Trad Gang
Main Boards => PowWow => Topic started by: Gene Wensel on March 19, 2010, 12:20:00 AM
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Well, I thought I better do an overview of our recent Pig-Gig. Barry and I finally got home the other day. I was glad to get home for sure. I started to read the multiple threads already posted but finally gave up in frustration when I soon realized there were so many photos. The pics I saw were excellent but unfortunately we can't get high speed here and I have to rely on dial-up, which loads photos at a snail's pace. Page one (of twenty) from the first week thread took my computer almost an hour to load those few photos. When I did the math, I soon decided I better wait until I go somewhere I can get high speed to enjoy the rest. In summary, the Texas weatherman threw just about everything he had at us. Yes, we had fun, but doing our thing was not easy and stressful. Most Februarys in Texas are fairly mild and dry. Last year we hunted not far from Lambshead when it hadn't rained a drop since October! This trip gave us two snow storms up to 5", heavy rains, swollen rivers, standing water everywhere, two hail storms, heavy thunder/lightning, fog, temperatures that went from 20 degrees to 70 degrees, some of the worst mud imaginable, very deep road ruts, very poor cell phone service where multiple guys had to walk miles to get help getting out stuck vehicles. We even needed a bulldozer to pull us out one time. I feel we need to apologize for some of the curveballs Lambshead threw at us. We paid a lot of money up front for access. We had to get several million dollars in liabilty insurance and then had to ask everyone to sign release forms. They told us we could use two houses and two camp grounds. When we got there, we discovered we couldn't even get to either campground in the mud. The two houses were twelve miles apart. One of them had a resident skunk living indoors that sprayed before he left and voided eight beds. The other house had four beds but no running water. We had to rent a camp house from a neighboring rancher. The place was nothing special but the guy wanted $500 per NIGHT for four weeks (do the math!) until we "struck a deal" with him at $4,000. Then we paid the state owned campground over $1500 for use of their facilties. Thank goodness they were there to help. Wild hogs are always a challenge. They are smart animals to begin with and get smarter when they realize they are being hunted. They moved a lot and were always moving at a trot. Our IR trail cameras showed lots of pigs. Many areas had pigs one day and not the next with hunting pressure. We moved three guys from one big area with little fresh sign. A week later we put three guys back in the same area. They killed ten hogs. Barry and I didn't get to hunt as much as we wanted, which is no big deal considering we are there longer than everyone else. Its often a no-win situation for us. If we kill pigs, some people can't help but think maybe we saved the hotspots for ourselves, when in reality, we just took whatever was left over and often gave up our stands to share with others. Considering the conditions, you guys did pretty darn good on Lambshead. Barry counted over 80 dead hogs I think. The three "top guns" were Volney Nash, Rich Charles and Mike Schwister with six hogs each. Rob Burnham and Kevin Shea both killed two hogs with one arrow, a feat not easy to pull off. By the way, I want to personally thank Kevin Shea and Thomas Burns (Hogdancer) for arriving two days early to help us organize, learn the road system, solve some of the housing/camping issues and help Barry and I put guys in various far off hunting areas. All in all, it was a learning experience for sure. We'll never again hunt any ranch two weeks in a row. I'm also going to strongly suggest 4x4 vehicles from now on in case of rain or mud. Those who fly in need to insist on 4x4 rental trucks at the airport or keep looking. We soon learned that when they say "we'll try but we can't promise a four wheel drive" that actually translates to "you ain't got a prayer for a 4x4." Speaking for Barry too, we want to thank you guys for giving it your best shot(s) and making the most of the nasty weather conditions. We met some new friends and saw lots of old faces. Traditional bowhunters maintain a special bond among the breed that makes a noticeable and much appreciated difference. Hopefully next year we can do it again under better conditions. We are already planning at least one road trip this summer back to Texas to check out three new ranches. I can't predict where we'll be but I promise we'll try to iron out as many wrinkles as possible to minimize stress and maximize the pig body count, both dead and alive. Thank you one and all for hanging in there with us.
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Gene & Barry, you guys went above and beyond to provide a fantastic experience for us. Thank you so much. We had a great time and met some great people, slid around in the mud, saw a few hogs, learned some new country and made some great memories.
Take care,
Tim Greer
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Gene & UB,
Glad you guys made it home safe & sound.I must say I had a great time didn't matter mud,rain,snow I would do again in a flash !! Thanks Alot for all you efforts.I look forward to next Pig-Gig.
P.S. Gene, if you & Barry find out what that large Hog "Zit Sack" was I popped after Friday nights hunt let me know.
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Gene and Berry glad to meet you both and spend time with,yes I think you both went above and beyound on our hunt at Spikebox, thanks
Bob
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I didn't go but if I would have, I'd have killed at least 7 pigs..........
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I was not one of the hunters but I do live in N. Texas, about 2&1/2 hours from this ranch. I followed the threads with interest. Anyone who participated in the Wensel hunts this year should be commended. These guys hunted in the worst weather you could imagine. It is hard for me to believe that you had the success you did.
