the ritual at Marty's. Up early, grab a cup of coffee(if you drink coffee,I don't), and sit and enjoy each others company before jumping on the buggy to head off to the stands.....
We all wished each other good luck, I grabbed my Kwyk Styk, and my Sitka pack, and I stepped off the buggy within steps of the bottom of the ladder, and with the aid of my red lensed headlamp,climbed up and settled in. The hogs and deer tolerate the scent of the buggy, more than the smell of human odor around the stands. So it's much better to drive right to the bottom of the ladders if possible. Kind of bizarre to a N.E. whitetail hunter, but over the course of the next few days it was proven over and over thru observation.
It was very warm, and humid this morning. Also quickly apparent that I'd need my Thermacell! The mosquito's were quite active in the pre-dawn darkness!
As it got lighter and I could see I was getting quite anxious. After checking out the trail cam pix, I was hoping the hogs would keep their pattern and be close by. I soon saw the silhouette of a dark hog circling around the right side of my. It quickly moved off out of sight though, seemingly just cruising.
Then came the always startling sound of the feeder going off! Dang it, just when ya think you're ready for it, it still makes ya jump!
But then, within seconds I heard a hog grunt off to my right in the palmettos. They'd heard the breakfast bell, and almost instantly I could hear, and then see them trotting in!
I was going to have to be patient as they fed around. Hogs are always moving when feeding. There was three boar hogs, and one sow. It was quickly apparent that the biggest boar, wasn't the boss. There was a slightly smaller one in the bunch that was very aggressive with the others.
After watching them for about 15 minutes, the smaller aggressive boar was broadside at about 12yds.....the 3 blade VPA Terminator disappeared thru him. In a second I was all alone and my arrow was stuck in the sand....
• (http://www.tradgang.com/upload/curt/P1050981.JPG)
I knew from where the arrow had gone thru him that it wasn't at all perfect, but too far back, about mid body, left-right...up-down.....
I sent Marty a text and explained what had just happened. He let me know that he'd just shot a doe. Both would need some time as Marty's doe was hit a little too far forward. But Marty said the penetration looked to be sufficient.
There was no rush to look for either of these. I just sat tight and enjoyed the rest of the morning.....
Man there was a lot of these things around....quite cool looking....
• (http://www.tradgang.com/upload/curt/P1050983.JPG)
View from the stand....
• (http://www.tradgang.com/upload/curt/P1050987.JPG)
Sitka Ascent 14 pack, with a hot weather hunters best friend....Thermacell!!
• (http://www.tradgang.com/upload/curt/P1050988.JPG)
The mystical Spanish Moss, I luv that stuff....
• (http://www.tradgang.com/upload/curt/P1050992.JPG)
Another resident on the other side of my stand...
• (http://www.tradgang.com/upload/curt/P1050996.JPG)
• (http://www.tradgang.com/upload/curt/P1050998.JPG)
I got another text from Marty that Biggie had texted him that he was going to head shoot a coon that was by his stand. When Marty pulled up to get him...there was a coon with an arrow thru it's head! But the question is....what came first...the text, or the shot....only Biggie knows.....
When they got to me, I climbed down and we looked at the arrow, and quickly checked for any sign of blood. The arrow was "paunchy", and a quick search revealed no blood close by. It was decided to leave the arrow right where it was so Peanut could smell it when we came back, and go look for Marty's doe first.....
On the way to Marty's stand....
• (http://www.tradgang.com/upload/curt/P1060001.JPG)
When we got to Marty's stand, Marty got Peanut started where the doe stood when he shot and she was quickly off with Marty...
Long, not much blood at first, but as Peanut followed, further along the trail, the blood became very easy to follow. But that wasn't even necessary,Peanut was all over the trail and about 100yds later Biggie and I heard Marty yell that he had her! We got to Marty,Peanut, and the doe and he went for the buggy....
• (http://www.tradgang.com/upload/curt/P1060002.JPG)
Giving Peanut some well deserved water....
• (http://www.tradgang.com/upload/curt/P1060003.JPG)
On the way back to #3, we passed Hogdancer's "punishment stand"....
• (http://www.tradgang.com/upload/curt/P1060005.JPG)
We got back to my stand, Marty let Peanut smell my arrow in the ground, and Peanut was off!
At first we weren't even sure she was on the right hog, but we soon found a smear of blood. The palmettos were thick after about 80yds. marty noticed Peanut stop for a while like she was smelling something, then she turned around and came back to us. At first we didn't think anything of it, but as marty was trying to get her going again we found another smear of blood. So Marty had ge check out the spot she'd stopped at. I busted my way in and at first didn't notice anything. But then I looked about 5 yds to my left....and there was my hog! You wanna talk about relief!!! I couldn't thank Peanut enough!!
No way we'd have found that hog without her!!
Peanut had found it, and by time we saw her, had lost interest and left it. Marty also said that she'd been "hit" before by a hog that wasn't quite dead yet. So she didn't get to excited when she found them...
• (http://www.tradgang.com/upload/curt/P1060009.JPG)
Me and hog "guide"(that's just for Biggie)supreme, Marty "The Man" McMahon...
• (http://www.tradgang.com/upload/curt/P1060010.JPG)
• (http://www.tradgang.com/upload/curt/P1060012.JPG)
Stand "Number 3"....
• (http://www.tradgang.com/upload/curt/P1060014.JPG)
So there ya have it...we'd gone 3 for 3 on the morning of day 1.....
• (http://www.tradgang.com/upload/curt/P1060017.JPG)
Now after looking at that last pic, is there any doubt how Wayne got the nickname "Biggie"????
CONGRATS GUYS :thumbsup:
Great Photos and there Guru and very nice story telling.
good story so far, but !
That's not the punishment stand !
and, I can't tell you how much I am looking forward to hunting with you again , BUT, I am not sure I want you to be around me with sharp broadheads and a bow when you don't know how to operate a baseball cap ! the bill goes in front ! :eek:
Cool pics and story tellin keep on typin & loadin pics !!!
Thanks so much for taking us along! I've never hunted hogs... but would like to now!!
:thumbsup: :thumbsup:
You call that "unloading groceries"??? Thats not much more than a snack!
Did you get any pics of Biggie's favorite cooler in the bed of his truck? Its bigger than a coffin....
Gene, don't tell us it's lined with silk and has six brass handles... ;)
Way to go Curt!!
Wow, Marty, that is a beautiful place. That doe you shot looks like a big doe for the south. Good going Curt! Pork chops!. Biggie is so honest that I'm sure he shot the coon in the head BEFORE the text!
Great story and pictures so far. That is a beautiful place or sure. I still cant believe I am going to get to see it in person.
