Post by: Terry Green on May 08, 2006, 04:20:00 PM
As Ray and I rode along we had some great conversation. Ray and I had been around one another on several occasions, swapped emails and posts here on Trad gang, but never really got to know one another. We talked about hunts we'd been on, gear preferences etc, etc. Oh, and of course we solved all the world of bowhunting's problems. Ok, we didn't really, but we talked a good game.
When you cross over into lower South Carolina, you can't help but feel like you've stepped back in time, and the daily stresses seem to fad away rather quickly, least it did for me. Some of the terrain is similar to south eastern GA, so I still felt like I was home in a sense.
As we entered the gate I was taking in all I could as Ray pointed out highlights of hunts gone by, great spots, interesting areas....and not leaving out pigs. We spotted a small cluster of them before we even got to camp. Ray asked if I'd like to get out and have a go at them, but I decided to just watch for a bit. I figured the anticipation would really work on me while we got settled in to camp and suited up for the afternoon hunt, and I'd be in a better frame of mind. Watching the little welcoming party was kinda like warming up before the game.
We entered Camp and made short order of formalities and began to gear up. I'd get the low-down on camp that evening. No need to stand on ceremony, we had hogs to chase.
We'd seen lots of sign in different places on the property. I thought it was going to be interesting trying to figure out which of those likely places would be best that evening. Ray settled that with a very confident reply when I inquired as such...."Lets just go for a walk". Easy enough I thought as we left the camp and paralleled a thunderstorm that was working off our right shoulder from back to front.
Here's a few teaser spots we were easing by.....
(http://www.tradgang.com/upload/terry/sc7.jpg)
(http://www.tradgang.com/upload/terry/sc8.jpg)
(http://www.tradgang.com/upload/terry/sc9.jpg)
Post by: Ray Hammond on May 08, 2006, 04:54:00 PM
I thought I was with Curtis Kellar, hog killer extraordinaire!!!!!!!
I had a great time getting to know you, Terry! It was a stellar weekend.
Post by: James Wrenn on May 08, 2006, 05:12:00 PM
Post by: Littlefeather on May 08, 2006, 05:41:00 PM
Post by: beachbowhunter on May 08, 2006, 05:55:00 PM
Bring home the bacon boys!
Post by: Charlie Lamb on May 08, 2006, 07:21:00 PM
Post by: SuperKodiak38 on May 08, 2006, 07:50:00 PM
Post by: Ray Hammond on May 08, 2006, 09:03:00 PM
Post by: Terry Green on May 08, 2006, 10:04:00 PM
I'm starting the next 'installment' as Charlie puts it.......just hang on a bit longer. :campfire:
Post by: Terry Green on May 08, 2006, 10:44:00 PM
Not too far from camp we came to an intersection and down the much less traveled was a group of shooter pigs. Those of the easy dragging persuasion. Fine eating any of them would be if the 1st stalk worked out the way we always hope it will. Ray, being the gracious host, offered his hand down the grassy road and said "Have at them Sir". Not wanting to insult the host, I dove in the short pines to close the gap.
I ran into a pocket of briars about 75 yards in, and they were way too noisy to try and sneak through, so I back tracked a tad and eased out to the road for look see. It looked like there was enough spotty cover to try and sneak from bush to bush with the occasional crawl. This is a normal tactic for TX Sweat, so I thought I try my luck in South Carolina.
It was working really well and one of the hogs made it a little easier for me. She decided to come toward me while the rest of the group was moving the opposite way. She was almost in range when she turned her back just as lightening struck. Soon as the thunder started to roll I began to make several quick moves into shooting range, and again the gal turned back my way and came a few steps and turned to a 45 degree angle in the road which made here broadside to me. It was my all up to me now.
The arrow looked to be a very lethal hit as the piggy swapped ends and ran about 10 yards down the middle of the road and then veered off to the right into the ditch where I lost sight of her. Then lightening struck again, only this time it was close, very close....
