First off I want to thank Mr.Terry Green for the generous donation of this hunt to last years auction. It took some time but we finally got our hectic schedules sorted out and made it happen. We drove down on Thursday and met up with Terry in town and headed to camp right before dark. Once we got camp sorted we checked out some maps and figured out the game plan for morning. More to follow.
:campfire:
:campfire: :archer2:
Keep it coming!
:campfire:
Terry knows hogs. :thumbsup:
Looking forward to this!!
Just remembered I have jury duty this week......post when I can....great trip.....especially for a property I've never been on....
gotta run.....calling us into courtroom....
Full of anticipation we were up before daylight. The time had come, with some breakfast in our bellies we set out.
(http://i1117.photobucket.com/albums/k592/jet26photos/Mobile%20Uploads/image.jpg)
After some scouting we split up and the wife and I found what we thought would be a promising spot.
(http://i1117.photobucket.com/albums/k592/jet26photos/Mobile%20Uploads/image_1.jpg)
(http://i1117.photobucket.com/albums/k592/jet26photos/Mobile%20Uploads/image_2.jpg)
We hunted various thickets and patches of hardwoods for about 2 hours. While hunting a nice ditch we discovered signs that we weren't the only hunters on the property.
(http://i1117.photobucket.com/albums/k592/jet26photos/Mobile%20Uploads/image_3.jpg)
(http://i1117.photobucket.com/albums/k592/jet26photos/Mobile%20Uploads/image_4.jpg)
Can't wait to read the rest
I have some pic downloaded......need to upload. ...hopefully get them tonight.....
Shortly after we ran across those tracks we ran into a blowdown blocking the ditch. Just as we were climbing out of it I saw a flash of black in the brush in front of us. It was a nice old boar. As quick as he was there he was gone! Never even had a chance to draw on him. With the temperature getting hotter we hunted a little more then headed back to camp for lunch.
:campfire:
Yeah, and I tried to make a 4 wheel drive out of a 2 wheel drive....thought I was burried, but I was either going to get out or blow the motor....I got out. :pray:
I was starting to get a little 'lay of the land' if you will, and eyeballing transition areas and trails and such. We might just be able to pull this off after all I thought,....but it would take more work and a little different approach than normal for me.....
(http://www.tradgang.com/upload/terry/stjude2015stbwclub.jpg)
Once we got back to camp it was decided we'd make a quick run into town for a hot sandwich and some fuel. After waiting out the hottest part of the day it was time to get back out there. The wife and I split up this evening. She went to a set up by a feeder with some promising hog sign under it. I was headed back to where we hunted that morning. A little divide and conquer action. As told by the wife.... Terry took me to the feeder and we found a nice natural blind that had the wind in my favor. I settled in for what I hoped would be successful evening. A couple hours of later the feeder went off. Maybe that would bring the hogs in. As it grew darker in the woods I realized that the only game I was going to see was the squirrels and frogs. Hopefully the husband had better luck. Out I am to find Terry waiting for me. On the way back to camp Terry showed me the hog he got to "shoot". Now to wait on Mike.
Hey!....you guys are good story tellers...leaving them hanging I see......
:biglaugh:
Nothing wrong with a little suspense! Lol
The acomodations were better on the inside than looked on the outside...and AC worked like a charm and was a nice reward for the hunters in 90 plus temps with high humidity.....
I present....'Chateau Le Stickbow'
(http://www.tradgang.com/upload/terry/stjude2015stbwclubchateaudstbow.jpg)
Ok back to it! I made a slow stalk through the woods to the feeder that I wanted to sit under. After waiting until almost dark without any hogs showing I got up and hunted my way out. There were a number of nice spots a hog might have been in so I checked each one on my way back to camp. I was walking down the road to the next "honey hole" when I heard something crackin in the brush. It was another bruiser of a hog. There was almost no shooting light left. I crept to the edge of the path and as soon as the hog cleared the weeds I let one fly! Swing and a miss. I had a feeling as soon as the arrow left the bow it wasn't going to happen. When I told Terry where I saw the hog he said he got to shoot it first! Then he showed me the pics on his phone. Tomorrow would hopefully bring more hogs and shot opportunities.
