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Topic Archives => Memorable Hunts => Topic started by: Lin Rhea on October 07, 2008, 08:00:00 PM

Title: First hunt with Ray Hammond
Post by: Lin Rhea on October 07, 2008, 08:00:00 PM
That's right. I hope it's the first of many more.
 
   I will have to get back with you, but for now, I'll let you see an interesting picture of Wyatt puttin a sneak on some piggies. I got a real kick out of it. I cant believe I had the presence of mind to take a picture during it all.

  (http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3072/2919671195_545216ae89.jpg)

I have some more, but I'm playing catch up and will post more later. Lin
Title: Re: First hunt with Ray Hammond
Post by: pronghorn23 on October 07, 2008, 08:40:00 PM
Uh oh..left us hanging. I'll be there in a couple weeks. Looking forward to the rest of the story and photos!
Title: Re: First hunt with Ray Hammond
Post by: Apex Predator on October 07, 2008, 08:41:00 PM
Cool beans man!  I can't wait for the rest of the story.  Ray is good people, that's for sure!
Title: Re: First hunt with Ray Hammond
Post by: Biggie Hoffman on October 07, 2008, 08:43:00 PM
Yep. I'm booked to hunt with Ray in a few weeks too. I'm anxious to see some new ground!
Title: Re: First hunt with Ray Hammond
Post by: Shawn Leonard on October 07, 2008, 09:10:00 PM
It has been an hour, lets here it. I am sure Ray has all the i's dotted!! Top notch guy and very knowledgable. Shawn
Title: Re: First hunt with Ray Hammond
Post by: longbowben on October 07, 2008, 10:40:00 PM
:banghead:
Title: Re: First hunt with Ray Hammond
Post by: Lin Rhea on October 07, 2008, 10:56:00 PM
I'm sorry it took so long. I just got in,

   Ray invited myself and Wyatt down for the weekend to give us a chance to try for a hog. This was Wyatt's first time to use his new bow. He's been practicing most of the Summer and he and I still need more. Wyatt just turned 14 and his draw is about 25 inches. His bow is a Soaring Eagle 43 @ 28. It shoots great.

   The weekend was great. I cant say enough about how much we enjoyed it. I know we've made friends in Ray and his right hand man, Mike (Squirrel Bait) Mitchum. Mike really took to Wyatt and helped him a lot with his stalking skills. I owe them my thanks.

  Here are a few more pics of the stay.

This place is still in a wild and uncut condition. We actually heard a tree fall on it's own the first day.
   (http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3076/2919665423_0eaa1c683c.jpg)

Wyatt eyeballing a hog rub and wallow.
   (http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3145/2919674553_5aea058afe.jpg)

The sun is coming up nicely.
   (http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3073/2919671343_8c80062906.jpg)

Wyatt's first trad kill and an effort to reduce the Armadillo population. You'd of thought he'd taken a trophy buck!
   (http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3092/2919665283_aa0f924d36.jpg)

  I'm not trying to string this out guys. I'll post some more tomorrow. I have to get some sleep. Lin
Title: Re: First hunt with Ray Hammond
Post by: smokin joe on October 07, 2008, 10:56:00 PM
What is Ray's contact info? I see a hunt there in my future.
Joe
Title: Re: First hunt with Ray Hammond
Post by: tim roberts on October 07, 2008, 11:37:00 PM
The coolest!!!!!!!
Title: Re: First hunt with Ray Hammond
Post by: vermonster13 on October 07, 2008, 11:39:00 PM
Good deal Wyatt!
Title: Re: First hunt with Ray Hammond
Post by: Chris Surtees on October 07, 2008, 11:48:00 PM
:thumbsup:     :archer:
Title: Re: First hunt with Ray Hammond
Post by: Kevin Evans on October 07, 2008, 11:59:00 PM
Linn
You might have to get the pic with sun coming up framed.That is one cool pic.
Good job Wyatt  :clapper:    :clapper:    :clapper:    :clapper:    :clapper:    :clapper:
Title: Re: First hunt with Ray Hammond
Post by: Benny Nganabbarru on October 08, 2008, 02:25:00 AM
Beaut photos! Any pigs hit the deck?
Title: Re: First hunt with Ray Hammond
Post by: Al Kidner on October 08, 2008, 06:28:00 AM
I bet all the talk was about knives too!