I don't think I have any pix of the cooler Gene, but my goodness I've never seen such a beast!
Jon, No doubt in my mind Biggie shot it before the text! Marty just has to give him a hard time about everything :smileystooges:
I can just imagine what it's like when Gene, Barry, or Joey is around....
Needless to say they kept me in stitches :clapper:
Randy, You really have one heck of a trip in front of you!!
Good-going, Curt! Happy for ya!
Great hunt, that is some unique looking country. Way different than anything I have ever hunted in.
Nice!! Looks like a blast Curt.
Just getting started fellas...so many more pix....time is short right now....back later...
Hogdancer- that is your new "punishment stand". You've stirred more pots than Aunt Jemimah since you hunted here!!! Pay backs will be in order!!!
I am very blessed to have had this lease for a long time and it is very unique! Biggie'e been coming there for over 15 years and still gets lost!!
good, that punishment stand looks like a step up !
what do you mean "Aunt Jemimah" what are you trying to say ? I don't think that's politically correct for you to say that.
She's a cook dummy-ok Juliette Childs.
SEEEEE that's how you stir the pot!!!!!!!!!!
Refering to that punishment stand...
Thomas...remember that quote from Billy the Kid in Young Guns????
"O'l Mexico? That's the test of all tests....Hell, I'm in".
Terry- if you can hold on to that stand- I have a theory about hogs- "If you corn them-they will come!"
Curt,
What do you think of the Ascent 14 pack? It doesn't look very big. How much stuff can it hold? I have a Sitka 32 pack on the way because when I hunt in colder weather I sometimes have to pack quite a few pieces of clothing and other gear.
Congratulations on what looks like a fun hunt.
Allan
Thomas, I have a feeling Marty's gonna have "something real special" waiting for you next time
:scared: :thumbsup:
Great pic's and story....just getting caught up and now ready for more....Guru...how did the VPA's work for you? Didnt get a chance to put mine to use at Rays....
Afternoon Day 1....
Heck, I don't remember the name of this one. But it was a low ladder with a very nice plastic seat.As you can see, between the nice warm weather, and the seat,I was quite comfortable....
• (http://www.tradgang.com/upload/curt/P1060022.JPG)
You just never know what you're gonna see in south Florida....
• (http://www.tradgang.com/upload/curt/P1060023.JPG)
First 4 legged visitor of the evening....
• (http://www.tradgang.com/upload/curt/P1060031.JPG)
Dang, I should'a bought a license like Marty suggested!!
• (http://www.tradgang.com/upload/curt/P1060033.JPG)
• (http://www.tradgang.com/upload/curt/P1060034.JPG)
Caught this one just as the feeder went off. As you can see,we're not the only one's the get startled.....
• (http://www.tradgang.com/upload/curt/P1060039.JPG)
Good stuff.....
• (http://www.tradgang.com/upload/curt/P1060044.JPG)
Second buck of the evening...
• (http://www.tradgang.com/upload/curt/P1060047.JPG)
Sitting around the camp fire the last night, Marty asked ..."So which sit was your favorite?"
They were all good, and certainly more that included some shooting at hogs.....but there was "something" about this sit. The warm weather, lounging back, the Cranes, the does and bucks...just a real relaxing sit....this is the one I picked...
You got me fired up Curt. I leave for my annual FL hog hunting trip on Sunday. I think the Fl woods are amazing.
The VPA's worked real well, as long as I did my part...excellent broadhead!
This is how everyday begins and ends at Marty's....
• (http://www.tradgang.com/upload/curt/P1060049.JPG)
If you look close, you can see Marty's on the phone. Something Biggie was always quick to point out to me.....I'd hear, "Curt"...and Biggie'd be pointing to Marty... :scared:
These guys should write a book...seriously!
Guru, that's the New New Piece. Bears tore down the New Piece stand so Marty named that one the New New. Easy to get confused eh?
As far as writing a book, Marty can't read, Joey can't spell (Ole Miss Grad) and I can't remember half of the stories. We're a pitiful bunch...
Congrats Curt! Looks like you and the boys had a blast! :thumbsup:
You dont get bored in stand like that - all that action. Were there any bugs? Black flies etc?
Thanks buddy, all the names and places...too much for my "yankee" brain to take in.....
"The Pitiful Bunch"....there's your title!!!
The next morning again found us by the fire, then it was onto the buggy. Today I would hunt the "Hog Trap". Marty mentioned that a real good boar hog was hitting this spot, but he also said that a couple bucks were also using the area. One he talked about was a 7pt that he said was a "nice buck, but needed another year or two".....
Again dropped off with feet of my stand and up the ladder I went to wait for daylight.
A half hour later, I sent a text to Marty..."your 7pt is here".....then 2 more younger bucks showed up.....the next 2 1/2hrs were filled with non-stop action from the bucks(and a coon). The 7 and a 6pt sparred on and off the whole time I was in the stand. and didn't leave till Marty and Biggie came to pick me up...
Enjoy......
• (http://www.tradgang.com/upload/curt/P1060059.JPG)
• (http://www.tradgang.com/upload/curt/P1060061.JPG)
• (http://www.tradgang.com/upload/curt/P1060069.JPG)
• (http://www.tradgang.com/upload/curt/P1060075.JPG)
• (http://www.tradgang.com/upload/curt/P1060077.JPG)
• (http://www.tradgang.com/upload/curt/P1060078.JPG)
• (http://www.tradgang.com/upload/curt/P1060095.JPG)
• (http://www.tradgang.com/upload/curt/P1060098.JPG)
• (http://www.tradgang.com/upload/curt/P1060099.JPG)
• (http://www.tradgang.com/upload/curt/P1060102.JPG)
• (http://www.tradgang.com/upload/curt/P1060106.JPG)
Great story and pics, those bucks look like they're at the beach. Do their necks ever swell up?
Nice Curt :thumbsup:
Looks like a nice day at the beach!
The feeder hadn't gone off for me that morning, so when the boys showed up, Marty checked it out. After fooling with it for a while, it was discovered that a stick had somehow gotten inside and screwed up the works....you can see the stand I was in in the backround. Those deer didn't know I was in the world....
• (http://www.tradgang.com/upload/curt/P1060109.JPG)
"My Biggie"....this is a great picture that really captures the biggster...
• (http://www.tradgang.com/upload/curt/P1060110.JPG)
Then we were off to check out a couple other stands before the rain set in....
Think there's a few Osceola's around???? (Biggie was bombarding me with corn as I snapped the pic)
• (http://www.tradgang.com/upload/curt/P1060111.JPG)
Marty collecting a trail cam...check out those sneaky eyes, he always looks like he's up to no good....
• (http://www.tradgang.com/upload/curt/P1060112.JPG)
Let me see....#2?????
