Just got back from my first trip to Ray's. I'm telling you, it was a blast. I saw plenty of hogs, a couple of alligators, a couple of yankees (Aldo and Ray...yous guys were great!) I ate well, actually TOO well (I gained 2 pounds--thanks alot Ray  :eek:  ). And I heard some great stories.

I enjoyed it well enough that I'm trying to book another trip in Sept. Anyone interested in going?

Tony

Just got back you say...with no pics or story????

What gives???      :D

That's good to hear,Me and bunch from here in upstate New York are going next January. Looking forward hunting in a new and different place.

Well....I'm not the best photographer, but I did take a few pics....I have to work the next two nights but will add some after that.

Tony

QuoteOriginally posted by Over&Under:
Just got back you say...with no pics or story????

What gives???        :D  

Come on lets hear it  

Okay...Okay...I got called in to work so I don't have much time but I'll get this thing started.

According to Mapquest, I am only 5 1/2 hrs away from Estill, SC where I was going to meet up with the Jersey guys and meet Ray at 10 to go to Hog Heaven. Well, the trip was actually only about 4 3/4 hrs. so I could've slept in a little.

That being said, I got up at 2 am and was on the road by 3. I made better than average time and was in Estill before 8 am. I'm here to tell ya, there is absolutely nothing to do to occupy your time but sit there and read or something. Which is exactly what I did until Aldo and Ray got there.

I introduced myself and instantly liked these two guys. They were a hoot to hang with.

Anyway, Ray H. showed up a few minutes late after getting caught by a train. We made a quick stop at the hardware store for Ray. The rest of us already got our license. After Ray finished his business, we headed to camp.......I'm gonna have to leave it at that for now.....Will be back later for more......Tony

   

can't wait to hear this one!!

c'mon...that is unfair ! I'm heading to Ray's in early October this year ... and your making the wait that much harder! lol
glad you had a good time and looking foward to pics .
Ben

Okay....Sorry it took so long....I had a long night at work.

Anyway, once we made it to Hog Heaven and unloaded our gear, Ray sat us down and explained how things were there. He gave us a heads up of the hazards of the swamp and told us how to hunt the hogs. He also showed us on a diagram exactly where we should be aiming. Then he showed us on a map the locations we would be hunting.

After a quick tutorial on how to sharpen a broadhead, he made us lunch. Then we hit the range for target practice, got our gear on, jumped in Ray's truck and off we went....More to come later....Tony

???????????  Anyone else on this trip type faster?

I have a hunt booked the first weekend in Oct. I can't wait!! If I'm not mistaken there is an open spot left that weekend. would have to ask Ray on that to make sure. Went last year and had a great time!

Ray H. dropped us off at a lean-to with a corn hauler under it. He gave us some last minute advice and off we went.

At the end of the main trail there are three trails that fork off of it. These trails take you down into the low areas where the swamps are and the cool areas where the hogs would be. Since there were three of us we each would take a different trail. I chose the left, Ray R. chose the middle and Aldo took the right.

On the way down to the trail head, we spooked a hen turkey that was trying to nest. On top of that, we saw our first swamp critter....a 3-4 ft. alligator. It was lying in some tall grass right off of the road....Pretty cool to say the least.

At the cross roads we said our farewells and headed our seperate ways.

Here's what my road looked like:


The plan was to walk down these roads, moving slowly to try to see the hogs before they see you. If you came to a creek, Ray said it would be a good idea to follow them as well.

So I'd only been walking for 20 minutes or so and probably hadn't gone maybe 100 yds. when I hear a metal clank (I found out later that the noise was made by Ray R. walking across a bridge)

I look to my right to find the source of the sound and low and behold there is a nice size hog to my right front, probably 40 yds away. Now, I'll tell ya, there was enough deep water between him (I'm judging this to be a boar due to is size and shape--I think Ray R. agrees)and me to float a small barge and I know that there is no way to get to him, but I duck down and nock an arrow and I'm about to move parallel to him to cut some distance when the wind shifts (it's been swirling the whole time) and as quick as that this stalk is over.    

This thing snorted like a deer, let out a long grunt and high-tailed it towards Ray. I found out later that he saw it as well. I think he said it ran across his road in front of him....

So my very first stalk on a hog ended almost before it began.

Gotta get ready for work....will type more later....Tony

Oh, we think this guy weighed around 150 lbs....

More tonite after work.....Tony

Some how a story is just more exciting in installments like this.

I'm just hoping he doesn't start stuttering while he types

   

Or just decide to leave us hanging!!!