AK.
Title: Re: First hunt with Ray Hammond
Post by: tradtusker on October 08, 2008, 07:45:00 AM
thats cool congrats to you both!
Title: Re: First hunt with Ray Hammond
Post by: Biggie Hoffman on October 08, 2008, 09:00:00 AM
Quote
This was Wyatt's first time to use his new bow. He's been practicing most of the Summer and he and I still need more.
Uh-oh...that sounds like there's a mmmmmmiss in this story.
Title: Re: First hunt with Ray Hammond
Post by: Sharpster on October 08, 2008, 09:05:00 AM
Very nice Lin,

Love to see the younger guys hunting without wheels.
  :clapper:    :clapper:    :clapper:  

So, I'm sure there are some pics with hogs in them coming....?
  :pray:

Ron
Title: Re: First hunt with Ray Hammond
Post by: Ray Hammond on October 08, 2008, 09:47:00 AM
Biggie, wait...it gets better!!!
Title: Re: First hunt with Ray Hammond
Post by: Terry Green on October 08, 2008, 09:52:00 AM
Good stuff so far....waiting for more!
Title: Re: First hunt with Ray Hammond
Post by: allanburden on October 08, 2008, 10:02:00 AM
Still waiting...
Title: Re: First hunt with Ray Hammond
Post by: BMN on October 08, 2008, 11:49:00 AM
Great stuff.  :campfire:    :coffee:
Title: Re: First hunt with Ray Hammond
Post by: beachbowhunter on October 08, 2008, 12:03:00 PM
Very cool. Ray, it still looks pretty dry down there...
Title: Re: First hunt with Ray Hammond
Post by: Ray Hammond on October 08, 2008, 01:30:00 PM
yep. Things are getting just enough water to not dry up..but its pretty dry. There is a good bit more than there was midsummer, though.
Title: Re: First hunt with Ray Hammond
Post by: Squirrel Bait on October 08, 2008, 01:35:00 PM
Hey Biggie, it wasn't just one miss. I missed 2 times, concentrating too hard on that spot over there back! See you in a couple weeks.
Title: Re: First hunt with Ray Hammond
Post by: Mike Gerardi on October 08, 2008, 05:11:00 PM
Way to go with that armadillo Wyatt. Can't wait to hear the rest.
Title: Re: First hunt with Ray Hammond
Post by: Lin Rhea on October 08, 2008, 06:47:00 PM
I'm sorry it has taken so long. I had to work today.

  Wyatt and I saw so many hogs. The first day Ray and I tried to double team a bruiser, but he gave us the slip. We got a good look at him and he must surely weigh at least 350 lbs. Busted us from a small Palmetto patch. He stopped long enought to blow at us. I figure it must be cussing in pig language.
 
    We did indeed get several shots among the group which worked out to be lots of opportunities to laugh at each other. And we did. I had one nice hog come out of the tall grass 10 yards from me and me with bow up and thinking this is going to be so easy. It was'nt. He busted me right as I released and I did'nt touch him. In fact on that afternoon I missed two, both very nice hogs.
   
    Wyatt got to hunt with a Ray some, Mike some, and me. Saturday afternoon we saw some hogs go into a ditch and knew they were feeding or looking for something to eat. We decided to try a sneak. The wind was good so Squirrel bait, Wyatt, and me started slippin up while Ray watched. We could not tell how many hogs were there, we could just see their backs and the grass was high. We evidently got too close and a couple jumped up on the bank and took off. We knew there were more in the ditch, but could not tell how many and if they ran like the others we'd not get the shot we wanted.
     
  Another one jumped and ran. We kept sneakin and had arrows nocked and ready. I believe, if a bull frog had jump up we'd have shot it. We were that tense. About that time another pig jumped up on the bank and stopped. He got hit three times. Can you believe that?!

   He still ran and we decided to give it some time. My arrow was a pass through, but Mike and Wyatt could not find their arrows. It was getting dark so we had a great supper and would check on it in the morning.

   Mike decide to go to the blood trail while Wyatt and I went on a long hunt back in the swamp. We stayed so busy watching deer, hogs, and Racoons, etc that we did'nt have time to worry much about what Mike found. But Ray picked us up and we got back to camp mid morning to find that Mike was already there.

   He found the pig alright and found Wyatt's arrow stuck up the hogs rear end for a Texas Heart Shot. It turns out that his was the only shot that put the hog down quick. He was one excited kid.

    (http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3243/2919665681_2ed4250536.jpg)

   You would not believe the way this has changed Wyatt's attitude. He's been absolutely giddy even teased me about my shootin on the trip home. I do believe as proud as I was, Ray and Mike were just as proud for Wyatt.

                                    Lin
Title: Re: First hunt with Ray Hammond
Post by: Lin Rhea on October 08, 2008, 06:52:00 PM
One more group shot. Mike (Squirrel Bait) Mitchum, Ray Hammond, Wyatt, and Myself. The pig weighed about 70lbs live not including arrows.
   (http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3054/2924800819_deb9b9a755.jpg)
Title: Re: First hunt with Ray Hammond
Post by: leatherneck on October 08, 2008, 07:01:00 PM
Way to go Wyatt!!!!!!!! Congrats on a great harvest.

