Trad Gang

Ok, We just got back from our second trip to Ray Hammond's place. We talked about going back again as so as we hit the road. So we set it up and we rebooked today with Ray for June 17 to 19 2011. We have filled 3 spots and need 3 more hunters. If anybody is interested let Ray know. Hope to get this filled as soon as we can. I will say if you have never been to Rays you will have a ball and if you have been there before you know what it's like. Lets do this!

bump

Might as well face it we're addicted to hogs.

Yeah but look at the bright we can at least drive to our meeting! ( Hi my name is Doug and I'm addicted to Hawg hunting ) chorus: HI DOUG

Any one who dares share a camp with Doug and Rick is in for a great weekend. Two fine fella and lots of laughs. Is join them but my boys ball teams will have me booked solid in June.

Man that sounds like a ton of fun but that is the same weekend as Compton.  Have fun boys and I look forward to hearing to stories when you get back.    :thumbsup:

JUST WHEN WERE ABOUT TO PULL OUT! THEY PULL US BACK IN.....THOSE CRAZY HOGS AND SUGAR RAY.....

Maybe I can talk cuz into bringing my mother in law down with him. You fellas just make sure I get cuz back.

Tim, It will be the first miss at Compton's for us in a while, and we had already slotted the time for Compton's, now this hawg thing has a major grip on us!!!!!  :banghead:

I hear ya Doug.  Shooting at living animals is always more fun then shooting at foam stuffed animals!!   :archer2:

And they taste better...

I would have been on this one too if that weekend wasn't all ready booked.  Man I keep missing out on some good stuff.

Golfin' early,  naps, big grilled ribeyes and salads midday more naps and hog huntin four pm until dark?!!!!!

Doesn't get better than that!!!!

Golfin????????? What kinda new fangled thing is this?

Izzy, when are you going to Rays?

Cinco De Mayo we'll be setting out from Da Bronx.We should roll into Estill at about 7pm on 05/05/11.  Id love to go with you fellas again but Irish women can be as ornery as Puerto Rican women and I suspect if I go in May and June Im gonna get a beating (The Bad Kind) by my Irish wife.

I can't do it this year as I'm on a trip to the Yukon at that time but even if I wasn't would a Canadian be able to partake on a hunt like this?

Heck Tracy if he let a couple of part time Yoopers like us in there he'd surely welcome a Canadian.  Just bring a couple dozen of them Maple cream sticks from Tim Hortons and you can chase pigs with us anytime. Bet they'd go good with Ray's Biscuits and Sausage gravy eh?!  :biglaugh:

I love sausage and biscuits but no good ones up here. I would bring the maple's no problem. Hog hunting is something I really want to give a go at, someday it will happen but I can only bring 50lbs accross border.

Izzy, I'm Irish tell her you coming back to hunt her some of her kin.

Doug, you just wanna see me get a beatin. My arm is starting to twist, Im gonna see what I can do.   :banghead:

Izzy just tell her your presence has been requested by the Grand PoohBah of Porcine Piercing.

bigugly,

the post office brings stuff to my house almost every day...even from foreign lands.

If a fifty pound weight limit is a problem- why not ship your stuff ahead by them?

We've had guys from England, guys from France, and guys that prolly didn't wear no underpants!
Surely you would be welcome!

Underwear is optional?  I did not know that.

Ohhhhh a poet eh??? Guys that didnt wear no underpants? I told you that you was a renaissance feller. Rick, I shall announce my intentions on the morrow. Tactfully that is. She just turned 40 and I told her how if I didnt know better Id think she was 17. Think she'll take that into consideration?   :smileystooges:

Izzy you are a silver tongued devil.

yah, and put some peaches in that clear liquid when you come back...none of them lemons this time...

Aye Aye Cap'n, but lemons is so we don't get the scurvy.

Ray I did make some into apple pie!

Smooth Izzy,real SMOOOOOOTH!IF you dont mind I will try that one myself.
Bill

Billy boy,

That won't work with your wife- she gets on TG!!! I bet she knows ALL the tricks of the trade by now.  :bigsmyl:

well, the newbie spot if filled for that weekend. Just got off the phone with Ray, I'll be there that weekend as well.

Pete

Bill,  we aint lyin' we's gots fine looking wives the both of us.    :jumper:

Looking forward to meeting you Peter.

Thanks Rick, I'm looking forward to meeting you guys as well.

If you have any pointers or advice on what/what not to bring, feel free to shoot me an email.

Pete

My only advice is to listen to Ray and take EVERYTHING he says about hog hunting to heart.
Oh yeah....AND GO SLOW!!

Thanks Rick, will do.

Slow is my favorite speed

Pete

Yea,She is use to all of my tricks.I'm just lookin for some new lines.My girl can tell just by looking at me, what devious plan I'm up to.  :rolleyes:  
Bill

Glad to have ya joining us Pete, one bit of advice EARPLUGS it gets a little loud come bedtime.  :biglaugh:

Thanks Doug. I was trying to figure out if I'd need to bring my CPAP, but sounds like I'll be in good company!

Can't wait to meet you guys at Ray's.

Pete

bring the CPAP, Peter.   :pray:    :nono:

I was just kidding Ray! I'll be bringing it, something tells me I'll need a good nights sleep    :cool:

I wont be able to swing it fellas. Ill wind up missing 3 of my boys games over the weekend.   :dunno:

That boy is ole enuff to hunt der Izzy. Bring-em

Way I see it Pete, we got two serious snorers, two on c-pap, I guess Ricks buy Sean will need ear plugs.  :laughing:

hehehe, well he's got to learn someday  :cool:

I'll be bringing mine no doubt, I don't sleep worth a darn without it....

Pete

I think that's why Sean called dibs on the couch last year Doug.  He didnt want to be in the same room with us.

Yungsters!

Don't worry when he gets to be my age his hearing will weaken (like mine) and it won't bother him anymore!