• (http://www.tradgang.com/upload/curt/P1060113.JPG)
The beauty of south Florida....
• (http://www.tradgang.com/upload/curt/P1060115.JPG)
• (http://www.tradgang.com/upload/curt/P1060116.JPG)
• (http://www.tradgang.com/upload/curt/P1060117.JPG)
Man looking at these pix sure gets me stirrin'. I fell in love with the place!
That last pic I really like! Sure looks like a good time!
"My Biggie"
Boy..... That sure sounds like you are OWNED dude.
I was amazed at some of the places we went thru with the buggy....this water was 3-4ft deep!
• (http://www.tradgang.com/upload/curt/P1060118.JPG)
This is what happens when you go thru a trail that hasn't been traveled in a while. Marty saw a couple deer as we passed a trail off to the right of the one we were on, so he turned around and headed in to try to get a look at them. This is only a few of the buggers....they have a web so tough I swear you could stitch something with it. Not fun to get out of once tangled up in one.
Then you have to figure out where the spider is!!!!
• (http://www.tradgang.com/upload/curt/P1060119.JPG)
Another spot that was very, very deep...not even a challenge....
• (http://www.tradgang.com/upload/curt/P1060120.JPG)
Then it was back to camp for another fantastic late morning breakfast. Just as we got back the rain set in seriously!! The cold weather was coming!
A couple Sitka guys...wadda ya think Peter?
• (http://www.tradgang.com/upload/curt/P1060123.JPG)
Earlier when I talked to Gene, he mentioned Biggie's favorite spot...he was right on of course, I had to take this for him....
• (http://www.tradgang.com/upload/curt/P1060126.JPG)
"The Man" doin' what he does best :biglaugh:
• (http://www.tradgang.com/upload/curt/P1060127.JPG)
Great pics and story!!
Curt, good tale so far, don't worry about your Yankee brain, the 3 of you yankees made a good team !
:biglaugh:
This is good stuff Curt.
Curt
WTFG on that pig! I need to take the camera with me more often, those pics you took are awesome! Really puts you right there with ya!
Thanks for sharing!
GREAT Pics, Great story, As good as a thread can be....D and S
Sweet Curt, keep it comming........
Sounds like you all had an excellent hunt, couldn't ask for much more than good friends and plenty of critters...
Curt, congrats on the awesome hog brother! Marty, congrats on the doe, and Biggie congrats on the "called" head shot on the Coon... I'll take your word for it! ;)
Morning guru. Thought I would give you a weather report. 36 degrees wind wnw. So far 2 rabbits hung up at 25 yards. Birds are just coming awake. Buck just walked in Its the darn 7 point. Regards from Florida. You tell a great tale
Dang Les, You're in a stand? I'm very jealous!!!
Good Luck....nothing better than a last weekend successful hunt!
The rain ended and the leading edge of the cold front was just getting to us as we headed out to our stands for the evening. Les had offered up a stand that he hadn't hunted in over a month and it was reported to be loaded with hogs!
As we road out, it was clear that the wind hadn't yet settled. But Marty and Biggie, were pretty sure that it would turn out of the north like it was forecast'd to do. But boy, it sure had picked up in velocity!
Some of you might recognize Les' "pig platform"...
• (http://www.tradgang.com/upload/curt/P1060135.JPG)
I climbed and hung on for a while.First visitor of the evening...
• (http://www.tradgang.com/upload/curt/P1060133.JPG)
Less than an hour after getting into the stand, could see pigs coming!
I reached for my bow and camera...between the wind, and having a bit of adrenalin running through me :goldtooth:
But almost before I could get my phone back in my pocket, I glanced below to my right and there was a nice boar hog already almost in range......
Curt, it sounds like you had so much fun it would almost seem illegal. Thank the gods it isn't. I had forgotten what it looks like down there once you get off the highway.
I got a new bowl of popcorn, please continue.
Michael, it was MRS Cabrerra that named me "My Biggie" I'll take that 8-)
"Marty the man doing what he does best" I spit coffee all over the place....how true, how true!
Sometimes you feel like you are there by yourself.
Guru-Guru-Guru "doin what I do best" , I just showed you a weekend like that and bein on the phone is what I do best? I thought you wanted to come back? How do you know I wasn't calling the Hog Spirits to let out more hogs for you?
Biggie- Well you know what I just called you!! You don't have to come back either. I'm gonna head shoot this coon- right. Guru actually believed you!
Don't you watch MyNameis Earl? It's Karma. I head shoot 'em and youhit 'em "a little far back"
See? The coffeehasmy space barsticking...
Hey Marty ol' bud, ol' pal....that was just a type'o buddy.....it was supposed to say....
"doing what he does best.....to keep his G.C. business running at full speed in his absence and making sure all is well at home and checking on weather conditions as to get me in the very best spot on the lease every dang time!"....
I don't know how I messed that up the first time.... :goldtooth:
Gotta go shovel now :(
"Too much fun it was almost illegal"...that's a good way to put it....
Now that's better woodu. I'm fixin to go over this afternoon and end deer season with that 7 pts Daddy! It ends on Sunday and my freezer isn't quite full! Believe it or not- they are talkin 20's tomorrow night at camp and maybe snow!!!!!! South Florida- the only snow around here usually goes up people's noses!
Also-No more ammunition for
"My Biggie" - he needs no encouragement from you!!!!
Be careful-he's been hittin on my wife for years!
I hope the 8pt that you were talking about shows up and you drill him perfect! How's that for a season ending hunt?!!
Better pack your hand warmers and cold weather boots, wow that's gonna be COLD!!! Brrrrr...
Ya know my wife has been on here cell alot the last few days...and she always walks into another room when she's talkin......hmmmmm
So back to our regularly scheduled program.....
Now I have this nice boar, all alone at and he's working around eating, never stopping for a hardly a second. Hogs are very random feeders....
No time for a picture this time, didn't want to risk it....after the mmm...miss. I wanted a little redemption!
He quartered slightly away at 12-14yds...and the struck, but a little high! The VPA Terminator had severed his spine and he crashed to the ground with a hellacious squeal!
I quickly got down and put another arrow in his chest and drug him behind the stand in the palmettos....he was a little bigger than the first boar....
• (http://www.tradgang.com/upload/curt/P1060138.JPG)
A little redemption, but there should have been more hogs brought to the skinning rack that evening......
Hogs kept showing up
• (http://www.tradgang.com/upload/curt/P1060139.JPG)
An amazing sunset.....the cold air had arrived!
• (http://www.tradgang.com/upload/curt/P1060145.JPG)
Back at camp, we were all smiles.....