Yep....I'd been slipping around with only my phone to shoot with....still scoping the place out and at 8 o'clock I took a pic of this hog and got out of there as I knew Mike was going to leave the feeder early enough to stalk the road back to meed up with me.....
Funny thing is I was to pick him up and I slowly started stalking to the little straigh away where I could glass the road near where the hog was and see if he crossed over into another heavily used area.
I'd set up on one side of the road and was glassing when I heard a noise and a pig crashing the brush and snapping reeds....then moments later out of the ditch slips Mike....
What I'd heard was him taking the shot and the hogs reaction......that was cool.
Here's what I shot....(sorry, phone cam)...He was pushing 200
(http://www.tradgang.com/upload/terry/stjude2015stbwclubhog1a.jpg)
After checking out the area and a thorough search for blood we came to the conclusion that the shot went high. It wasn't a clean miss but I'm confident that the hog didn't suffer any significant damage (just a scratch on the back) and should be fine. Back to The Chateau for some supper and sleep. Morning came fast. The wife decided to sleep in so Terry and I went out to corn the ditches and see what we could find in the way of hog sign. Terry hung back as slipped ahead to check out a spot. While he was there he saw a hog cross the road behind the truck. I heard one in the brush but never got to see it. Here's a pic of one that I made a pretty good sneak on.
(http://i1117.photobucket.com/albums/k592/jet26photos/Mobile%20Uploads/image_5.jpg)
The temps started climbing so it was back to camp for lunch and to wait out the heat. Again we made a run into town for fuel and food. On the way back we were greeted with this sight.
(http://i1117.photobucket.com/albums/k592/jet26photos/Mobile%20Uploads/image_6.jpg)
We waited around for an hour or more with no movement. We called the train company and jumped the track so we didn't miss the evening hunt.
That place is a trip to hunt. Trains and planes keep you entertained. The first night I ever spent in that camper an air force plane came over with enough lights on to illuminate the whole 600 acres. I thought I was being abducted by aliens.
Very cool property and lots of good memories. It is fun to watch this unfold.
(http://www.tradgang.com/upload/terry/stjude2015stbwclubscene2.jpg)
Again we decided to split up. The wife went to her feeder and I went back to my spot. As told by the wife... Terry dropped me off so I could hunt the road/ditches back to the feeder. I settled in for what I hoped would be a productive night. After sitting for an hour or so I realized two things. One I had no thermacell or bug spray and two the mosquitoes were trying to eat me ALIVE!!! As much as I was wiggling there was no way a hog wouldn't see me so I hunted my way back to camp in search of bug spray. A little Batman and some AC later I made up my mind to try it one more time. Bugs be damned! About an hour had passed from the time I left the feeder to the time I turned the corner to head back in the woods. Guess what I saw....
(http://i1117.photobucket.com/albums/k592/jet26photos/Mobile%20Uploads/image_8.jpg)
That's right Ol Yogi was in the deep dark somewhere and this little lady ain't no bears snicky snack. Let's just say I didn't waste any time headin back to camp. Lol
(http://www.tradgang.com/upload/terry/stjude2015stbwclubscene3.jpg)
My turn. Since Terry was dropping the wife off I walked back in hunting the road and all the piggy places on the way. I sat down near the feeder and played the waiting game. Around 6:30 I heard something in the brush. A hoss of a boar stepped into view. He was every bit 150+ pounds. I kept waiting for an opening but he always seemed to keep something in between us. The next thing I knew he slipped back in the brush and was gone. I waited as long as I could to see if he would come back in. No dice. The sun went down and I needed to start back to meet Terry. As I was walking out I saw what every hunter in the swamp dreads. A cottonmouth. Not quite the excitement I wanted but what a way to finish the night. Back to camp for some R&R and hittin it again in the morning.
Something else I've never seen... a gopher tortoise! This beauty was laying eggs when we happened on her.
(http://i1117.photobucket.com/albums/k592/jet26photos/Mobile%20Uploads/image_7.jpg)
Good stuff so far :thumbsup: :thumbsup:
Look closely between the grass in the foreground and the water....in the brown ground......
