bone collector Wrote:there are a couple xxxxlarge hogs that have been taken down there. Smooth I am really wanting to go down there with ya I think ive waited long enough and practiced with the marlin enough where I feel comfortable I can react in the case of a charge. So that being said when do yall go down there and what supplies do I need where to get the license...... thanks for any and all your help I hope this can happen
Okay, so opening day for the January hunt is Thursday, January 21st. We drive down the day before, and try to get down there early enough to scout before sundown, so for those caravaning with me, we try to get on the road around 7:30 out of Raleigh. Licenses can be bought online, just search for Ga hunting licenses. If memory serves, for GA, if you are below the age of, I think 25, you have to have a hunters safety certificate, so if that applies to you, I'd do some digging. I think last year someone in my party confirmed with a Game Warden down there that it wasn't necessary, but I'm reluctant to believe anything they tell you over the phones (there's a story that goes with that reluctance, let's just say what they say no the phone and what's practiced in the field are two different things). One way or the other, if you are going to talk to someone, talk to Officer Payne, he'd be the one enforcing it.
Beyond that, if you intend to walk around, you'll need hip wadders. You can get by with calf-high boots, but it makes for a much more frustrating day. The rivers in there criss-cross back and forth and it's a pain to try and find places to cross. Also, it is a good idea to have a good field GPS with you. Last year we walked around in there and would have been hard pressed to find our way out without it.
No real concern about charging Hogs, at least none that I have seen or heard while I was down there.
If you want to stand hunt, I can put you up in some places, I have a secret place I use each year that's had good returns, but after walking around last year, I think we'll likely be sticking to that.
Also, there's no 4 wheelers back there, so what you kill, you gotta get outta there. If you are in a party, we all work together to get it out, but just be forewarned, it's a real pain!
We hunt 3 days and stay 4 nights, driving out Sunday morning. We normally find a cheap motel and split the costs between the room. Depending on who all goes will dictate cost and room assignment, we've never had a group larger then 5, which we can fit in one room, but I have reason to believe the group's going to be larger this year, so we'll just have to see. Everyone brings in their own food, drink, and cooler, and we normally go out to eat one night we're there, if you want to come.
Also, it's important to note, if you ride with someone out to the field, you are out there for the day. Another story to go with this, but needless to say, I won't be climbing down from my stand, hiking a mile out to drive back to the Motel and pick someone up so they can sleep in....again.:banghead:
The brochure can been seen here:
http://www.fws.gov/southeast/pubs/bond_swamp_hunt.pdf
That covers all the regulations you'd have to abide by. We can get more specific as it gets closer but otherwise I'd love to have you or anyone else come along, so long as they are safe and ethical hunters, that's all that concerns me.:xyxthumbs:
MoMo