I just got back from South Carolina from my winning contributor hunt. First off let me thank Ray Hammond for the donation and thanks to Terry Green and the rest of the people involved in putting this all together.
Thanks so much to Andrew Harper, the man that took over the operation of Hog Heaven, also the owner of all the land where this takes place.
Glad to hear it was a good time. Let's hear some tales :)
When I won this hunt I was really excited so the first thing I did was call my son to see if he wanted to go with me. As you all would expect he said for sure.
We arrived in Estill, SC on Thursday, Nov. 21st and met Andrew in town. We drove about 15 miles to the camp and got settled down in the bunkhouse. The accommodations are absolutely great with all new facilities, towels, bedclothes showers and toilets all brand new. What a great place. Andrew Harper is such a nice gentleman and he cannot seem to do enough for you. He is a really great cook and tries to have everything you want there for you.Here is a picture of the kitchen and lodge. (http://i1149.photobucket.com/albums/o599/hitman52/128.jpg) (http://s1149.photobucket.com/user/hitman52/media/128.jpg.html)
:bigsmyl: :campfire:
On Friday we stillhunted logging roads and swamp edges in the morning and the evening hunted out of some stands without seeing any hogs. We saw deer and plenty of turkeys but the only hog sign was some squealing I heard about 100 yards from me. We did see a group of 8-10 hogs on the way back to camp. After a great meal from Andrew we sat around the campfire and got better acquainted.
(http://i1149.photobucket.com/albums/o599/hitman52/159-1.jpg) (http://s1149.photobucket.com/user/hitman52/media/159-1.jpg.html)
After a great nights sleep and a fantastic breakfast we were off stillhunting again. I started down a trail and Jared, my son went another direction with plans for pickup at noon. Having went about 15 minutes down my trail the brush cracked back in a patch of small pine trees. I stopped to watch because it did not sound like a squirrel and sure enough here came a string of hogs right toward me.
There was a drainage ditch between myself and the hogs and they were going horizontal to the ditch back the way I had just came from. Having seen a crossing back up that way I tried to hurry to cut them off without spooking them. A little to late 5 or 6 big black hogs, I would guess 150 lb. range popped out in the road about 50 yards away. Trying to hurry along without spooking them to get closer because I knew there were more coming I got to about 30 yards away when the rest of them appeared on the road and stopped. I figured it was now or never so I drew and shot with my arrow going under the hog by about three inches. What a rush that was, everything happening so quick. There were 10-13 hogs in that bunch all solid black and about the same size.
:bigsmyl: :bigsmyl:
After a great lunch we were back out on stand with anticipation. As it has it Jared's turn was coming. About 5:00 he had a large sow and some smaller hogs come in with the large sow hanging back, being extremely cautious. As he saw she was not having any part of it, he shot at one of the other ones with no blood drawn. He was pretty excited and rushed his shot a little shooting high.
:campfire: I am heading there in march........Fill me in!
Sunday was our last day so we were only going to hunt till noon as we had an 8 hour drive to get home. The morning arrived a little chilly and windy and we never saw anything. After a friendly goodbye with Andrew we were heading home with no animals harmed. We had a great time and will surely be going back, probably for a 5 day hunt the next time. I feel like we were getting a handle on how to hunt them a little better. We are not experienced hog hunters by any means.
Andrew Harper has a great operation and it is only going to get better so I am highly reccommending his hunt to all of my Tradgang friends. He is a true southern gentleman and knocks himself out to make sure you have a great time. (http://i1149.photobucket.com/albums/o599/hitman52/156.jpg) (http://s1149.photobucket.com/user/hitman52/media/156.jpg.html) (http://i1149.photobucket.com/albums/o599/hitman52/155.jpg) (http://s1149.photobucket.com/user/hitman52/media/155.jpg.html)
Glad you had a good time. :campfire:
(http://i1149.photobucket.com/albums/o599/hitman52/124.jpg) (http://s1149.photobucket.com/user/hitman52/media/124.jpg.html)
(http://i1149.photobucket.com/albums/o599/hitman52/130.jpg) (http://s1149.photobucket.com/user/hitman52/media/130.jpg.html)
Sounds like a great time.
Bisch
Thanks for the photos and recap
Looks like fun.
Sounds like a fun trip. Looks like a beautiful place. Hogs are awesome animals to still hunt!
Possibly the perfect trad beast.
Looking forward to being part of the first full-house group of TG members at the Hog Wild inaugural hunt, Dec 6-8th!
Thanks for your story and pics!
Andrew is sure looking forward to next week with your large group. Have fun.
Sounds great! Thanks for the pics. That trip may need to go on the to do list, that is, if I can ever get to the end of my wife's to do list.
looks like a great place!
It's cold and snowy here in northern Wisconsin. Am looking forward to hunting with the TradGang Hog Wild crew next week. Should be a great time!
:thumbsup:
Tom,
It's gonna be a great time. Andrew is so excited!
Looking forward to sharing a campfire with you!
Bob
Thanks to Don and Jared for the photos and compliments. They were a great pair to help with the breaking in of the new camp and, as my friends who were here two weeks ago, were very patient and understanding as final touches were being finished at the new camp.
I wasn't going to bring up the fact that they frightened a number of hogs away but I'm glad they told it.
We got two inches of rain yesterday which will help settle the dust and put some much needed water in the watering holes.
My first big group will be in next week and we're ready for them. Everything will be in order and we are ready to skin some hogs.
Hope everyone has a great Thanksgiving with family and friends. We all have so much to be thankful for.
All the best,
Andrew
I sure do miss the swamps down there. A great place to be. Congrats on having a great hunt with your son!
It was sure enjoyable. Looking forward to hearing the stories from the next group and going back. Have fun Andrew.
I am planning a January or February trip. I love that place. Think I am going to miss the old trailer though and Ray's cooking. I bet Andrew can cook too though.