(http://www.tradgang.com/upload/terry/stjude2015stbwclubscene1.jpg)
That is a row of some of the biggest tracks I have ever seen....
(http://www.tradgang.com/upload/terry/stjude2015stbwclubbighogtrack.jpg)
And he left us one of the largest Baby Ruth's I've ever seen as a present......
(http://www.tradgang.com/upload/terry/stjude2015stbwclubbigscat.jpg)
Anther Hoggish looking scene.....
(http://www.tradgang.com/upload/terry/stjude2015stbwclubscene5.jpg)
Here's some more shots from the hunt.
(http://i1117.photobucket.com/albums/k592/jet26photos/Mobile%20Uploads/image_22.jpg)
(http://i1117.photobucket.com/albums/k592/jet26photos/Mobile%20Uploads/image_19.jpg)
(http://i1117.photobucket.com/albums/k592/jet26photos/Mobile%20Uploads/image_20.jpg)
Sunday morning found Terry and I up before daylight. We stepped outside to see what Terry said was a Hunter's Moon. Taking that as a good sign I got ready to head out for the last time on this trip. The wife stayed back at camp to pack while I tried to lock one down. Terry drove me partway to the same place I'd been hunting. I snuck down the road and eased into brush after I saw a big hog cross in front of me. Fingers crossed I could get a shot. He went into the same ditch as the one on Friday evening. I could hear him in the reeds as I slipped closer. I could see his hams but his head was hidden behind some weeds. I started to step around a pine tree to get ready for the shot when he decided to turn and walk straight away from me and into the woods. That's the last I saw of him.
Disappointed I headed back to the road to continue toward the hardwoods. I made my way back to the feeder a little after daylight. While I sat there I reminisced about the hunt so far. All in all it had been a good one even if I didn't get a hog. The feeder went off and I waited. Was that something in the brush behind me? I listened and didn't hear it again. Maybe it was a squirrel. The wind had been blowing that way most of the morning. Then something black moved toward me. My first thought was "Crap it's a bear!" what with all the tracks around and there didn't seem to be any mud on it. Slowly it walked my way. I shifted slightly trying to get turned to shoot behind me. It kept coming. One minute it was a bear and the next it was a hog! I couldn't believe it. There was a hog 7 yards behind me. I let him walk past me so I could stand up to shoot. Praying the whole time the wind wouldn't shift and bust me. He walked about 20 yards past me and slid into the brush. Without offering a shot I was afraid it was over. I could still hear it so it wasn't the end yet. He started coming back in. I sat back down so he didn't see me and waited....
The hog completely circled the feeder and after deciding it was safe he walked toward me. At 15 yards he was quartered to me. He fed behind a big pine for what seemed like an eternity. I drew the bow twice before he came back into a clear spot. At 18 yards I drew the bow back a third time. He stood still a little too long. The arrow was on a collision course for what I hoped was a kill shot. It had sunk to the fletch. The hog spun and ran off. I listened and thought I heard a crash. I texted Terry and the wife to let them know what had happened. We met up and after giving him a little bit we started to track.
:campfire: :clapper:
This is where it all went down.
(http://i1117.photobucket.com/albums/k592/jet26photos/Mobile%20Uploads/image_21.jpg)
We found a few drops of blood where I shot him. Then Terry saw this.
(http://i1117.photobucket.com/albums/k592/jet26photos/Mobile%20Uploads/image_10.jpg)
Encouraged by what we saw we kept going.
(http://i1117.photobucket.com/albums/k592/jet26photos/Mobile%20Uploads/image_12.jpg)
We lost the trail in the high grass so we went back to where we had blood last. Spreading out we checked the trail on either side.
(http://i1117.photobucket.com/albums/k592/jet26photos/Mobile%20Uploads/image_13.jpg)
Looks like he went into the woods.
(http://i1117.photobucket.com/albums/k592/jet26photos/Mobile%20Uploads/image_11.jpg)
It was a slow but short track. After about fifty yards and following the trail back towards the feeder we saw the boar piled up under the pines. He was a sight for sore eyes. What a way to end the hunt.