Mike
Title: Re: First hunt with Ray Hammond
Post by: hit or miss on October 08, 2008, 07:08:00 PM
Great story!

That sunrise picture would make a great magazine cover.  One of the top 10 pics I have seen.
Title: Re: First hunt with Ray Hammond
Post by: JoeM on October 08, 2008, 07:30:00 PM
AH the coveted Texas Heart shot, only a few can say they ever pulled that one off.  Great story thanks for sharing and congrats to Wyatt.  Joe
Title: Re: First hunt with Ray Hammond
Post by: Al Kidner on October 08, 2008, 07:56:00 PM
Cool, well done and I like his name too.


AK.
Title: Re: First hunt with Ray Hammond
Post by: pronghorn23 on October 08, 2008, 08:01:00 PM
Awesome story! Congratulations Wyatt!!
Title: Re: First hunt with Ray Hammond
Post by: Lin Rhea on October 08, 2008, 08:22:00 PM
Hey, Wyatt here

Yeah when I found out that I got the pig I was so surprised.  I thought that Mike or Lin had got it or that nobody did.  I got a big hug from the guys and a look from Lin that made me very happy.  And I want to give a big thanks to Ray for letting us come, and to to Mike for showing me so many things. And also my Mom cooked some of the pig that I killed and it was really good!

Wyatt  :bigsmyl:
Title: Re: First hunt with Ray Hammond
Post by: SOS on October 08, 2008, 08:26:00 PM
What a great hunt!   :thumbsup:   And an even better quote, "Weighed about 70lbs...not including arrows!"  Priceless.  :clapper:
Title: Re: First hunt with Ray Hammond
Post by: SOS on October 08, 2008, 08:29:00 PM
I just noticed the last post was from the killer himself!  Congrats, Wyatt!  I'm zero for 50 on stalking since Feb of LAST year on piggies - I must smell too bad...or shoot too bad.  You are putting a lot of us to shame.  Well Done, Young Man!
Title: Re: First hunt with Ray Hammond
Post by: Ray Hammond on October 08, 2008, 09:25:00 PM
and the worst of it was that I watched all three of em shoot, and laughed my fool head off saying I was " In the Company of BADD Archers" because it looked to me like all of them missed..and here they ALL hit the same pig!!!!! Now how's that for some sorry eyeballs!!

It would have never happened with a wheel bow...too fast and furious!
Title: Re: First hunt with Ray Hammond
Post by: Ray Hammond on October 08, 2008, 09:29:00 PM
We sure had a blast with these two fellas. They appreciated everything and were so easy to please, and helped out with camp chores and the like.

Lin is a sneaky fella too...the man knows how to put a sneak on a pig. Oh, and by the way, he can build a knife too.

I talked his head off the whole time getting all the knowledge I could from him..he was very patient with me. Thanks Lin. Mike and I had a great time with you Wyatt "hog and dilla killa"!
Title: Re: First hunt with Ray Hammond
Post by: vermonster13 on October 08, 2008, 09:31:00 PM
:clapper:     :clapper:
Title: Re: First hunt with Ray Hammond
Post by: Blackhat on October 08, 2008, 09:49:00 PM
:thumbsup:  A one in a thousand shot! good job.  :D
Title: Re: First hunt with Ray Hammond
Post by: SKYLER W on October 08, 2008, 10:24:00 PM
Congrats Wyatt!!! Great shot!  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: First hunt with Ray Hammond
Post by: longbowben on October 08, 2008, 10:28:00 PM
Congrats get the smoker ready  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: First hunt with Ray Hammond
Post by: Apex Predator on October 08, 2008, 10:36:00 PM
Awesome job Wyatt.  You are showing us all how it's done!
Title: Re: First hunt with Ray Hammond
Post by: Chris Surtees on October 09, 2008, 03:07:00 AM
Well done Wyatt   :thumbsup:    :archer:
Title: Re: First hunt with Ray Hammond
Post by: Benny Nganabbarru on October 09, 2008, 03:29:00 AM
Many happy returns of the day, Wyatt and Co.!
Title: Re: First hunt with Ray Hammond
Post by: JEFF B on October 09, 2008, 04:57:00 AM
oh yeah congrats on ya piggy wyatt!!!  :archer:
Title: Re: First hunt with Ray Hammond
Post by: Mike Gerardi on October 09, 2008, 06:03:00 AM
Yeah Baby!!!!  :clapper:    :clapper:    :clapper:    :clapper:    :clapper:    :clapper:  Great job Wyatt. A hunt you will remember the rest of your life. I wish I could of been there to see it.
                      Mike
Title: Re: First hunt with Ray Hammond
Post by: Lin Rhea on October 09, 2008, 06:22:00 AM
To say the least, Wyatt is PUMPED!  :bigsmyl:  Lin
Title: Re: First hunt with Ray Hammond
Post by: Sharpster on October 09, 2008, 07:30:00 AM
Quote
Originally posted by Lin Rhea:
To say the least, Wyatt is PUMPED!   :bigsmyl:   Lin
NO DOUBT!!!!... and deservingly so!

