HOGFEST 2005

We are organizing the First Annual Hogfest 2005 during Spring Break which is March 14 – 18, 2005. Negotiations on price are in progress with several outfitters in South Texas around the area of San Antonio, Texas. The dates look like March 17th or 18th – 20 with allowances for those heading back home on Sunday the 20th.

We have several good leads and contacts that will accommodate just about any size group and cater to their every need. Meals, cleaning and cold storage will run the price up, but larger groups get discounts.

We need to know how many hunters, any special needs, ie.- blinds, diabetic meals, night hunting/lighted feeders, spot & stalk etc. Ex., My hips are bad so I will wish to night hunt from a blind. An all levergun hunt would be great but we cannot discriminate. ;)

Let me know if you are interested in being on the e-mail list for this hunt. PLEASE E-MAIL ME WITH QUESTIONS OR REQUESTS TO BE ON THE E-MAIL LIST. I will coordinate an e-mail group list and phone numbers for those interested. I cannot answer questions on the forum but will discuss the hunt as time gets closer.

Hog hunting has become my passion. The action can fast and furious and the meat is delicious and easy to prepare. They have BIG hogs around San Antonio. :D

Dave Williams

williams.dave@sbcglobal.net

Back to the top- :D

Sounds like a great time. Wish that I was closer than NW Fla. Would really like to try my Puma 92;16";454 Casull on them big hogs. Will try to set something up, similar to what your doing,in Fla. ---GOOD SHOOTIN'---pruhdlr

pruhdlr,

It is easy to set up but just takes someone to do it. ;) You a leader? If you do get it going maybe we can hold a contest between the Southwest Hogfest and the Southeast hogfest. :p

Better time your hunt to Spring break time for your region.

E-mail me if you need any advice. I mostly hang out at Marlinowners and have 21 interested from mostly that site. If we can get just 1/3 of those interested we should have a great time of hunting and fellowship. I am trying to get some of them to bring their instruments for a campfire thing.

Dave :cool:

22 now :)

Just sent you an email.

MikeG,

It is now up to 23. The comeraderie of such a hunt is awesome. I have been on two hog hunts. The first was in 2002 in SE Oklahoma with three of my friends. They shot 5 the first night and I never even smelled a hog other than to help field dress. But what a great time. The other was in 2004 with RanchDog and Jack. We had a great time in SW Texas and I found that RD is a man's man dedicated to hunting and helping his fellow man just as is Jack. What an impression RD made on me during our hunt. This year should be equally as much fun especially if I can get some of the folks to bring their guitars etc. With just the folks I KNOW are coming it will be a great adventure for sure. Talk about stress relief!!!! I can't wait.

Dave :cool:

I would be interested in a southeast hunt! I think i have a friend who may be interested as well. I would really like to go on a midwest p-dog hunt but that is a different thread.

I would be interested in a southeast hunt! I think i have a friend who may be interested as well. I would really like to go on a midwest p-dog hunt but that is a different thread.

Let's get that p-dog shoot set up!!!!! :D :D :D

I haven't the first clue about prarie dog hunting, other than they are like groundhogs, but smaller and come in dense populations, you get to shoot them with small calibers and shoot alot! sounds like a blast!

As of now we have 30 folks including me interested. We should have this hunt pretty well solidified this week.

Dave :cool:

Anyone stepping up for a southeast hunt yet? I would really like to try hog hunting but I have no clue where to start

jb12string,

E-mail me and I will help you get started.

Dave :cool:

Folks,

The invite for those interested in Hogfest 2005 is now officially closed except for Beerswimmer if he sends me an e-mail. We think we have it pretty much narrowed down to 2-3 outfitters. I will be sending the folks on the list the choices, wait a day or two for feedback and then give dates for the deposits to be in.

Thanks to all interested parties. I am sure we will have a great time of hunting and getting to know one another not to mention some good eats.

Dave :cool:

VTDW, My main problem is there are no hogs anywhere near here, save the "game preserves" and that isn't really my style

You don't have a growing wild hog population where you live? Just wait a year or two and those rascals are bound to expand into your area! Seriously though, talk with county extension agents and game wardens to find out if and where the hogs are roaming free, and you might even find some local farmers who are willing to let you kill as many of those crop eating pigs as you can, sometimes the land owners even pay you to come out there. Ten years ago here in Texas you could still find people that considered hogs a nuisance, and I added hogs to my hunting list at no charge and with a smile on my face. Also, if these game preserves as you call them are of a decent size, consider that it is very difficult to keep truly wild (feral) hogs behind fence, so if it's fair chase you are after, such outfitters might be the place to go. Keep in mind though that many novice hunters have been fooled into thinking they've just stalked up mass quantities of hogs and then take them quite easily. All that's really happened is that their guides have walked them in circles until they are too tired to notice half hidden traps filled with hogs, that are then released conveniently right in front of them.
I think it's worth doing a little investigation and making some contacts as I staed before though, and I wish you luck. Happy hunting!
SFT, SASS#35973
Member of: B.O.L.D., T.S.R.A., & the Tejas Caballeros!
VTDW, My main problem is there are no hogs anywhere near here, save the "game preserves" and that isn't really my style

