18 AHEA members, instructors, and friends began to arrive at the Southern Sportsman Lodge for the second annual AHEA hog hunt on Lowndes Management Area before lunch to get settled for their hunt. Skies were sunny with temps in the low 50’s. During lunch while eating and socializing, everyone was thinking of their hunting area they would try.

That afternoon we saw hunters checking various locations for fresh tracks, wallows, and rooting because feral swine are constantly on the move and can change locations daily. Others hunted green fields, oak stands, or palmettos swamps. Day one came to an end with only one being seen and no bacon for anyone.

At supper and after, as friends and hunters, we all exchanged stories, strategies, and plans for the next morning. The weather predication was temps. At 41 degrees, rain/snow and winds out of the N.E. gusting 10-25 mph. As hunters we learn to cope with mother nature’s good and bad. All were prepared for the dramatic climate change.

As if Christmas, at 4 A.M. the lodge came alive with alarm clocks ringing, footsteps, everyone talking, along with the delicious smell of breakfast. Just what a hunter needs is a full belly before going on the hunt and we all had no problem with that. Less than an hour later the lodge was vacant with hunters seeking their favorite hunting areas. Where were the pigs going to be today with this rain? Would their routine change to help the hunter?

Me and my 2 hunting amigos spent all morning checking out 4 different locations for any fresh signs. Two miles from were we parked ( by management area rules) finally we found an area that showed fresh tracks, rooting, wallows, and beds. Beds, yes, feral pigs do make beds out of the palmettos during cold and wet conditions. The rain and wind continued. We would return to this area this afternoon, and hunt in 3 different locations but we had to place our stand according to the wind. It had to be in our face. You must be downwind from the approaching animal. Feral swine have an exceptional sense of smell. It was now noon, hungry, and time to return for lunch.

As hunters we ate quickly to return to our hunting hoping to be in the right place at the right time. Of course, Josh, Kirby, and I returned where we’d see all the fresh signs earlier that morning. It’s misting rain and wind @ 15 mph. Everything is wet. Hearing is no good. It becomes a sight hunting situation. Suddenly I hear 3 or 4 in the palmettos headed toward me and the road. For some reason they decide to retreat for where they came from. Why didn’t they cross the road as usual ? I was down wind. What did I do wrong. Nothing. It wasn’t my time. Minutes later I hear 3 shots ring out over the swamp hundreds of yards away. Was it Kirby or Josh whom shot? Did they kill one? Minutes of wondering and finally Josh and Kirby come up to inform me that Kirby has killed a big pig and heard 4 or 5 more. We retrieved the animal at dark. I knew others would be worried so I called Marisa ( she had come to meet everyone and eat supper with us all) to tell her we’d killed a pig, were safe and headed back to the lodge. Kirby’s boar weighed 265 pounds. Plenty of meat for the freezer. I had come to one conclusion. They pigs were moving the first 2 hours of daylight and an hour before dark or safe shooting light

After returning safely, we all ate a fabulous supper and told each other of our days hunting experiences. We also find out that Bill Ott also shot one down and after hours of tracking never recovered the animal. Many went outside to take pictures of Kirby’s pig and asked where it was killed and to find out on property that had seen little or no hunting pressure. We’d return there in the morning before daylight. After a long day we all turned in early to get a good night’s sleep. We’d all get up early for the last days hunt. Wednesday’s weather forecast: no wind and mid 50’s for the high. A dramatic change from the previous day

That morning everyone was quick to eat and exit for the morning hunt. Under the cover of darkness I arrived at my location from the previous day. I must hurry because daylight will be fast approaching. We all 3 split up hunting new stands. I would go back to where Kirby shot his the day before. I arrived at daylight placing my chair in the edge of the palmettos off the roadside. From there I could see the roadway, left and right, and was facing a large green field in front of me. Suddenly 5 minutes I look into the Greenfield and 5 hogs are at full blast running across it. I settle on the big one ( 200 plus) in front and shot at him twice but he never flinches and he‘s still running. Instinctively I pull off him to shoot at a second hog in the middle of the group and drop him in his tracks. In a matter of seconds it was over. They were gone all except the one I had killed in the green field. My heart was pounding and I was shaking all over. I sat there thinking what had just happened. How did I miss that one in front? I look down the roadway and 100 yards to my right, there’s the big lead pig lying face down in the road. I did kill him. I walk to the pig in the Greenfield to check him out. Yeah, he’s dead. Time to check on the other. I walk to the roadway and the other one was GONE. Warning: pigs do play possum. When Kirby and Josh arrived we began tracking his blood trail. After 2 hours and 150 hundred yards later, he had gone straight to a large creek. Whether he swam and crossed it successfully or drown, we’ll never know. Barry’s boar weighed 164 pounds.

The second annual AHEA hog hunt was a success. Several pigs were taken and we all got to spend quality time with each other outside a classroom environment as a social event.

We want to thank Dave Lyon and Southern Sportsman Lodge for their hospitality and allowing this event to take place there. We also want to thank Ruthie, Shelia, And Jean for their fabulous southern cooking. Thanks ladies for some great home cooked meals. You really know how to cook.

The lodge has already been reserved for next year so make your plans to attend now. It will accommodate 40 people and also is handicapped accessible.

We would like to thank the following posse: Mike Turok, Sam Liburdi, Carl Flemons, Joe Waldorff, Bill Ott, Bill Kerlin, Hal Swartz, Nelson Bush, Gary Hoover, Butch Intravartolo, Evan Fuqua, Richard Bradford, Rocky Cunningham, Barry Hagan, Carl Hottel, Roger Grider, Josh Bullard, Kirby Galimore, and Maris Lee.

Forever Wild has recently acquired some acres on Lowndes Management Area insuring land for future use of hunters and outdoor enthusiasts alike. Contact your local State Representative or Senator and tell them to PROTECT AND REAUTHORIZE FOREVER WILD.