I didn't hunt but went and met the gang and broke bread and done some shooting. Had a great time and enjoyed the day. I'll let the hunting party share their adventures. Pasco, Seasons 44, 7xleather and whitworth thanks for having me out I enjoyed it a lot.

Sorry guys, I've been exceedingly busy and haven't even had a chance to download photos.

Quick synopsis, more details to follow. Everyone saw hogs, three of us got off shots. I killed a small sow for the barbeque on the first night that we ate on the second night. Freedom475 shot a boar, wounded it, and despite our tracking efforts over the course of a number of hours (cottonstalk's new handle is going to be Bloodhound!), we cut our losses. We even found what looked like lung tissue on the ground. Seasons44 shot three times at a hog and didn't connect, but when you see the photos of his damaged rear sight, you will understand why he missed. He used my Bisley Hunter on nights two and three, and drilled a 'possum at about 50 yards with open sights in the dark. Wes also drilled a trophy possum! Pasco never got a shot off but saw some hogs the first night. Pasco has an awesome .480 SRH! We had a great time, ate well, hunted hard at night, made some new friendships, and shot some great revolvers (Wes, you're lucky you made it back home with that Lipsey's Bisley .44!!!!!!!!). We got socked in on Friday and Saturday nights, and the fog was so bad that visibility was down to a number of yards.

More to follow with pictures.

I will try and post up some photos by tomorrow as well , but as said it was a great trip and even though the weather and the pigs did not cooperate for all of us, I am glad Pasco and Freedom475 were able to come out east and share camp. Being able to hunt along side such accomplished handgun hunters was a pleasure. To all the guys including Cottonstalk, thank you

I would gladly share a hunting camp with anyone of these guys any day.
Whit, thanks for organizing such a memorable hunt, I look forward to the next one.

glad you guys had a good hunt, hope to see some pics. hope everyone made it home safely.

Glad you guys had a safe hunt - I was hoping that the summerlike warm weather wouldn't adversely affect the hunt.

Look forward to the pics!

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Sorry for the delay,

These photos are from saturday morning after Wes shot his hog. Cottonstalk Aka "bloodhound" helped us track for 4 hours though wil no avail. Though on the way back to the cabin Pasco got the jump on a couple hogs feeding on the sweet potatoe pile, they just wouldn't stay still to be shot

Sounds like everyone had a memorable hunt! It's nothing like a bunch of like minded hunters sharing a camp.

Sounds like a great time was had by all!

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Pasco with the 629

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Freedom475 with the 454 Redhawk

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Whitworth at full recoil with the 480, ringing steel at 100

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The trophy possium on the last night!

I had a Great time! Although we couldn't find my hog, we looked Hard. But I did have the opportunity to bring home the bacon.

Cottonstalk can sure follow a blood trail..(thanks Larry!) He will carry the briar marks on his arms as proof of his efforts for Months.

A possum may not be much of a trophy to many of you...but I tell you, I have never even seen a possum in my life. So to travel clear accross the country and have the chance to harvest a new species with my handgun was very exciting!. I had to laugh at myself as I got as excited to see and shoot my "Trophy Possum" as I got on my last bull elk. And I wouldn't have traded the shot for 10 whitetail bucks.

Got to shoot a few of Whit's BigBores...Wow is that 500Max a nice gun!!

I brought my 3 3/4" Lipsey Bisley and Whit proceeded to sit down and shoot the little steel dimond 4 out of his fist 6 shots with it, at 100yards! (from his knees, no bench) The Diamond shaped plate was not much bigger than a piece of typing paper, and half of it was stuck in the dirt.

Here is a few of my pics..(My camera quit working)

My Possum, shot at 50yards with my 44mag, Bisley SBHH, 270gr.GCHP hardcast over 25gr H110. Yep got full penitration..lol



The Swamps


The view from my stand.


The meat pole and our racing pigeon friend.


Last, but not least...those wicked, nasty, thorn-vine briars.

You getting that possum mounted??

Full body mount, I hope!

Looks like all had a great time. Maybe next year...

I'm sure he ate it...Southern way...shoot it--eat it. (VBG)

Save for the fact that he's not a souterner! LOL!

I loved your post and congratulations on the "Trophy Possum". Great shot for sure.

You guys had a great hunt with the camaraderie that is the best thing about a hunt IMHO

Congratulations to all!!!!

This was a great hunt, I am sorry more members were unable to make it.