I looked down the road and the rest of the group was still milling around and I eased out slowly to cross and find my arrow. I was so involved in the hunt that I didn't realize this storm had veered left and was almost on top of me. The rain began to fall, and in just a few seconds the bottom fell slap out. I thought of my camera that was vulnerable in my fanny pack. I'd dropped the pack for the final approach stalk and it was laying off the side of the road and I hurried to rescue it.
I grabbed the pack and ducked into the sparse pines and huddled over my pack shedding it from the pounding rain that was blowing sideways. Then a cold shiver came over me as I felt the hail pounding my back when only moments ago I was perspiring from the 85 degree temps and 85% humidity. Then it was over, just as fast as it had started.
Knowing there was no blood trail left after that gully washer, I decided to look for the hog blind from the last stretch in the ditch I'd seen her. She'd only made it 25 yards. As I checked her out I remembered the bow I had chosen for this hunt, a Thunderstick, and could only smile. This bow did the exact same thing that her 10# heavier sister did on her very 1st hunt...she brought home the bacon. Must be some type of MOAB Mojo.
(http://www.tradgang.com/upload/terry/sc1.jpg)
It was a great start to a weekend of hunting...and there was plenty of time for Ray to have a turn before the sun went down.......ya best stay tuned :D
Post by: Littlefeather on May 08, 2006, 11:09:00 PM
Post by: cjones on May 08, 2006, 11:37:00 PM
Post by: Terry Green on May 09, 2006, 12:00:00 AM
As we rounded a small curve in the road, there was another small group of pigs milling about and I let Ray get well ahead. As he closed in, for some reason, the little buggars just decided to trot around the corner out of sight. Ray proceeded and when he closed in on the area the pigs were, a real nice fully front loaded boar walks right out in the middle of the road catching us both in mid stride.
This boar weighing in about a buck seventy five stopped and struck a gallant pose in the middle of the road glairing in our direction. He then threw Ray some obvious vocals,then turned and pranced down the road and around the curve with is head held high. I eased up to Ray and said,..."You know what he just told you don't ya"...Ray chuckled and agreed "I sure do". Ray and I played cat and mouse for about 20 minutes with two different hogs, that boar and another dry sow around 100#s, but the day ended with us mighty eager for more.
What would the morning bring?............stay tuned.
(http://www.tradgang.com/upload/terry/sc10.jpg)
Post by: yleecoyote23 on May 09, 2006, 12:07:00 AM
Post by: cjones on May 09, 2006, 06:50:00 AM
Post by: Terry Green on May 09, 2006, 07:08:00 AM
Post by: Golden Hawk on May 09, 2006, 07:46:00 AM
Post by: the Ferret on May 09, 2006, 07:54:00 AM
!["[laffsmyl]"]("graemlins/laffsmyl.gif" "\"\"")
Congrats Terry...man what a wet place to hunt. Reynolds makes a dandy bow and is a great guy. Bet he'll be excited when you tell him you Moabed some piggies. He's probably out turkey hunting in Mo now.
Post by: Marvin M. on May 09, 2006, 08:18:00 AM
More story!!!
Post by: hunt it on May 09, 2006, 08:24:00 AM
Post by: CJ Pearson on May 09, 2006, 08:33:00 AM
Post by: Ray Lyon on May 09, 2006, 09:06:00 AM
(of course, the way the operator shoots, he could shoot a willow branch and cane sticks and make bacon!)
!["[dead]"]("graemlins/dead.gif" "\"\"")
Post by: Pat B on May 09, 2006, 09:38:00 AM
Post by: Terry Green on May 09, 2006, 09:46:00 AM
The morning was silence, not a creature was about. The only sign of life this AM were those early birds that drew the covers off of us. It was one of those mornings that let you know if any of your gear is too noisy, like the little squeak in my pack that I adjusted. Every noise we made seemed like it came out of a bull horn...that's how quiet it was.
We kept strolling along soaking in all the sign that was fresh since the down pour the night before. The hogs had been busy not long ago under the cover of darkness, and were surely napping now. We were figuring the animals would go on a mid morning feed soon so we hung in there and continued to lay down our own tracks.