I think all the "preserves" focus mainly on Russian Boars. I have never heard anyone talk about wild hogs in Pennsylvania, I could do some checking. Seems that most of the conversation about animals that may or may not exist in the state of PA right now is mountain lions that the game commission has been releasing to control the deer. They still won't admit to releasing the moutain lions, wait till it kills someone. Has anyone here ever heard of a wild hog population in PA?

The degree of "Russian" boar in hogs as opposed to ones that have gone feral can only be determined by genetic testing, and to some degree or another, wild hogs are a mixture of both. There are outward physical features characteristics that indicate whether the hog has more of one than the other, but anyone adverstising "pure" Russian boars isn't telling the whole truth. I may draw some flames over this comment, but these are the facts as I have observed them and the conclusion derived therein. Food for thought at any rate.

Think you're right, SFT -

Don't imagine there are very many, if any, pure european boars in this country.

Sure lots of crossbred ferals, though!

Lots and lots of them! To tell you the truth, I can't tell the difference between Russian, European, or feral hog sausage no matter how much I eat, but I'll keep trying and let you guys in on the results.

russian, european, feral, I don't think there are any around here

Too bad, they are a lot of fun to hunt and good to eat to boot.
russian, european, feral, I don't think there are any around here

Too bad, they are a lot of fun to hunt and good to eat to boot.
Which is why I am hoping that Hogfest 2005 SouthEast comes about! I am excited about trying it

jb12string,

Organize one and we will have a contest between the SW and the SE. :D :D Be forewarned though, everyone knows we in the Great Southwest can shoot rings around you easteners. :D :D :D

Dave

There is another member of the board who is familiar with hog hunting the southeast who is working on one. If I remember correctly, Steelbanger held his own in BOTH postal matches this past year and he hails from my own native Pennsylvania.

Aw shucks,

I thought Steelbanger was from Texas because he shoots so well. :D :D He did more than hold his own in PM 11 for sure. Just a checkin to see if'n ya would bite but got bit ma self. :D :D

Dave :cool:

With our waning deer population here in PA we can't afford to miss

Way to go hog hunters! I expect at least a couple more to send in deposits. Below is the information the outfitter just sent me.
Dave :D


Dave Williams Group
The Ranch House
Mar 16-20, 2005

Come in Wednesday, Mar 16 after 2 PM, leave out Sun, Mar 20 by 10 AM, 11 meals with lodging furnished, 6 hunting sessions, Cook, Guide & skinner. Cold storage, extra corn, and fishing is included. 10 or more hunters the price is $525 for hunters, 6-9 hunters the price is $550 for hunters. Non hunters the price is $275 each. Housing is limited at the “Ranch House” to first 12. Deposit required is $275 each

Name Date How Amt Bal
Dave 1/30/05 PayPal $275.00 $275.00
Fred 1/31/05 PayPal $275.00 $275.00
Wm T. 2/1/05 PayPal $275.00 $275.00
Jack 2/5/05 Ck $275.00 $275.00
Wm B. 2/4/05 Ck $235.00 $235.00
Dan 2/5/05 Ck $275.00 $275.00

Note: When the group reaches 10+ the balance due will be adjusted to reflect the discount at that time.

How many are we up to now, or is this our final talley?

Way to go hog hunters! I expect at least a couple more to send in deposits. Below is the information the outfitter just sent me.
Dave :D


Dave Williams Group
The Ranch House
Mar 16-20, 2005

Come in Wednesday, Mar 16 after 2 PM, leave out Sun, Mar 20 by 10 AM, 11 meals with lodging furnished, 6 hunting sessions, Cook, Guide & skinner. Cold storage, extra corn, and fishing is included. 10 or more hunters the price is $525 for hunters, 6-9 hunters the price is $550 for hunters. Non hunters the price is $275 each. Housing is limited at the “Ranch House” to first 12. Deposit required is $275 each

Name Date How Amt Bal
Dave 1/30/05 PayPal $275.00 $275.00
Fred 1/31/05 PayPal $275.00 $275.00
Wm T. 2/1/05 PayPal $275.00 $275.00
Jack 2/5/05 Ck $275.00 $275.00
Wm B. 2/4/05 Ck $235.00 $235.00
Dan 2/5/05 Ck $275.00 $275.00

Note: When the group reaches 10+ the balance due will be adjusted to reflect the discount at that time.

