Update: They're back - Hog Hunters Needed! July 4th Weekend

[Ray Hammond]

If you guys have daypacks with hydration bladders in them we'll freeze the bladders and that will go a long way toward keeping you cooler during your hunts.

The pigs don't care how hot it is...fortunately for us.

This is my favorite time to hunt hogs- because everyone hangs out in camp from 10am through 4pm and you can get some serious bull shootin' in during that many hours!!!!

[Doc Nock]

Larry/Ray,

The only restriction, as it were, is they had to shoot Trad gear...Right??

I had a few folks I could've tagged, but we've not quite converted them yet...away from the dark side! All those who shoot trad were booked for the holiday w/ family stuff!

Larry, that 2nd vehicle will be a God-send if either Tony or I have to vamoose...don't forget my offer if you come solo and take the li'l rig.

You just get the stuff to Tony before Wed night is over! It will ride nice in the big truck.

Oh, Ray...NOW you tell us about the frizzen hydration thinggies...I'd always thought they were stupid for us E. guys...but see your point. Alas, ain't got the bucks to go get it for just this hunt...

I'll be packing hot power-aide!  

[chopx2]

I had a blue camelbak day pack that ws a god send hiking in hot weather. The bright blue won;t cut it hunting so I bit the bullet and picked up a small back pack at bass pro for 49.95. I think it will work great.

Doc give me a call tomorrow whhen you have a chance. I'll be home all day

[Snakeeater]

Tony,

I'm going over to Anne Arundel Fish & Game in the evenings this week to practice on a hog target they have. Want to come along?

Larry

[chopx2]

Doubt I have time. Trying to get things ready...this is my first trad big game hunt in 17 years so I'm starting all over with everything...I'd forgotten how long it takes to sharpen broadheads and get gear ready when you don't have a "system" wored out yet.

Washing my clothes tonight and tomorrow they get permanoned and when dry packed.

[Bel007]

Guys, I am heading out in the morning.  Making a stop over in N.C. to see an old bud since I'll be in the "neighborhood".

Will be meeting up w Snakeeater on Thrs.

Till then if you need to reach me I'll be checking my email on my Iphone or Snakeeater has my cell number.

Looking forward to meeting up w everyone Friday in Estill.

[wv lungbuster]

Good luck guys. Stay hydrated hopefully there will be a great hunt story.

[chopx2]

BTW I'm bringin fireworks...figured we could have some fun blowing stuff up Friday or Saturday night....remember hold the fireworks in your bow hand not your string hand.  

[chopx2]

Weather's going to be about as ggod as you could ask for this time of year...
Fri 7/2 - Hi 85 and periods of sun and clouds
Sat 7/3 - Hi 89 partly sunny and less humid   :D  
Sun 7/4 - Hi 89 mostly sunny

Of course Sunday's weather won't matter since we'll be sleeping in because the cooler's too full to pack any more bacon in it!  

[Duckbutt]

You guys are lucky on the weather.  It hasn't been below 90 for a month!

[chopx2]

Hey Duckbutt, If I remember I'll take a picture with my new t-shirt on!

Hopefully we'll be as lucky with the hunting too!  

[Ray Hammond]

You got that right duckbutt. The Lord is smilin on us

I bet we won't even have to take anyone to the infirmary for heat stroke!!!!!!

[Benjy]

It looks like a cold front is coming through for ya'll. Should be perfect!!  

Good Luck
Benjy

[Doc Nock]

This is it. Truck's packed. Travelin food only thing left to put in truck in AM... Lordamighty!

Couple hours of work, then 83 S. to B'mo to pick up Tony and off we goes...  

Whatever I forgot, we goes without! Bow & arras and camo and boots..rest is luxury anyway.  

Now for my Pop to stay stable till I get back and to hope for a cell signal down there in Estill so's I can drive in to check in on him Fri/Sat.

[chopx2]

T-minus 23 hours, 16 minutes!

My last post until we have pics.

[rastaman]

Be safe, have fun, take lots of pictures, shoot lots of arrows, bring home some pork!  

[chopx2]

Snakeeater took a bunch of Pics so hopefully he'll post some here. I'm a bit camera shy (that whole witness protection thing you know...just kidding) not to mention I forgot my camera

Everyone one had a blast as far as I could tell. Even Doc Nock athough given the aches and chigger bites it might be a week before he realizes it  :p  

No pigs were taken and just 2 shots at them between the 5 of us. One the first evening which I was unable to recover and one the last morning that resulted in a miss with a few almost shot opportunities.   :(  

Ray was a great host and the steaks were almost worth the trip on their own! I can't wait to go back.

We saw a lot of other critters including Chris who saw 2 coyotes one of which gave him a long shot after running off the hogs he was hunting, too bad. Watching him trail the hog and seeing multiple Coyotes that never knew he was there makes we wonder if he isn't part wolf or coyote himself. He impressed me greatly with his woodsmanship.

I started this thread looking for some guys to hunt with, but instead found friends of a caliber I rarely see. Let me tell you joining trad gang was more like joining a family than a club.

Sorry we don't have any trophy shots, but maybe next time. I haven't had this much fun in a long, long time and I really needed it so thanks to Ray and my camp mates. You guys were great fun and if there is ever a chance or need you are welcome at my fire.

[Doc Nock]

I echo Chop's sentiments about Ray's camp. Great location. Good cover and there was plenty of sign. Excellent food and a great host. Wonderful camp mates!

Danged arthritis sure is a terrible task master! I was dead tired from the drive and didn't sleep in the hotel worth a tinker's _____. So sneaking along alert for several hours Friday took the startch right outa me! The Permanone didn't work or I got all the bites sitting on the porch Sat night too tired to even notice!  

But yeah, I had fun. It was hunting as hunting is: Wild game does and goes where it wants...way it should be.

Swamp was a gorgeous diversion for this ole ridge runner! Should've spent more time there, but it was a bit more of a hoof than I was prepared for by Saturday...next time.

I'm bringing a golf cart next time, too. Quiet, swift and get us ole buggars back where the river meets the swamp! Whooie!  

13 hr ride back and back through DC traffic after the fireworks, well..it wsa 2am when I hit home... still not rested up!  

[Ray Hammond]

Maybe Brian will come on and talk about the 20 hogs he saw Sunday morning in a couple different bunches.

 

[chopx2]

For the record, I saw pigs every time out bu one. They just seemed to get the draw on me all but the first night.