As it should be I would like to take the first of this hunting message to thank Rick and Lisa for all the hard work and time and funds spent on just having us down. He and Lisa have went over 200 miles of traveling and Lord knows how much time to set up feeders and clear hunting and shooting lanes for us to come down and hunt with them. You have to think while sitting around how much work and time went into the work done before we got there. SO if you see them or visit there hunting site, say a Thank you from us and tell them they are first class people and hosts.
Well we loaded the truck and trailer Tuesday night and got most of the things we needed loaded. We got a good early start the morning of the 8th of March. WD got here and we got a start at 4:30 in the morning. WE had good directions from Lisa and had no problem finding the points where Rick would find us and pick us up and take us on to his and Lisa’s home. We hit Douglasville Ga. About 1PM that afternoon. We called Rick and he was on the spot at the time he said he would be. Nice when it all come out the way it is suppose to!

We meet him at the local Wal-Mart where we grabbed what we would need down at the Hog Camp. We got some lunchmeats and bread and we found out latter Rick had us covered in that respect also. What can a couple of guys do for themselves when your host has done it all before we even get a decent start. He took us to his place and we helped him get all the stuff loaded for the trip. I knew we would be gaining weight when I saw all the stuff he was bringing. Have you ever had deep-fried Turkey? I am getting ahead of myself.

We arrived at the camp at about 6:15Pm EST later that evening. We did the smart thing and went and got our sleeping and eating stuffs put up in the correct places and iced down what food we brought and Rick had his stuff done and ready in no time. We got the ATV’s unloaded and got out the rifles and put some side arms on also. Rick told us the basic rules of the camp and the lines of the hunting areas we were allowed to hunt on. With that done we went over to the first place to check for Hogs. AH HA! We all stumbled upon 10 hogs in this one area. The three of us did our best to take all of them. We ended up only getting 6 of them. But we were more than happy with that catch and was one heck of a way to start out a hunt. We figured this was going to be easy as falling of the log we all think owes us one! We dragged those six over and cut there throats and let them bleed out. We decided to check the other three areas that Rick had baited for us next. We went to them and found all kinds of wear and tear on the feeders. Rick and WD did one fine job of taking care of there ole buddy. If you have ever heard of the wise tail of the time “ When Pigs Fly” Well I am here to tell you that I saw that very thing happen in camp later that night. It seems we had killed one of the Sows in the earlier killing spree in the first cut out area had for us. Well the rest may have been dry at that time but we were holding out for better things to come. Oh back to the flying pig story. As I had said one of the hogs killed was a sow and some of the smaller hogs were from her last litter I would say. And as we were sitting around as we got back from the feeders we were talking about what we were to do the next day for hunting and WD heard this noise. Things got dead quite and we listened and looked out into the darkness. All of a sudden a flash of black came screaming into camp. WD was the first to act, a fast a quick kick was all it took while I was looking for a place that may have had the closest gun WD took this time to teach that little hog a lesson in flying. Yep I saw pigs fly, WD took a world-class soccer kick at it and it took off like a Gulf Stream IV. It was a thing of beauty it took off with little effort and it only let out a scream when it came time for a landing. Ah heck it only had a four point landing what more could you ask for? I would have been proud of the kick and the landing, while I thought the pig screaming was a touch of bad taste on his part as he could have been on the meat pole and not out looking for lost friends and family. I figure he would make first class coyote bait. Time will tell on that one I guess.

The next day was a lot of scouting and looking for hog sign. We had no problem looking for and finding hog sign but finding one to put another bullet into was turning out to be the problem. Seems some one had lost a dog or dogs and they were running the packs of hogs at night and they were not to be found in the area where Rick had set up all that corn and mash. Another thing of hard work and time spent and with all the good intent but set off on a tangent by an outside force. Rick and I and WD spent most of that day trying to kick out some hogs but to all it was a futile hunt that day and night. Ah, but the food that night was a thing of beauty, it was a Turkey Breast and Rick had some spare peanut oil and a deep fryer as it turns out. Talk about good guys. That was only my second deep fried Turkey and it was as good as I remember the first one. This one may have held an edge as it was done out in the wilds without any help from Ga. Power and Light or any running water in the area. Rick outdid himself for it turned out just one of the best I can remember. Sleep that night came easy and an early day was on hand.

Or so I thought, Friday was a rain out as they would say in the baseball world, we tried more than once to mount a hunt into the wilds of Southern Ga. And all we got for our efforts was a very wet whole body wash from Mother Nature. Storms came and went all day and even later that night. But Lisa showed up and helped make a wet and wild Friday into a better day. And again Rick did himself outstanding with a Pork Roast with stuffing and mushrooms and rice as a side dish. Can you all say BURP!

Saturday was a start of a better day and things got off to a good start and WD found sign of hogs at all the feeders. But he also found sign of the dogs running off the hogs at every feeder and resting areas they had been using. Rick and he went into every valley and hillside to try and find them. Sorry guys all they got was sore feet and a bit winded from all the hill climbing. And I think a bit more hate for the dogs that were turning a good hog hunt that started great into a hunt where it may have turned into the hog and dog hunt. I did not take the one chance I had to kill one of the curs, I had not asked Rick about shooting the dogs if they got around us and it was only the 2nd night and the subject had not came up and I hated to take it upon myself to shoot some ones hound. But alas I should have asked about doing that deed if the chance arose. My fault and I took that upon myself for not asking the host. So as I end this hunt, we tried and they walked their legs off and did not quite or stop hunting when the chance arose. But as the hunt was winding down the talk was getting better and better as any good hunting camp should be on the last night. Not to be outdone Lisa had brought Strip Steaks down with her to feed the poor starving hunters. May the Good Lord Bless her for her kindness. Who would have know how starved we were but the wife of the guide slash host slash cook and camp boss. So as this hunt ends all I can say is this one was of the most fun hunts I have had in a long time and spent some time with good friends and fellow hunters and that includes Lisa, who also did her best on that Saturday to try and push some hogs out to us and maybe get a shoot for herself also? So the hunt ends and we are home safe and sound could you ask for a better Four days of friendship and hunting, I think not. I may have to spend thousands and go many a more miles to find nothing this good and nothing may ever again be the same, but this hunt will stand out for the rest of my life as one of the best. Thanks Rick and Lisa for making a memory that will last a life time and be told to many friends and hunters who will never know the kindness shown by our host and friends.

Thanks again
Mike Murphy
 

If there are any of ya that think that southern hospitality is a cliché.... you're nuts. Rick B and Red Foxy were absolutely great hosts for me and the MLM unit. I just can't say enough good things about them. We had a great time, weather was perfect, even with the rain out on Friday. Nice country, fun hunting, moving to see the Andersonville site and a couple of folks named "Dodge" there in the cemetery. (None of my direct relation by the way)

Murph more or less said it all with no liberties taken, but of course I must say that after over a year's absence of hunting together due to my work schedule and his operations.... it was sure great to be "on the road again" with my ole buddy MLM. Seeing Rick and RedFoxy was icing on the cake.

Scared as I was about that big hog attacking the camp and my having to put the leather to it to protect my ole pal Murph...... it was worth a ton of gold just to see MLM doubled up laughing again. Thanks to all of ya and Rick B and Red Foxy, give Magic and Mo double rations this eve for me.

 ;>) WD