One more has e-mailed me to add him to the paid list but i am waiting to hear from the outfitter to confirm.

Dave :cool:

Double cool! :)

SFT,

I had another call me at work today but I was in a meeting and they they told the secretary they would just e-mail me. I haven't heard from them yet.

UPDATED PAID LIST 2-13-05
Way to go hog hunters! I expect at least a couple more to send in deposits. Below is the information the outfitter just sent me.

Dave
Dave Williams Group
The Ranch House
Mar 16-20, 2005

Come in Wednesday, Mar 16 after 2 PM, leave out Sun, Mar 20 by 10 AM, 11 meals with lodging furnished, 6 hunting sessions, Cook, Guide & skinner. Cold storage, extra corn, and fishing is included. 10 or more hunters the price is $525 for hunters, 6-9 hunters the price is $550 for hunters. Non hunters the price is $275 each. Housing is limited at the “Ranch House” to first 12. Deposit required is $275 each

Name Date How Amt Bal
Dave 1/30/05 PayPal $275.00 $275.00
Fred 1/31/05 PayPal $275.00 $275.00
Wm T. 2/1/05 PayPal $275.00 $275.00
Jack 2/5/05 Ck $275.00 $275.00
Wm B. 2/4/05 Ck $235.00 $235.00
Dan 2/5/05 Ck $275.00 $275.00
Tom& Irena 2/7/05 Ck $550.00 $275.00


Note: When the group reaches 10+ the balance due will be adjusted to reflect the discount at that time.

All;
Some quick reminders and notes about our upcoming trip.
You must have a valid Texas hunting license to hunt hogs, even though there's no season or limit other than what the land owner may impose. If you are planning on fishing, the same is true and you must have a valid license even if it's catch and release. Person's born after a certain date (1972?) must show proof of havig taken a hunter's education and safety course before a license may be issued.
We will be hunting during the day and night, so open sights you are confident in using or a low power scope with ample light transmission are going to serve you best. The stands/blinds will be between 15 and 40 yards from the feeders, so it won't be like we're hunting deer, and a shot even approaching 100 yards is going to be improbable at best. You'll want to have well made bullets in whatever caliber you'll be shooting, and believe me when I say that a .270 or 30-06 is going to ruin a lot of meat on your hog at the distances we'll be facing, unless they are FMJ's well placed through the neck. You do NOT want to gut shoot you hog(s), and if you do, you may wind up burning your hunting clothes before we let you in the cabin again! ;) Camo is great, but smell will be numero uno hunting hogs. Cover spray, scent cover, etc., can all be picked up cheap at the local gunshop or Walmart.
If anyone will be flying into San Antonio or perhaps one of the smaller regional places and need me to pick you up, please let me know your plans and arrival times so I can plan accordingly. I live just to the North-east of SA city limits and will be driving past SA International on my way down to the ranch, and I'll be happy to pick up anything in particular from Academy, Walmart, or grocery store the day before we meet if you PM me with the EXACT item you want. I've got plenty of extra gear, and I'll most likely have three leverguns (.44, .45, & .35 Rem), plus .22's, .177 and .20 cal. air guns, and can bring 12 gauge shotguns if requested.

Ya'll take care, and have a safe trip by whatever means you take.
William aka SFT
Bull3540@yahoo.com
PS-if you are driving and want to consider AMSOIL synthetic lubes for your needs, I will quote you a price per my cost as an independant dealer and deliver it to you at the ranch or here in San Antonio if you are driving. http://www.amsoil.com/

OK HOGFEST hunters - let's see some pics posted this weekend. Hope you all had a great time.

Had a great time, although I had to leave early due to a painful back. Hopefully, we'll get some pictures up in a day or two.
OK HOGFEST hunters - let's see some pics posted this weekend. Hope you all had a great time.

Here's one picture to get ya'll started:

So, who's who?

Left to Right:

Sand Draw Jake from Wyoming
Dan from Illinois
2_Many_Marlins the great state of texas
SFT the great state of Tesxs
VTDW the Okie
Rev Buck Arkansas
Fweidner the great state of Texas
CenTex came in late so no pic also from the great state of Texas

SFT & CenTex hang here
Jake, 2_Many_Marlins, Rev Buck at Marlin Owners
Fweidner at Greybeards
VTDW here, Marlin Owners, Greybeards

That's an awfully motley lookin' crew - sure you guys were hawg huntin', or waylaying the local bank??? :confused:

Hope you had a great time and slew lots of pork! :D

And that doesn't include the folks that got there late and one our non-hunter.
Anyone get another hog after I left on Saturday?
Left to Right:

