Trad Gang

I am heading to Ray's May 5, 6 and 7. Hopefully there are some Tradgangers heading down before me. Let me know how you made out and maybe post a few pics.

Thanks
Gil

good luck, some day i would like to make it down there....

Some of my buds are leaving this Thursday and they should have some "Tails" to tell.

Have fun. I hope to get to Ray's this year too, but cant say just when. Save some for me. Lin

Heading down to Ray's tomorrow,excited to hunt the swamp...all new to me and the gang from New York. Should be a good time and I hope we have some good luck!!

7 weeks and counting until our hunt at Ray's. This will be our third trip. Can't wait!

headed down the 21st of this month, first out of state hunt ever!

Larry, 1st ever?????????? You are going to have fun and I bet it won't be your last!!

We are heading down in April. Can't wait!

One of these days I will get back down to hunt with Ray.Hopefully this time there wont be any tornado's.
Bill

Heading down the 1st weekend in March with my son and my buddy Doug(doug g here).

My favorite piece of advice from Ray when I was hunting the swamp...

"remember, not every log is a log,... some are gators."

I never forgot that one.

I remember Ray told us don't be afraid to wade though some water, later he said 12 inches of water can hide a 10ft. gator Hmmmm....

SUGAR RAYS IS THE PLACE TO BE.NOTHING BOOK GOOD STORIES COME OUTER THERE...HAD THE PLEASURE TO HUNT THERE  OVER A YEAR AGO. AND ILL BE DOWN THERE AGAIN ALSO THIS YEAR SOME TIME IN MAY AS WELL... GOD WILLING..

Oh ya big sissy! Gators schmaters!!! Let's get after em!

It's real dry these days.  Gators all out in the river nowadays plus it's too chilly for em!!!

How about the snakes Ray....to cold for them to I hope....lol!

Dang, I think I'm headed to Aiken at the end of the month.  I just might have to slip over and say Hi to my buddy Ray and meet some other Trad Gangers...Doc

Ray just got done telling us about how "hogs eat most of them" and then this big sucker sticks its head out of the stacked firewood!

This Yankee tucks his pants in his boots while hunting at Ray's!

Headed down in April with my sons, my 2nd trip their 1st.Don't want to wish time away but I can't wait.

Snakes...gators...they can't stop me this week. My first out of state hunt, as well. Excited is an understatement...

No snakes this time of year boys!

Doc- I'd be upset if you didn't come by at least for lunch!

You Yankees go down there and represent. Keep DD away from the farm critters  and dillas and have a safe, memorable trip.

All set to go,leave in a few hours and the excitement is building. Gotta go look at the weather channel .....lol!   :thumbsup:    :campfire:    :archer2:

Ron,

If you guys haven't left yet....grab some pruners like you keep in your fanny pack for deer stand trimming.

I've got an idea for a couple of you!

You all will have a great time at Ray's.  Hogs everywhere, more good food than you can eat - and Ray himself (a great host)

Hey Ray, do want us to trim some trails...lol!   :laughing:   I'll throw a pair in my bag!

Good Luck guys! Be safe and have fun.  Have a safe drive too.

I am off to the home for last minute touches in a while.  You guys will be in my thoughts in between tears.

Now go make me proud.

It will be worth the trip. I have been twice and got 3 pigs.

Listen to Ray, keep your nose in the wind and go slow !

Ron,

It's for hunting a specific place- still hunting in close quarters....have to be real quiet and cut some sticker vines on the edge to get to the more open middle areas.

Very thick with hogs this time of year. Not for the faint of heart because shots will be 5-10 yards but man there's nothing like it!!!!

No Hilton Head trip for me this year so I guess I'm on my own to book this one.  

I was told there were no snakes too, but that was the first ground living animal I saw when I got there.  Still, by Saturday afternoon I was out of the boots and into some thin slip-ons.  When Ray put shorts on, I knew I'd be fine.

Watch out for them rattle moccasin tree snakes!!!

Who's Ray Hammond??????????

Whos Ray Hammond??? Why he only the most famousest of Yankee bowhunters ever to be born on Long Island,NY! Im surprised no one ever learned you of such facts.