Great job Wyatt.   :thumbsup:  

I hope you know how envious the rest of us are... To have the chance to share a campfire with Ray, Mike, and Lin...? together?... all in the same place... at the same time???

Congratulations Sir,

Ron
Title: Re: First hunt with Ray Hammond
Post by: Red Beastmaster on October 09, 2008, 08:03:00 AM
Great job Wyatt!

These stories are killing me. My group will be at Ray's end of Feb. I'm ready to go now!
Title: Re: First hunt with Ray Hammond
Post by: allanburden on October 09, 2008, 08:09:00 AM
Awesome job Wyatt, congratulations.
Title: Re: First hunt with Ray Hammond
Post by: tippit on October 09, 2008, 09:23:00 AM
Way to go Wyatt!!  Those quick youth reflexes probably have the other three gents envious  :)   Ray sure enough puts on a Good Show...Doc
Title: Re: First hunt with Ray Hammond
Post by: Terry Green on October 09, 2008, 09:41:00 AM
:thumbsup:
Title: Re: First hunt with Ray Hammond
Post by: Over&Under on October 09, 2008, 09:46:00 AM
Quote
Originally posted by JoeM:
AH the coveted Texas Heart shot, only a few can say they ever pulled that one off.  Great story thanks for sharing and congrats to Wyatt.  Joe
:biglaugh:  

Congrats Wyatt!!!!!  Now you are officially hooked!!!
Title: Re: First hunt with Ray Hammond
Post by: Kevin Evans on October 09, 2008, 10:18:00 AM
Congrads Wyatt!!!!
Title: Re: First hunt with Ray Hammond
Post by: Curveman on October 09, 2008, 10:50:00 AM
Way to go my friend!!!  :clapper:    :clapper:
Title: Re: First hunt with Ray Hammond
Post by: Butts2 on October 09, 2008, 03:33:00 PM
Wyatt's new mantra is from that Elvis song "I got a fever! I got the fever"   :notworthy:    :notworthy:
Title: Re: First hunt with Ray Hammond
Post by: BMN on October 09, 2008, 04:07:00 PM
:thumbsup:    :clapper:
Title: Re: First hunt with Ray Hammond
Post by: Lin Rhea on October 09, 2008, 06:56:00 PM
I talked a lot about the hunting, which was great, but I must mention that Ray and Mike were more like old friends than hosts. The early morning wake ups, the delicious meals, the joking around, all made us feel comfortable and welcome. If you go, you'll see what I mean.

Thank you Ray. Thank you Mike. Lin
          :campfire:
Title: Re: First hunt with Ray Hammond
Post by: Squirrel Bait on October 09, 2008, 07:50:00 PM
Lin , the honor was all ours. I really enjoyed the weekend. Lin said he understands why they call me SquirrelBait now!! Sorry Lin , I didn't mean to subject you to that much turmoil!  :bigsmyl:
Title: Re: First hunt with Ray Hammond
Post by: Ray Hammond on October 09, 2008, 09:25:00 PM
Lin you just have to promise to keep practicing and bring that young-un back to get some more and bigger ones...I see many animals in his future!

We've created a hunting monster!!!!!!!!

Really enjoyed our time together and hope you will come back.
Title: Re: First hunt with Ray Hammond
Post by: Gil on October 09, 2008, 09:46:00 PM
What a great time you fellas had. Congratulations on a fine animal and the fine time guys had.

Gil
Title: Re: First hunt with Ray Hammond
Post by: Greg Clark on October 10, 2008, 02:10:00 PM
Congrats Wyatt!    :clapper:
Title: Re: First hunt with Ray Hammond
Post by: hunt it on October 10, 2008, 08:32:00 PM
Well done Wyatt! Now you've got pig hunting in your blood forever. Thats not all bad  :thumbsup:  There is nothing more fun to chase than hogs.
Title: Re: First hunt with Ray Hammond
Post by: Lin Rhea on October 11, 2008, 04:30:00 PM
Dave,
      The very first hunt, I snuck up on two black 55 gal drums thinkin they were a couple of bigguns bedded. They were in the Palmettos and I came within a hair of lettin fly on one. The only thing kept me from it was I was trying to determine which end was the head.
       I took another step and said to myself  "Hogs dont have square ends". I did'nt think to look and see if there were any arrow holes in them. I figure some other poor hunter may have been though there in times past. Lin