Sand Draw Jake from Wyoming
Dan from Illinois
2_Many_Marlins the great state of texas
SFT the great state of Tesxs
VTDW the Okie
Rev Buck Arkansas
Fweidner the great state of Texas
CenTex came in late so no pic also from the great state of Texas

SFT & CenTex hang here
Jake, 2_Many_Marlins, Rev Buck at Marlin Owners
Fweidner at Greybeards
VTDW here, Marlin Owners, Greybeards

Well fed, happy, and maybe a bit motley-:rolleyes:
A few hundred pounds of pork got quartered, and at this time is being prepared by our "crew", according to whichever local recipes dictate. I suspect there will be some hot links, Texas style, spicy pan sausage, hams roasted in the mid-west, even some Okie BBQ. Although I had a back pain flair up and left early, I wouldn't have traded the experience for the world!
That's an awfully motley lookin' crew - sure you guys were hawg huntin', or waylaying the local bank??? :confused:

Hope you had a great time and slew lots of pork! :D

So...

Did you fellows get any hogs?

All;
Some quick reminders and notes about our upcoming trip.
You must have a valid Texas hunting license to hunt hogs, even though there's no season or limit other than what the land owner may impose. If you are planning on fishing, the same is true and you must have a valid license even if it's catch and release. Person's born after a certain date (1972?) must show proof of havig taken a hunter's education and safety course before a license may be issued.
We will be hunting during the day and night, so open sights you are confident in using or a low power scope with ample light transmission are going to serve you best. The stands/blinds will be between 15 and 40 yards from the feeders, so it won't be like we're hunting deer, and a shot even approaching 100 yards is going to be improbable at best. You'll want to have well made bullets in whatever caliber you'll be shooting, and believe me when I say that a .270 or 30-06 is going to ruin a lot of meat on your hog at the distances we'll be facing, unless they are FMJ's well placed through the neck. You do NOT want to gut shoot you hog(s), and if you do, you may wind up burning your hunting clothes before we let you in the cabin again! ;) Camo is great, but smell will be numero uno hunting hogs. Cover spray, scent cover, etc., can all be picked up cheap at the local gunshop or Walmart.
If anyone will be flying into San Antonio or perhaps one of the smaller regional places and need me to pick you up, please let me know your plans and arrival times so I can plan accordingly. I live just to the North-east of SA city limits and will be driving past SA International on my way down to the ranch, and I'll be happy to pick up anything in particular from Academy, Walmart, or grocery store the day before we meet if you PM me with the EXACT item you want. I've got plenty of extra gear, and I'll most likely have three leverguns (.44, .45, & .35 Rem), plus .22's, .177 and .20 cal. air guns, and can bring 12 gauge shotguns if requested.

Ya'll take care, and have a safe trip by whatever means you take.
William aka SFT
Bull3540@yahoo.com
PS-if you are driving and want to consider AMSOIL synthetic lubes for your needs, I will quote you a price per my cost as an independant dealer and deliver it to you at the ranch or here in San Antonio if you are driving. http://www.amsoil.com/

Some of you guys have that " I spent the night across the border" look on your faces. Did you take a head count at "lights out"?

I think it was Dave's snoring that kept us awake; we're too old for any last minute border town pub-crawls, although I do not pretend not to know of the look to which you speak!

I think it was Dave's snoring that kept us awake; we're too old for any last minute border town pub-crawls, although I do not pretend not to know of the look to which you speak!

Those days are way behind me, too.

I know you'll love pigs.
Check out the last pictures on horn shedding. I caught two piglets playing. One spotted one is sitting on another one, and another is rolled over on his back. Kids at play!

Sow killed with Marlin 1894 CBC and Buffalo Bore 325 grain .45LC.

Nice boar and closeup.

More success!

and finally...

SFT,

I am surprised no one mistook that one dude for a hog. He is lucky he didn't get shot with a belly like that. :D

Dave :cool:

SFT,

:eek::eek::eek::eek:I am surprised no one mistook that one dude for a hog. He is lucky he didn't get shot with a belly like that. :D

Dave :cool::rolleyes:

You trying to flatter me?

How about a fall hunt..winter..anything!

How about a fall hunt..winter..anything!I've heard Hogfest 06 is being run at the same ranch in a week or two. Last week I met with a few buddies from the last trip and had a great time, took one hog myself, I believe there were 7 total between the group.

So warm at night I actually took off my boots there in the blind to I'd stay a little cooler there with just blue jeans and short sleeve t-shirt on.

Recent hog hunt at the same ranch yielded numerous hogs, more campfire tall tales, and some excellent sausage.
Maybe Dave could post some pics?