Pete

We just need two more to fill this one out guys!!!

Summer is the best time to hunt pigs!!!

bump

bump again

Two spots left, great time will be had by all!

bump for today

(http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e322/rayhammond123/walkinFeb7th09.jpg)


This is what summer hog hunting is all about!!!

Woody Blackwell and I got these in late June/early July in just three days.  The hogs move in the PM to water....nice easy quiet stalking and shooting.

Don't have to get up early....shoot the breeze, go fishing, play golf, spread corn have lunch, take a nap, then hunt from 4 till 930pm and the rest of the time you sit in the a/c!!!!

I call dibs on the couch!

still haven't heard if i have that weekend off or not.  Dad are you ready to support me financially after i quit for not getting the weekend off?  :)

Sure... You ready to cut my grass and shovel snow for the rest of your life????

Sounds better than refinancing homes and cars

Are we still looking for two?

I finally got my Dryad sorted out, that is a scary quiet bow! I'm counting days til we hit camp.

Pete

Looks like we still need 2 Pete.

hope we pick up a couple more.

Pete

bump

My daughter is getting married in June. Wish I could help out.

Take ur skeeter spray.

Hmmm...I do have vacation already set for Compton's...   :help:

Bud, with a thermacell you don't need spray any more- I haven't had a mosquito bite in six or seven years

Let's go, Tim. Foam doesn't eat as well as wild hog...trust me!!!

Hey Tim that's what we decided, on our way back from Ray's 3 weeks ago.  We figured we already had the vacation time off so why not skip Compton's this year and go back to Ray's.

now we're talking!

:knothead:

If it were just me I'd be in for sure!  But 2 of my sons start talking about Compton's right after Christmas!  

I'll talk to momma & stew it over.

You can bring them too bud

Kids get price breaks- call me and well make it work in your budget if possible

found a bunch of hog sign this morning while turkey hunting, I can't wait to get after them with you guys in June!

Pete

bump

I think we still need a couple folks!

Pete

ttt

whooooeee...if I can get some shooters in camp this is going to be one big weekend of hog skinning!!!!!

My new bow showed up today! She sure seems ready to help fill up the freezer Ray.

Great I look forward to seeing it! Just heard from Terry green they are hunting next door and have seen 32 or so but none shot yet

Must be a bad spot

32 what,,,, dillas? If its pigs you speak of tell em to chase them to the left a piece. The next  horde of invading Yanks are coming down in 3 weeks and we need all the help we kin git!

I personally don't mind if they leave them for June!

:cool:

bump

update-

Rob saw 38
Tarz saw 24
Doug Campbell 0 but moving to a new area today

None killed though- I think they ought to find another state to hunt in- sounds like its too hard to kill them there, don't you think?

All you have to do in other places is walk up and shoot pigs because they're hiding behind every bush yelling " take me, Bill Tyler, take me!!!"

I'm just kidding of course- seeing 62 pigs in one day's hunting for three people is awesome- but it also points out that though the property can be thick with them- it doesn't mean everyone is going to see one, let alone kill one. And we're only talking a 500 ac tract here.

we are down to just one deer in the freezer which means there should be room for all them hogs come june.

Son you musta picked up a road kill cuz all I got left is Pepper sticks, and I'm tryin' to save those to take to Ray's.
Oh yeah, bump.

life got in the way and I didn't deer hunt last year. I've got PLENTY of room in the freezer.....

Kyle got that nine point and big doe last year along with a few others i think.  We've made a lot of venison since we moved in but i'm ready for some pork!

looking forward to going down in June. I'm starting to get a handle on the new bow, and have a better idea on what arrows to use thanks to Doug G.

Sean got himself a brand new Hill Cheetah to hunt with. I told him he needs Uncle Doug to make him up some arrows.

Rick, I just got some arrows from Doug (guess you figured that out hehe). Hoping to stick one in a piggie at Ray's! I'm hoping to have a Hill to take down as well!

God Bless

Pete

I'll make him some let me know what draw length and I'll throw some together. What pond is the bow again?

Doug we shot some 45-50's cut to 29" which seemed to work well.

Pete that Cheetah is a sweet bow. I'm thinking I need one too!

Now I'm really itching to get my hands on the Big 5!

Just talked to Ray, and I'm in, just need to send the check.

Really looking forward to it, meeting you all, learning a bunch, and getting some sleep despite the snoring.

Dave

Awesome! Looking forward to meeting you Dave

Pete

Good deal!  Really looking forward to getting back down to Ray's, meeting and hunting with you guys!

That means we have one last spot open right???

pretty sure it does Ray, hope to see one more get signed up. I'm chomping at the bit!

Pete

Hey Dave what do you do for Uncle Sam?

Pete
13B - King of Battle    :cool:

went and shot my first round of 3d ever yesterday, figured it would be good practice.

We had a great time, and figured some stuff out. I'll be doing a bunch more of that between now and June!

Pete

Dave, Glad to have you joining us. I am looking forward to sharing camp with Pete and you.

Thanks, Doug and Pete, I'm looking forward to meeting you.

I'm really looking forward to this trip, my hunting opportunitites have been severely limited the last 20 years or so.

One more spot left if anyone is interested email me at rayhammond01@yahoo.com

Hill Big-5 arrived today! Man what a sweet bow. Looking forward to flingin' some woodies at the pigs!

Can't wait!

God Bless

Pete

I haven't decided what bow to bring, mostly because I've never hunted hogs.  

Would a shorter bow be better for the terrain we'll be hunting (I own 58", 60" and 64" bows)?

David , last year my son hunted with a 66" Foley longbow at Ray's and said he had some difficulty getting thru the really thick stuff.  I know when Doug and I were down there in March we  got into the briars and our 58" bows were'nt a problem.
 It can get really thick in there but that seemed to be were the hogs were.  Don't forget to pack some clippers to cut your way out!

wish this was early spring,,, I'd go again in a heart beat!  but the heat this time of year in SC will make me pass out and fall onto a fire ant hill and well I don't think I'll make it back to Boston in time.

goodluck to all of you.

