Just got home from a weekend with Ray Hammond at Hog Heaven. WOW, what a great weekend!
Drove over to SC on Thursday and met up with Ray and a few new Trad friends. The first evening was spent around a roaring fire, preparing gear and discussing the property, things to expect while hunting the property and a good bit of shot placement advice. Ray was very reassuring and made everyone feel immediately comfortable and at home.
The next morning began with biscuits, sausage gravy, eggs and coffee. With my map of the property in hand I headed out after breakfast with wonderful sense of anticipating, this being my first attempt at hogs. I hunted most of the day, stopping only about 20 minutes to grab some lunch. No hogs for me this day but I saw alot of deer, a few Armadillos, turkey and even a couple of GIANT fox squirrels. When back at camp that evening I learned I was in the minority as everyone else had seen hogs. I soon forgot about this when I walked inside and smelled the pork shoulders Ray was cooking. Let me tell you all, Ray can COOK! Filled up on Pork, veggies and a Salad. Then out to the fire for lots stories and a few jokes.
Day 2, another great breakfast and off to the woods. I hit the jackpot, ended up seeing at least 40 hogs by the end of the day. Passed on a couple of smaller pigs at 12 yards, and later singled out a VERY large hog in a group of 20 or so hogs and piglets. At 30 yards a tiny little piglet I didn't see squealed the alarm and away they all ran. Ray found a good bit of humor in my re-telling of this event and I have to admit I got several good laughs out of it as well! HUGE New York Strip steaks for dinner and a lot of awesome conversation.
Cold front moved in over night and this morning it was mighty frosty. Everything was frozen and it made stalking a bit tougher but it was still a beautiful day. No hog for me this trip but next time for sure! I spent the drive home thinking about the coming months and how I might fit in a return trip before deer season.
Great food, great people and a great area to hunt hogs. To Tom, Ken, Doug, Dan, Ray, and Jay, it was great meeting all of you and I hope to share a hunting camp with you again one day. To Ray Hammond, you are a class act and you run a great hunting camp. I will be back! Probably much sooner than the wife would like.
I kept a camera with me at all times and found some great backdrops for a few photos. Hope you enjoy them.
First day and I find the Angel. Is that a beautiful backdrop or what?! 
"Blue Lake" 
You just know there is going to be a hog around every corner. 
I see Georgia! 
Lots of Cypress logs make great spots for mid day breaks! (notice my wind feather, wind aws really blasting out of the north this day! 
WOW! (That is a 68" longbow with a full length arrow. Lots of these giants around.) 
Managed to find a little evidence of hunters from long ago. (Middle piece is piece of Native American clay pottery) 
Thanks again Ray!!!!!!!!
Topic: Hogs, great food, new friends and an Angel (Read 544 times)