No "Biggie" the question is who is that guy posing with that big moose in the most recent edition of Traditional Bowhunter Magazine? Hope to be reading the story real soon. Ray Hammond is the pig master but "Biggie" is the moose master.

Bill, you'll have to join PBS to read the story, it's in their recent issue 8-)

Ray is one of my bestest buds. We have been alot of places together. Since he got that Cpak, he doesn't snore anymore!

went I got to Rays I didn't even think about snakes and gators,, I had muck boots and I went all through that place and never had a problem

but when you come close to a gator you can't see it or don't notice it (I think I still have some pics of the swamps when I was at rays if its cool to post them) and when it jumps or dives for cover it will litterly cause you to jump 10' out of your boots and then you have to rest until your heart slows back down me personally I had to sit down and almost use a fire ant hill as an arm rest which is just as bad...

Rays with Tony Sanders was a good time, good food and if I wasn't closing on a house 2/14 I'd be going too!  

click my name for a pic of the camp..

Ray gots the sleep apnea!    :laughing:    
Sorry couldent resist.When I was at Rays there was a "disabled Vet" on the news who had recently lost his house in a tornado,or flood, whatever it was.When the news interviewed him the anker man made a big deal out of the man being a "disabled Vet".The whole time the guy is looking at the anker man like he dont have a clue what the anker man is talking about.Finaly the anker man asked the "disabled Vet" what was wrong with him.The man looked at the anker man with a puzzled look and said "Well, I's gots the sleep apnea".    :laughing:     :laughing:So that became the running joke throughout the weekend.That alone was worth the drive to S.C.
Bill

I wouldn't worry about them gators. SC gators don't get too big anyway

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v295/whoffman1955/temp/temp2022.jpg)

Gators? Pruners? Sticker Vines? Five Yard Shots at pigs? Man! I Wanna Go!

... mike ...

Pigmaster and Moose master's. Oh boy.

Sure is getting deep ain't it Marty.
Jack

Ok Ray- gotta know- how many hogs does one hafta kill to be a Pig Master?

Hes gonna have his hands full with this weekends batch of Yankees. Ill bet one of ems already been treed by an armadillo, one got lost in the swamp on his maiden trip out of camp and the other is stalking a cow down the road. Those chiggers will never be the same after they get a taste of those boys. One things for sure, theyre a good batch of fellas and I wish them all the worlds luck. Go get em boys.

anyone hear from the boys at ray's this weekend?

chiggers?  :scared:  now Ray told me they weren't active this time of year and no need for any chems for them...you think he was messin' with me?

Awwww come on Larry, Ray wouldnt mess with a Yankee!  :saywhat:

OH BOY...RAYS PLACE IS A WILD AND CRAZY PLACE...U GUYS ARE IN FOR A HUNT OF A LIFE TIME.GOOD LUCK AND DONT BE SCAREDDDD  .RAY WILL EVEN TUCK IN TO BED AT NIGHT.HE,LL WATCH YOUR BACK,YOUR IN GOOD HANDS.

Why are you shouting?

QuoteOriginally posted by Izzy:
Awwww come on Larry, Ray wouldnt mess with a Yankee!   :saywhat:  

Izzy, have you ever considered why those hogs get so big down there?

Has anyone gotten back yet from Ray's with a update?

The New Yorkers got back Monday AM early. Made it back in less than 16 hour, just ahaed of the snow and ice. We had a great time everyone saw pigs but we didn't connect. Had a nice one at 12 yards but could not find a hole to shoot thru. Great food and good conversation. A unique hunting experience. I'm guessing we'll be back!!!   :thumbsup:

These fellas got clobbered by stinky weather- low 20's am and 30's for the highs- with winds 15-25mph

It was waaaay terrible and game was hunkered down quite a bit

Marty- it's kind of like being nicknamed Big Wind- it doesn't matter about the quantity- It's more a quality issue!!!

Best answer ever Ray!

you bet- because it means YOU TOO can be a HOGMASTER, Marty!!!!  :bigsmyl:

So that's why biggie is a moose master with one moose!! I get it!!!

I don't know about that, now.....have to check with the Bigster.

