TF's SC Hog Hunt 2004, Man vs Swine

[Thunderflight]

Today was the big day. After one year of waiting it was time for the Savannah River National Wildlife Refuge Spring hog hunt.

To be honest I’m lucky I’m even going this year. I wasn’t supposed to return from deployment until the end of this month, but we lucked out and came home a month early.

My buddy Carl (aka: CJ) and I met up at Gene’s (aka: Marine Bowhunter) house around 1230 pm. Gene already had the boat hooked up and ready to go. All we had to do is load up our gear and we where off.

(Note the T-shirt. The Deer Camp boys signed it and sent it to me while I was deployed.)

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[Thunderflight]

An hour, or so, later we arrived at Milstone Landing. After putting Billy’s boat (another friend who loaned us his boat) in the water we decided to head straight for Iwo Jima (refer to hog hunt 2003 for the reason why we call named it Iwo Jima. It's on the Ohio forum of bowsite.com).

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[Thunderflight]

A short boat ride later we arrived at Iwo Jima. We unloaded our gear and got ready. We decided to push through a finger of palmettos across from Iwo.

The wind was perfect so we figured we’d hit “Secret Squirrel Island” (“SSI”) too.


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[Thunderflight]

About an hour later we had pushed the finger and “SSI”. As we crossed the swamp to get to “SSI” I smelled a hog. CJ also smelled it so we thought for sure that we’d be knee deep in bacon once we hit the island. About half way across CJ saw a hog take off, but couldn’t get shot. We pushed through the rest of the island, but didn’t see anything else.

The bad thing was that we saw a lot of human sign in the area. CJ found a spot where someone “marked his territory”. I guess the secret about “SSI” is out…8*(


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[Thunderflight]

Another bonus was that the refuge wasn’t even near as wet as it was last year. This year we only had to walk in ankle and knee deep water. 8*)

Since CJ is the new guy we made him walk through the deepest water…8*)

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[Thunderflight]

Actually the area was much dryer than last year.

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[Thunderflight]

Once we returned to the boat I suggested we hit another good spot on the South Carolina side.

This is a half mile stretch of palmettos that normally have a ton of hog sign in there. Unfortunately there wasn’t much hog sign, but there was a lot of other hunters sign…8*(

Someone must be keeping tabs on all my hot spots…..

http://www.ohiosportsman.com/photopost/data/504/229SCHH2004_008-med.jpg?630

[Thunderflight]

So once again we packed up the boat. This time we went up the river a bit and put in back on the Georgia side.

CJ kept getting phone calls from his wife who lives in Florida. I wonder who “really” wears the pants in his family…8*)


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[Thunderflight]

A half hour later we pulled up to one of my favorite spots on the GA side. While unloading our gear the GA DNR paid us a visit.

They checked out the boat for all the required safety gear and checked out licenses. There was a tense moment when we CJ and I had confirmation numbers for today instead of an actually license, but we where legal so we where good to go. All three game wardens where pretty nice and didn’t give us a hard time. They wished us luck and left.

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[Thunderflight]

It was getting late so we decided to push in for about a half hour and then work our way back.

The hog sign was much better, but the dang wind kept shifting directions. I knew we where going to be in trouble so I suggested we walk cross wind. CJ and Gene both agreed and we started towards another thicket of cane.

We just entered the cane when CJ whistled and said he just saw two more hogs, but they where on move and heading away from us. Since the wind was in our favor we head towards them, but never caught up. The forest floor was VERY dry and we made a ton of noise. I think they hogs heard us coming and took off, either that or that swirling wind took our scent to them.

About 1730 we started to head back. Gene had the boat plotted on his GPS……

Well he though he had it plotted…. Either that or his GPS needs recalibrated….

We ended up a quarter mile from the boat…8*)

Over all we had a good time. This year the refuge is much drying and easier to hunt. Friday morning we’ll be back at it.

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[CritterGitter]

No hog yet, but it sounds like you guys sure had fun. Good luck this weekend!

CG

[Beentown]

TF - why don't you guys wear waders? It has been chilly down thereand I'm sure that the water probably isn't to warm! Good luck Friday!:D

[Thunderflight]

Man my legs are sore!!!!

Note to self: "Don't work out on the stairmaster and then do squats the day you plan on hunting the refuge".....

Beentown,

Yeah we could wear waders, but to be honest most of the time you can find a way around the water. Last year the water was supper high and alot of area's where unaccessable.

I don't wear waders because I won't go into the woods with out snake boots.

There was alot of human sign so I think the whole refuge is getting hit hard. Usually we find tons of hog droppings and rootings, but they are kinda slim too.

I think on Friday we're gonna have to go deep into the GA side to finde the hogs.

TF

[Buckmaster]

Looks like you couldn't have a better day for a hog hunt. Good luck Friday and keep us posted.
Buckmaster

[Caribou Dreamer2]

WOW sounds like fun,Hang in there you will find those hogs,

What a good looking day.

[Ohio Bill]

Hey thats great how u documented that!! Get a hog!!!!!!