As for Gene and Barry, congratulations on a job well done. Your efforts should be applauded.
:clapper:
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DOn't know where my reply went from last night but I will try it again.
You have nothing to appologize for. The thread was great....lots of positive things happening.
Wild weather..some hogs - some snakes - lots of food and lots of laughs. That's all you can ask for in a hunt.
You did your best on getting a place for everyone and that's all you can do.
Lots of ppl followed that thread and for meI was jealous I wasn't there too.
just my opinion
JB
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This meant a lot more to me than anything...
• (http://www.tradgang.com/upload/curt/P1060563.JPG)
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Biggie,
Based on the description of the hunt's weather and your avatar picture, I figured you WERE there! 7, huh? :saywhat:
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Biggie, i was thinking of taking 8 pigs with four arrows. That's why they call it hunting and not shooting. Gene and Barry are a class act, things happen, looking forward to going next year again.
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Daryl, I think Mike's idea is better than mine....
Hey, I want you guys to know how much the conditions bothered G&B. I talked to them several times a week and their only concern was that you guys weren't having a good time. Alot of "outfitters" can roll with the bad weather and lack of game. These boys lose sleep over it. I keep telling them that they can't do anything about the weather, but they want each and every one who goes with themm to have a good hunt.
;) ;)
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What was just said . . . man, I can't believe that I am agreeing with Biggie on something;^) Each of us have our own definition of a "good hunt", and fortunately most guys on here have their priorities straight. I for one like red mud; it really photographs well:^)
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Gene, there's now high speed internet available via a satellite service that can reach you anywhere. I forget the name of it but I don't think the price is unreasonable, might be something worth looking into.
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Ya gotta wonder how much they pay "Biggie" don't ya (http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d171/IronBull_/Smileys/Dance_Leprcon.gif)
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GAAAWWWD Guru,you're GUSHING!!!!
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Guru,
Which one of you three is on their tippy toes :D
Wish I had some more vacation so I could spend another week with my "Godfather" and distant Uncle.
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I was wonderin' the same thing, Vance. Hey, Dynamic Duo, I'll say great stuff about you too for the right price, LOL. All jokes aside, these hunts are great from every angle. Gene and Barry do a great job- I'm going back forever. Biggie- this is pretty big country and seven hogs is a bunch to drag, even for a feller with your athletic chasis. Whyn't you come next year? GY
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"gushing"....nope, not this trip anyway ;)
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That's obviously not a "gush" or even a blush. It was probably hypothermia setting in.
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Gene and Barry, there was nothing anyone could do about the weather. Sorry you were out so much added expense. The only way the hunt could have been better was if all the hunters could have stayed in the same area. Considering the circumstances, the hunt could have not been any better. Thanks for a good time and put me down for next year.
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Thanks for the trip. I was on week 5, and I thought we had pretty good weather. Our hail storm only lasted 15 minutes.
I didn't get a pig, but definitely not a fault of the "twins." I would go on another pig gig if I have a chance.
It sure would have been nice to have a larger group staying together, I would have liked meeting more of you fellas, but the Wensel's did a fine job making lemonade out of the lemons dealt them.
Keith
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I did week 5 also. Definitely a challenge but not a disappointment, even considering I didn't get one. I did get a shot but Barry said it wasn't a miss because I shot low which means the arrow didn't actually get to the pig, so no miss.
Heck, just meeting you two guys was worth the price of admission. You are really a class act. I truly appreciate all of your efforts.
I didn't enjoy using it but the ATV saved my butt. I would have had to walk many more miles without it. And I sure wouldn't be carrying bags of corn around.
Thanks again guys and count me in for the next one, wherever it is.
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Hey Colburn, you missing some boots? Wolverine brand?
Keith
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Ya gotta wonder how much they pay "Biggie" don't ya
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vance
Not enough!!
Grant, I figured on eating two and dragging the others. I appreciate the invite but it doesn't make sense for me to drive 1000 miles to hunt pigs...I have em righ here!
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Wendy and I plan on going again next year, and Steve and Dwight,....... the way this is going our group will need our own week! This was Wendy's first hog hunt (really her second, but she did not see any when we went to Ft Stewart), and now she is completely ruined. I would have to unload a stock trailer full of hogs in the backyard to get any more action!! Not to mention the rattlesnake, sheds, turtle shells, boar jaw, mistltoe etc. Great memories indeed!
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:clapper: :clapper:
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Keith, I got home with all of my footwear. Thanks for asking.
Hope you had a good trip back.
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Thanks for all the nice comments guys. By the way while I think of it, no one found Grant's Puma knife pac but someone found a single, left Realtree/Redhead insulated glove with leather palms. I can bring it to PBS or mail it to whoever lost it. We also found a pair of sneakers; a jacket and a wooden arrow sticking in a tree where "somebody" said they never shot. UB
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Originally posted by Guru:
This meant a lot more to me than anything...