The 66" bow was a bit much. I bought an ambush and can't wait to get down there with it.

Thanks for the info, that narrows it down to the 58" or 60".

I'll be the odd man out. I'll have a 64" and a 68", and probably hunt with the 68"

I'm too wide to get through the thick stuff easily anyway....


Pete

After "slipping" through the swamp in June you'll be less wide.

I know:

Ft. Stewart + Summer + Body Armor = Smaller Pete

:cool:

I understand you guys are looking for another guy to come hunt pigs with ya?

Sticksanstones is IN

We are full

Welcome sticksandstones, another Michigander in looking forward to meeting you.

Thanks! I actually lived in Fayetteville for three years myself (working for Peter's old boss at that). I think the campfire stories will come easy to this group
   :campfire:

This is my third time I've been here at the behest of Uncle Sam, and it has become my home away from home (born and raised in Michigan).

Cool beans, looking forward to sharing a camp with you guys.

Guys, unfortunately some things have come up which will prevent me from making it down for the hunt.

So there is still a spot available for this hunt!

If you have been thinking about getting down to Ray's, and want to go with some great folks, here is a chance.

God Bless

Pete

Pete, Sorry to hear that, but sometimes life gets in the way.  Look forward to sharing a hunt with you someday.

Rick, that is the truth. Looking forward to catching up with you guys someday soon.

Pete

things got changed a little bit and I will be able to make it that weekend. So NO spots left  :cool:

So I get to go back to looking forward to the trip.

God Bless

Pete

Sweet we are hog huntin  :thumbsup:

Good to have you back Pete.

Well now we're a six pack again!  Good deal Pete!

(http://i983.photobucket.com/albums/ae317/tradsean/Archery/DSCN0071.jpg)

Getting ready only 36 more days.

Here's what i have packed so far:
2 x mosquito head nets
1 x large mosquito net
1 cheap plastic poncho
1 cork for face darkening
1 mesh face mask
1 therma cell w/ 1 burtane and 4 pads
1 head lamp
1 LED flashlight
1 pair binos
1 compass
1 wind checker
1 hook for retrieving fallen items
1 animal cleaning kit (wipes, gloves, rope)
3 x knives
1 buck call (i know they're hogs but i've   carried it on me every since i could hunt)
1 roll of marking tape
1 small waterproof case
1 bandana
1 head wrap
not pictured is the camera i used to take the pic.  


So, I'm for sure going to need more thermacell charges, a resivoir for the inside of my bag, another flashlight, some extra batteries, leather gloves, a pair of clippers for the brush, a bit of rope, and right now thats all i can think of besides the essentials (IE bow and at least one arrow  :p  )

What is everyone else bringing down.

PS this pack i bought looks huge but the bottom does zip off if need be.

Still working on getting my kit settled Sean, but I know I'll be bringing the Thermacell and refills! I'm going to get some Permanone and treat all my hunting clothes before hand, does a great job on the chiggers and ticks.

I'll probably bring along about the same things, no buck call though  :cool:

God Bless

Pete

I haven't started on the kit yet either. So far I've been tuning up the bow and breaking in three new strings. I replaced my old rest with a thinner one last night so I'll be moving all my nocks again tonight. Might change out cat whiskers for wool yarn balls this weekend on one of the strings for testing.

Next week I hope to setup and test out another dozen arrows and set them aside for the hunt, then resume wearing out the ones I've been using  :)

Week of the 23rd I should get serious about getting my gear together. So far the only thing I can't find is my binoculars, wonder if they ended up with the wife's stuff...

The first time I went to Ray's I lugged even more stuff than that. Waaay too much!

Second time there I cut back even more. Still too much!

The third trip was this past Feb and I thought I had just the bare essentials: pocket knife, water bottle, rope, paper towels, rubber gloves, puff bottle, snacks, map of the property, flashlight, license, bino's, all in my bowhunters vest pockets. Even this can weigh you down by the end of the three day hunt.

It's finally starting to sink in with me. You gotta go light. Watch Ray and Mike, they only go out with a pocket knife, water, and their bow.

Next March we go back again. I'll only carry my water bottle and what will fit in my pants pockets.

Bows and quivers are another thing that has taken me a few trips to figure out. Geeze, I went into my first hunt with a heavy takedown recurve w/bow quiver AND a back quiver loaded with reserve ammo! Next year I'll have nothing more than my lightweight hybrid longbow w/bow quiver.

My footwear has gotten lighter as well. No more heavy rubber boots for me. You will cover miles of roads and then have to sloooow it down for a stalk through the woods. I wore my Cabela's Pinnacle boots last trip. They are light and high enough for getting into the wet areas.

We didn't have to deal with mosquitos but if I was going now I would take the Thermacell and an extra water.

Red, where did you get the map?

I'm planning on just toting a camelbak (small) and as little as possible.

Light bow and a side quiver.

Pete

petertschantz

You have PM.

Thanks Red!

Thats good advice.  last night after i posted this put the pack on... it seemed a tad on the heavy side.  Perhaps i'll scale it back and swap out for a camelpak with a just a knife and light in it.  

The bottom of that pack zips off and can used seperately from the bag maybe that is a better option.

It's gonna be HOT down there, I'm taking a 100oz.(I get thirsty real fast) Camelbak hydration bladder, Binocs, a sheath knife, flagging tape, thermacell and my Garmin to get me back into the real gnarly places. And of course my bow with quiver attached.

yep, I'm a hydration nazi. Got good and dry one time deer hunting (I know better) and it took me several days to recover!

So I'll be keeping gatorade and water around and carry plenty with me afield.

God Bless

Pete

Thanks for posting your packing list Sean, these replies have given me a lot to think about before creating my list!

