Evening all,
I'm in the same camp as Gargoyle, just pulled off my first (unsuccessful) hog hunt at Chass today... still had a lot of fun and generated a lot of questions. I'm even in the Clearwater area as well, so roger that on the fuel expense getting up there! All good on the license, WMA permit, 12 ga & a handfull of 00 buck. Any suggestions for "critical remember to bring" gear are always welcome...
First, a few observations... with over 60 checked in at the station, I don't think anyone had a lot of success today, as the board didn't show any hogs bagged. The FWC staff at the check station were very friendly and helpful, weather was perfect. However, everywhere I went was SILENT, no hogs, no birds, not even insects. I'm guessing it's just really late in the general gun season and there's been a lot of hunting pressure on the WMA.
Got out there later than I had hoped for(8:15AM). I did see two racoons, but as that wasn't what I was hunting for, they remain unharmed. I did find ample rutting and droppings in the swampier areas, so I know they're there somewhere, but no luck. Lots of sitting still and being quiet, but little excitement.
So, questions... I figured out that the little orange ribbons lead to tree stands, what's hunter etiquette on taking a peek from one? I was tempted, but restrained as I didn't know if they were personal property or if they were part of the WMA.
Once out there, I realized if I do shoot some big piggy, I gotta have a means of hauling his pig butt out to the vehicle... maybe a blessing that I didn't shoot some 150# tusker with no way to get him out. Any suggestions there?
Also, If I had gotten the pig back to the cleaning station, what do you do with the skin head & entrails from there?
With general gun coming to a close, can you still hunt hog during the other seasons at chass? (racoon season?) Hate to think I bought the WMA permit for 1 trip...
Anyone know a good AFFORDABLE meat processor in mid pinellas?
And finally, if the group does organize a private land hunt on the cheap, I'd be way interested.
Thanks for your patience & any wisdom the group can share!
chawk
Thought i would give a new guy update. I was at GS the other day no kills but learned a lot from an old time up there. he took me for a walk about and really showed me some good stuff. We heard 2 hogs in the palmettos but never saw. We also so a nice 6 point but it was about 90 yards, 00buck couldnt get it. the rules are still confussing but I am getting there.
Hey Chawk if you want to get together some time hit me up we can split gas and hit the swamp.
Evening all,
I'm in the same camp as Gargoyle, just pulled off my first (unsuccessful) hog hunt at Chass today... still had a lot of fun and generated a lot of questions. I'm even in the Clearwater area as well, so roger that on the fuel expense getting up there! All good on the license, WMA permit, 12 ga & a handfull of 00 buck. Any suggestions for "critical remember to bring" gear are always welcome...
First, a few observations... with over 60 checked in at the station, I don't think anyone had a lot of success today, as the board didn't show any hogs bagged. The FWC staff at the check station were very friendly and helpful, weather was perfect. However, everywhere I went was SILENT, no hogs, no birds, not even insects. I'm guessing it's just really late in the general gun season and there's been a lot of hunting pressure on the WMA.
Got out there later than I had hoped for(8:15AM). I did see two racoons, but as that wasn't what I was hunting for, they remain unharmed. I did find ample rutting and droppings in the swampier areas, so I know they're there somewhere, but no luck. Lots of sitting still and being quiet, but little excitement.
So, questions... I figured out that the little orange ribbons lead to tree stands, what's hunter etiquette on taking a peek from one? I was tempted, but restrained as I didn't know if they were personal property or if they were part of the WMA. This has been debated forever. My personal opinion is NO, Don't sit in someone else's stand. However, I also feel stands should not be left up at all. They should be taken down if not presently using them.
Once out there, I realized if I do shoot some big piggy, I gotta have a means of hauling his pig butt out to the vehicle... maybe a blessing that I didn't shoot some 150# tusker with no way to get him out. Any suggestions there? Game Cart. You can get one just like I have at Dick'ss Sporting goods for less than $70. Worth their weight in gold
Also, If I had gotten the pig back to the cleaning station, what do you do with the skin head & entrails from there?Bury them I guess? A lot of check stations have a designated dumping spot. Buzzards gotta eat tooWith general gun coming to a close, can you still hunt hog during the other seasons at chass? (racoon season?) Hate to think I bought the WMA permit for 1 trip... Look at the small game season on the brochure and see if hogs are legal
Anyone know a good AFFORDABLE meat processor in mid pinellas? Not sure of Pinellas, but I know of a couple in Tampa
And finally, if the group does organize a private land hunt on the cheap, I'd be way interested.
Thanks for your patience & any wisdom the group can share!
chawk
hey Chalk I feel your pain Bro, I was a few miles up the road and hunted from am dark to just after noon and 5 min after I headed out, to leave I hear shots very close to where I was, a guy got a 60# sow. about hauling out game, ask the guy at the check in, some places have a game cart you can borrow, but you will have to come back and get it when needed, (hopefully the animal will still be there un-molested when you get back). what I do ,cuz of bad back is to set a distance/terrain limit on myself as to how far in I will shoot something, no sense in killing something you can't get out or having a heart attack over.
