Hog Hunting in May?

[sgrogg]

Thinking about a trip to Ft Stewart in Georgia in late May. The thing is at Ft Stewart you must bring the hog out whole (field dressed). Aside from the bugs, snakes and heat (avg 85F) I'm concerned about getting Mr. Pig out, quartered and on ice in a timely manner. Any of you that hunt down south this time of year I'd like to hear what you think. Would you go in May or is hog hunting in Jan-Mar the better time frame?  Thanks

[Littlejake]

May has been a good hog month for me.Always good weather warm but not swelting hot. The winter months are ok especially to get away from the cold and snow,but it can get pretty dang cold down south too and can slow the hunting. And a very wise hog hunter(Ray Hammond)told me the important thing in warm weather is making a good shot for a quick kill,and you should have plenty of time to get your hog dressed and on ice.

[Ray Hammond]

I have a feeling this May is going to be very temperate....we're really getting some cool weather and I don't think the pattern is going to switch up enough to get us really hot this summer.

Just a gut feeling.  I think you'll be fine. Carry fresh ice in the back of your truck, field dress it- use a game cart and bring it out with the ice inside the body cavity.  

Should be fine. Hey, Allen...hope you are well, sir! I'll miss seeing you this spring that's for sure.

[MikeNova]

We'll if I shoot one my processor is about 20 miles away and he guts it and dresses it out completely. I would hate to have to field dress a big one then haul it out

[wingnut]

I've done very well in May in Texas with no problems with the meat.  We usually bone ours out and put on ice or put them in the walk in cooler the outfitter provides.

Mike

[Wudstix]

Thinking about doing Granger WMA TX in May but would need boat to get hog back to truck and ice soon enough.    

[tarponnut]

We generally quarter the hog at the kill site when it's warm, which here in south Fl. could be January or May:) We always carry bags in our packs and a small tarp or empty corn bag to lay the pig on for cleaning. However, our properties aren't big so getting to a cooler quickly usually isn't an issue.
By the way, our hunters went three for four this past weekend so far, one is still hunting. Hopefully he can make it four for four!

[Ray Hammond]

he can't do that though, Tarpon...he has to bring it out field dressed.  Fort Stewart is a unique place in that each unit is completely surrounded by well marked dirt roads and you can get in and out of most areas pretty quick if you have a map.

I hunted Stewart for many years until some nut job shot a hole in a tree about 6 feet over my head and that ended that....

I still see no problem with f/d and stuffing a bag of ice in the cavity and coming out on a fire break strapped to a two wheel cart,to your vehicle.

[killinstuff]

Hey Ray are you sure you have to haul hogs out whole? I can't find anything on the web site about it but Stewart does have a rules on top of rules and I might have over looked it. I also read an article in GON from 8/2012 where the writer talks about quartering 500 lbs of pork in the woods and carrying it out while hunting the base.

[Ray Hammond]

no...I'm not sure.  I just read what he put in the original post where he says he has to bring them out whole (field dressed) I was taking him at his word.

"The thing is at Ft Stewart you must bring the hog out whole (field dressed). Aside from the bugs, snakes and heat (avg 85F)"

[killinstuff]

Thanks Ray. Yeah I seem to learn a new rule or two whenever I hunt there and I don't want to be a violator.  Seems like ever fine is $500 so  its best to know the rules.   I bone the pork out on the spot and let the buzzards clean up the rest.  Nothing goes to waste.