• (http://www.tradgang.com/upload/curt/P1060563.JPG)
Awesome photo!!! :notworthy:
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Thanks guys. This means a lot to us. We really did lose sleep over much of this trip. Its all downhill next year. I forgot to mention several days of 50 mph winds too :>(
One of the worst aspects was the fact we had groups camped up to 12 miles apart. Not the best deal for comaraderie.
Guru, your wife actually thinks your hot? Isn't that an icicle hanging from your hat?
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I went there to hunt and I had a great time doing it. A more central living area would have been fun, but there were eight of in our cabin and we got around to see some others, so we got in some socializing, too. Gene and Barry, I thought you handled it very well, so Thanks! See ya in Nashville! Rick
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Guru, you told me our hunt meant more to you than anything. Make up your mind! I need you or Joey right now- I'm in a blind and the turkey's shut up. What to do?
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I'm really mad I missed this Pig-Gig. Hopefully next year. :bigsmyl:
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I'm really mad I missed this Pig-Gig. Hopefully next year. :bigsmyl:
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Sounds like a great time to me. Wish I would have been there!
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I know a lot of us who were at the hunt really respect you fellas and the efforts you put in. But to think that you can control the weather and produce sunshine and warm temperatures on demand? You might be out of your league on that one! :readit:
Warm weather would have been nice.
Killing a hog or two would have been nice.
Neither of those things happened, but do I wish I would have stayed home?
Not for a second!
I went to Texas to spend time with a great bunch of people whom I don't get to see often enough, and this trip exceeded anything I could have hoped for.
There's a whole bunch of people here on TG that would have traded places with us in a heart beat, bad weather, tough hunting, and all.
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Joe, I was in the same boat as you were. No hog for me either and I almost froze my butt off the first couple of nights in the old Alaknak tent, but that's what I got for leaving the wood stove at home and bringing that little Buddy Heater:^( One of my former students comes with me every year (Dan Tabor). He spent 12 years in the Air Force fighting for us in the Gulf as well as in Iraq and Afghanistan, so he's seen a lot more in the way of rugged terrain and stressful conditions than many, if not most, guys at the Pig Gig can probably imagine. He's ALWAYS pumped up like a little kid before every Pig Gig, the kind of enthusiam that is contagious and much appreciated by an older geezer like me:^) I just received an email from Dan which contained his post Pig Gig assessment. Even though he didn't release an arrow either he's already talking about next year. He summed up why he goes each year this way (HIS WORDS:^)): "1) camping and BSing with good buddies and 2) cooking up some kick @#$ grub at night. I haven't been let down yet!" He also added: "A few guys get these images in their heads of being able to kill a pig or two a day...just not realistic man. Like I said, I don't go just for the hunt so I am never let down." Sounds like fellow who has his head on straight to me IMHO:^)
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Gene, Barry,
Despite the continued frustration of 4 trips to Texas with bingo hogs, I had a great time. Having guided hunters in the past I understand the sleepless nights and angst of trying to get everyone in the action. That being said I'm coming back next year. Hell Shrimp night made it all worth it alone!
I want to thank T-Burn and Kevin Shea for the pulling us out. It was getting pretty chilly out there in the dark.
I will never again be caught without my 20ft chain and 30ft tug strap in my truck or my buddy's if mine is staying home.
The company was the best and despite the hicup with the lodging my rack was comfy and I only saw one mouse and he was in Kendalls hat on the porch.. Pretty funny when a guy puts on a hat with a live mouse in it!! didn't take him long to take it off.
See you rascals Thursday.
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Originally posted by Bowmag:
[QB] ...I did get a shot but Barry said it wasn't a miss because I shot low which means the arrow didn't actually get to the pig, so no miss.
This is just a small example of the goofball humor of both of the twins! I've had the pleasure of hunting with Barry, what, 5 times now and Gene twice and not once did I ever see either of them bore anyone or put on airs or get noticeably irritable with someone! Those would be exceptional qualities for anyone to have and not any of which I for one can claim to, but they really do extend to all the folks I hunted with on week one. I had a "no miss" too but not at any moment was I not having a great time and it was the people that made it so much fun!
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Five days of nothing but fun, with my old buddy's. And a bunch of new one's I finally got to met. I sure hope to make next years. :campfire:
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I can't think of many better ways to spend a week. I'd do it again in a heartbeat. :readit:
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Woody my friend, memories are what we live upon. I was backtracking, looking for a picture of Chris showing me how to cook gator.
All the memories come flooding back.
I Cherise them all, but with some regrets. Not enough time with Chris. And now I have to wait, until its my time.
A good reminder to us all, never take the day for granted.
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Gene and UB, can't wait to hunt this year with you guys in camp. My brother is going to meet me there from California and to say I'm excited is an understatement. Looking forward to some new to me hunting grounds.