JHO HAM SLAM!

[Speckmisser]

Just in time for the holidays... anybody having trouble filling out their Christmas list? "Hey honey, I know what I want for Christmas!" :xmas-hat:

I have, in my hot little hands, the paperwork for the first, annual, JHO Ham Slam! Scheduled for May 21-23 of 2004.

We have been given the privilege of hunting the entire South Side for our group only. That means about 50 JHOers are gonna have the place to ourselves (well, ourselves and any Tejon lease-holders who happen to be there that weekend).

Last year, we put about 30 people on the South Side during the March POR. I don't know how many JHO members hunted the other PORs, but it's obvious we can fill the area. So we got the go ahead to hold our own event. It's scheduled for May 21-23.

Here's how it's going to work.

I have 100 copies of the paperwork. They will go to the first 100 people who request them. Send me an email (use the email link under my post) with your mailing address, and I'll shoot the applications off to you. You fill them out, write your check to the Tejon Ranch, and send the whole shebang back to me (send the insurance form directly to Bob Boggs, via the instructions in the packet).

If you screw up and send your applications to Tejon Ranch, you're on your own. Maybe it will get forwarded to me, or maybe not. Barbara is not going to manage or coordinate this event.

Please don't make out any checks to me, unless you're feeling particularly generous... in which case, I appreciate the donation. Checks written to me will NOT get you into Tejon, though, so you may want to double-check the "Pay to the order of" line before sending.

The first 50 hunters who return PAID applications are in. There will be no place-holding for anyone. Money is the only language my waiting list "wetware" understands.

Here's the catch.

Please don't request an application unless you are pretty sure you're going.

It wasn't cheap to get these copies made (Tejon doesn't do it for me), and I still have to pay for my hunt. Please don't waste my money. And no, I am not getting a discount on the hunt or any other perks for organizing the event. I'll be paying full-price just like everyone else.

If you're not sure you're going, remember, May is a long ways off. The hunt will probably NOT fill up before Springtime gets here. So if you're not sure, just wait before requesting an app. I'll keep the group updated as the checks come in, so you'll know if the hunt is filling up.

If the hunt does fill early, we can poll the possibility of getting another area opened up. I haven't run this by the folks at Tejon yet, and have no idea if they'll go for it. One step at a time.

Please feel free to email me with any questions. And again... if you're not sure yet, please don't request an application.

A couple of highlights, to recap and pre-answer questions (I'll probably add to this as time goes by):

• Send an email to request the app. Do not request it on the list.
• Don't request an app if you're not sure you can go
• Only PAID apps will get a spot saved. Simply having me send you an app does NOT save your spot
• Make checks payable to Tejon Ranch not to ME.
• Return the paperwork and payment to ME not to Tejon Ranch
• Your checks will not be cashed until the apps are turned in to Tejon Ranch, probably the week before the hunt (appx. May 14).
• If you have paid and must cancel, you must do so by May 7. Once I send the money to Tejon, you'll have to deal with them for refunds, and they have a very strict policy about cancellations.
• Contact me with any questions about this event. DO NOT CONTACT TEJON RANCH.

Can't think of anything else, but I'm sure you guys can.

 

[prohunter]

Can I ask "How Much?"? Ok how much?

 

[Lone Wolf]

Speck - email on its way
:JHP rocks:

 

[Bishop]

Pig-o-rama's are $300.00 plus a once a year liability ins fee of $10.00. This is for a unguided hunt that ussually starts friday 10am to sunday at dark.

 

[Rancho Loco]

Let's all not forget to give a big UP to Speck for doing all the legwork for the JHP Ham Slam!

Also, let's not forget to thank him in advance for personally scouting all the hot spots for us, guiding each individual hunter, giving personal instruction on 4x4 driving, cooking us all expansive breakfasts and dinners, and organizing the skits for the campfire crowd.

Way to go!

 

[BigDog]

Was that a big UP CHUCK that we were supposed to give him?????

As for the advice, stick with the advice on cooking. Absolutely do not take his advice on 4 wheeling.....

Juuuuuust kidding. Good job Slipin and Sliding (aka Speckmisser)

 

[Loye]

Speckmisser,
We've never met b4 but from all the great things ive heard about you, i have to say thanks and it is deffinately appreciated by everyone.Well, good luck and take care!

 

[Cda55]

I'm interested but not sure if I can make it. I'll know in a few weeks and I'll get back to you. I'm hoping Lowell can set up the same thing at CR. Maybe?????

 

[fpscabs]

Speck
Sending you another email

Right before my birthday. So much for that new scope.
here pppppiggy, pppppiggy, ppppigggggy

 

[Speckmisser]

Hey guys, easy on the kudos. I can hardly fit my head in the door as it is now.

Anyway, glad to see there's still so much interest. My mailbox runneth over, and I'll get these apps mailed out to those who have requested them ASAP.