Sure enough around 9:30 the rest of the world decided to wake up. First it was the birds, then the rabbit dashing across the road, the armadilo crashing the brush, the turkey bobin and weavin his escape into the tall pines. Ray and I were on full alert now keeping a sharp eye..........
Post by: JC on May 09, 2006, 10:15:00 AM
Post by: Terry Green on May 09, 2006, 10:24:00 AM
I aint realy sure just where....if I'm not driving I don't really pay attention.
I can tell you this, when we got close, we stopped to buy my SC license in a town so little I could have spit across it. ;)
Thanks for the compliment Mr Lyon. I did a lot of extreme cant angle shots with this bow for a couple of weeks before this hunt...... practicing my low and tight hog shot.
Post by: Terry Green on May 09, 2006, 02:21:00 PM
Dang it!!!! gotta take this call.......be back soon as I can
Post by: CJ Pearson on May 09, 2006, 02:35:00 PM
Post by: JC on May 09, 2006, 02:57:00 PM
Post by: CJ Pearson on May 09, 2006, 03:11:00 PM
Post by: joel smith on May 09, 2006, 03:20:00 PM
not really---but Joe's right, it's a killer story (in more ways than one)
i'm sure Terry'll be back in a couple of hours...
Post by: Terry Green on May 09, 2006, 05:56:00 PM
We came to a 3 or 4 acre field on the right full of broom straw, dog fennel, and some type of aromatic greenery that I'd smelled many times before but I don't know its name. Maybe someone will recognize it in the pics to follow and enlighten us.
The field was slightly up hill and there was a perimeter with a single lane of bahia grass all the way around.(Ray can correct my spelling of that grass if he'd like). Ray gave me the layout of the lake and bedding areas and I took off for a stroll around the field. I was to meet up with Ray where the bahia grass ran back into the road we were walking. I was on point as I closed in on the back side of the over grown meadow, being as careful as I could. I wanted to make sure I saw the pigs before they saw me, if there were any around. It was a very likely looking place.
As I saw the end of my planted row maybe 50 yards away I looked, but no Ray. I'd come off of point being that I'd just about completed my journey. Hmmm....I'd taken the long way around for sure.....did Ray go on ahead?
Then I was snapped back into hunting mode immediately as I heard hogs directly to my left out in the middle of the field. Couldn't see any, but sure heard many. I nocked my arrow back on the string and started into the broom straw to get a fix on the gang. They sounded like they were having a block party. I had the wind in my favor and the cover of tall broom straw to block their sight, as long as their heads were down.
Now guys, I have to tell you I was transfixed on the visions that were unfolding before me. I thought I was watching a scene out of Primal Dreams it was so captivating. It was as if I had waded out waist deep into a choppy bay full of porpoises. Hogs were appearing and disappearing here and there in a random cadence as the wind waived the broom straw rhythmically opposing the direction of their travels. I was hoping that I hadn't waded out too far and wandered into the herd as some were doing their magic tricks only 10 yards away. There was this one hog that came into view, but it never disappeared, nor was it going to till it left this field. That was the one I wanted since I'd already gotten small smoker, I wanted some big shoulders and hams to BBQ. I'd take my chances holding out for the right shot. Now all I could really see of this animal at any one time was about 8 inches of its back, and on occasion I could see a leg here and there but I sure knew which one was the front cause they were all headed in the same direction. I was in position and the range was good, just needed that front leg to step into a gap. ........
Next thing I remembered was hearing a squeal like a set of 36 x 14.5 mud tires locked down and the beast bucked like a bronco with only a little of the florescent yellow fletch showing. Like a bolt of lightening from the evening before it disappeared going away in the 11 O'clock position from me. Not far into it's retreat there 3 more mud tire squeals from the same area and it sounded like no forward progress was being made. In just a few seconds the only sounds left were the concerned chatter amongst the smaller ones as they started there magic tricks again, only at a frantic pace this time. My eyes were dancing all around making sure I wasn't going to get caught in the stampede.
