Post by CopperHead on Jan 27, 2009 23:24:00 GMT -5
This past weekend I was invited to go to the Buck and Boar in SC to go hog hunting with my step son and his dad. I figured it was about time that I tried my hand at chasing hawgs with a bow. So Friday morning we loaded up and headed out.
We had a great time. My step son and his dad both took some great hogs as well as two other hunters. The food was great and the lodge was comfortable. Downstairs of teh lodge was the living room and kitchen. Up stair there was 5 sets up bunks beds total 10 beds of course. The lodge itself was clean and comfortable.
In regards to hunting areas this is one of the largest lodges I have seen. They report 800+ acres and have every bit of it as far s I can tell. The are is full of pine and hardwood forest that are excellent to stalk in damp weather. The operation is mostly setup for rifle hunters but the staff does there best to make sure each and every hunter enjoys themselves and has ample opertunities.
The first evening I sat in a ground blind and had a herd of sheeping taunting me for about an hour.
But I was here for a hawg. Shortly after the sheep left a nice boar came in but no shot presented itself. 45 minutes later a sow with piglets came in and pretty much crowded out the big boy. From the looks of him he was the San Diego variety large and sandy colored. As it near darkness a large group of hawgs came out but one had an ear tag so I didnt even bother to get a shot off. The ear tags are protected stock and carry a big penalty if taken.
The next morning we awke to rain and drizzle. I went out with Troy on an early stalk as the others were still eating breakfast. We started stalking areas where Troy has seen some pigs bedded up regularly. We were about to move to another section when Troy spotted a nice hog. We Were able to get to within 24 yard of the boar and I draw. At the shot something did not feel right. The hawg didnt spook and I was unsure if he was hit or not. He looked ot be wavering back and forth. I drew again and sent another arrow on hits way. By this time he was quarting hard away setting me up for a perfect shot. The arrow struck the hawg further back than I had liked and he then blazed otta there. Almost immediately the sinking feeling set in. The confidence I normal have crashed all around me.
We picted up the trail and followed it about 100 yards but then decided to back out for the moment and get a few more of the rifle hunters and give the hawg I shot so time to expire. As the day progessed so did the rain. We returned later to pick up the trail but it was gone. So insted we started doing grid searches to hopefully locate him. Long story short we were not able to find the animal.
Later I discovered that I was missing my string stopper. The piece that connects to the riser was there but the rod and stopper where gone. Either way I should have checked all my equipment before heading out. I wont make that mistake again.
The staff of the Buck and Boar are all great people and they do their best to make sure you enjoy yourself while there. I had more that enough oppurtunities but was not upto the task. Troy Ayers strives to properly manage the herd he has and is doing a very good job for what I say. The hogs are at this time plentiful.
While stalking through the pines We ran up on not one but two batches of new born piglets that still had the cords attached. Now for those of you that do not know a baby piglet has a full set of teeth and they bite hard!!!
But I did manage to snap off a few pictures before momma came back to the nest. I have attached them below. Just seeing these little fellows up close may the whole trip worth while. 
Here is the picture of the hog my step son Jack took. This one toped the scales at 356 lbs.
The rest of the weights taken where 253, 256 and 273 I believe.
The buck and boar charges a daily rate which decreases as the number of people in the party decrease. On top of that is a $400.00 trophy fee for hogs.
Additionally to add to the excitement I had the pleasure of meeting Joella Bates and her husband Dan. Both seemed to be very down to earth people and I really enjoyed listening to their stories over the weekend.
We had a great time. My step son and his dad both took some great hogs as well as two other hunters. The food was great and the lodge was comfortable. Downstairs of teh lodge was the living room and kitchen. Up stair there was 5 sets up bunks beds total 10 beds of course. The lodge itself was clean and comfortable.
In regards to hunting areas this is one of the largest lodges I have seen. They report 800+ acres and have every bit of it as far s I can tell. The are is full of pine and hardwood forest that are excellent to stalk in damp weather. The operation is mostly setup for rifle hunters but the staff does there best to make sure each and every hunter enjoys themselves and has ample opertunities.
The first evening I sat in a ground blind and had a herd of sheeping taunting me for about an hour.
But I was here for a hawg. Shortly after the sheep left a nice boar came in but no shot presented itself. 45 minutes later a sow with piglets came in and pretty much crowded out the big boy. From the looks of him he was the San Diego variety large and sandy colored. As it near darkness a large group of hawgs came out but one had an ear tag so I didnt even bother to get a shot off. The ear tags are protected stock and carry a big penalty if taken. The next morning we awke to rain and drizzle. I went out with Troy on an early stalk as the others were still eating breakfast. We started stalking areas where Troy has seen some pigs bedded up regularly. We were about to move to another section when Troy spotted a nice hog. We Were able to get to within 24 yard of the boar and I draw. At the shot something did not feel right. The hawg didnt spook and I was unsure if he was hit or not. He looked ot be wavering back and forth. I drew again and sent another arrow on hits way. By this time he was quarting hard away setting me up for a perfect shot. The arrow struck the hawg further back than I had liked and he then blazed otta there. Almost immediately the sinking feeling set in. The confidence I normal have crashed all around me.
We picted up the trail and followed it about 100 yards but then decided to back out for the moment and get a few more of the rifle hunters and give the hawg I shot so time to expire. As the day progessed so did the rain. We returned later to pick up the trail but it was gone. So insted we started doing grid searches to hopefully locate him. Long story short we were not able to find the animal.
Later I discovered that I was missing my string stopper. The piece that connects to the riser was there but the rod and stopper where gone. Either way I should have checked all my equipment before heading out. I wont make that mistake again.
The staff of the Buck and Boar are all great people and they do their best to make sure you enjoy yourself while there. I had more that enough oppurtunities but was not upto the task. Troy Ayers strives to properly manage the herd he has and is doing a very good job for what I say. The hogs are at this time plentiful.
While stalking through the pines We ran up on not one but two batches of new born piglets that still had the cords attached. Now for those of you that do not know a baby piglet has a full set of teeth and they bite hard!!!
But I did manage to snap off a few pictures before momma came back to the nest. I have attached them below. Just seeing these little fellows up close may the whole trip worth while. 
Here is the picture of the hog my step son Jack took. This one toped the scales at 356 lbs.
The rest of the weights taken where 253, 256 and 273 I believe.The buck and boar charges a daily rate which decreases as the number of people in the party decrease. On top of that is a $400.00 trophy fee for hogs.
Additionally to add to the excitement I had the pleasure of meeting Joella Bates and her husband Dan. Both seemed to be very down to earth people and I really enjoyed listening to their stories over the weekend.
But at that shot the hawg just sat and just acted weird. He was then quarting hard away. I drew quickly and sent another on its way, pulling to the right and hitting him in the front part of the ham. 
. 
but that's why it is called hunting and not grocery shopping.