Hog Hunt

01/16/2010, Saturday: Our first organized hog hunt was a unique experience for all. Us older folks found out that this hog hunting with dogs is a young man's sport. We had six experienced hog hunters come down from the Sumter, SC area to conduct the hunt for us thanks to BoMont. Upon arrival at the clubhouse and after we had all introduced ourselves, I took the leader of the group over to an aerial map of our club and showed him the areas we had been seeing hog activity, explained that we were experienced dog hunters for deer, but, knew nothing about hunting hogs with dogs, that I had instructed our members to bring shotguns with buckshot only! He immediately ask that we leave our guns in the truck, that they did not use anything but a knife to kill the hogs. Once the dogs bayed the hog, they would run in and stab it with a knife! That's when I noticed each one of them was wearing at least two sheath knives. I immediately informed him that this ole grey headed man would not be taking part in tackling a wild hog with a knife, however, I was sure some of my younger members would. We determined who wanted to try their hand at it and he gave them a few instructions. When they began unloading their dogs, they were some of the biggest, meanest looking Bulldogs, Bulldog Crosses, I have ever seen. Each dog was equipped with a GPS tracking collar and wearing a Kelvar Vest for protection. We were warned that we should not attempt to catch the dogs for fear we would loose a hand in the process. No worry, they can catch them. They put two of these dogs in B.J., our Hunmaster's two section dog box, one to the side and they were cramped. This box will hold three hounds per side with room to move. We proceeded to the Snake Island area of the club and released the dogs, which unlike deer hounds, do not bark on trail, so, they track the dogs via GPS, following them on 4-wheelers and on foot. If you are not physically fit and run through the woods behind the dogs, you simply do not see or hear anything and it is impossible to keep up with what is happening. For old timer truck warriors it was kind of boring, however, for the young participants who got into the thick of things, it was fast, furious and exciting. We broke for lunch around 1:00 pm, and enjoyed Charcoaled Ribeye Steaks courtesy of "Jeremy", Club Chaplin who took time from the hunt to prepare the meal. After lunch, the Hog Hunters, accompanied by our younger members proceeded to another tract, this time in the river swamp, to finish out the day! I would like to thank the guys from Sumter, SC for coming all this way, providing the dogs (which by the way are valued at around $4,000.00 each) and putting on this hunt for us. A good time was had by all, even us Old F&#&'s that stayed at our trucks.

2009 SEASON

The 2009 Season, while unusually wet, was all in all, a good year with our harvest averaging just over two deer per member with several of them wall hangers. This was the third year of our minimum antler spread restrictions and we already see a marked improvement in the mast, spread and height of our antlered buck. While no one got a clear shot at one of the 12 pointers, several were sighted, so, as the old saying goes, "there's hope for next season, cause, they are only going to get bigger"!!!

Congratulations go to a father and son team this year for the big buck contest:
a. Dad, "Jimmy" gets the trophy for "Big Buck" for the first time.
b. His 11 year old son, "Justin" will take home the "Youth Big Buck" trophy for the second year in a row.
c. Trophy for "Most Missed Shots" was earned for the second year in a row by "Dutch", our Assistant Huntmaster. Don't tell him, but, the guys bent his gun barrel!
Trophies will be awarded at our upcoming annual "Family Day" to be held at the clubhouse. Date to be announced in the near future.

Congratulations go to "Jason" who took his "First Buck" this season. Jason recently moved into our area from Boston, MA.. I don't know for sure, but, I have it from fairly reliable sources that when Jason arrived home in the evening with his deer head in tow and his face still painted from passing through the "Olyphic First Buck Ritual" he ended up having to hunt a new girlfriend as well!

Newspaper recognition was fairly heavy this year for several of our members who harvested bucks with significant photogenic qualities.

Introduction

Hi, My name is Jim. I am President of Olyphic Hunting Club, located in Southeastern Columbus County, North Carolina. We are only minutes away from the beaches of Northeastern South Carolina and Southeastern North Carolina. We are within easy driving distance of Myrtle Beach, North Myrtle Beach, Conway, Loris, Aynor and Mullins, SC, as well as, Wilmington, Shallotte, Calabash, Tabor City and Whiteville, NC. We consist of 5700+ acres of prime deer producing plantation pine timberland and offer for our members enjoyment, both, dog hunting and individual protected area stand hunting blocks, herd management, clubhouse with kitchen, central heat & air, an alcohol & drug free environment that is kid friendly. Spouse and Kids (with certain restrictions) hunt free with member.

2010 Hunting Season Membership Applications now being accepted. With only a limited number available, they will go fairly rapidly, so, give us a holler and get the poop on how you can hunt with the best club around in 2010. Two type memberships available;
(1) Non-Equity Membership Annual Fee is $1,500.00. Member is responsible for stand erection, maintenance, baiting & individual food plot, as well as, required to participate in scheduled club work days in the off season.
(2) Executive Membership Annual Fee is $3,000.00: You simply show up, hunt and or take part in club activities and go home. We take care of all the work.
NOTE: For me to respond to you with information, I will need your name, mail street address, e-mail address and telephone number with area code.