Alright here is my update. Last week I broke in 3 new strings and got a set of hot weather camo ordered (already got a set of medium weight to pack.) Been shooting 2 hours a night, every other night, mostly at 10 yards (but some at 15 and 20 too.)

This weekend I hope to sort through the garage and find my camelback, flashlight, knives, etc. More focused practice at 10 yards, I'm hitting pretty good to 20 so I'm taking it easy. Two strings got yarn balls to replace the cat whiskers. They may look goofy but they are quieter on my bow.

Next week I order my next dozen arrows and set them up (need to wait for payday.) Start shooting mostly 15 yards with a little 10 and 20 mixed in.

Range officer said he'd let me shoot his 3d pigs with broadheads when I'm ready, really nice offer. Another regular has been letting me shoot his black widows off and on to build strength (all 10-15 lbs more than my bow) I now know I'm way under bowed but I have lots of time to fix that before fall seasons kick in. Not going to screw myself up this close to a big hunt by changing now.

Bino's still mia, I'm pretty sure the wife got them... How many guys going to Hog Heaven don't take any vs compacts vs regular binos? I'll certainly buy and carry a pair if they are half as helpful as they are with mule deer or elk, otherwise if it's more of a whitetail swamp buck situation I think they'd be a distraction. What do the pro's say?

Oh one other thought, should we take the "need 1 more" out of this thread's subject line?

30 days gents!

I'll be ordering a new set of arrows and broadheads this week and getting them ready for the hunt. Then get my hunting kit together and start shooting with it on.

sns, I'll be taking binos for sure. I don't have a compact set, but I do use one of the chest harness deals for them.

Probably ought to edit the title, not sure who has access to do that.

Pete

Binos are a big help down there, even in the thick stuff.  I use them to pick apart the vegetation as my eyesight ain't what it use to be.
 I carry a pair of Leupold Katmai's that are 6x32 and  compact. I know Ray has said he uses the Leupold Yosemite in the same range.
Cabela's has the Yosemite's on sale right now for around 80.00 for the 6x30's.

Sean and I went on a Road trip yesterday down to Lost Nation Archery to pick up some things.  Met the owners Larry and Janice, mighty fine people, they have a nice little shop there in southern Mich.
Anyway we picked up some premium Cedar shafts,fletching, nocks and broadheads to whip up some arrows for our Hill bows.  We may not hunt with them but they're definitely coming to Ray's with us.

Sounds like a fun trip Rick!

Pete

Thanks for the input guys, and thanks for the lead on the sale! I think that is probably gonna be the pair I'll be carrying next month.

I'm a little jealous of your field trip yesterday, I've been shooting at a wheelie shop since Traditional Outdoor Supply is moving from Sand Lake down to Rockford right now. I can't wait til it's open again!
Thom

Thom actually I think you're about 50 miles closer to Lost Nation than we are. Rockford is near Grand Rapids is'nt it?

Sean just called to let me know he got the weekend off(Fri.thru Mon.) but not the Thurs. before.  Normally we leave here early Thurs. Morn and drive to Orangeburg SC then spend the nite. and meet up with Ray Fri. morn. in Estill.  I guess this time we're leaving Michigan thurs. evening and driving straight thru, yikes!!

Rick, I'll be leaving the Charlotte, NC area around 6am on Friday morning for the drive down. Might be riding along side you!

Is Doug riding with you guys? If so it might not be as bad with 3 driving...

Pete

Yeah, I guess I am closer than you guys to Lost Nation. I'm just spoiled having Tom's shop only 25 minutes away (soon to be 15 once the move is done.)

The wheelie shop is working out really well for the indoor range. 30 empty lanes every night, just me an the guy with the widows, and whatever other trad guys stop in to talk turkey hunting with him.

Since I can make it back to GR by late morning Thursday, how about we revisit that idea of me catching a ride with you guys and pitching in for gas, etc? I could be to Flint by 2 or 3 pm pretty easily. If the car packing plan is too full for another guy/bag/bow I understand.
Thom

Thom I think we can fit you in.  I drive a Dodge Caravan and hauled four guys and gear to N. Dakota Pheasant hunting last year.

ok, just about set now. Arrows & broadheads on the way. just need to pick up a couple spare tabs and some Permanone.

30 days and counting!!

Pete

Mike and I are going down a week from Friday to do some scouting

I have no bookings until your trip and none after until fall

Seems like no one wants to hunt when it's warm though it's THE BEST TIME to kill one so you will be having a great adventure guys

I have been telling my coworkers about this trip almost daily since march and in the end that is the only reason i was given the time off.  The manager said that I had been looking forward to this to much to not let me go, but thursday was out of the question.

Are you flying?

no, it looks like we'll be drivng straight through.  I'm trying to work out getting out a couple  hours early but its not looking good.

Oh darn Ray, no pressure at all between now and our trip?  :cool:

I, for one, can't wait!

Pete

Hey Sean, all you gotta do is give your boss a pound of bacon off a wild pig and you'll be set for the extra day off next time!

So far only one person has expressed any interest in trying wild pig and he will not be in my office when i get back.

Too bad, more for us!

new arrows were just delivered to the house! So tonight I'll be putting inserts in, and serious practice will begin tomorrow evening!

Pete

I found a problem with Stu's calc (at least the version I've been using) so I'm shooting some different shafts tonight and probably ordering up a dozen for pickup Wednesday night. I was hitting pretty good on Friday, hope I didn't get rusty over the weekend!

I have had to play with it a bit, but I set it up and then shot some arrows I had to find out how they flew compared to what the calc said. Just put inserts in the new shafts, so hope that helps.

What shafts are you trying next?

Pete

Hi Pete,
I'm going with 2117's at 31" running 170 grains up front. All the numbers came out right, and my two test arrows were quiet and thumped hard on target.

Next I need to decide if I'm gonna run my Magnus 125's with a 50 grain insert, or buy some Zwickey Deltas.