• (http://www.tradgang.com/upload/curt/P1060152.JPG)
You can see the entrance in the pic. Even from a tree stand, that's dead center spine. It runs very, very low thru the chest....almost hard to believe...
• (http://www.tradgang.com/upload/curt/P1060156.JPG)
Biggie says..."lets smother the little guy"....
• (http://www.tradgang.com/upload/curt/P1060157.JPG)
• (http://www.tradgang.com/upload/curt/P1060158.JPG)
The Terminator(Woodsman Elite) 160 that was removed from the spine, the follow-up Snuffer 160, and the knife that was made and given to me by "Jeremy" a few years ago. He made it to match my Kwyk Styk "Timex". It got a real work out on my Florida trip!
• (http://www.tradgang.com/upload/curt/P1060161.JPG)
Time and time again I'd find myself thinking..."If there's a better place in the country to hunt hogs, I'd sure luv to see it"....This is a very special place!
More in a bit.....
Wow very nice. How did you like that shoulder plate on the guy Curt? Isn't that amazing?
Curt
Howd u like the woodsman elite compared to snuffers and the original woodsman heads? would u use them for deer or keeping them to hogs?
And thanks for the awesome follow along :clapper:
Pete
Great hunt! Thanks for sharing it with us. :notworthy:
Curt good story.Those spiders do have the strongest web and the only one that is gold color instead of white.It has been tested and as strong strand size as kevlar.Kip
Outstanding Curt!!
It looks like a very special place indeed!
Really enjoying this one, and looking forward to the rest....I have a feeling there will be some more hog carnage before this is all over!!
Outstanding hunt Guru.Great photos as well.I never met Marty but Biggie is cool .RC
Awesome Curt......you think you can make this story last until the JLMBH? Need it to keep me going....
David
Sounds and looks like you had a fantastic time. Looking forward to hearing and seeing more.
Looks like you guys had a great time. Thanks for sharing the story and all the pics.
Great story and pics! Thanks.
One week to go until my hog/deer hunt.
Great story and pix Curt. Congrats on a fine hunt!
Enjoyed all of this.
Thanks for posting.
Beautiful photo`s.
Biggies smile is no doubt, contagious. :D
Thanx fellas, but it's not over yet!
Someone asked about the Terminator/Woodsman Elite bh's....They are a fantastic bh that I would shoot at about anything that walks. I was shooting the 160 non-vented glue-on's mounted on 125gr. steel adapters...Great broadhead!
.......The next morning I would sit the "Snake Hole"....It was very cold by south Florida standards, for me it felt just like home.
Shortly before daylight I had 4 young bucks come in. I could see small antler on them with the help of my binocular. They soon wandered off and within minutes of their departure, I could hear crunching over by the feeder...hogs!
This was another wonderful morning filled with a lot of action....but no dead hogs brought in to hang and skin. Some of the sites....
• (http://www.tradgang.com/upload/curt/P1060165.JPG)
• (http://www.tradgang.com/upload/curt/P1060167.JPG)
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After the morning hunt it was time to "detail" a stand. All the stands at Marty's place are extremely well thought out. Not a stone goes unturned to make them as effective as possible. I've hunted a lot of other peoples stands, and it always seems that there's something I would change. But that was not the case with any stand I hunted...
Almost every feeder had two stands, to hunt different wind directions. All had great backround cover, either natural or added. All were rock solid, and none of them squeaked or rattled...absolutely silent! All had at least one bowholder, sometimes more than one to give options. Every one had a pull up rope...like i said, no stone unturned!
Here's Biggie adding some backround cover, then a bowholder to a stand.....
• (http://www.tradgang.com/upload/curt/P1060182.JPG)
I swear, I'm jealous!
What do we get for post #300???
:biglaugh:
You know, Gene's new book has some space dedicated to "detailing" ladder stands. I wonder if this is a chicken or egg type thing.
Curt, you had WAYYYYY too much fun :biglaugh:
The pics are awesome, can't hardly see you behind that big grin!
After lunch we went back out on the buggy to check a few things out and corn a road we'd already chummed up a couple times already.
This was the third time we'd corn this road, and it had been picked clean both times prior. Once on each side of the road. Now both sides looked as though a dozer had gone thru....more on this road later....
So on the way back to camp, all of a sudden Marty cuts the engine and we coast to a stop. They'd spotted hogs!!
I could also see the palmettos shaking and certainly hear them, but until they actually pointed one out I couldn't see any. But there was no doubt there was quite a few hogs in there...and they had no clue we were around!!!!!!
I put my shooting glove on, they put my bow in my hand and pushed me off the back of the buggy...
..time to test my "ground game"...the hunt was on!!!!
I'd left my camera in a pouch on the buggy and I thought about it too late to give it to one of them to take pix or video.....but little did I know...Marty had found it......
At first I walked down the roadway, checking with them to see If I'd gone over far enough. They had a birds eye view from the buggy about 70yds away. Then they urgently started motioning for me to head into the palmettos. I was trying to be quiet at first, but soon realized that making noise wasn't a problem at all. The hogs themselves were making a racket and even if they heard me, they'd just think it was another hog in the sounder....my priority was to keep the wind in my favor....
• (http://www.tradgang.com/upload/curt/P1060184.JPG)
• (http://www.tradgang.com/upload/curt/P1060185.JPG)
I finally started to close on some hog sounds that seemed to be staying relatively in the same place......
• (http://www.tradgang.com/upload/curt/P1060186.JPG)
Soon I was 5yds. from a totally unsuspecting sow....but had no shot......
• (http://www.tradgang.com/upload/curt/P1060187.JPG)
Then, as she started to walk off, quartering away hard and still unaware of my presence, a shot opened up at about 8yds....
• (http://www.tradgang.com/upload/curt/P1060188.JPG)
I saw the Terminator hit her right where I wanted it......far back as she was quartering away sharply, but burying deep, up into her chest....
• (http://www.tradgang.com/upload/curt/P1060189.JPG)
She crashed off squealing, and after just a few yards I lost track of her in the chaos of the departing sounder thru the palmettos...
• (http://www.tradgang.com/upload/curt/P1060191.JPG)
At the time, I had no idea Marty had caught it all on film.....
What a magical and special trip that was! Between the characters, the tropical paradise, and the game, one of the best threads in a long long time!
Enjoyed every word and picture - thanks for taking all the time and effort to include us :notworthy:
what a great time, and a great thread, keep the stories and pictures coming
Oh, we're not done yet! :D :thumbsup:
Carry on bud!
I agree, this is an AWESOME thread! Congrats Curt!
:) :) :)
Cool story! I'm really enjoying this one!
Nice work so far Curt.
We were close enough to hear the arrow thump. I grinned at Marty cause we both knew he'd hit the opposite shoulder. It's the finest sound in the woods!