With that line of reasoning though, would one be classified as " The Missmaster" with just one miss?

Boy that would make Marty a Missmissmissmissmissmissmissmissmissmissmissmiss

missmissmissmissmissmissmissmissmissmissmissmiss

missmissmissmissmissmissmissmissmissmissmissmiss

missmissmissmissmissmissmaster!

I'm just sayin'....

You "old" people are killing me...RC

Biggie and Ray - you both know what you are "Masters" of! A man that misses as much as me at least is good enough to get shots! I'll keep tryin.

QuoteOriginally posted by Marty:
Biggie and Ray - you both know what you are "Masters" of! A man that misses as much as me at least is good enough to get shots! I'll keep tryin.

:biglaugh:

Marty, Its the shooting lessons I gave Biggie that has helped him the most. His ability to injun up on stuff like a crafty Lion is another matter.RC

I think Biggie and I both qualify as Masters of Disaster, Marty...

I did understand from the Bigster that you taught him many, many things about .... BAITING.

So again, I'm just sayin'.    :bigsmyl:    :wavey:    :jumper:

So Annnywayyyyyy Ray! Your next batch of NY Yankees are stone cold killers for sure so you better fence in the hogs you wanna keep for breeding stock.You southern folk sure dont mind hurtin each others pride now do you? Masters, Missers and Baiters! Your all downright crazy.

Marty can take it....he sure dishes it out plenty...he just keeps it low key on here..you should spend a few days in camp with him...he's a real pxxxer in person!

I've hired someone to cook the big meals so I can get out in the woods in future.... maybe I can kill a few hogs and qualify for Marty's list now?

Marty baited me up years ago with his pot roast. We've been buds ever since...

Izzy, it's not as bad as it sounds  8-)

One week from today, and I'll be there! Weather is looking great, the upper 50's is shorts and flip flop weather. Hope to be bringing home some boar.

I'm not saying its uncalled for, I get a lot of laughs from it , I'm just sayin.see yall on cinco de mayo.

one week and counting!  :campfire:

Larry go slow and listen to what Ray tells ya, you'll do fine....watch the wind!!!

Izzy I'm planning on going on April 9-11.  I'll be sure to leave a few around for ya.

I'd like to state, that I've been to Ray's and 'next door' 5 times....and this is some of the best hog hunting you will find in SC.

If you happen to get an email from a Tony Green(he doesn't have PM anymore) that you shouldn't go....just for the record, this guy has a record of complaining.  I have a personal experience with it from Solana Ranch...where no one complains.  This guy shot more arrows than anyone the year he was at Solana  and he complained about shot opportunities.  Shot a buck he couldn't find, managed to kill two doe, don't know how many he shot at, and brought in the biggest hog I've ever seen taken at the ranch while I was there....and this guy had the nerve to come to me griping that he wasn't seeing enough game.

Sorry, but I'm just pissed, just found out Tony has been using Trad Gang's PM system to discourage folks from going to Ray's Hog Heaven saying there are no hogs there and I wont stand for it.....here's a few pics from my trips by myself and when I took Rob DiStefano(who I guided).  All these hogs were taken from the same property block from the same property owner of Ray's Hog Heaven.....

5 trips....6 hogs....so don't let anyone tell you there aren't hogs there.

       (http://www.tradgang.com/upload/terry/sc1.jpg)

       (http://www.tradgang.com/upload/terry/sc2.jpg)

       (http://www.tradgang.com/upload/terry/sc4.jpg)

       (http://www.bowhush.com/hero/bhhrobdistefanohogs.jpg)

       (http://www.tradgang.com/rob/hog10/tg_piggy.jpg)  

       (http://www.tradgang.com/rob/hog10/tg_rob_hog2.jpg)

No pigs at Rays????? (http://i122.photobucket.com/albums/o244/2crazyboys_photos/dscn1224.jpg)Dang wish Mr.Green woulda told me before I killed this ugly armadillo. Seriously though, my Cuz and I lost track of how many pigs we saw.He missed a few shots and I came close to getting a few more and if I would have left them dang artifacts alone I know I would have killed at least one more pig but I was having too much fun. Im going back in May to see if I can find me one for sure.In fact as long as Old Ray will have me I plan to return annually and hope my 2 sons get their first big game hunts under their belts at Hog Heaven.Its as good a hunting camp as any in the hunting world and better than a whole lot of em.Rays a pretty good feller his own self!   :thumbsup:

No worries,

I've heard far more good things from people I trust and respect, that I wouldn't pass it up.

