Post by: jcar315 on March 14, 2011, 09:57:00 PM
Long story very short this past spring at the Baltimore Bowmen shoot I bought a raffle ticket with a chance to win a hunt for two to Ray's place. Months pass and out of the blue Andy from TBM contacted me with the stunning news that I had won!
After lots of hooting and hollering I asked my buddy to come along. Few months of planning and this past Thursday we left for Hog Heaven!!
Post by: wv lungbuster on March 14, 2011, 09:59:00 PM
Post by: jcar315 on March 14, 2011, 10:07:00 PM
(http://images.imagelinky.com/1300154433.jpg) (http://images.imagelinky.com/1300154433.jpg)
Once in camp Ray did a fantastic job of describing the lay of the land, what to look for, and after some discussion everyone had their area. BK and I headed to the swamp area together.
(http://images.imagelinky.com/1300154596.jpg) (http://images.imagelinky.com/1300154596.jpg)
(http://images.imagelinky.com/1300154637.jpg) (http://images.imagelinky.com/1300154637.jpg)
(http://images.imagelinky.com/1300154681.jpg) (http://images.imagelinky.com/1300154681.jpg)
We came to a smaller road and we split up for the rest of the afternoons hunt.
(http://images.imagelinky.com/1300154754.jpg) (http://images.imagelinky.com/1300154754.jpg)
Post by: awbowman on March 14, 2011, 10:11:00 PM
Post by: redant 60/65 on March 14, 2011, 10:12:00 PM
Post by: jcar315 on March 14, 2011, 10:18:00 PM
(http://images.imagelinky.com/1300155210.jpg) (http://images.imagelinky.com/1300155210.jpg)
Great time just hanging out with everyone by what must be the biggest campfire drum in the world.
(http://images.imagelinky.com/1300155350.jpg) (http://images.imagelinky.com/1300155350.jpg)
Stayed up way too late and went to bed dreaming of what might lay ahead.
Post by: jcar315 on March 14, 2011, 10:26:00 PM
(http://images.imagelinky.com/1300155722.jpg) (http://images.imagelinky.com/1300155722.jpg)
Cool Saturday morning so the still hunting was much quieter and with some low winds hopes were high.
(http://images.imagelinky.com/1300155852.jpg) (http://images.imagelinky.com/1300155852.jpg)
Not too far past this big stump my day would take a turn for the better......
(http://images.imagelinky.com/1300155924.jpg) (http://images.imagelinky.com/1300155924.jpg)
Post by: awbowman on March 14, 2011, 10:26:00 PM
Post by: doug77 on March 14, 2011, 10:27:00 PM
Post by: awbowman on March 14, 2011, 10:28:00 PM
Post by: Cyclic-Rivers on March 14, 2011, 10:29:00 PM
Post by: jcar315 on March 14, 2011, 10:35:00 PM
Slowly worked my way to the thick stuff you can see in the last picture and found a good "listening tree." Just big enough to stand behind and listen for any pigs that might be making noise in the swamp. By this time I was really close to the river and could hear the boats. Thick but not too thick.....standing for a couple of minutes when I hear something coming.
Can't see anything so I got my bow ready and waited. Didn't take long for a sow with little ones to pop out on my left about 15-20 yards away. She was leading and got to parrallel to me and stopped. Saw me and decided to beat feet out of there taking the piglets with her.
If you look real close you can see the little ones in this shot
(http://images.imagelinky.com/1300156428.jpg) (http://images.imagelinky.com/1300156428.jpg)
Was just putting my camera away when I heard more footsteps coming straight at me through the swamp.......
Post by: Hattrick on March 14, 2011, 10:38:00 PM
Post by: Cyclic-Rivers on March 14, 2011, 10:41:00 PM
Post by: NC BowBender on March 14, 2011, 11:39:00 PM
Post by: EL Mejor on March 14, 2011, 11:43:00 PM
Post by: EL Mejor on March 15, 2011, 12:01:00 AM
Post by: ti-guy on March 15, 2011, 06:30:00 AM
Post by: Benny Nganabbarru on March 15, 2011, 07:24:00 AM
Post by: Friend on March 15, 2011, 10:27:00 AM
Post by: Ray Hammond on March 15, 2011, 10:29:00 AM
Post by: Izzy on March 15, 2011, 10:34:00 AM
Post by: Claym on March 15, 2011, 02:27:00 PM
Post by: kbetts on March 15, 2011, 02:39:00 PM
Post by: tyu888 on March 15, 2011, 02:52:00 PM
I bet this is not the first time you did this to people. I was trying to find that little one in the picture but could't find it..
You are killing us...
Post by: Mike Shaw on March 15, 2011, 03:51:00 PM
Post by: jcar315 on March 15, 2011, 04:36:00 PM
Now where was I.........
Post by: jcar315 on March 15, 2011, 04:45:00 PM
He splits the difference in just a few steps and stops. Seems like he sees me but by that time I was starting to raise the bow and he started moving again. At 5 yards I let fly.
Here is the scene from exactly where I was standing when I shot with my arrow just barely visible.
(http://images.imagelinky.com/1300221846.jpg) (http://images.imagelinky.com/1300221846.jpg)
Post by: Benny Nganabbarru on March 15, 2011, 04:47:00 PM
Post by: Izzy on March 15, 2011, 04:47:00 PM
Post by: jcar315 on March 15, 2011, 04:50:00 PM
Post by: jcar315 on March 15, 2011, 05:09:00 PM
Still never left my initial spot behind the tree and took care of the follow up from there.
This is what was waiting for me.
http://images.imagelinky.com/1300222709.jpg
Post by: hayslope on March 15, 2011, 05:16:00 PM
I understand you folks eat pretty well there as well.......something about ribeyes that would choke a horse....or something like that!
