Latest News
2009
Turkey Hunt
Though the weather was less than
cooperative with lots of rain prior to the hunt and quite a bit of wind
during the weekend, twenty five hunters killed 8 gobblers and recorded 7
more misses.
2009
Gun Deer Hunt
Ninety-eight animals (bucks, does,
and hogs) were killed during the 2009 hunt by 82 hunters that
attended. This year's hunt saw a dozen or more quality bucks
killed that were sent to the taxidermist, including a few of the best
bucks ever taken on the hunt. The weather was warm on Friday and
Saturday but after a front moved through on Saturday night, Sunday
morning dawned real cold. Larry Gandy killed the biggest buck of
the hunt, a monster 10 point weighing 207 lbs.
2008
Turkey Hunt
There were 5 gobblers killed and one
missed by the 24 hunters that attended the 2008 hunt. Rainy
conditions persisted on Saturday but cleared out on Sunday.
2008
Gun Deer Hunt
One hundred deer were killed during
the 3 day hunt. It was an off year for big bucks, though the
weather was accommodating and the deer were rutting. Gary Jansen
killed the top buck on this year's hunt. Special
thanks to all who made the hunt another success.
2007
Spring Turkey Hunt
The weather was nice and warm but the
birds seem to have won most battles. Only one turkey was killed
but there were 3 misses in this year's hunt. Nearly every hunter
had a great hunt and had gobbling birds in their near
vicinity.
2007
Gun Deer Hunt
Another successful hunt, though the
weather was awfully warm. The bucks were roaming and some nice
ones were killed. 108 deer and 5 hogs were taken by 115 hunters.
Doug Baxley killed the largest of the hunt, a 9 point.
2006
Gun Deer Hunt
A total of 88 hunters killed 68
bucks, 45 does, and 8 hogs during the weekend hunt. With the hunt
falling a little later in January, the bucks were on the move as the rut
showed its signs. Numerous quality bucks were taken during the
hunt, regardless of the windy days and full moon overhead. Dane
Tilley won the prize for the largest buck by the W. A. Scoring Method, a
fine 14 point.
Thanks again to everyone for another great hunt.
2005
Turkey Hunt
A total of 8 gobblers were harvested
and 2 missed over the course of the day and a half hunt involving 27
guests. Saturday started calm and cool but a few hours after
daybreak the wind, resulting from a cold front that passed through on
Friday, picked up to 20 MPH or better. Regardless, the majority of
the turkeys killed were on Saturday. Sunday was calm and clear
with a low of 37 degrees.
Thanks again to everyone for another great hunt.
This was our biggest hunt in a number of years.
2005
Gun Deer Hunt
The warmest early January on record
took a toll on the 2005 hunt. 110 hunters took a total of 67 deer
and hogs during the weekend.
An usually warm winter kept lots of browse in
the woods for the deer to eat. The acorn crop was blown to the
ground during Hurricane Ivan and quickly rotted. The result was
that the deer kept to the thickets and moved very little during the
day.
The weather turned cold again the week
after the hunt and many big deer were killed in the area.
Unfortunately, it was too late for the 2005 W. A. Hunt.
Next year will surely be
better. But we had a great time during the weekend and we thank
everyone for attending!
2004
Turkey Hunt
A total of 6 gobblers were harvested
and 2 missed over the course of the day and a half hunt involving 22
guests. Thanks again to everyone for another great hunt. The
weather was great this year and everyone worked turkeys.
One successful hunt was filmed by a film crew
of Outdoor Alabama. Barnett Serio, III killed a fine gobbler on
this hunt that we expect will be included on the show in the spring of
2005. The shows airs at 6:30PM on Fridays on the Outdoor
Channel.
2004
Gun Deer
Over 150 deer and 10 hogs were taken this weekend
by our 109 hunters taking part in the hunt! Several real nice bucks were
taken as well. The hunt began (3-day portion) in a cold, drizzling
rain on Thursday afternoon which finally moved out Friday morning.
Temperatures remained in the 40s on Friday and the sun finally appears
Saturday after a windy Friday afternoon. The Saturday afternoon
hunt was the best afternoon hunt and was followed by a cold and clear
Sunday morning beginning at 22 degrees.
Overall the cold weather helped to make
this one of the best years ever for total harvest of deer by the guest
hunters.
If you have photos to share please do
so. Visit the PHOTO PAGE of this site for instructions on where to
send your picture for inclusion in this website.
Special thanks to all who attended.
See you next year!
2003
Turkey Hunt
We had one of our best years for
recording kills in quite some time. Hunters took 6 gobblers and
missed a couple more. We experienced decent weather on Saturday
but it turned poor on Sunday, however, that did not deter our guides or
hunters. Special thanks to all who guided and who attended this
hunt.
2003
Gun Deer Hunt
Thanks to everyone---guides,
landowners, and guests---for another successful hunt! A total of
123 animals were brought to the skinning shed including 45 bucks, 66
does, 11 hogs, and one bobcat. Hunters harvested one 10-point, two
9-points, six 8-points, and seven 7-point bucks. The big buck
prize was awarded to Don Statum for his 10-point taken with guides Dan
& Chris Burford. A total of 109 hunters were hosted this
year.
