Oh how the best laid and executed plans never go the way you want them to.
That was the case Friday evening as we tried to find a group of Marines a hog
for cooking. These 13 men are being deployed in 2 months and will be away for
eight to nine months. All of them are pilots from the United States Marine Corps
and wanted to go on a hunt before their departure. Bud and I (Anthony) awaited
their arrival Friday afternoon and were to meet up with Brian and Jody closer to
dark. We knew that we were in for a treat when they asked if spears could be
used. Reluctantly we agreed not knowing what to expect. Twelve of the guys showed
up with homemade spears constructed out of almost anything imaginable. There
was one made from a shovel, discarded car parts, a tiki torch stake, a samurai
sword, and a few knives tethered to a handle. I am still not sure if any of the
soldiers knew the pressure that we felt, but we wanted to get these guys some
meat. Plans were to head out on foot, (something we never do) kill a hog, and
cook it at the campsite. We headed out of camp aroud 7:30pm and spirits were
through the roof. The feeders were full of corn and there was tons of hog sign
in the area. We should be eating by 10:00pm. We arrived at the first feeder but
the corn was piled underneath. A sure sign there are no hogs using the site. We
marched on 17 men deep heading to the second feeder where our dinner was waiting
patiently, but again corn piled up and no hogs. Maybe they are holding up in
the thickets we discussed among ourselves not wanting to show any stress. We
kept walking, up hills, down hills, through briars, over fences and in water.
The pressure is on and we continued to walk. We talked it over with the guys and
they decided to call it a night. We had walked for a little over five and a
half hours and surpassed the 11 mile mark. As I told one Marine the next day I
was hurting terribly but if they had wanted to continue we would have walked
until daybreak. But I was glad to head home.
The next morning the 4 of us were on the phone early trying to
gather a plan and how we were going to get these guys a pig on the ground. It
was decided that Anthony and Jody would haul it to a piece of property and do a
bit of scouting. Tender feet would require a bit of fourwheeler riding and after
about 30 minutes it was pretty clear that the hogs had left this area too. Made
the call to Bud and relayed the news. It was decided that we were going to hit
the opposite side of the swamp we walked the night before. The feeder had been
running for a week or so and we had killed hogs there all through deer season,
but lately they have disappeared. With no other realistic options due to time
restraints we hit the ground again. This was our final chance to get these men a
hog and our chances were very limited. If the hogs are not in the area and
pretty close to the feeder we have failed. All of the disappointment had pretty
much sinked in to our heads as we were not very confident about the area, but we
will not quit. And as it happens so many times 50 yards from the feeder the walk
in the woods turns into a hog hunt. Without warning the silence of the morning
is cut by the sound of a caught hog. We have never felt more thankful for a 80lb
hog as we did on this day. The pressure is lifted and it was time to light the
charcoal and fire up the "Official Military Use Only" grill.
We loaded the hog and Anthony and 3 Marines headed to the truck for a
Backwoods Bar B Que. Most of these men had never hunted before, nor cleaned an
animal, but with a bit of instruction from their Commanding Officer made it
happen. Now to wait on the rewards. These men were no strangers to having a good
time and the sounds of country music and the smell of charcoal filled the swamp.
We talked, shook hands, ate, and relived the hunt that happened that morning.
Although we have killed 400lb hogs this little guy will be one that is
remembered for a long long time. These men have dedicated most of their lives
thus far to the protection of our country and freedom. What a honor and
priveledge it was to spend a few hours with them. They were never discouraged
during our failed attempts the night before, all we kept hearing is "thats why
they call it hunting and not killing. These men were not only after the thrill
of the kill but were here for the adventure. Our gratitude for what they choose
to do should never go unknown, and we challenge everyone to thank a veteran.
They are our last line of defense, and have chosen a lifestyle and career that
most of us wouldn't want.
From everyone here at BHH Semper Fi guys it was our pleasure and have a
safe trip.
That was the case Friday evening as we tried to find a group of Marines a hog
for cooking. These 13 men are being deployed in 2 months and will be away for
eight to nine months. All of them are pilots from the United States Marine Corps
and wanted to go on a hunt before their departure. Bud and I (Anthony) awaited
their arrival Friday afternoon and were to meet up with Brian and Jody closer to
dark. We knew that we were in for a treat when they asked if spears could be
used. Reluctantly we agreed not knowing what to expect. Twelve of the guys showed
up with homemade spears constructed out of almost anything imaginable. There
was one made from a shovel, discarded car parts, a tiki torch stake, a samurai
sword, and a few knives tethered to a handle. I am still not sure if any of the
soldiers knew the pressure that we felt, but we wanted to get these guys some
meat. Plans were to head out on foot, (something we never do) kill a hog, and
cook it at the campsite. We headed out of camp aroud 7:30pm and spirits were
through the roof. The feeders were full of corn and there was tons of hog sign
in the area. We should be eating by 10:00pm. We arrived at the first feeder but
the corn was piled underneath. A sure sign there are no hogs using the site. We
marched on 17 men deep heading to the second feeder where our dinner was waiting
patiently, but again corn piled up and no hogs. Maybe they are holding up in
the thickets we discussed among ourselves not wanting to show any stress. We
kept walking, up hills, down hills, through briars, over fences and in water.
The pressure is on and we continued to walk. We talked it over with the guys and
they decided to call it a night. We had walked for a little over five and a
half hours and surpassed the 11 mile mark. As I told one Marine the next day I
was hurting terribly but if they had wanted to continue we would have walked
until daybreak. But I was glad to head home.
The next morning the 4 of us were on the phone early trying to
gather a plan and how we were going to get these guys a pig on the ground. It
was decided that Anthony and Jody would haul it to a piece of property and do a
bit of scouting. Tender feet would require a bit of fourwheeler riding and after
about 30 minutes it was pretty clear that the hogs had left this area too. Made
the call to Bud and relayed the news. It was decided that we were going to hit
the opposite side of the swamp we walked the night before. The feeder had been
running for a week or so and we had killed hogs there all through deer season,
but lately they have disappeared. With no other realistic options due to time
restraints we hit the ground again. This was our final chance to get these men a
hog and our chances were very limited. If the hogs are not in the area and
pretty close to the feeder we have failed. All of the disappointment had pretty
much sinked in to our heads as we were not very confident about the area, but we
will not quit. And as it happens so many times 50 yards from the feeder the walk
in the woods turns into a hog hunt. Without warning the silence of the morning
is cut by the sound of a caught hog. We have never felt more thankful for a 80lb
hog as we did on this day. The pressure is lifted and it was time to light the
charcoal and fire up the "Official Military Use Only" grill.
We loaded the hog and Anthony and 3 Marines headed to the truck for a
Backwoods Bar B Que. Most of these men had never hunted before, nor cleaned an
animal, but with a bit of instruction from their Commanding Officer made it
happen. Now to wait on the rewards. These men were no strangers to having a good
time and the sounds of country music and the smell of charcoal filled the swamp.
We talked, shook hands, ate, and relived the hunt that happened that morning.
Although we have killed 400lb hogs this little guy will be one that is
remembered for a long long time. These men have dedicated most of their lives
thus far to the protection of our country and freedom. What a honor and
priveledge it was to spend a few hours with them. They were never discouraged
during our failed attempts the night before, all we kept hearing is "thats why
they call it hunting and not killing. These men were not only after the thrill
of the kill but were here for the adventure. Our gratitude for what they choose
to do should never go unknown, and we challenge everyone to thank a veteran.
They are our last line of defense, and have chosen a lifestyle and career that
most of us wouldn't want.
From everyone here at BHH Semper Fi guys it was our pleasure and have a
safe trip.
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