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I own several deer rifles, what cal. would be best for hogs?
Most 30 cal. rifles are fine. Anything smaller will not allow room for human error. Stay away from highly expandable bullets. You need to use something thats going to have weight retention for adequate penetration. A quality light gathering scope will be a big plus. Hogs feed late in the evening so be prepared to shoot in low light. Slug guns are good for hunting hogs although most I've seen had sub-standard scopes. The most important factor is bullet placement. Bullet caliber is of little importance with proper bullet placement. Trigger time at the range will improve your success in the field.
How long of a shot should I be prepared to make rifle hunting for hogs?
Most all shots are under 100 yards. I have several stand locations that offer shots up to 300 yards. Keep in mind most of the activity is late evening in low light. This is the reason most bait sites are only 50 yards from the stand. Chances are, when you shoot , you couldn't see 100 yards anyway.
My wife doesn't hunt, can she sit a stand with me? If she decides not to, whats there to do?
Yes, we welcome non-hunting guest. I have over forty stand set ups I use. Many of these stands have plenty of room for two, several of my shooting houses are 6' by 8' "family size" huts. The majority of the large stands have tops. The exception would be the bow stands,most all bow stands are single hunter stands. Guest that aren't hunting can all ways fish one of several stocked ponds on the property. A world class zoo, museums, shoping, dineing and night clubs are less than an our from camp. Charleston S.C. is a great place for a day trip before or after your hunt. It"s an old historical town a little over an hour away, a must see for history buffs.
Are your hog hunts suitable for first time hunters?
Yes, we have introduced countless youngsters and first time adults to the great sport of hunting. We will be happy to lend a hand at our range, and hunt with you.
What's the best time of the year to hunt hogs and rams.?
Both species offer great year around hunting. Hogs have a full coat of wool in the winter that looks good mounted. The animals also move more in cold weather. Jan-Apr. the hogs are under constant hunting pressure and tend to get skittish, moving mostly at night.
When do we go to our stands and how long do we hunt?
We encourage guests to spend as much time in the stand as they can. Morning hunts start before first light and hunters are picked up 3--3-1/2 hrs. later. Mid-day hunts are just that and last 2-3 hrs..Guest head in for the evening hunt about 4 hrs. before dark and are picked up well after last light. Guest that like to sit all day can, let us know before hand so we can have you a bagged lunch and a 2-way radio. We usually work things out where each guest is comfortable with the hunt. The one thing you do not do is leave your stand.
When is the prime time to kill a trophy buck?
Deer season opens Aug. 15th. Guest that are looking to get a trophy in full velvet should book their dates before Sept. We kill quality bucks all season. Our pre-rut gets going by Oct. 1st with the rut peaking in last ten days of the month. Post-rut last on thru Nov. Any time around the rut is very productive.
What's the nearest airport to the lodge?
Columbia Metro. in Columbia S.C.is serviced by most airlines and we can arrange transportation to the lodge. If you plan on renting a car (you don't need to) you can normally fly into Charlotte N.C.for a lower rate. Charlotte is 1-1/2hrs. from the lodge.
The info-pac says meals included. What can I expect?
Unlike many places you may have visited the Buck and Boar expects you to eat the way you like. Before sunrise there is coffee,milk,juice,tea,fruit,cereal,toast,pastry etc..After the morning hunt we serve a full breakfast of meat,eggs,grits,bread and sometimes potatoes or pancakes or omelettes and now and then shrimp & gravy on the grits. Get the picture? There is always sandwich meat and all that goes with it along with snack cakes, tea,coffee and bottled water in the kitchen. Make yourself at home in the kitchen if you need something. Any time before the hunt grab a bottle of water and a snack for later. After the evening hunt supper is on. We usually do meat on the grill,bread,rice or potatoes, assorted vegetables and some sort of dessert. Any leftovers will be down in the kitchen if you need to graze on something later. Now this is not a menu just a description of what to expect. Many days we make it up as we go. Sort of kill it and grill it if you will. Any special dietary requirements you have we can work with if, and only if, you let us know in advance. Meals are provided the days you are hunting. Night before and morning after your hunt is on you.
Are guests permitted to consume alcoholic beverages?
Yes, adult beverages may be consumed after the last hunt of the day. Any guest under the influence of any drug (alcohol inc). will not hunt and will not be due any refund. We like to see you enjoy yourself and have a great time. Drink as much as you wish after hours. Don't let it have a negative effect on any one else and it's all good.
Do I need a hunting license?
Yes, a S.C. hunting license is required to hunt the Buck and Boar. Deer hunters need a big game permit in addition to a regular hunting license. A big game stamp is NOT required to hog hunt. You should purchase your license in advance and have it when you arrive. A 3-day non-resident permit is $40.00; a 10-day is $75.00. Non- res. big-game stamp is $100.00 . Purchase your license by phone . S.C.D.N.R.- 866-714-3611 or click on WWW.dnr.sc.gov
Why do you charge a trophy fee for a wounded animal that we can not find?
