My hog hunt to Wild Things

hitman · November 25, 2013, 07:29:00 PM

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.

Bud B. · November 25, 2013, 07:34:00 PM

Glad to hear it was a good time. Let's hear some tales

hitman · November 25, 2013, 07:42:00 PM

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.

South MS Bowhunter · November 25, 2013, 07:51:00 PM

hitman · November 25, 2013, 07:52:00 PM

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.

hitman · November 25, 2013, 08:10:00 PM

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.

Terry Green · November 25, 2013, 08:13:00 PM

hitman · November 25, 2013, 08:15:00 PM

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.

Stickbow · November 25, 2013, 08:18:00 PM

I am heading there in march........Fill me in!

hitman · November 25, 2013, 08:38:00 PM

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.

VictoryHunter · November 25, 2013, 08:39:00 PM

Glad you had a good time.

hitman · November 25, 2013, 08:41:00 PM

hitman · November 25, 2013, 08:47:00 PM

November 25, 2013, 11:26:00 PM

Sounds like a great time.

Bisch

Stickbow · November 26, 2013, 05:29:00 AM

Thanks for the photos and recap

Jerry Russell · November 26, 2013, 05:39:00 AM

Looks like fun.

tarponnut · November 26, 2013, 06:10:00 AM

Sounds like a fun trip. Looks like a beautiful place. Hogs are awesome animals to still hunt!
Possibly the perfect trad beast.

rbcorbitt · November 26, 2013, 06:35:00 AM

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!

hitman · November 26, 2013, 08:04:00 AM

Andrew is sure looking forward to next week with your large group. Have fun.

Sam McMichael · November 26, 2013, 10:25:00 AM

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.