Hunt confirmed...Now I need a little help???

[Mike Vines]

Alright, the waiting is finally over.  My payment, for the hog hunt that Larry Surtees donated with Ray to the St. Judes auction, finally made it to Walt...I was beginning to wonder if the Post Office lost my check.

Now the planning stage of figuring out what the heck I need to go hog hunting besides my longbow and wood arrows (I have never been on a hog hunt yet).  It's in March if that is any help.

  What's the weather like down there in March.  Up here it is usually snowing and 10-20 degrees.  Are waterproof boots a necessity that time of year?  

I'm assuming a pair of low magnification bino's are in order due to the location along with some earth toned plaid or wool clothing.

Also available for this hunt is the opportunity to hunt turkeys while down there.  I have never hunted spring birds (only fall turkeys), so this is going to be an all around great time.

So if any of you can answer some of my questions, if you would be so kind, and possibly expand on them if I missed anything.  

More or less, I'm just flat out excited to win the opportunity to do what I have been wanting to do since I was a Senior in High School, and go to SC and hunt hogs.  I finally have the chance to fulfill this dream. This hunt has been 22 years in the making, and the excitment leading up to it's culmination is going to be an utter mind blowing experience.

 
Thanks in advance,

Mike

[Bud B.]

Mind if I piggy back on this Mike? (Ha Ha)

I'll be watching this one too as I have never hunted hogs.

[GRINCH]

Weather in the south can be fickle it could be 80 degrees or 25 so you have to pack for both.A thermocell if it's hot enough because the skeeters come out early.A good pair of waterproof boots will go along way.

[magnus]

Mike this is fantastic. I extremely happy for you and thank you for doing what you did for the kids! I don't know about hog hunting but if you can turkey hunt I say go for it. It is truly a rush Shen you have birds gobbling around you and then one comes within bow range. Good luck and have fun!!!

[smokin feathers]

take some good bino's, they come in real handy. I use 10 and 12 power, you can pick out a lot of stuff that way. see one wiggle a ear or sleeping in the pine straw. clothing should cover a wide range, thermacell advised as well.

[tracker1]

That sounds like a good time I wish I would have bid on that pig hunt I looked at it.  Good luck.

[Doc Nock]

Also take a belt with an few extra holes! Ray's cooking might make yer britches a bit tight!  

If you like to walk, a light weight stool to sit up for a spell if you find a good location might be nice.  If it's warm, a good way to carry ready access H20 is important.

A compass or such can save time cause it tends to be flat country. You won't get lost, but it can keep you hunting instead of walking to a landmark if you get distracted with the incredible new sights, sounds and smells!

If you get up in the tangles, a good set of hand clippers might be useful.  I heard the hogs like to bed up there your time of year.  

Only been once, but did the same inquiry you are and found what I'm sharing from folks who've been several times, fwiw.

[Don Batten]

#1. a wind checker of some sort. powder bottle or the little fuzzy things you pull out and release are good choices.

#2, a good pair of rachet prunners always on my belt. hogs can be in some really thick stuff down there. I mean you can be less than 5 yds from one and not be able to see him. I'm mainly useing the prunners when blood trailing. catclaw briars are everywhere that hogs like to run to. A machate is good, but I'm sure Ray probaly has a few of them laying around.

#3 as said above. water proof boots. lots of swamp down there. 2 years ago the river was up way high. everything was flooded. I bought a pair of the muck boots that will pull up mid thigh. they come in very handy.

#4 you can see all 4 seasons in march. plan accordingly. rain gear. I love to hunt pigs in a lite to moderate rain.

Just some of my observations. I'm sure alot more guys have some good ideas. Ive never hunted right on Rays place, but down the road a couple of miles. can't be much differant. DB

[Jim Wright]

Mike, for the weather I would suggest you go on  www.srh.noaa.gov  and click on the exact area you plan to be in and get a 7 day forecast just before you go. The gulf coast influence here makes predicting tough but I have found the forecast on this site quite good.

[Mike Vines]

Never thought about taking a thermacell for that time of year.  You see, this is why I ask these questions.

[metsastaja]

In Florida when I hunt from a stand

Thermocell, bug suit top, gloves, if it is really bad the bug suit bottoms. I always carry water.

[Red Beastmaster]

Mike,

You will be there two weeks after our group. This will be our 4th trip to Ray's, 3rd time around Feb/March.

We have not yet needed a Thermacell but it was close, you better pack one. The few mosquitoes we encountered were thinking about biting but weren't quite awake yet.

There is lots of room to move around at Ray's with roads going everywhere you want to go. It all depends on where you plan to be when it comes to footwear. Hunting the swamp area requires waterproof. Hiking the roads and still hunting the pines you will need something light. We take both rubber boots and hiking type boots, we wear whatever the terrain dictates for the morning or evening hunt.

Go light! We all have cut unnecessary "stuff" from our packs on each trip to Ray's. It is not a survival trip and you don't really need to lug all that weight. Us northern treestand hunters aren't used to all that walking. Believe me, you will be sorry if you pack too much in your pack. Next time I will carry nothing more than what fits in my pockets, a water bottle, and light wt longbow w/bow quiver.

I decided to leave the binos at home last time thinking it would save weight. I missed them at least a hundred times each day. Take a small pair because you really can't see very far anyway.

If Ray sends you into the short pine thicket you will need pruners. I got myself so hopelessly entangled in briars I really thought I would never get out. I'll have some this time. I will also pack brush pants.

Puff bottle!!!!!!!!!!

Camera!!!!!!!!

Our two Spring Break hunts had mild temps in the 70-80 degree range which felt pretty hot after leaving snow country. We have also encountered hard rain to light showers. Watch the forcast and plan your clothing accordingly. I think we all packed long johns on our first trip, it is hard to remember what sunshine feels like after months of freezing temps.  

I literally gained four pounds on our last trip! Condition yourself before the hunt by eating three huge delicious meals each day plus snacks! Also, practice laughing really hard, Ray will put you in the best spots if he thinks you like his jokes!  

Dave

[Rick Butler]

Mike, we were down there March of this year and of 2010. Bugs were'nt bad but better to have a thermacell and not need it. Mornings can be cool, daytime temps were in the mid 70's generally and we did get some rain this last trip.  We leave this thurs. for a return trip and I know it'll be hot and buggy this time!

[Slasher]

Well lets see...

Swamps tend to be wet, buggy places filled with things that bite, slither, and crawl around on the ground.... FIlled with wildlife and amazing things...

Camera-  I l usually get to wrapped up in hunting to take many pics...

Rubber Boots- I like to take some good sport orthotics (Superfeet) and put those in mine.. The green Grange model is my fave... SOme folks like the snakeproof models...

Permanone for your clothes...

Deet bugspray for yourself

Puff bottle- Any bottle with a flip close top, use corn starchfill half way and you'll be fine...

Burt's bees dusting powder for you feet and groin region...

Camelbacks are nice, but any hydration pack will work...

more to come... will edit later

[straitera]

Excellent Mike! Hogs, especially for newbes, are real exciting! Plenty stories of hogs being bad & dangerous. Possible & what makes the hunt more fun & exciting. Don't get between a sow & her kids or in the way of a big boar's exit. They love to eat Yanks! Add turkeys & you're in for a great treat. Trad bow turkeys are a short list for sure. Figure Ray'll take good care of you. Take a camera. Still coming to Texas?

[madness522]

You have a good list so far but there is one other thing I recommend is permanone to spray on your pants and shirts.  It will keep the ticks and chiggers away.  If you have ever met a south carolina chigger you'll know what I mean.

[Mike Vines]

All great info guys.  This is just one Of the reasons I like this site so much.  

Thermacell and pheromone is on the top of the must have list.  I have a nicely broke in pair of Russell's for dry areas, and will bring along my Lacrosse Burly's.  I will more than likely bring my 6x32 bino's.  They are lightweight, and easily manageable.

Laughter shouldn't be a problem, especially for anyone who has seen my stalking skills.  A camera is a great idea and I keep telling myself to put one in the truck.  Now I will make it a poin to do that.

As for Texas,  yes I will be there in November to hunt some of Buff's pigs and whatever else he has roaming his vastly sprawling ranch.  I'm taking my soon to be 8 year old down there to kill his first animal, which should be a pig, but who knows for sure?  From what Buff says, "We are going to hunt hogs like we hate them".  I like a guy who makes a statement like that.  If anyone is interested in doing the same thing as we (my son and I) are going to do, ie. Take a youngin hunting, please get ahold of me and see if we can double up.  There is still 2 spots available unless they have been filled.  If I understood him correctly, there are only 4 hunters allowed at a time, but I could be wrong.  Send me a PM and I will fill you in.

[Killdeer]

Permanone.
You will bring pheromones whether you pack them or not.

Killdeer  

[Mike Vines]

Believe me, my pheramones will clear a building.  Just ask my shop.  LOL