just wondering

[bucketobolts]

Further down toward the Fla border is where they killed "Hogzilla".




I watched a show on Discovery about this one a while back. Nat. Geo. scientist exhumed the carcass to do some DNA experiments. They said that it was most likely domestic pig set free to become feral. They believed this guy was feeding it a high protein/steroid diet to grow it to this size.

Now we need to build us a pit to smoke one on.:xyxthumbs:

[smooth]

That's funny, I swear I had read somewhere when it hit that it was one county over from Bond Swamp. Oh well, just the same. I have seen some of the big ones that have come out of there, they're pushing 400lbs+ on the hoof. They're a mix of Feral and Russian, which makes their coats an interesting patchwork. A got one last year with my .45, it was wee, but to have killed one with my handgun was one hullva experience.

MoMo

[bone collector]

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

[bone collector]

Hey Aaron I think I saw the sam show you did the guy was feeding the fish in his pond that feed (he has the world record brem if I remember right) and the hog was gettin into the feed

[smooth]

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

[smooth]

Just to give you an idea, here are some pics. We call it the Macon (Makin') Bacon Run.

This is my Step-Brother Draper (on the right) and his buddy last year


This is me (on the left) and my buddy (some of you may know) Shane Durham.


Last year's kill. I know they are small, but it was the afternoon of the final day, we were happy to get anything. Draper and his friend weren't so lucky.





This was the previous year's kill.



Taken from my Stand spot I mentioned


Draper had a great year, he got both of these. He and his buddy had to drag them out themselves almost 2 miles without a GPS. It took them close to 12 hours.



The time we went before this was just a deer that was taken, the year before that, two hogs, about the size of Draper's two big ones, one from my stand, another about 100 yards away.

MoMo

[bone collector]

Man looks like a blastI would love to join you ill see what I have to do to make this happen and will be getting back to you as soon as I know. 45/70 for spot and stalk and the 270 wsm for the rest. What type of .45 is that?

[smooth]

It's a Springfield Armory 1911 Champion. Nothing too special, it's my first handgun. I've gotten to shoot other 1911's and I realize what I'm missing. But it works, I have a 30.06 for the stand stuff.
Like I said, it's a ways off, so don't feel like you have to get me an answer right away. I normally try to lock everyone down on whether they are going or not after Thanksgiving. That way everyone can tentatively plan on room cost and travel arrangments. I forgot to mention, we field dress and chop up the hogs on site. If you've ever done a deer, it's the same as a hog, except a lot more fat to cut through. Also, since we normally don't get to it until the evening, it can make it a little late before we get in. Don't know if you normally have your animals butchered but we have to do everything there.
That's all I can think of, I'll be sure to check back with you when it gets closer.

MoMo

[bone collector]

I do butcher my own deer so that is not a problem. thanks again hope to hear back from ya

[smooth]

No worries, I'll keep in touch.


MoMo