Post by: Ray Hammond on May 09, 2006, 08:17:00 PM
Post by: Terry Green on May 09, 2006, 09:20:00 PM
I realized no matter the answer, the chances of this being another un-touched hog that just so happened to have a limp were slim to none. So, I nocked another arrow and let one sail. The shot looked good entering the left side and the hog moved along at a quicker pace. I moved into pursuit as quiet as I could. Moving twenty yards or so the hog stopped again quartering severely. I sent another arrow in behind the ribs on the left side going straight for the heart of the goody box. The hog took off again and I let yet another one sail without taking a step this time. The final arrow arrow went into the neck behind the left jaw and the hog took its last strides leaning to the right as it fell over stone dead.
I reached the hog and looked for the evidence of the 1st shot I'd taken that morning....none was found.
I dragged the dry sow to the lane of bahia grass and went looking for Ray. He'd been in behind the bunch trying to get a shot as well. I told him what all had transpired the best I could...I was pumped to say the least. I told him I was pretty sure I had another hog down and we'd look for it after we loaded up this shaggy gal.....
(http://www.tradgang.com/upload/terry/sc2.jpg)
Post by: Hunter John on May 09, 2006, 09:28:00 PM
John
Post by: Terry Green on May 09, 2006, 09:35:00 PM
(http://www.tradgang.com/upload/terry/sc3.jpg)
Post by: Chortdraw on May 09, 2006, 09:42:00 PM
Chort
Post by: Ray Hammond on May 09, 2006, 10:04:00 PM
Post by: Bama Stan on May 09, 2006, 10:26:00 PM
Stan
Post by: bbassi on May 09, 2006, 10:30:00 PM
someday.....
Post by: cjones on May 10, 2006, 12:22:00 AM
Post by: JC on May 10, 2006, 08:32:00 AM
Post by: Chad Edgar on May 10, 2006, 08:34:00 AM
Post by: Terry Green on May 10, 2006, 09:15:00 AM
(http://www.tradgang.com/upload/terry/sc12.jpg)
When we got to the spot of impact we looked in the direction the animal ran and Ray claimed blood immediately. The cluster of broom straw looked like it had been painted with a mop. Instantly we found another, and another, and another. After the 4th cluster was found I saw a hoof just up ahead and turned to Ray and celebrated because we had found it. I was so exited just knowing the hog was down that I celebrated after only seeing one hoof. Getting one hog that morning would have been more than enough, but getting two was definitely something else.
I turned and walked quickly and the 1st thing that entered my mind was that picture of Guru and his Bruiser. Curt had taken a 300# plus a little over a year ago, and this one looked like it came out of the same litter. I had no idea she was this big. I was elevated even higher to have taken such an animal.
After admiring the animal, and looking back to confirm that it only made it 30 yards at the most, we took a few photos and reflected. She was so heavy that Ray and I literally could not drag her. We had to 1, 2, 3 - heave her to the truck.
(http://www.tradgang.com/upload/terry/sc20.jpg)
I'd like to publicly thank Ray for being a great camp host, hunting partner, hog heaver, and most of all for just being him. I owe this hunt to Ray, and it will be one I'll never forget. I'll likely never forget the breakfast Ray served up that morning either. I'd gotten both hogs cleaned and skinned and Ray helped me tote them into the cooler...As I was finishing up he made a gourmet breakfast of egg, bison sage sausage, and last and most definitely not least some hickory bacon Dean Torges sent me that would make ya slap your mamma. Thanks Dean and thanks again Mr. Ray Hammond.
(http://www.tradgang.com/upload/terry/sc5.jpg)
Post by: Charlie Lamb on May 10, 2006, 09:20:00 AM
Post by: rabbitman on May 10, 2006, 09:38:00 AM
Post by: Shaun on May 10, 2006, 09:44:00 AM
Nother great tale of the hunt. Thanks for the report and pictures.
Post by: JC on May 10, 2006, 10:05:00 AM
Post by: philil on May 10, 2006, 10:29:00 AM
Thanks for sharing and congratulations! :thumbsup:
Post by: JC on May 10, 2006, 10:51:00 AM
!["[tunglaff]"]("graemlins/tunglaff.gif" "\"\"")
Post by: Whip on May 10, 2006, 10:52:00 AM
Here in WI the DNR is doing everything they can to keep them out of here, and I understand we don't want non-native species taking over, but that doesn't make me stop being jealous of those who can hunt them year round like you southern boys.