Are you shooting wood/alum/carbon? What broadhead are you planning on using?

I'm trying Carbon Express Predator II's, 2040 at 29.5" with the 150 gr Magnus Stinger 2 blades up front. Just got the inserts glued in last night, hope to get to shoot them this evening.

I have some 2117's, cut to 30" from when I had another bow. If you can use them let me know, I'll bring them to ya in June. Maybe you could use them for stumping or small game.

Pete

That sounds like a good bunch of stumping arrows for me!!! I've got a 6 woodie flu-flu's that just need some blunts glued on, could you put those to good use?

I'm pretty sure I can! Do you fletch your own? I have a couple that the fletching has come off of (plus 5 or 6 complete), I'll throw them all in the Jeep when I pack for the hunt.

Pete

That sounds great! I don't fletch yet but I'm working up a pretty good pile of arrows that need to be redone so it's probably a good time to get started.

I tried to get Woody Blackwell to come up during your trip, but he has a scheduling conflict.

Woody is a great flint knapper...world-renowned stature- and is going to be putting on flint knapping and arrow building clinics at regular intervals for us at Hog Heaven going forward.

Wish we could have worked it out but I'm looking forward to you guys being down!

That would have been cool Ray. Maybe next time.

Pete

Wish we could have worked it out but I'm looking forward to you guys being down! [/qb][/QUOTE]

After the day I had at work,I'm ready to leave now!

I'm really ready for this trip.  My old employer called me today, turns out the person that took my job has been embezzeling money for years and they are extremely short handed for one of their busy weekends. I decided to work for a bit.  

the good news is my new hh bow fund will start this weekend!

Im willing to go....i live in Michigan too Ide like to carpool if possible to save on gas. please let me know and ill check it out on my end.

Im willing to go....i live in Michigan too Ide like to carpool if possible to save on gas. please let me know and ill check it out on my end.

Hey Don,  Looks like we've got a full camp right now but if things change I'll keep ya posted.

Rick,

Is it you, Doug, Pete Schantz, Sean, Tom Jorgensen, and Dave Bartlett? If that's where we are, I can swing one more if Don wants to go and you can work out the travel part of it.

That's my count Ray, and if you can get one more in we're good with that, but I've got 4 in my van now so we're pretty full up for the ride down.  I'll PM werewolf and let him know what's up.

Don we may be able to make it work. PM sent.

I sent a PM too. Looks like there are a lot of guys from the mitten hungry for bacon!!!

I just don't want to have to go grocery shopping for a bit!

Finally got my little kit packed this morning. I'm going ultra light after reading the earlier part of the thread. I think I am going to bring my little camelback for the water with this stuff tucked in it.

One knife to sharpen plus my new broadheads when they arrive Wednesday. Been hitting the javelina target pretty good out to 20. Feels like it's all coming together with about 3 weeks to go!

My new strings arrived yesterday. Shot some last night, groups shrinking and arrows flying great.

I'll start getting my kit together now, and shooting with the camelbak on to get used to that.

Can't wait for the 17th!

Pete

I can hardly wait!  I'm heading to my dad's tomorrow to test some wood arrows, and work on some arrows for my HH cheetah.

I nave no doubt you will have a great time.

It's hard NOT to have a good time at Hog Heaven. The weekend passes much to quickly.

i popped in the last wilderness/ hunting the hardway just cuz i can't stand it any more.

I'm counting down the days! Trying to shoot every evening, for practice and heat tolerance. Getting a little more confident so it must be working!

Pete

I'm doing pretty good here too! Shooting with the quiver mounted on the bow and with the new arrows. Want to do a little more work at 20 yards with new broadheads (and with my boonie hat on) but I'm pretty close to ready!

got my new boots in the mail today and found that they are to small.  the tags say size 13 but they feel like an 11.

shot 3 rounds of 3d this weekend to help me get ready, including my first tournament. Confidence is getting better, still counting down!

Pete

This week the hunting duds get sprayed down with Permanone, dried and then packed.
Hunting in Michigan is pretty tame compared to the south; no gators to eat you, no snakes to bite you, no Black Widows(oh, I take that back, I am bringing my Black Widow)

Gotta pick up some Permanone myself and get the duds sprayed. Pretty Tick-y around here already...

All of you (y'all for Pete) are way ahead of me.  I'm still trying to get my shooting setup together.  This weekend will be spent getting the other gear together, really looking forward to this trip, and bringing home some pork.

I have to start shooting with the camelbak and binos on so I can get used to that. Pretty sure the next 10 days are going to fly right by!

Looking forward to meeting & hunting with you guys.

Pete

does anyone know if Werewolf is coming?

Ray, I am sorry, he called me last week and is not able to come. He will be starting with a new Company on Monday the 13th and thought it would be best not to take off his first week. My apologies for notletting you know. Sorry bout dat,
Doug

No prob

Just makin sure for vittles purposes

9 days guys!

I went out last night and tried to shoot in the heat wearing long sleeves and pants, but the skeeters got so thick i couldn't shoot (savings my thermocells for when we get to sc).  It also appears a group of ants have taken a liking to my bag targert.

I hear ya Sean. I shot two rounds of 3d Saturday in my heavier hunting pants and camo LS shirt. Little steamy to say the least!

Man it's been hot here lately,in the 90's the past 3 days.  At least we know we'll get a break sooner or later.  I'm not gonna complain though, two months ago we were freezin' our collective arses off!
Spent most of the afternoon shooting with my camelbak strapped to my back.

I've been out for a few days to a work gig but I got back and went shooting yesterday too. Bought my Thermacell and picked up my new broadheads at the same time. I'll probably shoot with camelback and boonie starting tomorrow.

Thom, do you want still to ride down with us?   Sean won't get out of work till thurs. afternoon/eve. but we'll leave as soon as he does.

Heck yeah! Sorry I didn't circle back with you on that after our last set of PMs.

Hey no problem.  I'll PM you my address.

