Wild things update?

[WESTBROOK]

In Bud's pic, the upside down triangle clearing to the left of the circle, at the bottom point of it is the Blue lake stand. 15' drop to the swamp behind you and a drainage canal in front and the field is to your left.

That is where I had my luck last year, 2 dead pigs in about 10 minutes of each other, last week of april. Things happen quick there.

[Red Beastmaster]

The last time I sat that stand the only thing that came in was squirrels and ducks. I checked on it last month and saw lots of hog tracks in and out along the field edge.

[Bud B.]

Originally posted by WESTBROOK:
In Bud's pic, the upside down triangle clearing to the left of the circle, at the bottom point of it is the Blue lake stand. 15' drop to the swamp behind you and a drainage canal in front and the field is to your left.

That is where I had my luck last year, 2 dead pigs in about 10 minutes of each other, last week of april. Things happen quick there.

Yes. Things happen very quickly. If a raccoon comes to your stand, Welcome it. And when it leaves abruptly, get to your feet with bow ready. Same with the turkey. Just test the feeder. Last time I was there it had a short in the wire from the raccoon. I think new feeders have been bought by now, though.

And someone please tell Andrew and Charlie hello for me. And have Andrew check his email.  


Oh...and Harry!

[Biggamefish]

We are back from another awesome trip. We had top notch hospitality and great people in camp again this year.

I had one shot at a pig running a 100 miles an hour. Saw some running by me at a feeder and and tails at another while a buddy tried a stalk on them. The still hunting was hard as it was super dry. We had rain one night and got some decent stalking in the next day. The pigs are well fed in the swamp as there are tons of acorns but they are thinning out! Should be good hunting the next month or so.

There were a few shots from others and one one pig taken. We hunted with a great bunch of guys and made some great memories. Next year those pigs better watch out!

[Biggamefish]

Oh forgot to say Harry was the leader for the trip. Harry is Andrews dog who is a huge lover till you put him the woods with a hog! Harry was needed after Steve made a shot the night before. The shot was a moving one but close. After the shot he heard the pig run in and stop and circle and then lay down. Not being sure on the shot he backed out.

 We headed into the swamp around 9 o'clock. Charlie and Harry met us down there and let Harry out. Harry hit the ground flying not running. About 3 seconds later we hear this terrible high pitch squealing. I looked at Steve with a look of disbelief and is this really happening look. Then with no words said we shook our heads in a "lets get in the middle of this SH#*" look and both took off high stepping over the palmettos. I was zig zagging around trees swerving right then left, I look over and Steve hurdling river cane like a track star in a steeple chase. I got caught up in a huge river oak but Steve found Harry and a massive 6 pound pig. Harry had a look supreme pleasure on his face as he sat at our feet.
  Steve picked up the little pig who wasn't doing so well and just looked at me disbelief. The only words muttered were "OH MY GOD". The pigs was let go and Harry was Like wait whats wrong. So off Harry went. Steve and I sat there panting and trying to catch our breath when we hear a "terrible high pitch squealing" I looked at Steve and said "not again!". We ran again but didn't have to go far and Tiny the Terrible Had pinned another pig to the ground. By the time we got there the pig was dreaming of deep muddy wallows. I can tell you TTT (Tiny the terrible) was pretty happy with himself. Again we couldn't believe how fast TTT got and killed that pig. I think next year if Andrew will let me I might rent him for the week to hunt with me!
  We found blood from the pig that was hit with an ARROW and followed the blood 50 yards or so. We found were the pig laid down, there was a huge amount of blood but no pig. We followed the blood trail for another 30 yards and then it dried up. We went into a sweeping search pattern and not another sign was found.
  I wish we found him just to answer some questions but that wasn't in the stars.

[Kopper1013]

What an amazing trip, first of all the people on this trip Steve, Matthew and Andrew where just wonderful people to share a camp with. Steve and Matt where more than willing to give and share information and point us in the right direction as this was our first time hunting at wild things and hunting hogs.
Andrew was just a top notch host and boy can that guy cook!! The accommodation are awesome, clean showers and bathrooms and comfortable beds.
I was lucky enough to get a shot as I was stalking through some palmettos on Friday. They came running at me (Matt had pushed them towards me) as a couple big sows came in I came to full draw just in time for them to stop behind some palmettosas al the rest got past those to another came up in the rear I swong on her as she stop and let the arrow fly...... I'm sure you can guesse what happened next, yup I forgot to pick a spot! I hit her great for a deer but poor for a hog, in the ribs but a little low and a little back. She went about 80 yards before entering the water, we lost the blood and the track. Myself my brother steve and Matt broke up and searched the area but couldn't find any more sign. Real bummer. Hunting was a lot harder than I imagined, kinda figured it was a wait till the feeders go off and shoot your animal kinda hunt which I had reservations about but ended up being a sit in the morning, stalk all day and sit on a feeder at night hunt with very few sightings. The bugs where a little tough, found one tick since I've been home hanging on still. The weather was hot but tolerable. I can honestly say this was just a wonderful trip with wonderful people. We plan to go back in 2019 and with any luck we'll share camp with these guys again.

[Biggamefish]

On another note,
 Steve and I Have been down to Wild Things 4-5 times. Steve has had a huge string of bad to terrible luck. In the years past he has seen pigs and missed some shots. Last year was a real bad year with a hog hit and not being able to find him, he was pretty down on himself. Then He sat a stand and got a great shot, one of those ones that you sit down and say " in 10 minutes I am gonna have my first pig". Well that wasn't to be after a short blood trail the sky's opened up in a deluge for 2-3 hours and a thunder storm that was pretty intense. We looked and looked for that pig but it ran into water and was never found.
  That brings us to this year were Steve fought with some bow and shoulder troubles. He had a new bow and was determined this was going to be the year. The first day was what brought on the story from above with TTT.
 To say the least Steve was ready to quit but we edged him on and it payed off. He sat a feeder on Thursday night and the pigs cooperated with him. I don't know the whole story but I do know it was a great shot that brought down a 200 pound boar in 20 yards. Here are a few pics.

 

 

 

[glenbo]

Congrats Steve. Great hog! I missed being down there with you guys.

[kat]

okay Steve. Way to go.

[smokin joe]

Well done. Nice big hog. Fire up the grill.

[Bud B.]

Very nice reads! Congrats to all! Great times at Wild Things!

[Black Cloud]

Hey Steve, way to go. Hopefully I'll see you at ETAR and get all the details. Safe Driving Home.

[sticksnstones]

Holy smokes, that's a great looking pig!

Thanks to everyone for sharing the info, always helpful to the folks about to head down. Doubly true this year!

Congrats Steve!
Thom

[steve helstowski]

Thanks everyone! Always the best time down at wild things , by far my favorite hunt every year. If anyone is heading down this month and want my 2 cents on strategies. Feel free to shoot me a message

[steve helstowski]