Though as said by Whit I had 2 hogs come in and I shot three times with no contact, 40 yards or so, my rear sight got screwed up pretty good, goes to show even somthing like iron sights are not bullet proof. Well it means I need a holster for 7x leather!, Wes put together a great sling for my little carbine in 44 mag,and it is outstanding, will take some photos and post them up.

I also sought revenge on a possum,50 yards through the shoulders with a 300 gr hardcast... thanks to Whits Bisley hunter!

Perfect....

Hey Seasons, Did you get complete penetration???

Jame's I got poor penetration, I think it was one of those bullet proof possums,

Maybe it was the jacketed expanding bullets.

Have y'all evolved that far yet?

Evolved or devolved??


Hahahahaha!

I prefer 240gr magnus BBSWC for possums. Gets it done!

If you touch 'em with any .44 mag bullet, they are done!

Seasons, How do you feel now that you`ve handgunned your possum??

I gotta make that trip next yr! Congrats on the possum! HAHA!

I am not sure I understand the question James,

I don't feel any diffrent just have more knowledge for my next hunt, like with any other weapon field experance is what I bring back.

Seasons, How do you feel now that you handgunned your first animal????

James,
Been crazy busy sorry for the delay, I don't consider I took my first handgunned animal, Should have been a hog but sh%^ happens, I look foward to the next hunt, and enoyed the time with fellow members!

Enlighten me....

Not to be dicks but enlighten what? I shot a possum and don't consider it a trophy. I missed my hogs due to a sight malfunction which mean my rear sight was F$%^&* and I missed my hogs. ( I don't have a photo)

I decided to pursue game with a handgun due to the challenge and don't feel that if I come home empty handed that the hunt was a loss. I feel every hunt good or bad I learn to take home valuable field experience, but in this case I left with friendships and hunting bonds formed for life.

I believe there are two types of hunters and will compare them to people who fish…a person who fishes all day and catches nothing and gets pissed at the river and the fisherman who fishes all day and catches nothing and asks himself what can and will I change for next time.....

A true hunt is not a guaranty kill. The fellow ship and the time spent in the woods in pursuit of the quarry is priceless and a trophy of memories that far out weigh any animal taken IMHO

Seasons44 you did good!!

Seasons,All I asked was if this possum was first animal you killed with a handgun. Yes or no???

I see where this is going. I know, for the same money I too could have arranged for something closer to a guarantee, but for me at least -- and the guys I shared camp with across the board, that isn't the point at all. This spot forces you to actually hunt. You may or may not be successful, but that to me is where the satisfaction lies. To me it is more than just making a kill. There are plenty of places where I can go for free where I can pretty much be guaranteed a kill. Not much challenge in that but it would probably suit my purposes better than having to work for it every time and again running the risk of walking away without a kill. Often times I need to test something for publication and it is nice to have some animal to show for, but I would still rather work for it. Call me crazy.

To answer your question, I believe it was his first handgun kill, but so what. He has a deep bow hunting background, but most importantly he is hooked on handgun hunting now and I for one am happy to see some new blood in this game of ours, with some real enthusiasm and energy to put the hours in to hopefully make a successful hunt.

Whitworth, What the heck are you talking about?? Are things that far gone where I can`t ask someone about their hunt history?? If that was seasons first animal ...fine. If it was`ent..thats OK also. He just never answered that way. And if you are reading something else from this post thats your problem because anyone can see I just expected an answer and thats all.
PS if my asking questions makes me a bad person then so be it...

James, I think you knew the answer to the question.


There is no reason to turn this thread into a pissing contest. Everyone who attended this hunt, had a great time and have indicated they would do it again in a heartbeat.

I'm not reading anything into these posts. My point was that hunting experience counts even if you don't necessarily "bring home the bacon" -- sorry for the pun, I couldn't resist.

I like toast. It's even better with eggs and bacon. Sometimes I like cereal. Other times I like oatmeal. But oatmeal is like cereal but hot so it makes sense that I would like it I guess. I also like pancakes. But not cold pancakes. That's gross. I get my underwear from Kmart. 400 oak street, Cincinatti, OH. Mine have my name in them. These are definitely not my underwear!


Now that all is happy again and I've made everyone think I'm crazy, I do have a simple question......what was the sight malfunction that I keep seeing mentioned. As someone with a "few" smiths laying around that i hunt with and also someone that HATES surprises, what gave up the ghost in the rear sight. Never had any issues with them personally so I was curious what to be on lookout for. Mechanical issue or a user mishap (dropped gun, etc)?

Thanks!

Glenn, I'll put up a picture. The rear rear blade was folded all the way down.