Gentlemen, the outfitter needs to know precisely how many are coming to the group hunt in January. Please contact me and we all need to send out deposits in if we haven't yet.

BTT

Please contact me. We will lose this slot if we don't respond.

Max, where are you planning on going and for what? Any idea of the cost?
STeve

Hi Steve. We are going to Hog Heaven Outfitters of Johnston County, North Carolina I believe the second week of January (the details are in another thread somewhere in this forum). The hunt is three nights, the limit is two hogs, and the cost is $700.00 all inclusive (meals, lodging, etc.). It a free ranging hunt, so there are no guarantees, but I can guarantee a good time!

Thanx but, already filled that one with a hunt in Vermont for Russian with Wild Hill back in '05, I believe it was. Best of luck with rhis endevor.

Steve

Thank you, Steve!

Nice hog you got there!

BTT

I appologise for not getting back to you but unfortunately I will not be able to make it this year. I was really looking forward to it but it will have to wait another time.
Mike

Not a problem, Mike.

Whit, just learned will be doing new product training that week and will not be able to attend. Hope ya'll have a great time!

I am all in, Come on guys gonna be a great hunt, who's coming!

Glad you're coming, Matt!

BTT

Hello Max, I know I'm doing this last minute, but I am right in the middle of a major remodle of my home as well as a pending knee surgery, but it looks like I can make this hunt. I left a voicemail with the outfitter, but maybe you can tell me the closest major airport I can fly into. I'll probably fly in Wed. afternoon, and I need to know if they can pick me up at the airport.
Look forward to hunting with the group, Rich

Wow, Pasco! That is awesome! Looking forward to hunting with you!

What is the closest large airport I can fly into?

Hey Pasco,

After looking at the map I think Raleigh maybe your best best, Hog Heaven is off of exit 93 and about 30 mins or so if I remember correctly.

and being a major airport maybe easier to find flights

Yup, just confirmed that RDI is the airport to use and that it is about a 45 minute drive from the hunting grounds.

BTT, Hey guys do we have a total head count for January, need to so I know how much chili and corn bread to make

Pasco -- Milt Turnage, owner of Hog Heaven, asked that you email him at: hogheavenoutfitters@gmail.com

He is having trouble with the voicemail of his cell phone.

Excellent!! Very much look forward to your cooking!

I'm in,
just working out the details with Milt, gonna try to get there a few days early to get the most out of the cross-country flight.
If anyone else wants to join me, that would be great.

BTT,

hope you guys have some luck and a lot of fun.

Would be fun to meet a bunch of the members, but alas, it will not happen this year for me. Good luck!

This sounds like too much fun...I think I'll get a plain ticket and join you guys...I sent a couple PM's

Awesome!! Wes, I will call you in the morning!

Glad you are coming out Wes!

So how many are we total??

If I had any use for pork I'd be there. Sounds like fun but I don't eat the critters.

I don't eat hay either, but I make sure to remove this years crop from the fields so next years crop has a place to grow

BTT,

Alright Guys so I went back and looked at the posts, Is this list right for who is coming?

SBHunter
Pamlicomike
SCHunter
SSphunter
Pasco
Freedom475

Per my PM's with Whit, I'm coming for a day to meet, greet, and eat with the attendees. Between being able hunt hogs 15 minutes from the house on my property, and heading to Texas the week prior for the end of deer season, a night is all I can swing...

And we're looking very much forward to it!

+1

Wish I was going

You can!

I have to hit the SHOT show in January then a hog hunt early Feb. I think my "kitchen passes" have been used up already. LOL!

As much as I've been looking forward to this, I'm afraid it's a no go for me this year. Do to lack of sales the last few months extra money just isn't there.

Wish you guys the best of luck and hope you all handgun some good pigs....

How was your hunt??

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.

Hey James, don't make me beat you with my LBT -- LOL!!

It was great talking to you as always, James!

Whit, This noggin of mine has taken plenty of knocks and I don`t need a LBT added to the list...Have mercy...

Look forward to the pic Whit. Sounds like a weird deal, don't know that I e ever seen that. That damn Murphy

I would like to add one little thing. Y'all were talking about the guaranteed kill thing earlier. Having taken a substantial amount of pigs in my lifetime, 98% of them in my younger days and always in the riverbottoms and swamps near my hometown in MS, I've personally found that some of my most challenging hunts were on a "guaranteed" preserve in the past few years while wanting to test new bullets or guns. I've left many times kicking horse turds as Sixshot would say and so have my buddies. So the guarantee is usually not for sure in a lot of those spots. I'm sure you could sit by a feeder or whatever and do well but slipping through the trees and bottoms looking can leave you hot miserable and happy all the same. Not all preserves are equal. Depending on terrain, weather etc, they can beat you down. I enjoy just getting together with buddies and having a good time. The pigs are just icing on the cake. You need to know one thing before you go to a place like that. The hunt is what YOU make of it in my opinion. Wild hogs are great. I've killed them with everything from 22 pistols to 22 rifles to bows, knives and our favorite big bores. Mainly, it was because it was what I had with me when I saw them. Memorable ones were with Glock 19 and glock 21. Back then, I was out a lot and had a lot of time to find them. Now days, time is a premium and very short so preserves are a good way to spend time with buddies and test new toys etc. for a beginner in this new venture of handgun hunting, I would say they would offer a chance to garner confidence in your weapon. Nothing like watching that first one buckle when a big slug finds its mark. All I'm saying in a very LONG way is don't poopoo them off. There is a lot you can learn from just going and having a good time. It's just pigs, not a record book moose or something

whatever you do, just have fun!