I was glad I'd left my camera behind...that is till I saw this :scared:
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• (http://www.tradgang.com/upload/curt/P1060192.JPG)
We went to camp to get Peanut, the tracking wonder dog.......
very intertaning thread Curt. Thanks for sharing. Don
Great story Curt..... Thanks !!
Good stuff Curt. That last photo must have been a shock as you reviewed you pics. Looks like a wonderful time with Marty and the Bigster in the jungles of S. FLA
From the looks of it Curt you were in constant DANGER. Good job watchin your back and getting out of there safe! I dont think those guys look very stable.
Too good Buddy, just too good! :bigsmyl: :thumbsup:
Looks like a blast Curt!!
Great thread....keep it coming.
:bigsmyl: Boy, that one had a big ol' head on him. :biglaugh:
I heard you were stacking them up in Florida Bud! Congrats! CK
It keeps getting better.
Relly nice story Curt,I appreciate;we need more pics in this forum like your thread.
Now I know what I want to do in retirement (winters). That just looks plain fun Guru.
You-da-man, thanks for sharing!!!
QuoteOriginally posted by Shaun:
Looks like a wonderful time with Marty and the Bigster in the jungles of S. FLA
Shawn, " Wonderful" doesn't even start to describe it buddy. Those are two very special and entertaining fellas. It was all such a privilege....
Marty's there now and he's already had a heck of a morning!! Did I mention he likes to text??? :readit:
Congratulations, Curt. They are a scream when they get together, aren't they?
Back at camp we grabbed a quick drink and loaded up Peanut....
A good look at the buggy compared to Marty's pickup...quite a rig!....
• (http://www.tradgang.com/upload/curt/P1060183.JPG)
When we got back to the area where I shot. I showed the boys exactly where I was, and where the pig was, and Marty was off with Peanut. Biggie and I stayed back to look for blood. Never found a drop! But with the entrance, and I was pretty sure the bh hadn't exited as it was headed for the off shoulder...that didn't surprise us...
With all the pigs that were there when I shot, I figured it would be very confusing for Peanut. But within a couple minutes Marty yelled that he had her!!!
Peanut had once again done extremely well! I was once again in awe of the well trained little beagle....Marty puffed his chest with pride...his little dog had once again done her job!!
The well-hit sow had only gone about 70yds. As you can see in this pic, the arrow entered back and was lodged in the off shoulder........Peanut looking at me wondering..."Dang, I'm the one that found it"....
• (http://www.tradgang.com/upload/curt/P1060194.JPG)
My Kwyk Styk, CX arrow with Terminator 160 bh....
• (http://www.tradgang.com/upload/curt/P1060195.JPG)
Biggie took some great pix....
• (http://www.tradgang.com/upload/curt/P1060196.JPG)
• (http://www.tradgang.com/upload/curt/P1060198.JPG)
• (http://www.tradgang.com/upload/curt/P1060201.JPG)
Another experience shared with good friends that I'll never forget!
Back to camp we went.....
Great job Curt! Really enjoyed this one.
Thanks for sharin' Curt!
Really enjoyed the photos.
Looks like it was a *great* time for all.
May you have an excellent year of hunting in 2010.
Shoot straight, Shinken
Thanks for taking me along great thread.
Hey, Curt,
I love them pics of you stalkin, but somebody flipped the negatives around... it's got the bow in the wrong hand! :rolleyes: :saywhat: Must be a backerts picture, eh? :jumper:
Awesome Curt! Thanks for taking the time to share.
Hey Curt,
Was it warm enough for "Ole No Shoulders" with the diamonds running down their back ??. Sure looks like Eastern Diamondback country !!
Lanier
Well Guru you got the perfect weeked. I'm on stand now 36 degrees wind so feels like 31. Supposed to drop to actual 27 tonight Not sure I have any thing warm enough. All my winter gear is with Pennsylkuckey Pete.
Congrats to all, and thanks yet again for posting the pictures.
Everyone in my house has enjoyed them all, as well as the stories.
I have a bad cold, and this really improved my day! :D
Great job!
Well good luck Les!
No, not a snake one was seen....but Marty did kill a rattler the weekend before I got there....
When we got done with the hog, we went to the dump to get rid of the remains and found something that marty had never seen before in all his years being on this property.....A cat of some sort had found the previous carcasses and had attempted to bury them......
• (http://www.tradgang.com/upload/curt/P1060206.JPG)
Marty thought it might be the panther that he'd gotten trail cam pix of...but the tracks told of a somewhat smaller cat...probably a bobcat...very cool!
It was decided by all of us that the last after noon would be spend riding, looking, hunting the corned road, and stalking feeders.....off we went.
The stand "sunnyhillarcher", Michael, had killed his big barr boar hog at during last years St. Jude hunt. The stand is a very well concealed ladder in the very left of the pic.....
• (http://www.tradgang.com/upload/curt/P1060207.JPG)
Crashing thru some 5ft. palmettos, not even a challenge for the buggy!
• (http://www.tradgang.com/upload/curt/P1060209.JPG)
Biggie doing his best Captain Morgan imitation....
• (http://www.tradgang.com/upload/curt/P1060210.JPG)
More "old world" beauty of southern Florida, some places are like going back in time....
• (http://www.tradgang.com/upload/curt/P1060211.JPG)
First feeder we snuck up on had some deer, but no hogs. Then we stopped short of the corned section of corned road. Marty and I snuck along and were quickly into hogs. But they were a bit ahead and one that we didn't know was there winded us from the palmettos.
It was easy to see that the hogs had found the corn shortly after we had put it down as it was all cleaned up when we came back....
We continued on to the next feeder close by. When we checked it earlier in the day. it was tore up, so we just knew we'd get into something there.
We weren't wrong! There was a big group cleaning up the corn just in front of the treestand! The stalk was on!
I moved in very slowly, and while getting in tight, I saw that there were 2 brown/tan hogs in the group, and one was a very big sow! That's the one I wanted.
I got within ten yards and had shots at some of the other hogs in the group, but I needed to get to the right side of the palmettos thicket in front of me to get a shot at the big brown hog....I was within 10yds, but still had no shot at her!
Just as I was about to clear the right side, apparently one of them got me, growled, and they started to leave.
I quickly took two steps to my right and a couple steps forward to clear the palmettos, as i saw the big brown sow stop with her front half hidden by the edge of a jungle of palmettos. I side stepped to the left to see more of her chest and was starting to draw.....and she disappeared! So close!!!!!!
Hunting them on the ground was extremely exciting!! I mean seriously good stuff!
Back at camp Marty started to cook another gourmet meal...doing what he really does best!