7 days and we'll be at Ray's guys!

Got it Rick, I sent you my cell just in case. I can't believe that one week from now we'll be stringing up our bows and going for bacon!

under 96 hours

good thing I'm not too excited...

just over 48 hours til we meet at the hardware....

Check the forcast, mid 90's and sun. Ray's gonna be making lots of fumunda cheese for your cat heads and sausage. Don't ask, you will find out soon enough.

A buddy and I looked REAL hard at those last two openings but figured we would melt in the heat. We will stick with our plans of going back next winter.

Have fun and good luck!

I'm disappoionted to be missing this hunt.  You all have fun, and bring home the bacon.

Everythings packed and broadheads are sharpened, we are good to go! David, wish you were able to join us.

Dave, sorry to hear that you won't make it. Hope to shoot with you in the future some time!

Spent last evening getting gear sorted out. Permethrin applied, my wife says the kitchen looks like 'Bass Pro exploded'...

Looking forward to meeting you guys in the morning, drive safely!

Pete

Thom's here we're waiting on Sean and then we'll be on the road.  See ya in the am Pete.

I'm all packed up and ready to go. Now I just have to get some sleep....

Good luck to you guys.  I talked to Ray and was trying to fill the last spot but my Lyme disease started acting up.

Good luck   :archer2:

we had a great hunt, details to follow

:campfire:

QuoteOriginally posted by petertschantz:
we had a great hunt, details to follow

Well, come on.  Fill us in.  We are all patiently waiting to hear about this one.

Okay here are the details. I'm going to let the other guys recap their stories, but here is mine:

For those that just want the box score, I saw 8 hogs, missed one and didn't kill any. I had a great time!

Now for anyone who wants the details:

We met at the hardware store in Estill, SC at around 9am Friday so the out of state guys could get licenses. Ray showed up a little after we did and we headed out to the camp. We all got our gear unpacked, had a bite of lunch, then got the welcome briefing from Ray and settled up our balances. After shooting a bit to get loosened up from the drives we hit the woods.

We headed out for the first hunt about 12:30 Friday afternoon. It was hot (HOT) in the swamp, but I saw lots of hog sign right off the bat so I didn't mind the heat as much. I slipped through a section of woods without seeing anything, then stopped back at the Jeep for a Gatorade and a cool down.

Next I headed in a different direction in the swamp, and eventually found a nice wallow. I was glassing around from near the wallow when I saw movement through the brush about 50 yards out. Two piglets were moving so I headed that way as quietly as possible. After moving about 20 yards, I saw a good sized hog (sow I'm guessing) moving in the same direction the piglets had been going. I had to detour around a large blowdown, and by the time I cleared it the hog had moved out of sight. I moved in the direction the hogs had been going for a while more, but never spotted them again. So I headed back to camp for water and a serious cool down.

After leaving, I headed down another road to a small lake which has a feeder in a near by food plot. As I slipped in toward the plot, I could see a couple small pigs running around. By the time I got close they had left. I slipped on up to the edge of the tree line, and saw 3 50-60lb (guessing) hogs moving toward me. I got a broadside shot at one of them but focused on the hole in the brush I had to shoot through not the pig. Missed about 4 inches low and 3 inches back of where I wanted to put it, the arrow missed cleanly just under the pigs belly and right behind the front legs...

I moved on through the swamp, stopping and glassing but didn't see any more hogs.

I hunted hard Saturday until about 3:30pm, then I just ran out of steam and my knee was killing me. Hit it hard again this morning with no more luck.

In all I saw 8 pigs, 3 deer, 3 armadillos and 2 raccoons. It was a great hunt, and I'd love to go back some day but not in the summer!

Lessons learned: I still have work do on shooting of course. I need a shorter bow for hunting in stuff that thick - the 70" Hill was just too long. Two of the other guys had Two Tracks Ambush bows, and the 50" sure make a lot more sense to me now!

Pete

great story.  You got to go hunting, that's better than I did this weekend.  I had to work to pay for my St. Judes hunt.  Glad you had a good time.

Glad you had a good time, and your story just fuels my desire to get down there.  

Hopefully, I can make it in the fall.  Maybe, you can try again then when its a little cooler.

Dave

Dave, sure hope you can get down there. My next trip down will surely be in the Fall or spring!

Well Doug made the comment this weekend this was the toughest hunt we've been on due to the heat, but it was also one of the best.
    Friday afternoon I started out in the swamp and found alot of sign but no pork.  I headed up into the pines cause on my last 2 trips to HH that's where I found hogs. The heat was worse than down in the swamp and I started to push it, going a little faster than I should have.

    At one point I stopped for a bit and heard something coming up behind me. Sure enough I had 3 hogs heading in my direction.  They were moving thru the cane and all I got were glimpses of them but 2 were jet black and the third was grey.  I got an arrow on the string and made ready, their direction of travel at that point would take them into an open area were I might be able to get a shot, they were all within 12-15 yards.
   I eased back a bit and waited for the first one but just as it came up to the open area it turned and stayed hidden in the cane, the other 2 followed suit and they started moving away from my position. As they did the wind shifted and I felt it hit the back of my neck.  That was all she wrote for day one.

Saturday morning found my son Sean and I down in the swamp again where he had gotten into some pigs the night before, but I'll let him tell this part of the story...

Rick it was great meeting and hunting with you and Sean! Hope to share a camp with you again some day.

Pete

Ok the quick stats for those pressed for time:
Total Hogs spotted: 31
Number of Stalks made: 4
Total times with in bow range: 3
Total shots taken: 0
Total water consumed: I lost track after the first camel pak was emptied!

