FL Hog hunt

Well, I'm sitting in a hotel room in Ocala Fl after three days in a tent in a swamp with my son (480 Hunter). My daughter was out of the country on a school trip, my wife had to work and my son and I had a week to visit some of my family we haven't seen in Fl for many years. We decided to go bust some meat hogs for the freezer. So I called a guide I know near lake Ocheechobe and he took us on his swamp buggy and brought his Cur hunting dogs along as well. We spent the first 2 days hunting from stands but never had a shot on a decent hog. So this morning my guide Carlos put the dogs into the swamp and 30 minutes later they had a nice young boar bayed up. I let my son, 480 in hand of course, take the first hog. I will let him tell his story. In the saw palmetto thicket we found 2 hogs instead of one. When he shot his hog the other high tailed it towards a pond and another hammock of palmetto bush. The dogs bayed this one as well. We pulled up on the swamp buggy and I used one of the rails to rest the Bisley on. It was a 35 yard shot to the head and it dropped like a rock. When it went down it went into the pond/ slough and the dog grabbed it by the ear and started dragging it into deeper water. So in I ran after the boar before it got into deeper water. I was up to my waist in good ol swamp mud and nasty water. Ah yes fond childhood memories came flooding back. Should be home tomorrow night and sunday will see several racks of ribs being slow cooked and a ham in the crook pot for a pork fest Sunday night. I used the 45 Bisley Ruger, with Cor Bon factory loads of 300 gr jacketed soft points at 1300FPS. A definite pig knocker of a round.

congratulations! sounds like an exciting hunt. Great shot too.

Great choice, even better story ;-)

What guide service did you use? The last time I was in Florida hunting wild boar I used Little Lake Lodge. It was a fun hunt. I am anxiously awaiting the story of your son's hunt. I have a .480 Ruger and I like to read stories of it being used on game.

Congratulations on your hogs and a good time afield with your son!

And you know you were just looking for an excuse to go swimming...

Wow, great story. I cannot even imagine hunting in a swamp, but I sometimes work in flooded areas. I always thought it best to avoid all the "hightech" clothing to try and keep from getting wet or stuck. When working I just use my regular boots, and plan on getting wet and messy. I would love to hear how you and the guides set up your non-gun gear for this kind of adventure.

Congrats...

Craig

LOL, I just pulled in the drive way home in NC about an hour ago. Son and I emptied the truck and put dirty clothes in clothes basket. My swamp muck covered pants have a real sweet smell of hog wallow. I better wash them tonight before the Mrs. gets to them. I'll never here the end of it.

Bigbore, I use Little lake lodge as well. Have used them many times over the years. My son has now taken a decent 200lb hog and a Buffalo as well with my, I mean his, 480. He was shooting Factory Hornady 325 gr XTPs.

Bearbait, I grew up in the Everglades and practically lived there my last year in High school. I have always just worn regular clothes and boots when wading around in the swamps. Never worried about anything. I use to laugh at the folks who wore chapps when heading into the glades on foot. I use to ask them what they were for and they said they were snake proof. I said wow, those are neat. And I would ask how do they work. They said they would be neat if you were on dry land, but your heading into the swamp. he water will often be up to your waste and Cotton mouths sit on top of the water, so ya better get a set of snake proof chest waders, only one problem with those though. When you get to dry land to pull the leaches off of you, it will be a pain in the neck to take them off every time. I always wondered why they looked frustrated when they walked away.

Oh, a side note, this was the christening of the 45 Bisley.

Thanks for additional info. Yes, I always figure in the muck, wear your regular boots to keep from getting twisted ankles and such. Your snake comments reminded me of growing up in the south, and snakes. Used to really hate them buggers when water skiing. When you drop the rope and are coasting towards shore, you are pretty helpless. Arm flailing will actually not keep you afloat longer. Leeches, never had that "pleasure".

Somehow when you noted the guided hunt, and the swamp, I had these visions of city folks showing up all duded up in the latest Cabela's stay dry gear, and had a chuckle. I guess sometimes you just need to get down and dirty, and hopefully bloody, like up to your elbows ;^)

Craig

Always great to hear a good Father and Son adventure. Congratulations and thanks for sharing.

Congratulations to you and your son on a great hunt.

Hey Fish,

Congratulations on you and your son's hunt. It is Awesome that you can hunt together and spend time in the outdoors.It seems that he is doing a Great job with the handgun, and I love his choice in Caliber. Hope you have many more times a field together
wish yall the best...Jeff

Thanks guys. Nothing in the world beats spending time with the kids. Jeff, its funny how he gravitated to the big bore. He really loves that thing. He shoots it better then my 44 mags and 357's. I wonder if the higher recoil tends to make him pay more attention to his shooting.

That is awesome!! Congratulations to you and your son! You have done well guiding him in this direction.

When I lived in Louisiana, a fellow in the New York office came down, and while checking over the books asked me if I could take him fishing. I dutifully obliged and took him to some feeder bayous for the Atchafalaya Swamp. We pulled away from the launch ramp, and he commented on how many vines were in the trees and bushes. I took him in for a closer look so he could see those were actually snakes. It must have been a religious experience for him because he pretty much walked on water all the way back to the boat landing.

Sounds like you had a wonderful time...

That's what makes great memories!

James we had a great time. Really wanted to head up to your neck of the woods but needed to visit my ailing father with my son. This may be the last time either of us sees him.