Red Russian, Proud Uncle, Happy Nephew

Joseph Creath - Great Guide & all around excellent man, Paul Jr., me & Garrett "Safety" Bennett
Hanging Hog

Ribs on the Smoker Baby!

Garrett & I with his harvest

Garrett had never been hunting before he moved here to Georgia. I remember my Uncle Jerry taking me when I was about his age - I was hooked!

Garrett didn't like the early morning hunts & truth be told, neither do I. He's hunted faithfully with me for 2 seasons now. He got the knick-name "Safety" for missing a doe due to his safety being on & the hammer stopping short with a 'click' - The deer had enough of that & I had to take the shot. He asked how long he'd have that name & I told him until he got a deer. That was 2 years ago & its stuck with him. He is also very careful & has the best muzzle control of a greenhorn hunter that I've ever seen. So his name started off as a jab but ended up as a compliment.

Yesterday evening we ran down to the Creath plantation as we call it. The Creath's have around 50 acres in Perry. Joseph met us & we killed some time fishing. I caught three nice bass - one over 5 lbs.

Then we headed to the back fields where the hogs had been sighted.

We got into position & lay down under some low hanging branches that afforded us a great view of the field. The pigs were supposed to come out in front of us across the field but as fate would have it, they flanked us & entered the field very close to us on OUR side. There were 12 wild pigs in all. 5 large shooters & 7 small piglets.

Garrett is left handed & left eyed so this was a perfect set up for him. Joseph, our guide, handled everything so smoothly. He told us when to be still & when to get set up for the shot. Then when the piglets got nervous & headed back to the woods, He picked out the Red Russian sow & told Garrett to shoot her.

Garrett is the calmest rookie hunter I've ever seen. He's just a natural - able to control his emotions, line up the cross hairs & squeeze off a shot as the whole herd is headed back to the woods. There was a lot of pressure on him but his shot rang out & the pigs scattered. He said, "Great, I missed!" due to all the pigs bolting & squealing into the woods. When his red pig hit the forest line, it piled up & began squealing for all it was worth. Joseph instructed us to stay put & he ran over & put a 40 cal. pistol round between the ears. All was quiet except for the congratulations. I was so proud of Garrett & I think he was a little proud of himself.

I asked God to give Garrett success as we were lying there waiting for the pigs to show up. God answered that prayer with one of the most memorable hunts I can remember.

Way to go "Safety"!