This is what has been checked in so far at the Rockridge Gate.
of the Green Swamp WMA of central Florida. Nov. 26 ,2006

4bucks..... biggest 157 pounds..live weight ..4 point
12 hogs .....biggest 280 pounds ..live weight

I'll update these numbers as they will change weekly.

I've been hunting firearm 5 mornings and have seen nothing. I've heard game passing through in the dark but that is it.

During archery I saw 2 hogs , 3 bucks and 1 doe. I'm doing most of my hunting in the bayheads. There is nearly no water so bayheads are much easier to scout. I'm mostly hunting the Powder Grade area. I've only seen one little grass snake. I've seen no other hunters when hunting.
I plan to catch crappie at Tenoroc these next few Sat..maybe get a few squirrels in the Green Swamp.. I'm off for 2 weeks in Dec. during the Florida rut. I will hunt hard those 2 weeks. I'm thinking the rut is in late Dec. Can someone help me out on that one?? Does late Dec. sound about right??
Thanks
c7

8 deer so far

A real nice one yesterday 10 point buck 207 pounds. ..checked in from the Rockridge side.

This is what has been checked in so far at the Rockridge Gate.
of the Green Swamp WMA of central Florida. Dec. 27 ,2006

13bucks..... biggest207 pounds..live weight ..10 point
22 hogs .....biggest 280 pounds ..live weight

I'll update these numbers as they will change weekly.
Today I was nearly broadsided by the largest wild hog I've ever seen. he looked about 5 1/2 feet long and easily ovr 300 pounds. I had to step on the gas to keep from getting rammed. It was still dark and I was on main heading north,The hog was running from west to east heading toward the Tillman Lake area. I saw nothing today.I was 3/4 of a mile off of Powder sitting 200 yds inside of a bayhead. Very chilly this morning.

Chuck,

Thanks for keeping us up to date with the harvest at Green Swamp RockRidge Gate and you own hunting experience.

Man it is ashamed you were not hunting when you saw that hog.

Good luck with the rest of your season.

Cheers,
Chris

My friend..if I wasn't a Christian I would have slammed on the break ,rolling down the window at the same time and emptied a round in it's head. The thought did go through my mind...but I overcame.It wasn't easy either.And to be honest and not to appear to saintly...I also know game wardens who park along the road with thier lights out. That also was a factor. [8D]

I honestly thought it was a black bear at first except the belly was nearly touching the ground...and I've never heard of a black bear in the Green Swamp.I couldn't believe how fast the darn thing was moving. I have no idea how she missed my truck. She was the same size as my hot water heater but with stubby legs. I've seen about 40 hogs out of that place but nothing like this one.

Chuck,

Yeah, you do not want to get in trouble. Not to mention if you did shot game like that it is not the same as hunting it properly.

When I lived in Indiana I saw a large buck out my window of my house. I went and got my shot gun. And moved to where I knew he was headed. No sooner was I seated I saw the buck and got a great shot. I harvested the animal, but it was not the same had I actually sat in the woods for hours and then seen the animal. I don't know why, but it was not the same. It was a nice buck and eat well though.

Good luck,
Chris

up date on rockridge check station:
12-30-06
16 deer (2-8points today) largest 8 point 167lbs
24 hogs (1 130lbs) today largest 250lbs
lots of activity on ellis tracks/sign every where you look
i saw a lot af hog sign along the river and a few small
pigs but nothing big.
i saw about 40-50 hunters today, not very crowded
I went up powder grade and down tanic
i saw several grey squirrels along main grade in the oaks,
saw a couple of owls also.

stay dry
joe

I do nearly all my hunting on Powder Grade. My back just went out of wack or I would love to hunt tomorrow. Do you know Bill at the Rockridge Gate?, He said a 206 pound 10 point was killed out there.

I may still hunt out there tomorrow, Walking at a snaik's pace through the bay heads. This is near Orange Lake.
c7

Wow, sure brings back memories!