Thanks for the heads up Terry! Nice hogs.

Besides, I know theres pigs at Rays!  Izzy shot one last year and Ron W. had one t 10 yards, the place must be crawling with them   :laughing:

Izzy....with this type of stuff.... the blatant off topic BS....and the silly antics of some......

I'm getting a low tolerance level.        :readit:

There's hogs at Ray's Hog Heaven!! I've seen them!  :readit:   And if you don't have a good time while your there, your just a stick in the mud!  :bigsmyl:

Terry, TG is getting bigger by the day and its bound to run into undesirables. We,ll be alright, its just too bad you gotta take the time to weed these low lives out.    

Now wait a dang minute.....

Snakes?  Gators?  Oh my.....

Serious Q....what kind of footwear is recommended for MAY....lol?  Gaiters?

Elevated stands???....lol

Looking forward to spending a few days with Joe, his boys (fine young men....who rolled nowhere from the tree)....and Mr. Dill.

jeff

I cant imagine anyone who has hunted at Rays not being happy with shot opportunities. I'm embarrassed with how many I had and goofed one way or the other. We had a blast and will be going back. Ray is the kind that feels a responsibiity to his clients and by the time they leave they are friends.

I just spent a great weekend at Hog Heaven. Ray is a fantastic host and I saw hogs every single time I went out. I WILL be back!

Izzy....let me know when you are going back...I might ride over just to sit around the fire with ya...I know where there is a camper near by I can crash in.

Can't get enough of HH! Going down for the 1st time in March and again in April.

Love this thread!

Same goes for you John Carnahan !!!

A hunter was born at Hog Heaven. Ray was as proud as I was when Wyatt got his pig.

 (http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3072/2919671195_545216ae89_z.jpg?zz=1)

Good stuff Lin......those memories are the best.

I remember the day Sarah, my youngest chased squirrels, what fun that was!!!!


 (http://www.tradgang.com/upload/terry/sarahlookingforguidance.jpg)

:(  I wanna go back!I cant get the beauty of those swamps out of my head.

Even I saw a pig down there....and I never see anything!!!!   :biglaugh:

Living in Illinois...I don't get to hunt hogs very often.  But I can say..that I have been on 3 hog hunts...and saw more hogs at Rays than anywhere.  I did not connect...but it was a only a 3 day hunt.  And we were HUNTING.  I cannot imagine a guy going there and not being happy with every part about the hunt.  I can't wait to get back.

Ray is a great host. Can't wait to get back down there.

Anyone who puts down Ray's operation is certainly no friend of mine. He's just gotta stop underselling himself when he describes the accomadations.   :D  
"No Taj Mahal"? Warm beds, a shower with hot & cold running water, a toilet that flushes, all the delicous food you can eat, and a host who embodies Southern hospitality. I may not have spent as much time outdoors as some, but that right there was 2-1/2 days of high living...can't wait to return...

Just got back from rays had a great time. Ray will do whatever he can to help you and is a great host. I saw plenty of hogs had a shot and meet some great guys.You can't ask for more. I will be back.

        Harry

And let me tell you all something....BOWSPIRIT CAN EAT WITH THE BEST OF THEM.......He cleaned up anything that wasn't already on somebody else's fork...lol   :goldtooth:    :laughing:    :laughing:

I saw a hog at Ray's once.........

Ray ain't got any hogs. I don't either. SSShhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!


(http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w43/silvertip70/P1030005.jpg)


 (http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w43/silvertip70/th_MDGC0506.jpg) (http://s173.photobucket.com/albums/w43/silvertip70/?action=view¤t=MDGC0506.mp4)


 (http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w43/silvertip70/th_MDGC0406.jpg) (http://s173.photobucket.com/albums/w43/silvertip70/?action=view¤t=MDGC0406.mp4)

Terry, Ill be there May,6,7,8. It would be good to see ya there. Ill bring some doughnuts and see if Biggie smells them and comes along too.   :pray:

I would Izzy but I have a turkey hunt in Nebraska that week 8-(
You can freeze donuts you know..........