• (http://www.tradgang.com/upload/curt/P1060212.JPG)
• (http://www.tradgang.com/upload/curt/P1060214.JPG)
Peanut "The tracking wonder dog" enjoying a treat..
• (http://www.tradgang.com/upload/curt/P1060213.JPG)
We got word that Les was on his way in with his first trad kill!!!
It just gets better!
Sounds like a GREAT hunt! Loved the action shots of the stalk on the sow. :thumbsup:
Les had made a good shot on a raccoon! Congrats again bud :thumbsup:
• (http://www.tradgang.com/upload/curt/P1060215.JPG)
"Swamp Thing"...Bubba, Marty's other hound would spend the next 3 hrs chasing him....good thing he was around to save us....
• (http://www.tradgang.com/upload/curt/P1060216.JPG)
As you can see, the fun and games never stop at Marty's....
• (http://www.tradgang.com/upload/curt/P1060217.JPG)
We spent a couple hours again un-winding, reflecting, telling, and planning for the morning by the camp fire. Not a better way to conclude a day of hunting in south Florida. Marty with the full moon behind him....
• (http://www.tradgang.com/upload/curt/P1060219.JPG)
The next morning would be our last hunt of the trip. Biggie would get up with us, but wasn't planning to hunt so as to hit the road early. He had 8 hrs of driving ahead of him......
The emotion was already starting well up inside me....I knew tomorrow I'd have to say good bye....something that's never easy for me when leaving good friends.....
Next thing I knew my alarm woke me at 5:00am...first time in 4 days...proving that I was getting wore out.....but that to me, is a sign of a great hunt.....
I joined the boys by the fire.....
Cool thread Curt! Lasting memories for sure.
Super thread. You can sure tell a story with your pictures.
Awesome story and hunt Curt. I loved your pictures.
All that's missing from the thread now is a picture of a fine wild hog breakfast--biscuits and gravy with some nice thick boar patties on the side. MMMMMMMMMmmmmmmmmm...mmm
I need to learn to take more pictures. You are doing a great job curt
Congrats on your first trad kill les.
Hey, thanks for sharing all of this with us Curt!
Very cool, Curt! Congratulations on the hogs and the adventure!
Curt is very good at the picture thing. I carry a small digital with me too but never seem to take it out of the case 8-(
I pledge to start taking pics beginning with my next trip. You can't remember everything, I've seen a few pics and thought oh yeah, I almost forgot about that.
Marty IS the best camp cook!!!
Great trip, pics and storytelling.......thanks for taking the time to share the experience with us Curt.....and Biggie.......and Marty...... :thumbsup:
David
(http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w50/bbhif10/IM000055.jpg)
Guru- mystery solved- not one but 2 bobcats! And another visitor as well>
(http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w50/bbhif10/IM000270.jpg)
All that was missing were the panther and the bears!
Goodness, those are some healthy looking Bobcat's. Been eating good I reckon !!
Very, very cool buddy! Not one but two Bobcats!! Now we know how the 100# hog got dragged to the other side......
Guess that's what we saw slink off Sunday morning.
I wonder where the other hog is in the coyote pic??
Guys, I'll try to finish this up tomorrow with the last of the pix and some final thoughts......
I sure miss being in camp with my two big brothers :(
:bigsmyl:
How wild is that. bobcats are so amazing.
Man just caught up with this
Awesome congrats guys
Hey Guru and others are there time when the Hogs are not edible? I live down south and have not tried hog hunting yet, want too just don't know how I guess? But it appears from the pictures that the hogs were not skinned or not all the meat used, is there a time when the meats not good or does it depend if it a sow or boar? I 've heard that a boar not good to eat due to musk glands..just wondering out loud, thanks.
All I can say is WOW, Guru! That looks like the neatest hunt/cameraderie/fun time out there. Congrats on all the success and the time spent with great friends.
Bisch
John, the sow was diseased or just very, very poor. We were afraid to eat her. To answer your question, no, there is no time of year were they are unedible like a squirrel.
The other hog was skinned and quartered using the gutless method. We also split the skin down the back for easier removal and that one was just flopped back over and looked whole again.
I've eaten plenty of boars....just not the rank ones....they stink, and the meat stinks, and will run you out of the kitchen. Most boars are pretty good up to 100 - 125 pounds,...then I get all sausage save back straps if they are over that. Sows are good usually no matter the size and I get them processed like a deer,..ham sliced, pork chops, and sausage etc.... But rank is rank and nothing you can do about that.
I've also killed hogs and deer that didn't 'look' right....and I didn't eat them either.
....Coffee was done, it was time for us to go hunting. But that also meant it was time to say goodbye to Biggie...
Like I said earlier, it's never easy for me to say goodbye after sharing an experience like this....
This time was no different...I did my best to hold back tears...and off the Biggster went.....
Marty and I bundled up, got on the buggy and headed out....
I chose to go back to the stand that I'd stalked the hogs at last night. I really wanted to see if that big, brown sow would show this morning.
The wind would be kinda marginal, but it was ok when I got there and I just hoped it would hold long enough to have a chance at something....
7:04 the feeder went off....7:20 there were hogs at the feeder.....
• (http://www.tradgang.com/upload/curt/P1060222.JPG)
The only problem with this stand was that it was set a little too far to comfortably shoot. So they had to be "chummed up" closer....these 4 stayed under the feeder cleaning up what was there. But then a 5th hog showed up and fed within 15yds of me for 15 minutes while the others were at the feeder. But as I waited and waited, he just wouldn't turn broadside. He fed head-on the whole time.
Then the wind shifted....and I was all alone.....
Since the wind was so shifty, I decided to get down and sneak around a bit. I did hear some hogs in the thick stuff, but couldn't do anything with them. I also saw a deer cross one of the roads about 400yds in front of me.
When I got back to my stand, Marty was there waiting for me....back to camp...the last buggy ride.......
We went to check on the dump site to see if we'd got any trail cam pix. When we pulled up, we just caught the back end of something sneaking off low to the ground. We just knew we were going to have some great pix! Everything had been totally re-arranged.Something had spend a lot of time there...but.....
But for whatever reason, we didn't get a single pix of what had been there. It had taken pix, but none of what had moved everything around. Couldn't figure that one out....
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• (http://www.tradgang.com/upload/curt/P1060224.JPG)
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We re-set the camera, and did a little more pruning.....
• (http://www.tradgang.com/upload/curt/P1060226.JPG)
As you could see from Marty's last post...he got great pix this time...Very cool!
I gotta admit, as excited as I was about what I'd just experienced the last 4 days, I was saddened by the fact that the hardest goodbye was still ahead of me....Marty "The Man" McMahon.....
I'm getting "teary" as I type right now...
This time I couldn't hold back the emotion and tears...this was a tuff one for me....But I made it through the goodbye....it was over...