[XX78]

Good reporting, great pictures! You just set a standard for which all other "camp reporting" will be measured!!!

Get a pig!!!

[Thunderflight]

As of now EVERYONE who I was going to hunt with tomorrow has backed out!!!!

Looks like I'll be on my own....

Whose going to be my camera man? Good thing I've got a timer on it....

Thunderflight

[rjolenic]

Cool "virtual hunt" TF! I like the pics and the fact that you have worn the Deer Camp Boys shirt. Stay at it and you will get your meat!

rjo

[Thunderflight]

This morning I got up bright and early. I hit the road about 0500 and headed for King Fisher Pond. I stopped off at the AMACO gas station to pick up a highly nutritional blue berry muffin and a large for breakfast. I got to the refuge about 0600.

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[Thunderflight]

Once I arrived I realized that the wind was all wrong for this area. I decided to pack it up and head down to Union Landing.

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[Thunderflight]

I pulled out on to SC 17 and everything was going great until…..
My transmission started slipping!!!! I quickly pulled off the road and started cussing!!!!

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[Thunderflight]

After I pulled over I checked the transmission fluid level. My heart sank when I saw it was empty!!!! I looked under the truck and about crapped when I saw transmission fluid all over the bottom of my under carriage….. Needless to say I was NOT happy….

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[Thunderflight]

I called the wife to tell her the bad news. All I could see was $$$ because I knew it was going to cost an arm and leg to get my tranny fixed, not to mention getting the truck towed too.

Well luckly for me my wife signed us up for AAA while I was gone. I called AAA and they called for a tow truck.

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[Thunderflight]

Mad as hell I started thinking about what happened and once again I was glad it happened here and not while I was towing a boat (I was originally supposed to rent a boat today). Then I realized that all the fluid was not coming from the tranny, but it was coming from the front of the truck.

That’s when I remembered that during last years hog hunt I accidently pulled off the transmission fluid line that came outta my cooler. I looked at it and sure enough it was disconnected…. My spirits lifted a bit….Pic 10

Five minutes later the tow truck guy called. I told him that all I’d probably need is some transmission fluid and I’d be good to go. I put the line back on and waited for the tow truck.

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[Thunderflight]

Two hours later the tow truck finally shows up. I guess he had a hard time finding me.
The driver brought the fluid and four quarts later I was back in business….

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[Thunderflight]

Well by now it’s almost 1000. I thought about just going home, but decided to hunt any ways. The wind had shifted so I decided to try and hunt at King Fisher pond. About a mile from the parking area is a hog wallow that I killed a sow off of two years ago. The hunting club that boarders the refuge lets us walk down their logging road. Believe me this makes access a lot easier.

About ten yards into the woods I jumped one small brown with yellow spotted hog (probably in the 20 to 30 pound range). I didn’t have a shot at the piggy, but I did hope that mom would be around…. She wasn’t so I continued on.

I snuck up on the hog wallow and didn’t see anything. There where two wallows and only one had been recently used. You can tell by the dirty water.


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[Thunderflight]

I sat down next to a tree and decided to hunt. About hour later I decided to pack it up and start hunting my way back to the truck. The trip was uneventfull and actually discouraging. There is almost NO hog sign around. I’m really beginning to wonder where all the hogs are. Usually this place is crawling with them, but then again I usually only hunt this area during the Fall bow season.

I did find some good looking deer rubs though.

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[Thunderflight]

After a bit I decided to just head back to the truck and hunt the spot off of I-95. On the way back I pushed through a huge palmetto patch, but again I didn’t see anything. I was really starting to get frustrated because I wasn’t seeing any hog sign. My hopes were not high for the rest of the days hunt. A short while later I pulled off the free way at another known good spot.

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[Thunderflight]

Stealthfully I stalked the island. The island is a lot bigger than I remembered from last year. You really need four people to push this thing, but I pressed on anyway.

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[Thunderflight]

At first I was really discouraged because there was just no hog sign here either. About half way through I started finding a little, but it was old. Last year you couldn’t walk ten feet with out seeing hog crap or rootings. The year before was the same. I wonder where all the hogs are.

http://www.ohiosportsman.com/photopost/data/504/229SCHH04Day2_022-med.jpg?9358

[Thunderflight]

It was getting hot (81 degrees), I wasn’t seeing any hogs, and I wasn’t having any fun so I decided to quit early and head home.

Even though today wasn’t great at least I saw one hog. I also stepped on a snake, got some exercise and best of all I wasn’t at work.


Tomorrow I’ll he hitting the Georgia side with my buds again. Hopefully it’ll be a better day.

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[Ohio Bill]

Damn TF all this bad luck will eventually turn to good luck....i wish ya luck tomorrow!! By the way, check your tranny fluid before you leave tomorrow..LOL:D

[Thunderflight]

It's 0410 and I'm getting ready to head over to Gene and Billy's. They are supposed to meet Steve at the AMACO station at 0500.

