Ft Stewart or Ft Benning for hogs?

[sj_lutz]

A buddy and I (both retired Army) are thinking about taking a trip next year to one of these two places for some hog hunting.  Anyone have any thoughts on which would be the better place, or tips / tricks for either place?

[Mike Vines]

Ask either RC or Ray Hammond, both members on this site.  They both have great knowledge of the area.

[Landshark160]

Never been to Benning, but Stewart has plenty of hogs.

However, there was recently a change to the regulations which requires all bowhunters to pass an archery qualification test.  2 out of 3 shots in a 9" circle at both 20 and 30 yards from an elevated platform.

[swamprooter]

I just read this, I am stunned, sounds like someone at stewart doesn't like bow hunters.
Here is the reg:

h. All archery hunters must obtain an Archery Qualification Card every year prior to archery hunting on FS/HAAF. Archery Qualification Cards will expire 1 September every year. Archers must place 2 out of 3 arrows into a 9-inch diameter circular target at both 20 yards and 30 yards from an elevated platform. Qualifying will be accomplished by using field tips; no broad-heads will be allowed. The shooting sequence will be in the following order: top left circle, top right circle, and if required, bottom circle. Shots will not count unless this sequence is followed, and only 1 shot per target is allowed. Archers failing to qualify may re-schedule for a later qualification session. The Archery Qualification Card must be in the hunter’s possession while hunting on the Installation. Qualification sessions will be conducted at both Fort Stewart Pass and HAAF Permit Offices. Shooters will be charged a $5 qualification fee in addition to the Installation hunting permit to cover labor cost while executing the qualification process.

EDIT: Here is a link to the reg and it is dated 25 Jul 11, I have a feeling this is going to cause some backlash this close to the season.

  http://www.stewart.army.mil/dpw/wildlife/default.htm

[BuckyT]

I've heard they have a new rule there.

You have to qualify with your bow in order to be able to archery hunt there.

Think it goes like this.

You have to put 2 out of 3 arrows in a 9" circle at 20 and 30yds.

There are 3 9" circles.  You have to start out shooting at the top left circle, then on to the top right circle, and if you need to, on to the bottom circle.

All of this is done from an elevated platform.

There is a $5 dollar fee to perform the archery qualification test..

The archery qualification card is good for 1yr.  Sept 1st through Sept 1st.  You must pass the qualification test to archery hunt on Ft. Stewart this year.

This is what I've recently heard.  Sounds true.

[swamprooter]

I am steaming, what about the people that limit themselves to 15 to 20 yards? Or the people that hunt on the ground? This is an absolute BS reg, wish I new something I could do about it. Chris

[BuckyT]

Originally posted by swamprooter:
I am steaming, what about the people that limit themselves to 15 to 20 yards? Or the people that hunt on the ground? This is an absolute BS reg, wish I new something I could do about it. Chris

I think it really puts a damper on guys with trad equipment...

20-30yd shot with a trad bow is a good ways out there in a hunting situation...

If I were y'all, I'd dust off the wheelie bow or borrow somebody's and go out there and zing a couple of arrows at 20yds and 30yds, get your card, then grab the recurve or longbow and go hunting.

[Avid Archer]

It does not say you have to qualify and hunt with the same bow.      

[swamprooter]

I will not use my compound, even though I still shoot and hunt with one, this reg is blatently antihunting and anti bowhunting and quite frankly, I will not be buying a ft stewart license this year. So if you guys want to break out the compounds more power to you and I wish you good luck. Chris

[WhiteOaks]

I live here and this is news to me.
I read the reg and it looks like you have to take a test for just the cantonement areas. The way I read it doesn't apply to the rest of the base. I'll check this week to find out for certain. I'll be out until Fri.

[WhiteOaks]

Just called and the guy thay answered the phone seems to think its for the cantonement areas only. He asked me to call back Wed and talk to his manager to be certain.

[swamprooter]

Originally posted by WhiteOaks:
I live here and this is news to me.
I read the reg and it looks like you have to take a test for just the cantonement areas. The way I read it doesn't apply to the rest of the base. I'll check this week to find out for certain. I'll be out until Fri.

I don't read it that way, the reg says  All Archery hunters. I don't see anything that says just for the cantonment areas. Chris

[T Lail]

it looks to me that those who made the regulations do not have any idea about traditional equipment.....just for the sake of argument,we have had people come to our hunter ed classes here in NC (advanced bowhunter Education), that could not do that with a sighted compound.....we also had one guy that did not pass with a scoped crossbow......sad but true.......  

[WhiteOaks]

The reg does specify cantonment area even in the title. I will know for certain wed

[swamprooter]

Are we reading the same reg? Chapter 1, page 6, Cantonment is not in the title, paragraph or the entire page. Chris

[WhiteOaks]

I'm reading 9th topic on left .

[WhiteOaks]

swamprooter,

You are correct. The reg does say all bowhunters but the 9th topic on the left of the main hunting page only discusses the 6 cantonment areas. I'm thinking this rule may just be for the cantonment areas and someone messed up by putting it in the regulations for all bowhunters.
I'll call a manager this week to try to clarify the regs for all. Its confusing when you read both documents. If it is correct, I'll see what I can do to maybe change it.

[swamprooter]

Yeah I agree, I look forward to what you find out and if you need any help feel free to drop me a line. Chris

[Landshark160]

I hope you're right Whiteoaks, but I'm afraid it's for the entire installation.  From the way it's worded,  "All archery hunters must obtain an Archery Qualification Card every year prior to archery hunting on  FS/HAAF ."  That's not only Fort Stewart, but also Hunter Army Airfield.

A guy told me today that he spoke with the people at Pass and Permit, and they're going to be set up to begin testing August 3rd.

Again, I hope you're right.

[eman614]

just for fun i tried there little test today...and failed. 20yds wasn't a problem, but 30 was another story. this really sucks for all you guys that hunt ft. stewart regularly. whiteoak, i sure hope that you are right.