Pete nailed down our arrival pretty well, so I'll skip to the hunt.  Friday afternoon I went down in the swamp looking for any cool wet dirt the hogs might be in.   Ray had suggested this is where they would be if we went out in the afternoon, and after about 45 minutes of quiet walking, I spotted a piglett!  I watched for a moment and saw there were quite a few pigs in this group.  There was a small but really pretty all red pig, a 50 pound black pig, and a 60 pound black with white spots pig.  The pigs heard me coming toward them and started moving west.  I went right along side of them and finally got ahead hoping to pull off a "H-ambush".  I was only 20 yards from the hogs when I saw the little red head, who was leading the heard, begin to break cover.  Her head poked out and she made a noise like "PHEWW"  "PHEWW".  Before I could see anything else they were gone.  I tried to follow but soon find myself a bit lost and running low on water.  I went out later that night, and found what I thought was a solitary hog, but as I tried to stalk up on it I saw it was part of larger pack.  I was busted in a few minutes and they were gone.  Later I came across an eight foot alligator.  That really put me on the look out as I wandered the empty swamp bottoms.

The next morning Ray said it might be advantageous to hunt in pairs.  My dad and I headed into the swamp where I had been so lucky to put on a good stalk.  As we wandered about and enjoyed the scenery I saw the tail and hind legs of a hog about 40 yards in front of us.  The problem was dad had his back to me and I couldn't signal him to point out my discovery.  After a lot of frantic waving and finger snapping my dad looked and I motioned a head of us.  As he glassed the heard, I slipped between trees, and ducked behind the cane and palmetto.  I was on the second successful stalk of my life, the first being yesterday, and I was soon right in the thick of the heard.   I looked them over trying to pick out biggest, they were between the 40 and 50 pound range.  I hesitated, despite being within 15 yards of most of the pigs.  The day before the larger hogs were always at the rear of the smaller ones, and I was really holding out for a bigger one.  My dad eased up for a shot but the arrow fell short.  The hogs didn't seem to mind and went on eating.  The slight breeze shifted and they were gone.

As we waited for the pigs to settle down so we could follow, my dad spotted another pig.  I stalked up to with in eight yards but it was a really small hog.  20 pounds, maybe.  I never got the opportunity to get near the others as this little guy just wouldn't turn away from me while he ate.  

Sunday was a quiet morning, I saw a turkey, but not much else.  Still It was great day in the woods, we walked out to the Savannah river, saw the biggest spider of my life, and gave my clothes one last soaking of sweat before we had to go home.

I can't wait to go back to Hog Heaven, but I think I'll stick with the cooler weather months.   One thing is for sure if it's hogs you're after, there is no shortage of them in Ray's neck of the woods.

Forgot to add the pics here's a few of my favorites

  (http://i983.photobucket.com/albums/ae317/tradsean/SC%20Hog%20Heaven%202011/DSCN0128.jpg)


  (http://i983.photobucket.com/albums/ae317/tradsean/SC%20Hog%20Heaven%202011/DSCN0125.jpg)

I'll try to post more pics when photo bucket will work properly

Still waiting to hear from Thom and 'The Glide'!

Pete, you too! We're figuring out dates for next spring, maybe you can join us.
Rick

Here's one of Sean down by the river.  It was'nt foggy, the humidity steamed up my camera lens.
 (http://i53.tinypic.com/14ahag4.jpg)

Here's another,  I don't mean to brag, but he can flat out shoot that Ambush bow.

(http://i52.tinypic.com/21mvxxw.jpg)

I'm pretty sure the glide is passed out at home.  He slept almost the whole drive and even when we got to MI he looked bushed.

Pete and Sean taking a breather after the morning hunt.

(http://i52.tinypic.com/11sl379.jpg)

Thanks Rick, I might just try to make it in the spring if you have any openings!

Pete

Pete, PM sent.

Rick, PM sent back. Done Deal!

I think all totaled these guys saw about 90-100 hogs from friday midday to Sunday 1030am.

Quite a weekend.

This was a great group of guys...looking forward to you coming back in teh Spring.

We got 7 inches of rain at the property Friday and Saturday nights, and boy did we need it.

Thanks again, It was a truly amazing trip. I kept replaying all those stalking moments in my head the whole trip home and planning out our next tour of hog heaven

After this trip i really feel like a bowhunter. I in no way feel skunked or disappointed, with the weekend. I stalked a group of hogs! I got right in there with them and that is a memory i will carry with me for a life time.  And my dad got to watch the whole experiance unfold.

Thank you Ray!

-Sean

Howdy guys! This was an awesome trip! Looks like I can skip a bunch of stuff already covered and get right to the good stuff.

Friday afternoon - I took off and got buried in a swamp first thing, lots of fresh sign everywhere but I didn't see any pigs. I was slowly sweeping more and more to the right following the sign and I came out on the wrong road.  I ended up taking a scenic tour of the north side of the property on the way back to get some water. Kicked up a few whitetails including one really big one on the way back.

Friday evening - After a water refill and some map recon I hoofed it out to a set of wallows and waited to see if the heat would drive a few in for me. Again a great spot with lots of fresh sign but I didn't get to see a pig there either. Being deep in the swamp shooting light disappeared early so I went out to the rendezvous point and saw Pete, we decided to get 50 yards apart and push up a long valley to another wallow before it was too dark. Nice hunt but we didn't see any on that leg.

Saturday morning - After a good soaking rain Pete and I decided to pair up and go hunt is Friday spots with the same method we used Friday evening. We put on a few miles through all the right places; cypress swamps, up on the bluffs, back down the ditches, around a few feeders.  We did see turkeys, racoons, and lots more pig sign, but no pigs. We went back to camp and got some breakfast.