Post by: Izzy on March 15, 2011, 05:21:00 PM
Post by: cacciatore on March 15, 2011, 05:32:00 PM
Post by: Mike Shaw on March 15, 2011, 05:32:00 PM
(http://i301.photobucket.com/albums/nn42/bearkeeper/100_0045.jpg)
Post by: cacciatore on March 15, 2011, 05:34:00 PM
Post by: Squirrel Bait on March 15, 2011, 05:39:00 PM
Post by: Mike Shaw on March 15, 2011, 05:43:00 PM
Post by: Benny Nganabbarru on March 15, 2011, 05:44:00 PM
Post by: jcar315 on March 15, 2011, 05:52:00 PM
Post by: jcar315 on March 15, 2011, 05:55:00 PM
(http://images.imagelinky.com/1300226006.jpg) (http://images.imagelinky.com/1300226006.jpg)
Post by: cacciatore on March 15, 2011, 05:56:00 PM
Post by: Mike Shaw on March 15, 2011, 06:07:00 PM
!["[dntthnk]"]("graemlins/dntthnk.gif" "\"\"")
Post by: cacciatore on March 15, 2011, 06:11:00 PM
Post by: Mike Shaw on March 15, 2011, 06:14:00 PM
Post by: jcar315 on March 15, 2011, 06:14:00 PM
(http://images.imagelinky.com/1300227221.jpg) (http://images.imagelinky.com/1300227221.jpg)
Anyone who has hunted with Ray knows where this bridge is.
Post by: Ben Maher on March 15, 2011, 06:27:00 PM
great stuff and that is some nice "camo " you lads are wearing !
Post by: hawkeye n pa on March 15, 2011, 06:45:00 PM
Post by: Cyclic-Rivers on March 15, 2011, 06:52:00 PM
congratulations :clapper: :clapper:
Post by: jcar315 on March 15, 2011, 07:26:00 PM
Stumbled across this on the way back to camp:
(http://images.imagelinky.com/1300231500.jpg) (http://images.imagelinky.com/1300231500.jpg)
(http://images.imagelinky.com/1300231571.jpg) (http://images.imagelinky.com/1300231571.jpg)
Post by: Terry Green on March 15, 2011, 07:34:00 PM
Congrats!!!!!!!
Post by: Izzy on March 15, 2011, 07:35:00 PM
Post by: Izzy on March 15, 2011, 07:35:00 PM
Post by: Stone Knife on March 15, 2011, 07:37:00 PM
Post by: bill langer on March 15, 2011, 07:40:00 PM
Post by: maineac on March 15, 2011, 08:05:00 PM
Post by: rastaman on March 15, 2011, 08:16:00 PM
Post by: Rick Butler on March 15, 2011, 08:27:00 PM
Post by: 30pointbuck on March 15, 2011, 08:31:00 PM
Post by: dragon rider on March 15, 2011, 08:35:00 PM
Rick - you're right - it is addictive, and it's a whole lot of fun no matter what happens when you're with Ray and Mike.
Post by: Red Beastmaster on March 15, 2011, 09:05:00 PM
One thing about Hog Heaven, you can see hogs anywhere. A lot of it is just being at the right place at the right time. Watch the wind and be ready for anything!
Great job!
Post by: Mike Mongelli on March 15, 2011, 09:17:00 PM
Post by: EL Mejor on March 15, 2011, 09:23:00 PM
Post by: Claym on March 15, 2011, 09:38:00 PM
Post by: doug77 on March 15, 2011, 09:46:00 PM
doug77
Post by: jcar315 on March 15, 2011, 09:56:00 PM
If you have never been hog hunting Ray is the guy you need to talk to. Super guy to deal with and Hog Heaven is really what it's all about. Big change from chasing deer here in MD but as others have already said....addicting!
Few last pics of my favorite place to be when I am in SC: Hog Heaven and sitting around the campfire talking with friends.
(http://images.imagelinky.com/1300240379.jpg) (http://images.imagelinky.com/1300240379.jpg)
(http://images.imagelinky.com/1300240533.jpg) (http://images.imagelinky.com/1300240533.jpg)
Post by: kbetts on March 16, 2011, 08:25:00 AM
Post by: Ray Hammond on March 16, 2011, 10:25:00 AM
Aren't you coming labor day weekend?
Post by: FerretWYO on March 16, 2011, 10:32:00 AM
:archer:
Post by: Bernie B. on March 16, 2011, 10:41:00 AM
Bernie Bjorklund
NC Iowa/SW Wisconsin
Post by: HOWITZER on March 16, 2011, 01:06:00 PM
Post by: Pierre Lucas on March 16, 2011, 04:55:00 PM
Congrats on the nice pig. Outstanding...
Ray,
JP and I are going ballastic at this point. April can not come soon enough. See ya then.
God Bless, Pierre and Jean-Pierre
Post by: Rob DiStefano on March 16, 2011, 07:23:00 PM
Post by: petertschantz on March 16, 2011, 07:37:00 PM
Thanks for the great write up, and congrats!
Pete
Post by: jcar315 on March 16, 2011, 09:33:00 PM
Good luck to everyone headed to Ray's!
Post by: Tom Phillips on March 16, 2011, 10:44:00 PM
Great story,good shootin on the Porker.Ray has a great set-up there and getting to his place is on my "List of Things to Do".
Oh by the way us LEFTIES need to stick together.
Post by: Ray Hammond on March 20, 2011, 06:53:00 AM
Looking forward to seeing you in April
Post by: pruski on March 20, 2011, 12:35:00 PM