I have to be home early today because we have some friends coming for dinner. I wonder how I'm going to handle that if I shoot a hog and have to skin an quarter it out....:confused:

TF

[steve Ypsi]

Usually we find tons of hog droppings
heard of mushroom hunting but what do you do with this if you find it?
Good Post Thunderflight, reads like we were there.

[Hoytme2]

Sweet post TF. Keep them coming. Hope you have better luck today and watch out for those darn snakes.

[rjolenic]

Now I see part of the problem TF. You have a Ford Ranger. I had two of those friggin' things ... a 95 ranger EXT Cab 4X4 and a 99 (same options) Different lemons!

Anyways, I think you had so much bad luck yesterday, that today is your day. Good luck skinning and quartering that hog while you are with your company .... :D

rjo

[Thunderflight]

The plan for today was to meet up at 0430 so we could get an early start. We arrived at Mill Stone landing about 0545 and put the boat in the water. There we a lot of other folks waiting to put boats in so they could hog hunt too. Maybe today would be better, only time would tell.

After putting in we cruised up the river about a quarter mile and got off at the spot we hunted on Wednesday afternoon.

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[Thunderflight]

Since there where five of us we covered a very large area as we pushed through the swamp. The wind was KILLING us again. It kept shifting and I was sure we wouldn’t see anything. Shoot for that matter we still were not seeing any hog sign.

About a half mile back we ran into another hunter who was having the same luck we where. No hogs and no sign of hogs.


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[Thunderflight]

We pushed on until it started getting really muddy. This picture is of one of the dryer areas.

http://www.ohiosportsman.com/photopost/data/504/1084SCHH04Day3_003-med.jpg?5003

[Thunderflight]

The going was getting really rough and we where not seeing hardly any fresh hog sign so we headed back to the boat to try one last spot.

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[Thunderflight]

We drove down the river and stopped at several areas to check and see if they looked good for hunting. The tide was up so just about everything was underwater. We decided to hit a big island on the South Carolina side.

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[Thunderflight]

Gene locked in our position on his GPS. He wanted me to tell all of you how great it worked getting us back to the boat this morning…..

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[Thunderflight]

The island was HUGE. About half way through Gene jumped a small hog, but it was moving to fast for him to get a shot.

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[Thunderflight]

We hunted the rest of the island and found several good areas to deer and turkey hunt. We also found a few illegal tree stands (your not allowed to build them on the refuge).

After an hour of walking we decided to call it quits. Although we did jump on hog there was almost NO hog sign on the front half of the island. Billy and I found a good bit on the back side, but it wasn’t much.

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[Thunderflight]

On the way back Gene said to follow him because his awesome GPS said the boat was “thissa way”… Gene lead Billy and Steve into the water on their journey back. Paco and I knew better so we walked along the shore line and crossed at a much shorter distance that was next to the boat. 10 or 15 minutes later the rest of the gang shows up. Gene’s GPS hit another home run and took them about 300 yards in the wrong direction…. We all suggested the he pitch it in the water and get a new GPS…:)

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[Thunderflight]

Since we worn’t seeing any hogs or even much sign of them we decided to throw in the towel and head home.

When we arrived back at the landing just about everyone else had decided to do the same. All morning we heard two shots. We spoke with a couple hunters who told us they shot a cotton mouth so that means only one shot might have been on a hog.

Tomorrows the last day of the Spring hunt. Over all it’s really be poor, but it’s been better than going to work. This has been a really weird year because we just aren’t seeing any hog sign. Paco told me that during the November gun season it was the same deal. Where could the hogs be?

I may or may not go out for a few hours in the morning. If so I’ll keep you posted.

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[Thunderflight]

If the wife will let me I may go to a traditional archery shoot tomorrow. If I go then I won't be hunting.

If not then I'll go in the am and hunt until 0900. That way I can be home in time for church...

TF

[Thunderflight]

The wife gave me approval to go to the trad shoot so I'm throwing in the towel on tomorrows hunt.

This year was flat out just weird. We still had fun, but it would have been better if we would have seen a few more piggy's.

I'm actually kinda glad that no one from Ohio came down to hunt. After all the hype it would have been a major let down.

Anyway, I'll be doing a semi live turkey hunt around the first week of April.

I was invited back to a buddies lease to bow hunt some hogs. There is a WMA that boarders the property so we are going to hunt turkey in the morning and afternoon and then bow hunt hogs in the evening. I'll be doing a semi live turkey and hog hunt at the end of April too.

Thunderflight

[Q2XL]

good luck too ya thunder hope the next hunt goes better than this one.

[Caribou Dreamer2]

Thunder sorry to hear about the no pig,but still got some time,BUT all i can say is that this was one sweet post keep them coming,We all now have a format to follow when we go on a hunt,SWEET

[Thunderflight]

Well I didn't go to the tradshoot and I didn't go hunting either.

I decided to stay home and clean up the archery range I built in the woods behind my house.

Thanks for all the comments about the hunt. I'm glad you all enjoyed it. The turkey/hog combo hunt should be alot of fun.

TF