Glenn, I have lived in many parts of the south where the hog populations are prolific and have killed more than my share. Eventually most of the US will have a wild hog problem -- there are two kinds of places: Places with wild hogs and places that will have wild hogs! When I was an editor at Boar Hunter magazine, that's almost all I hunted year 'round. You are right, not all preserves are created equally. One of the toughest "hunts" I had was on a rather small preserve. The animals were under a lot of pressure and spooky as a result. Unlike most wild hogs, they were silent and just kind of showed up like deer. That said, I knew I would eventually catch up with them as there were physical boundaries prevent them from going too far. I love a challenge, but again, all preserves aren't created equally as you pointed out. For me, a preserve is actually better for my purposes as I have to test for editorial. But again, I really like challenges and sometimes you strike out as there are many factors affecting hog movement and when they aren't penned in, you may or may not have success. Just a fact of life and hunting.

No doubt about the places that have and WILL have. They will not let people shoot them here as of a few years ago. I don't know if they have changed that yet as I think most farmer will follow the 3S rule and just rid themselves of what they see but even that will only go so far. They are very prolific animals. Two of my favorite places to go with buddies are about 3-400 acres in size covered in trees or thick underbrush. One thing I do know about them is that if they don't want you to see them, then you won't

Sometimes back home, you could hear them but just never see them. Grunting and popping jaws but no pigs, always was a pain in the butt but that was mainly when it was very windy and cold. The cool trips were when they'd bring out the dogs all suited up in Kevlar and you actually "catch" the pigs without killing them. Want to hear one grunt and squeal? They don't like being relocated. Biggest trouble in bringing out dogs was that you didn't want some yahoo with you that may pop your dog so they didn't get to go when the dogs were coming

I've said it before....I LOVE SHOOTING PIGS! Don't know why but as I've gotten older, the deer and such just almost make me feel bad to shoot but the Pigs, I dislike them so much do to the destruction that they used to do on the properties back home that I still hold a vengence for them and love to trip the trigger....HAHA

GS

BAck on the subject of adjustable rear sights. I have seen them damaged and or out of adjustment before. That is why the old timers preferred a fixed sighted handgun for personal defense. Adjustable sights have gotten better over time yet while rare damage can and does happen

As promised, and sorry it took so long -- here is Seasons44's 629 rear sight:

Dang... yeah that would suck to take it out of the case and see that on a hunt

OK...now I see....thats why he used your Bisley to handgun his first animal. Damm shame when those rear sights when they break like that....

His holster has the sights exposed and he obviously bumped into something.

I was wondering if feral hogs will ever make it to New England( Connecticut,Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine) ?

Probably -- they adapt really well!

I think it was last year they had reports of feral pigs in south jersey and parts of western NY, so its only a matter of time

Are you sure it wasn't democrats that were sighted?

That comment probably just offended the hogs.

Hahaha!!

Inferior gun leather..

(I couldn't resist)

But you would be correct in my estimation.......poor design, definitely.

Hell, you are both RIGHT, Don't get use to hearing that...lol

I am working on fixing the problem of inferior gun leather

What a bummer. I had a scope break once in transit, lesson learned.

And you never expect to damage iron sights. Good thing we had backup guns -- lots of backup guns!

Haha. I know that feeling. Never hurts to have a few extras along. Seasons, have you looked at the replacement sights that Bowen sells for the smith? He makes the rough country for that gun and they are built a little thicker with opposing screws for windage. Once you set it, you pretty much act like its a fixed sight. They work well as long as you aren't jacking around with 10 different loads. Worth looking at if you haven't already.

http://www.bowenclassicarms.com/parts_store/smith_&_wesson_rough_country_adjustable_rear_sights.html

That took a pretty good lick to do. Any thoughts on how it happened.Thats why I like to transport mine when possiable in a hard case.But s$#& happens thats why you carry backups.Sounds like you guys had a darn good time.

Junebug, it doesn't look like it happened in transport. I think it happened while in the holster probably when he was wearing it.

Just goes to show that Murphy is alive and well and still doing his thing. Some people would have let this sour them on the hunt, but the savy ones understsnd that s@#$ happens and make the best of it.Expect the best,prepare for the worst,deal with it when it happens, then go on.
Still sounds like you guys had too much fun!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

We did -- we had a great time! Let me again reiterate that everyone saw hogs that could have been taken.

You're right, you need to be prepared for the worst!

Glenn, I have looked at the bowen sights, they are backordered for 3 to 4 weeks. For now I have a new blade on order.

I will post up a photo of the holster so you guys can see.

This is the "inferior gun leather"
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