Sun morning was nice and cool and we were ready to hit the woods. After making a short hunt Ray decided that it would be better since there was not any fresh sign to go back and cleanup the camp and get the hog cut up and eat a bite of breakfast and then head back out. After breakfast
we drove to the bottom and parked the truck and began the walk into the swamp. We walked a bit and turned back and chose another two track, the same one where we found them at yesterday. Easing on past the turn and crossing the creek where I had developed my new camo pattern from the day before, we walked on a bit. Ray suggested I go back and get the truck and he would walk on to the end and we would meet at the creek. I was hunting my way back but yet walking at a quick pace when I noticed the cane about 20 yds in front of me moving. I stopped and in a few secs. about 10 little ones ran out into the open. I stood still as I had the wind in my favor and watched them scamper around looking for food. I could hear a larger hog down in the cane behind a tree. I lowered myself and hurried up to about 10 yds. from the tree the hog was behind. As I eased around for a look. I could see that it was another boar about the same size as the one I had shot the day before. He eased on out into the open about 20 yds away from me and stopped. I knew it was now or never so I drew and released. As the arrow flew just over his back he was gone in a flash growling that gutteral growl at me, like they do when they are aggrevated. I eased on and got the truck and came back and met Ray. I explained to him about blowing the shot and he must have figured that the hogs were on the move. He suggested we split up and hunt for about 30 more mins. I eased on past the place where I had shot the boar the day before and was getting close to the end when I spotted a place that looked like someone had been in there plowing up the ground. It was fresh too. I eased on up and sure enough there were 5 porkers about 50lbs each and they were tearing it up. They were behind the palmetto leaves and I began to ease up on them. I was just getting ready when I noticed smoke from my thermacel coming over my head and going straight for them. In an instant out went the warning sign and they were gone.
We got back in the truck and headed back to camp to cleanup before we headed home. We stopped off at the cleaning shed and we saw two beautiful rat snakes. Ray got some great pictures of them as well as some of the cypress stumps.
I do not know who won the hunt from the St. Judes auction but I can assure you of one thing. You are in for one of the best hog hunts that you will ever have. Ray is a great host and has one of the nicest setups you can have. Not to mention he is a heck of a singer, NOOOOOOOOOOOT!
I can honestly say that I have had one of the best times I have ever had hunting with Ray. Ray thanks a bunch for inviting me.
Topic: Ray Hammonds Hog Haven (Read 4137 times)