Saturday afternoon - I considered the country Pete showed me that held pigs the day before, and some of the spots I had hit alone on Friday and talked Pete into doing another hunt in a different area deeper into the swamps. The bad part is that it was a few miles on foot just to the start point. Walking that few miles the entire place had been torn up by pigs since the rain the night before. We took up the swamp sloping down to a small lake and started working our way up when I spotted a nice black pig, I let Pete know what was up and put the stalk on keeping good cover between me and him but half way up the route he slipped out on me.  We did the last half mile of the hunt up to the road and Pete decided to hunt back along the route we came in, I decided to do the loop around the lake back to the camp. I came across a low pass into the lake from some ditches where the water went out very gradually, it was obvious the pigs using this route weren't worried about gators. What wasn't obvious was the sow and four piglets behind a bunch of brush 20 yards out until the wind shifted against my favor. She was about 60 pounds or so, the little ones maybe 20. About a mile closer to camp I broke off into a bottom with some tall grass and heard some grunting, I spent about 20 minutes going inch by inch through it but never saw him or heard him spook out. These can be sneaky little buggers. Head back to camp.

Saturday evening - Now having seen and put the stalk on a few pigs I'm in the zone, completely amped up and ready to go for the win. I took off out of camp on one wild idea scout that didn't pay off. I walked the creek bed on the north side of the property and found it completely dry only holding two whitetail in it. I worked the high ground near the pines as I went south to see if there was any sign or if the swamps were 100% the place to be, no sign in the pines. As it was getting later I confirmed my plan for the last few hours. It was really hot and nobody had been past that big wallow from the night before so I set off up there and laid an ambush for the first pig needing to come and cool off, unfortunatley no pig needed to cool off. Nice night, glad I had a thermacell, saw two deer walk through my ambush point and that was nice.

Sunday morning - I wasn't sure how I was gong to hunt Sunday until the rain came down again Saturday night and apparently the clouds kept it dark enough they didn't feed all night. I decided to do a replay of the Saturday afternoon route. I blasted up to the start point in about an hour and only crossed one set of pig tracks, a good sign for my plan. Light was fully up as I went into that valley and I worked that path for a few hours seeing very little new sign since the day before. I got to the top and worked my way to the drinking hole and spooked another sow in the 80 pound range with two much bigger piglets with her. Knowing that ditch was pure north/south I made my gamble and buttoned to a high ambush point on the northernly path. Too bad they decided they wanted to go south. I sat in the spot for half an hour and drank water preparing for the long push back to camp, no more came by. I started working my way back down a logging road towards camp and after about a quarter mile I walked up behind two bigger pigs rooting the road itself! I was about 50 yards behind them and picked a path to cut half of the distance quickly and quietly, as soon as I had visual cover I moved fast and made that point. From there I planned my next 10 yards and slowly pushed up a step each time both of their faces were down. By now I could see the one in the lead was in the 150 range and the one closer to me was around 80. The problem I faced was that there was no way to flank them through the crunchy brush, and they were both rooting straight away from me.  I kept to the left side of the road up against cover to break up my outline, they would take a few steps and root, I'd take a few steps and catch up. We inched up the road together without them ever giving me even a quartering shot.  When my boot finally made a bad fall and they broke they were at 11 and 16 yards, I had plenty of time to pace that off because they were long gone. I did follow their tracks for a few hundred yards and found some nice ditches and wallows for my effort but I never got another look at them. I did go nice and easy back to camp and saw lots more sign as the morning wore on but nothing worthy of print.

Other important items; THANKS RAY! You're knowledge and pointers for a first time pig hunter were invaluable! Thanks to the Michigan crew for inviting me along for the caravan, I had a great time getting to know you guys! Pete, thanks for working those swamps with me on Saturday, watching you hunt let me know I was doing all the right things on Friday and was just in the wrong place at the right time on Friday. Hope I get to come hunt pigs with all you guys next year!

What a hunt. First off boy do I love water! My hat's off the the person who came up with the camel pack idea. I love you where ever you are.

It was great to hunt with Thom, Pete, Sean, and Rick and Ray was his usual fantastic host.

To make a long story short I saw 8 hawgs the first day took a shot at about 18 yards and shot about 4 ft short. I think I was to pooped to shoot!

Saturday I saw a group of 7 and stalked the for quite a while but never got into shooting position. Little later I came across 6 more put a stalk on them for about 45 minutes. A tough stalk for me because it was so humid I coundn't wear my glasses finally got my opportunity took my shot and missed low. That was a real tough day in the swamp. I had hunted from about 7a.m. and came in about 5 pm for a break rested up and hit it again.

Went out and hunted with Ray on Sunday but the hawgs just weren't in the cards for that day.

This was Rick's and my third hunt at Ray's, each one different from the other, but each one has been great.

Pete and Thom, it was great sharing a camp with you two. I spoke with Rick a little earlier and it looks like we are booking for next April already.

My thanks once again to Thom, Pete, Rick, Sean and Ray! One more fantastic hunt, lots of laughs, great food and memories for life!

Thom, glad to hear you got up close and personal with a couple more yesterday morning!

I had a great time hunting with you. Hope you are able to make it next time!

Pete

Doug you were a machine!

It was a great hunt, great food and great company. I'm in for next year!

If any one has been thinking about getting down to Ray's, quit thinking and book a hunt!

I'll be getting a smaller camelbak(same water, less other stuff) and some heavier arrows before we go again!

Pete

Ray, I knew we got some rain - but 7"? Wow, it was amazing how little standing water there was after that much rain.

Ray, I've been remiss in thanking you here. You certainly know how to put on a hunting camp! Food was awesome (and plentiful), wisdom was plentiful and shared, and the company was great!

Thanks for having me, I can't wait until next spring!

Pete

Thanks Pete, it was great hunting and sharing a camp with you too! Doug, I got the heads up for next year via PM last night and plan to be on board with you guys!

I enjoyed having you in camp, Pete, Sean, Doug, Rick, and Thom...and thanks everyone for the nice comments!

That makes it all worthwhile.

Great Thom, looking forward to hunting with you again then!

Pete

I had a great trip to the post office today. I sent Ray his check to lock me in for the next trip (sorry for the delay) and I signed for my new-to-me bow! 60" 3 piece recurve pulling 49@28, but smooth as silk back to 31! Longest afternoon I can remember trying to do my work and not skip off to the range!