I'll never be able to thank you enough for the invite my friend. You've filled my heart and mind with memories can never be taken away.....Thank you......
• (http://www.tradgang.com/upload/curt/P1060157.JPG)
Curt thanks for sharing it seems like it was a one of a kind irreplaceable experience!
Curt man what an amazing adventure. You had an awesome trip. Thanks for sharing it with us. You are a great man and I am sure that the goodbyes were hard all around.
Man what a great read!
You did good man.. The whole lot of ya!
Thanks,
Todd
Thank you all for this thread. It kind of made me feel all warm inside as I thought about you in Florida while sitting in my deer-stands over the weekend with -5 temperatures and 21 below wind chills. Ha! Mike
Thanks Biggie, and Terry,
So a rank hog is easily identified by it smell? Lots of good stuff here!
Curt thanks for taking us along, this has been a great read. Thanks again bud.
Jack
Cool, Curt. Thanks for taking us along on your unforgettable memories.
Very nice Curt! A great start to this year! Congrats! A great hunt with great folks, doesn't get any better.
Awesome posts Curt, thanks for sharing!
Gotta say Curt, this has been about the best darned huntin' story thread I've seen since I've been on tradgang.
Thanks!
Great thread! Always enjoy your story telling and pic's....I may have said this before but you take the best pic's. Seems I always have a camera but it never comes out unless something gets killed or a pic of the group as we leave. Will be taking more pic's on future hunts. Marty and Biggie sound like a couple fine fellows to share a campfire with!
Guru, you write one helluva story!!
If I was to tell it - it would go like this:
This guy Guru came down- a typical New Yorker. I put him in a couple stands, he shot some hogs, and he seemed to be an alright guy. Me and Biggie talked about the next time we were gonna hunt. Probably the following weekend. When the dude left he musta got something in his eyes cause they was teared up. Maybe he'll come back.
If I wrote it it would say:
We got there in time for supper. Deer burgers and slaw. I had two, the little guy from NY only had one. Wuss.
Breakfast the next day was venison sausage, eggs and biscuits. The NYer didn't know to cover his biscuits with gravy.
Lunch was good but supper was better. Beef steaks and salad with Vidalia onion dressing MMMMMMMMMM......I told the guest "DO NOT GUTSHOOT ONE ON STEAKNIGHT"
Breakfast was late the next day cause Guru shot a hog. Jeez.......
Grilled chicken breasts and thighs for supper. Dang Marty knows his way around the kitchen. Guru skipped the breasts and ate thighs!!!! Are you kidding me??? I ate 4 breasts and Marty ate 3! I think maybe Guru was just being polite by leaving the breasts.....he can come back :-)
Wow, That sure would'a been a lot easier :readit:
I can feel the luv though :campfire:
Biggie- should we send Uncle Gene some venison? He couldn't kill a deer this year. Even Guru coulda killed a deer with us and was too... to get a license.
To Funny :biglaugh:
T
If Curt woulda told it like guys he coulda put more pic's....of you guys eating...LOL
Biggie, a man after my own belly! I like the way he thinks! Got any photos of the steaks!
Great hunt! Wonderful fellowship. A wonderful time for all participants.
Congratulations to you all!
Indianabowman- Here's another guest on steak nite.
(http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w50/bbhif10/IMGP1490.jpg)
A true connoisseur.... :notworthy:
I'm sure anyone that's ever hunted there will agree, Marty has some serious skill in the kitchen!!
Biggie,
I like your story the best, pass the mayo.
Dennis
.....or is that ...a true carnivore? Hmmmmm....
Fun to follow along, thanks for taking the time to post all of the pics. Looks like a blast.
Oh my, now that's a steak!
Biggie, you made me hungry! Sounds like some real good eats.
To cool you guys :thumbsup:
Curt as always my friend you tell a great story and the picks were awsome. Cool place!!
Congrats again buddy :clapper:
Tracy
I must admit I thought this Curt guy was full of himself when I first came to TradGang,But I have realized that he seems like the real deal. He must be independently wealthy because he is all over the map killing everything.Thats not luck, he's got some shooting/hunting talent.Although he lives on the other side of N.Y. from me on the Hudson river he does a good job of story telling with both pics and words, Thanks Guru.
Yeah, I want to see Biggie's dinner thread with LOTS of pictures!
What's Gene complaining about with that monster steak? Is it too done for him? :p
Or is he full???
Full of himself, Hardly!!
Curts one of the best hunters,Tradbow shooters,Taxidermist and fathers I have ever met. You stick around here long enough and you will see.
I just wish I could get him to move down here to Kansas and spend some more time killing some of these big ol Kansas bucks and help me thin out the gobblers too.
One of the best people I have ever had the prevelage of sharing camp and my home with.
:campfire: :D
Tracy
Great story and pictures. It looks like a hunt of a lifetime.
QuoteOriginally posted by Guru:
.....or is that ...a true carnivore? Hmmmmm....
I am going to say this answer fits best.
QuoteOriginally posted by Marty:
Indianabowman- Here's another guest on steak nite.
(http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w50/bbhif10/IMGP1490.jpg)
Was the Air Freshener placed there strategically or by accident?
Now THAT'S what I call a steak!!!!
OK...Looks like Marty's gonna get 'back to back' 300 post threads.....1st my Okeechobee Scouting thread....and now this one....which looks like we were scouting for as well!!!
Yes...Marty is a dang good cook.
Gotta tell ya a story about the last steak Marty cooked for me on the Scouting trip....
I had brought 2 really nice THICK fillets for the last night and I told Marty I'd skin and quarter his hog if he would do the honors with the fillets. He thought he was rubbing them with garlic salt but instead unknowingly he used raw cane sugar.
Well, I made the comment that the 'new' basting sauce that was recommended to me was good, and that it had a little sweet kick to it.
Marty later went to the counter to tidy up, and he said 'NO WONDER'!!!!
But I gotta tell ya.....it was good no joke. Might have to get him to treat me and Ken to that cane rub again on the St Judes Hunt.....I'll bring the fillets if he will. :D :biglaugh:
Do you guys forget ANYTHING on a hunt? Jeez Terry, if I was a good cook I woulda kept my mouth shut!! I think that's how good recipe's must happen-by mistake. Maybe this should be on Joebuck's "too fat to hunt thread". He just wants company in his misery.
OOOPPSSS!!! Thats too funny!!!!
And still turned out good, thats the mark of a true camp chef!!!
Lets see cooking stories at Martys.......
Oh yeah, Joe Buckl brought Boston Butt one year and said it would be the best we ever had. Now Marty and I have eaten BB around the world, literally, and that was a big boast to back up.