Post by: Chortdraw on May 10, 2006, 10:52:00 AM
Chort
Post by: Littlefeather on May 10, 2006, 10:59:00 AM
Post by: James Wrenn on May 10, 2006, 11:09:00 AM
Post by: Terry Green on May 10, 2006, 11:34:00 AM
I used a 60 Inch 60# Thunderstick MOAB - Zwickey Delta 4 blades on a steel adapter - Arrow Dynamics Trad Heavies loaded with aquarium tubing bringing the total weight to 710 grains.
Post by: Bard1 on May 10, 2006, 11:45:00 AM
Derek
Post by: BillyBobHowdieVern on May 10, 2006, 11:45:00 AM
thats some more hog trip brother congrats.
john
Post by: BillW on May 10, 2006, 11:45:00 AM
Thanks for sharing!
Bill
Post by: Ray Hammond on May 10, 2006, 12:39:00 PM
All I did was let you ride over there in my pickup, Terry.
There were two things that made it special
1- being in a cool place and enjoying what nature has to offer, sharing it together in one of God's finest creations, a southern swamp
and
2- awesome shooting at crunch time- something many of us have a difficult time getting done. If you hadn't made the shots all we'd have been doing is "walkin' with weapons" - the dreaded WWW!
Congratulations again on three fine piggies!
You gonna share the pic of the shot on that big one- Bride of Horsetail????? (I name the biggest pigs on the place so its easy to keep track of em)I think it would be very instructional for those going hog hunting for the first time- you just cannot see a more perfect shot than the one Tarz made on the big gal- but most whitetail hunters would think "oh my God he's got too far forward on that animal!" But no, my friends...he hit the hog PUUURRRRRRFECT!
Post by: Ray Lyon on May 10, 2006, 01:01:00 PM
Ya'll could change the title to Bay of Pigs (in a barrel) shoot the next time you invite Terry. ;)
Post by: Dave Bulla on May 10, 2006, 01:05:00 PM
One of these days I'm a gonna have to kill myself a hawg.... Not many of them around here in MO though. Might have to try getting back to the TX sweat again some time.
Post by: Golden Hawk on May 10, 2006, 01:43:00 PM
Post by: Ray Hammond on May 10, 2006, 01:54:00 PM
(http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e322/rayhammond123/hickoryuglyhog.jpg)
their heads look almost identical...Worlds Ugliest Hawg has woolly mammoth hair though, tight curls, instead of long and wavy..but the head bone structure is unique, and identical..and very different from the more classical hog "Bride of Horsetail" Terry got.
Post by: Terry Green on May 10, 2006, 04:03:00 PM
Remember, this 300#er only ran 30 yards, and this shot did get both lungs and the heart......
This pic reveals that 'Bride of Horse Tail' was slightly quartering away. It also shows how far forward it exited without hitting any bone. This picture however is deceiving on how low on the body the shot placement was.
(http://www.tradgang.com/upload/terry/hogshotplacement2.jpg)
This pic shows the true elevation on the body...and makes the shot 'low and tight'.
(http://www.tradgang.com/upload/terry/hogshotplacement3.jpg)
Post by: Bowhunter4life on May 10, 2006, 04:22:00 PM
Post by: beachbowhunter on May 10, 2006, 04:29:00 PM
Post by: CJ Pearson on May 10, 2006, 05:40:00 PM
Thanks for sharing.
Post by: Alex.B on May 10, 2006, 06:40:00 PM
What...A...Story, Man!! And whattahaawwg!! At loss for words. I had the honor and privilege to accompany Ray down in SC, and it was the best time I ever had in my life. Ray Hammond is the best! We became instantaneous friends
Bravo!
Alex
PS: did you have to also listen to Ray's music like ..........ALL the time?? :thumbsup:
Post by: Rob DiStefano on May 10, 2006, 07:32:00 PM
Post by: Terry Green on May 10, 2006, 07:32:00 PM
Quote
Originally posted by Chortdraw:Great question Dale.....and this may help someone down the road a bit.