Man, I'm due for one of Ray's Pepperjack grilled cheese sandwiches too!

How does the pricing work. I looked on his web site and it dosent have how many days the hunts are. Do you have to call Ray and see what dates he has open? Any info would be helpful. I have a group of friends that have been talking about hunting hogs for awhile, and SC is close to us. Sorry for all the questions, but I figured one of you guys could help me out, without me having to bother Ray.
Thanks in advance!
Scott

Sooner or later Moose Master, til then good luck turkey hunting.   :thumbsup:

I've been to Ray's twice. First hunt I saw two glimpses of hogs in the last hour of the last day. Second hunt I saw zip.

Guess what? I'll be there 30 days from now!!!!

My lack of sightings was just pure bad luck. Everyone else got on hogs, we had a blast, ate like kings, laughed until our sides hurt, we saw some really neat things, and made a great new friend in Ray. Best time of my life!

TTT for Tony Green........

QuoteOriginally posted by Terry Green:
TTT for Tony Green........

:laughing:

Loved it at Rays place.  I got one hog and I should have capitilized on many other stalks but just didn't connect.  I almost got ran over by a 300lber.  No hogs?        Hey Ray how did those snakeskins work out I gave ya?  And remind me not to make Terry mad.:-)

I was at Ray's last weekend and had a wonderful time..good huntin' and good people, definetly want to get back down there sometime. Ray's a good host.

I emagin if  you look hard you might find  a pig or two over there. I only met Ray once, He fed me and Cory lunch one day. We hunt just up the road. Maybe one driveway farther than Terry's crash camper. We see a pig every so often over there , so I gotta think they be around Rays place too. Ifn I did'nt have a spot to go already In SC, I'd go to Ray's. It just sounds Right. Ray's. Sorta like a Rib joint in Memphis or something.

Batman.....I know all about 'we see a hog every now and then'.....I know better than that....I get to see what all gets done at the Bow Zone 2 driveways down.    :D

Jeff

Lookin forward to the hunt with you guys also! Ray makes a hell of a ham sandwich.

john,
lookin foward to headin down there with yall!  :archer:    and youre right; ray sure feeds ya well   :D

:D

Ray, Is it this easy?

  (http://i1135.photobucket.com/albums/m637/cjohntalk/P8060104.jpg)

I hope not   ;)

It is when you hunt fences

Not at HH
  :bigsmyl:    

Nice pot belly

QuoteOriginally posted by Ray Hammond:
   

Nice pot belly

Are you calling me fat or just big boned?   :laughing:

Ray is a great host. On our way in 4 weeks 2nd hunt for us. We had a ball and plan on going once a year.

Three weeks to go for our group from PA. We are hoping third trip's the charm and someone will kill something this time!

Hey Ray, I got you something! Here's a hint.

"In the swamp no one can hear you scream!"

See you soon!

All right !!!

Looking forward to seeing you fellas again this year

Definitely need to make it down their to Rays.

Ray, How long do the hunts run? It's probably on there but I didn't see it on the website.  Thanks, Greg

check out the ad in Sponsor's Classifieds Greg... there's info there on time and pricing and just about everything else.

Friday morning through Sunday midafternoon.

Never hunted in South Carolina...Gonna have to give it a go some time.

Greg you've got a lot of good hog hunting right there in FL though- might be hard to leave and come see us but we'd be glad to have you join us!!!

Am looking forward to hunting with ya Ray ,You've got another bunch of those "DAM YANKEES" on their way down this week, and yes we're buds of that pig killin Izzy---And we're worse than stone cold killas---we're stone cold eaters!!! Lay in some extra chow and get your new cook some help--Post Script:what's the weight limit on your bunks? Aha-------

Looking forward to May, Joe, Luke, Ian and the rest of the gang.  Remind me to bring a hammock, I got my siesta spots all picked out!