(http://i1117.photobucket.com/albums/k592/jet26photos/Mobile%20Uploads/image_14.jpg)
(http://i1117.photobucket.com/albums/k592/jet26photos/Mobile%20Uploads/image_16.jpg)
:thumbsup: :thumbsup:
I would like to once again thank Terry and everyone else that made this hunt possible. I hope everyone enjoyed reading about our hunt as much as we enjoyed sharing it.
(http://i1117.photobucket.com/albums/k592/jet26photos/Mobile%20Uploads/image_15.jpg)
(http://i1117.photobucket.com/albums/k592/jet26photos/Mobile%20Uploads/image_9.jpg)
What a way to end a trip.
(http://i1117.photobucket.com/albums/k592/jet26photos/Mobile%20Uploads/image_17.jpg)
(http://i1117.photobucket.com/albums/k592/jet26photos/Mobile%20Uploads/image_18.jpg)
WAY TO GO!
:thumbsup: :thumbsup:
Thank you for sharin' the hunt with us!
Enjoy the feast!
Shoot straight, Shinken
:archer2:
What an awesome tale. Congrats on a great hunt.
good stuff on all accounts :thumbsup: congrats!
Good story, and outcome. Thanks for taking us along.
Very fun. Great story. Thanks for sharing
Cool story.
WELL DONE
:clapper: :clapper: :clapper:
Yes....it was 'well done'. The bears had the mommas and the little ones run off like I was told, and all we saw were large boars. Mike just so happen to shoot the smallest one we saw, but still a 100 pluser and a great grilling hog.
I was more low impact on this hunt than any before I'd offered up on St Jude. Being unfamiliar to the area, I tried to scout and check and recheck areas with the hope of not redirecting normal traffic.
I never even strung my bow while I was there, it was all about Mike, the winner of the St Jude Hunt, and I tried my best to stay 'out of the way' while being in the middle of it all.....try figuring that out.
Somehow it worked. Every outing we saw a hog or hogs, and they were all 150 or better. And, it was hotter than haities let me tell ya!!! But Mike came to hunt and hunt he did!!!.
I was tickled for Mike and gave me great reward when we found his hog the last hunt. Might as well killed it myself. And, for his better half, she is 100% trooper!!! She kept me cracked up the whole time. And she's not afraid of the woods....only bears ;>),
I enjoyed the trip immensely....even though I bout destroyed by vehicle....last minute heroics are the best.
It was all my pleasure Mike and Janice!!! I wish you all well, an hope to see you again in the future!!!
(http://www.tradgang.com/upload/terry/stjude2015stbwclubmikeboar1.jpg)
:thumbsup: :thumbsup:
Thx for sharing
Great story telling! Congrats on a fine hog!
Awesome!
Congrats on a great hunt!
Bisch
Thanks for coming along. :)
Great Story. I am glad you were able to take a hog in the end but it sounded like a good trip even if you hadn't killed one.
sounds like a blast! nice hog
QuoteOriginally posted by frankwright:
Great Story. I am glad you were able to take a hog in the end but it sounded like a good trip even if you hadn't killed one.
Your right it was a blast. It was a little hot but getting to hunt with Terry was worth the drive and heat.
Very cool story, congrats on the hog. That food looks good...
cool hunt, and a good story!
I remember Janice talking about the big grasshoppers somewhere. ....i got one more pic for her....
QuoteOriginally posted by BrushWolf:
Your right it was a blast. It was a little hot but getting to hunt with Terry was worth the drive and heat. [/qb]
You've got that right Brushy, sharing a camp/hunting with Terry is always a great time!
Great guy, great guide, great shot, great sense of humor, great campfire buider :notworthy:
This is a great hunting story. I enjoy reading about this type of hunt. Congratulations all around!
I know one thing ....as soon as it cools off.... I'm going back.
And Curt...we need to get Cade down this winter.
Yeah bud, let's make that happen!
Hope you still have those crickets :campfire:
Great hunt, thanks for sharing
Thanks for taking us along on your hunt!