The weather was good for the hunt. Lows
were at or below freezing for the morning hunts and the highs were in
the 50s in the afternoons.
2002
Turkey Hunt
A cool and crisp weekend was on
tap for the Spring Turkey Hunt, held this year in late March. The
season opened 5 days early on March 15th. Though a lot of good
hunts were enjoyed, only one turkey was harvested on the two day
hunt. Congratulations to Lathrop Smith on the kill. As
always, thanks to all of our friends that return each year to hunt this
us.
2002
Gun Deer Hunt
A total of 122 hunters took 117
deer and 12 hogs during an extended weekend of hunting that presented
both warm and cold weather along with rain. The "early
hunters" arrived to hunt in 70 degree weather on Thursday
afternoon. Friday saw the warm weather remain and on Saturday rain
fell during most of the day. By Sunday morning the temperature
dipped to 31 with a heavy frost. As you can imagine lots of nice
bucks were taken on Sunday morning in the frigid weather.
If you have a photograph to
share from the hunt please see the photo page for instructions on how to
forward us your picture. We would like to share it with our
website visitors.
As many of our hunters return
each and every year, the weekend is always a fun reunion that is greatly
anticipated by all involved. We would like to thank each of you
for your participation and we look forward to seeing you in Camden again
in 2003. We extend a special thanks to Jim Schooler and the Heil
Corporation for their tremendous support, including their sponsorship of
Friday night's fish fry. And to our Huntmaster, Johnny Webb, thank
you for your work 365 days a year to make certain that the hunt is a
success time and again!
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2001
Turkey Hunt
Another fun weekend of turkey
hunting was experienced on March 31st and April 1st! Twenty two
hunters bagged 5 longbeards during the weekend hunt.
Special thanks to Club Limited
for their unwavering support of the hunt. We were also pleased to
host a former President of the National Wild Turkey Federation, Shaun
Viguerie, and his son Paul. Both Vigueries bagged birds on the
hunt.
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2001
Gun Deer Hunt
After a very cold December,
moderate temperatures greeted hunters for the 2001 Gun Deer Hunt.
The 2000-2001 Season was a slower one for most area hunters with many
reporting a later than normal rut.
Doe season was extended
for the entire season's length and this provided the opportunity for all
hunters to take some meat home with them.
The Gun Deer Hunt was another
great success with 138 deer and hogs taken. Special thanks to all
of those who attended. We look forward to seeing everyone back in
January of 2002!
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2000
Turkey Hunt
Changing weather was in store for the 2000 Turkey Hunt. An
approaching front made kept gobbling rather unpredictable this time
around. Yet five gobblers were taken on the hunt this year,
including two hunters who took their first bird ever---Barnett Serio,
III, and Hank Waldrop!
Special thanks to Club Limited
for their support of yet another Wilcox Academy Turkey Hunt. We
look forward to seeing everyone back in Camden in April of
2001.
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2000
Gun Deer Hunt
Johnny Webb (center) & Ralph Martin (2nd from left)
greet the arrival of guests.
The 2000 Gun Hunt was another great success, with
approximately 147 bucks, does, and hogs harvested. There were a
total of 29 bucks that were to be mounted by the successful
hunters.
Hunters attending the hunt came from as far away as
Wisconsin, Michigan, Ohio, Texas, Louisiana, Georgia, Florida, North
Carolina, and South Carolina.
Frank Friddle, Jr., from Honea Path, SC, received a cash
prize of $500 for having the largest buck (by our scoring method,
weight times points). Frank's buck was a 189 pound
11-point. John M. Hill of Rock Hill, SC, claimed a $250 prize
for his 2nd Place, 191 lb. 9-point. See photos of the 1st &
2nd Place bucks in the PHOTO ALBUM. John Curren's 158 pound
10-point came in 3rd. John's home is in Metairie, Louisiana.
We are constantly adding photos from the hunt so
please visit this page again and also the PHOTO ALBUM
page.
If you have a picture to submit or comments to make
please email us at hornswamp@yahoo.com
Cooks of the Old Southern Fish Fry!
Members of the "Heil Group" had a successful 2000 Hunt!
You will recognize some of these faces in the Photo
Album.
The Saturday night cooking at the cleaning shed is quite a
feast.
Shown here, Van Waren and Phillip Luker cooking cubed, fried venison.
A smorgasboard of food is always served at the cleaning shed on
Saturday night. It's a great time to mingle with other hunters
and guides. You can find more deer hunting stories here that you
can imagine!
To dress and quarter over 130 deer in 4 days is quite a chore.
Yet, with many years experience we know how to get it done
efficiently. Your kill is quickly cleaned and quartered and
stored, along with your rack, in a nearby refrigerated truck.
Before you depart on Sunday you simply stop by the cleaning shed and
collect your venison and rack.