How did you guys get that thing in the back of your truck :bigsmyl:
Chort
OK, we got the hog lying on the ground on her belly with her tail facing the tail gate....we then lifted the rear legs and laid them on the tail gate and then scooted her till the rear hams were on the tail gate. This was the easy part cause most of the weight was still resting on the ground. Ray held the legs and I got in the back of the truck. Now this really helped and not sure if all pick up trucks are like this or not...but Ray's has a nice gap between the tail gate and bed when the tail gate is down and that allowed me to get my boot heels in real deep. Ray gathered up the head while I held the rear ankles and on the count of 3 again Ray picked up the head and shoved and I lifted the best I could with my arms and pushed back with my legs leaning at a 45 degree angle. We had set it up to use our legs.
Post by: Terry Green on May 10, 2006, 07:54:00 PM
Quote
Originally posted by Alex Bugnon:Why I even made him stop on the way home so I could buy him Wonderland by Paul Hardcastle. Jazzmasters II.
PS: did you have to also listen to Ray's music like ..........ALL the time?? :thumbsup:
Post by: Ray Hammond on May 10, 2006, 08:51:00 PM
Two blade, Three blade, Four blade- you make THAT shot on pigs, they're dead...no matter what.
(http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e322/rayhammond123/feralhog1.jpg)
Post by: tippit on May 10, 2006, 09:11:00 PM
Post by: bayoulongbowman on May 10, 2006, 10:01:00 PM
Post by: Steve G on May 10, 2006, 11:15:00 PM
Post by: cjones on May 10, 2006, 11:31:00 PM
Post by: hunt it on May 11, 2006, 11:53:00 AM
Post by: Ray Lyon on May 11, 2006, 12:02:00 PM
Nice job with the picture illustration. That's a dandy and it dovetails in nicely with Terry's live shots.
Great job guys. :thumbsup:
Post by: jindydiver on May 11, 2006, 05:28:00 PM
Post by: Terry Green on May 11, 2006, 07:47:00 PM
I think I've answered all the questions here, and those in emails, but if I left anyone or anything out just gimme a shout.
Best hunting to you guys.
Post by: Jason R. Wesbrock on May 11, 2006, 08:17:00 PM
Post by: Dsturgisjr on May 12, 2006, 08:36:00 AM
Post by: Jim@ThunderStick on May 12, 2006, 10:35:00 AM
Post by: HARL on May 12, 2006, 10:38:00 AM
Post by: Guru on May 12, 2006, 03:37:00 PM
Pix are wonderful.....congrats all around :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :notworthy:
Post by: Mark Baker on May 12, 2006, 11:40:00 PM
Post by: Ray Hammond on May 17, 2006, 08:30:00 PM
you should move this to the 2006 Highlights forum, maybe????
Post by: Doug Campbell on May 17, 2006, 10:57:00 PM
Post by: Curtiss Cardinal on May 18, 2006, 12:54:00 AM
Ray, You sir are too modest.You were a very generous fellow.
Might I make a suggestion? As a big beefy man I rely too often on the muscle God gave me when I should use the brain he provided more. I suspect it is a failing of the physically strong. "This simple, Me lift, Me throw, Pig Loaded.Ugh!"
well why not put a come along in the bed of your pick-up? mount it in the front of the bed with 2 hooks in the two front post placements. Lay a piece of 1 inch plywood down on the bed. slide it back and use it as a ramp and release the come along's cable wrap it around the beast and crank your way to a loaded animal. No strain, no pain. Hey you all can use that idea. I told Mr. Wensel about it when he told me about the trouble they had loading Woody. He thought it a good idea. Well I wont argue with him. It isn't the kind of idea I can make money at but I can share it so why not? God Bless, Good Hunting and Thanks for the great story Terry.
Post by: kawika b on May 18, 2006, 01:12:00 AM
Post by: Jumper on May 22, 2006, 05:42:00 PM
Post by: razorsharptokill on May 27, 2006, 12:15:00 PM
Thanks!
Post by: pucci on May 27, 2006, 01:11:00 PM