Joey got up about 3 am and started cooking those babies. We smelled them all day anytime we came by camp for something. I was sitting in my stand a mile from camp swearing to myself that I could smell em cooking. My shirt was soaked from drool..
Well, long story short, Joeys timex must have been off cause he served us EXTREMELY well done Boston Butt....more like jerky than beef.
Whatya expect Biggie- A guy from Mississippi(had to sing that little song to type that!) trying to cook something from Boston- didn't make sense anyway.
That's not the way I heard the story
another 300 post thread for Marty !! what a guy !
QuoteOriginally posted by Biggie Hoffman:
Lets see cooking stories at Martys.......
Oh yeah, Joe Buckl brought Boston Butt one year and said it would be the best we ever had. Now Marty and I have eaten BB around the world, literally, and that was a big boast to back up.
Joey got up about 3 am and started cooking those babies. We smelled them all day anytime we came by camp for something. I was sitting in my stand a mile from camp swearing to myself that I could smell em cooking. My shirt was soaked from drool..
Well, long story short, Joeys timex must have been off cause he served us EXTREMELY well done Boston Butt....more like jerky than beef.
I could just be dazed by the fact that Thread Killer McMahon has consecutive 300 threads but I thought Boston Butts were pork.
I knew it was pork- hell he made me buy those darn shoulders(too cheap to bring his own)!!!! SHHHHH- Biggie doesn't know a cow from a pig!
Doesn't really matter does it??? It's meat!
The 4 major food groups:
Steak
Cold Cuts
Ground
Other meats (fish, chicken, etc etc)
Everything else is just condiments.
Attention: This thread is about Guru's trip to Fl with Curly and Shimp.........leaves others out,please.........back to the subject........Curt...marty's tracking procedure is a phenom isn't it.....You have got to put him and Art Laha in the same category.
Not even gonna try and defend your boston butt story???
You should at least try to blame it on Marty somehow........
QuoteOriginally posted by joebuck:
Attention: This thread is about Guru's trip to Fl with Curly and Shimp.........leaves others out,please.........back to the subject........
That's OK Joey, You guys are way more entertaining than any story I can write :clapper:
Did I mention the turkey's were gobbling ;) :thumbsup: :thumbsup:
:campfire: :archer:
Their unkillable!....those birds can tell you which buggy, who's in it, what's the dogs name and who Marty is texting...they are smart..........but i guess i have to go down there again this opener in march and ride around in that Jed Clampet mobile...eat that wore out pot roast and listen to words i do not know what they mean..like....."joebuck, when are you going to warsh?"........what is warsh?.....Gene killed 5 pigs ...gene killed 5 pigs...gene killed 5 pigs..gene killed 5 pigs......
That's funny!!!!
Probably not ot most of the guys on here who don't know how Marty brings that up 4 or 5 times a weekend but to me, THAT"S FUNNY!!
Guru...did he mention a cracker named Coleman?...Coleman...Coleman..Coleman....Coleman...doesn't wear shoes........Coleman...Coleman.....how about this saying "i can only put you on'em!" because he dang sure won't help you track em'...
:biglaugh: :biglaugh: :biglaugh: :biglaugh: :biglaugh:
http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w50/bbhif10/IMGP0257.jpg
I only see four. And this was the picture of the deed according to Thread Killer. :eek: :eek:
Biggie is right though. You do hear that more than once!
Where's the love ? I'm not feelin it!
Michael, that's the other thing about it...it WAS only four but the legend grows......
Marty didn't I ask you and your lovely wife to ride with us to PBS? You think I extend that invitation to just anybody??
QuoteOriginally posted by Marty:
Where's the love ? I'm not feelin it!
(http://i261.photobucket.com/albums/ii45/heilakka/emotions/cupid_taking_aim_lg_clr.gif) (http://i261.photobucket.com/albums/ii45/heilakka/emotions/bear_swinging_paw_lg_clr.gif)
OK...just wait till Ken and I get back from the St Judes hunt in Feb....then Marty will have 'back to back to back' 300 post threads for sure!!! :biglaugh:
"Un-killable"...well I guess that's what you can call it when you can't find your blind :smileystooges:
Man, I can't wait to read all about the St. Jude hunt!!
Who cares about Curt's hunt. I am still wondering how someone overcooks a Boston Butt!!?? Slow and low Joebuck, slow and low.
I am looking forward to Ken and Terrys St Judes 300 post thread as well. You better take a lot o pictures Ken.
GatorDon..marty says...."oh grab your bow, we will be back in 45 minutes top!" four hours later.." i hope that Butt is not burned...ha ha ha ah"......Total Trap....they set me up....now they are into low country boils with Taiwan imported shrimp......sissy stuff for granola eatin,tree hugging bowhunters....total whimps now......."if your low country aint got no crawdad in it...then it's a High country boil" qoute me on that.
Curt ,they are real funny when i'm not there....I guess Marty told you about the time i lost a big bird and he filmed it?...we played it back on the TV and one would thought a cape buffalo was in the blind with us....come to find out ..it was just marty breathing...and he was just filming...
Joey, Funny you should mention that........but no, they never said a word about you losin' a big bird.....I can feel your pain there though :(
I'm sorry, but I just can't get over the steak! Marty is definitely my new hero! Gene lost a step when I saw he was "warshing" down that beautiful steak with a caffeine free diet pepsi! A real connoisseur wouldn't dream of such a thing!
I hear ya INdiana! I wash my steak down with taters!
Biggie, you are a connoisseur of a fine steak! A generous glob of sour creme on the tater...ummm mmmm! Now you're talking!
And you guys are all postin on the "Too fat to hunt" thread about loosing weight. I'm gaining weight just reading this danged thread! :rolleyes: :eek: :knothead: :biglaugh:
In preperation for the St Judes hunt with Terry I have just finished reading Guru's fantastic story for the forth time !! I am ready to go :banghead: :campfire:
You get me there...and you have a deal!
I'd luv to meet you, and see Marty and Terry again :campfire:
You're in for a seriously good time Ken!! :clapper:
I feel like I've been there already after reading your story. I'm more than anxious to get there, meet Terry and Marty, and do some hog hunt'n. Look forward to meeting you some day and thanks again for the lesson in story telling, you have set the bar high. :notworthy:
Just got through the thread and wow what a story.
Guru, The Memories made at that camp get better with age. Did Marty show you any of the sausage cookers? HMM Trust me on that one! Great Hunt.
pete
QuoteOriginally posted by Guru:
You get me there...and you have a deal!
I'd luv to meet you, and see Marty and Terry again :campfire:
You're in for a seriously good time Ken!! :clapper:
I guess I'm out of the loop already????
I had no idea you'd be there as well :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :campfire:
That's better :bigsmyl: