Thanks Ray Hammond and Mike Mitchum.

[Gil Verwey]

I would like to say thanks to Ray Hammond and Mike Mitchum(Squirrel Bait). Myself and a lot of other members had a lot of fun down there (if you are a northerner like me).

Going to miss the fun, jokes, food, alcohol (mine of course), knapping sessions, sharpening lessons (even though I bleed whenever Ray gives me a lesson), beautiful scenery (love the Cyprus swamp) and the hunting.

I wish Mike and Ray the best and thank them for the memories.

Here is one of my misadventures at Ray's. I was just going to see when there was an opening this year when I saw the changes. I spoke to Ray on the phone and he and Mike are doing good. They are just sick of us Yankees! Ha, not really.

If I can't go I might as well look at the pictures.

 http://tradgang.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=116978#000000

[rbcorbitt]

Amen, brother!  As many of you, I consider Ray a close friend (Squirrely, well, what can you say - he and Ray are attached at the hip       )!

We TG members can only assume that Andrew is going to continue the tradition that Ray was so instrumental in establishing!

Will it be the same?  Only time will tell!

We will miss you Ray (and you too, Squirrel Bait   )!

[ScouterMike]

Yes - Thank you Ray & Mike. The tribe from SW Pa has always had the best of times in that swamp. I only made it there twice out of the several trips and for  the ones I missed the stories just kept getting better. I just found out we are booked with Andrew for March 2014 and rumor has it that maybe the two swampmasters may make an appearance, that would be awesome.

[Red Beastmaster]

Yeah, I rank my meeting Ray & Mike right up there, just after my two root canal procedures! LOL

Over the past four years and six hunts together it is safe to say they are two of my favorite people in the world. I am a better man for knowing them. Well, at least my wife says I've changed, not quite sure what that means but she's OK with it.

One of my life changing memories was watching the two of them come flying back to camp in a torrential downpour. They had the gator running wide open and they each had a garbage bag pulled down over them with their heads poked through. They were covered in mud, corn, sweat, and Copenhagen! And the language! Oh my. I have not been the same since.

Hope all is well with you guys, and Thanks Again!

Dave

[Ray Hammond]

Thanks guys- we had some fine times

[Squirrel Bait]

Thanks Guys, I know how Ray feels , we had a great time and met lots of great people.