Wounded animals seldom survive, most that do are unable to compete for food and remain under weight and poor never returning to trophy status. So if you wound an animal you have taken that animal from us and therefore owe compensation. Believe me when I say we try to avoid this situation as much as anyone. Every reasonable effort will be made to recover the animal. Please understand your not hunting unwanted feral pigs off of some ones deer lease. Most landowners regard them as long legged rats. European hogs bring much more on the hoof than I charge for a hunt. Please take only ethical low risks shots
Should I bring along my favorite climbing stand?
It won't hurt to throw it in the truck. We may or may not utilize it. We have an assortment of climbers but I prefer letting you use the one your familiar with. Most guest that use climbers are bow hunters.
How many guests would it take to reserve the entire lodge?
We require eight paying hunters to get exclusive use of the lodge. Twelve hunters get the entire Buck and Boar, lodge ,cabin and all in between.
What's the difference between a Russian boar and a European boar?
The term Russian boar is commonly accepted but there is no such critter.Some feral swine have European ancestors that were brought to America and released by Spanish explorers to free range and serve as a source of meat.(most all swine breeds have European ancestry but thats another story). Most feral swine populations are a cocktail of domestic lines that rooted their way out of hog pens to thrive in the swamp.Feral hogs in some areas still display a hint of European traits.Contributing to this are several documented European releases over the last 100yrs..One of these releases consisted of European hogs brought from Russia. To the best of my knowledge this is how the term Russian became a slange word for a feral hog that still displays some European traits.
Am I guarenteed a kill?
No, we sell a hunt not an animal. I wish I could guarantee every client a kill. I live to see people kill the trophy of their dreams. I will guarantee you'll hunt an area thats holding mature hogs, over a bait site that's visited by mature hogs. Helping you achieve your harvest goals are our number one priority. The reality of it is there are many variables we do not control. I can do everything right, the hunter can do everything right and things can still go wrong. Thats hunting. An outfitter that guarantees a kill is controlling all the variables, setting you up, we call it canned hunting. A farm raised hog is released from a cage for dogs to bay-up, or for a hunter to stalk and kill, never knowing he just carefully and quietly eased up on a hog that he couldn't have made run off if he stomped right up to it. So be careful of an outfit that guarantees a kill. On the other hand, if thats what you're looking for, It's not hard to find you just wont find it here. I see nothing at all wrong with it, just don't confuse it with hunting.
How physically demanding are your hunts. Can I have a good hunt if I'm disabled?
We can tailor a hunting package thats within most any ones physical limitations. Spot-n-stalk hunting requires a lot of slow walking. You will walk most of the day but it's nothing fast paced. Stand hunting on the other hand can be as easy as we need to make it. We have ground blinds with room for two or more. Most blinds can be accessed with one of our ATVs or trucks requiring little or no walking at all. We are committed to making your hunt enjoyable. Let us know if your physically challenged when you book so we can plan your hunt accordingly.
If I hunt with my bow what will my average shot be?
Bow hunters will hunt from stands set up for bow hunting. The Buck and Boar staff are bow hunters so we know what you need in a stand set-up. Your bait will be within 20 yds. of your stand. If your patient you should get a shot over the bait. Stalk hunting with a bow is another story. If you are not holding a three inch group at forty yards every time you pull, it will be a long day.
Do I have to find a taxidermist back home or can I have my trophy mounted by someone you know?
You can do either. If you have a taxidermist at home we will pack the cape on ice for the trip home. We can put you in contact with a local taxidermist. All details concerning the mount are between you and him. We can store the cape if it is to be picked up to mount. We do not endorse any of these businesses.
What type of tackle do we need to fish the ponds around the lodge?
Light-medium tackle hooked up with some zoom worms, a shad rap, and a little luck can produce bass up to 10 lbs,
The catfish in the pond (blues and flatheads) get as big as 30 lbs., so bring the big stuff!
How far is a store from the lodge ?
Wal-mart and Sportsmans Warehouse are located 30 mi. west of the lodge.
Do you offer a less expensive "meat hog" hunt?
No. The trophy fee on any hog is $400.00 each. You are welcome to harvest a sow or boar but the cost is the same. Our hogs are one of four lines of Eurasian swine. We host a herd with genetics that rival any breeders stock. Any surplus sows, sholts or gilts are trapped and sold to breeders. Many bring more than our trophy fee! The cheap meat hog hunts are offered by outfitters who are hunting nuisance feral pigs. The land is typically managed for deer and the pigs are heavily hunted to control the population. There is no management program for trophy boar and the harvest is not limited. That is the reason few trophy animals are harvested on these ranches.
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