For those who are waiting, no worries... I think there's time to decide. As I said, it's still a long time 'til May 21.

By the way, you will need an application for each person who will attend. Please only request ONE packet, as you can make copies of the application form for your hunting partners.

BUT

When you request your packet, please let me know how many people you expect to have in your party, since I'm trying to keep a spreadsheet so I can have an idea of how fast we're filling up.

Finally, please make sure to read the rules and regs closely (they'll be in the packet). A big one to make note of is that the hunt is for one wild pig ONLY. No coyotes, no ground squirrels, no jackrabbits.

You'll also want to make note of the vehicle rules. No ATVs.

Which leads us to the last thing. I will begin offering 4x4 Lessons immediately. Basic lessons begin at $500. This course includes:

• Fastening your seatbelts
• Unfastening your seatbelt while hanging upside down (without falling on your head)
• Locating your 4WD shifter
• Engaging your 4WD shifter
• What is a tire?
• What is mud?
• How do I know when I'm stuck?
• How do I know when I'm REALLY stuck?

For $1000 per driver, I'll give you the advanced course. In addition to topics covered in the Basic class, this includes:

• Connecting winch cables to your vehicle
• Basic knots for tow ropes and snatch straps
• Calling for help
• Telling your rescuers how to find you (using a GPS)
• Why cell phones don't work in the boondocks
• Why FRS radios are nearly useless as rescue tools
• All about pucker factor
• When do I jump out of the vehicle?
• Bailing out of a vehicle before it plunges over a cliff
• Removing vehicle upholstery from clenched butt cheeks

Oh yeah.. and please email your requests rather than IM

 

[BDB]

I'll let you know on the 4*4 lessons but I am definitely in on the POR. Thanks for organizing. Don't forget to remind people to bring the stamp cost with them on the hunt :big grin santa hat:

I'll send you an email.

Steve

 

[SDHNTR]

Speck,
Is there a deposit or must it all be paid in full to reserve the spot?

 

[Speckmisser]

SD,

I'll need the full $300. Please do NOT send partial payment.

This is primarily because I don't have a ton of time for managing partial payments and such. I gotta follow the KISS principle on this event, or I'll end up screwing somebody up.

You can send in your insurance money to Bob Boggs anytime before the event.

Oh, did I mention this? It's in the regs/rules/procedure documents, but just so you know... send the insurance money directly to Bob Boggs. The insurance did go up this year, to $13.

 

[fpscabs]

Bringing friends along:
Do they have to fill out their own application or can we do a group thing?

 

[bighorn67]

I think each hunter has to do their own application for insurance purposes.

Dave

 

[Speckmisser]

Fritz,

Each hunter will need to fill out a separate application and insurance form. You can copy the apps that I'm sending you, just make sure everybody gets a chance to read the rules and requirements.

It would be helpful to me if you would collect the groups apps and fees and send them to me in a single bunch, by the way.

Remember to send the insurance app directly to Bob Boggs, and not to me.

 

[Speckmisser]

OK, I am completing the first mailing of packets. Everyone who so far has requested a Ham Slam hunt packet should be seeing them by the end of next week (probably sooner, but you know the mail).

The following is important, so please read carefully:
When you return the packet/application, please make sure it includes:

• One pig tag for each hunter
• Proof of insurance for EVERY vehicle that will enter Tejon Ranch property
• $300 entry fee in a personal check or money order made out to Tejon Ranch

I will try to check every application, but I can't make promises. You're all grown-ups, and can be responsible for making sure you cover all the bases. Read the information in the packet carefully, and feel free to email or PM me with any questions BEFORE you put your packet in the mail.

Remember also... your check will sit here until they are all turned in to Tejon in May. This means it will not clear the bank until then. Please don't PM me freaking out because your check hasn't cleared. I will not be cashing checks myself, and I will not be responsible for cash.

So, here we go!

 

[BigDog]

Grown-up? There is no need for insults......lol

Guess you got yourself into the bookkeeping business.

 

[grtwythunter]

Hey Speckmisser

Has Barbara said anything about what time we have to be off the ranch? I remember there was a problem at a past POR when one of us shot a hog at the last minute and got a bit of a talking to about getting off the ranch so late. Might be good to know up front so we don't cause(or get) any headaches in May.

Scott

BTW I got my packet today. THANKS.

 

[Speckmisser]

Scott,

We talked about this during the Spring when she and I first started working this out. As of right now, there is no "official" statement on what time we're supposed to quit hunting on Sunday. Of course, the sooner we're out of there, the happier they'll be, since someone has to stay on the gate until we're all accounted for and gone.

Unless some official word comes down, then I'd proceed as usual. Hunt until you get your animal or time runs out (end of shoot time on Sunday). This is what you're paying for.

HOWEVER... if you think you'll be there Sunday evening, it would be a good idea to check in with the gate and let them know where you'll be and that you're planning to hunt 'til dark. This helps in two ways. One, it lets them know where to come look for you if you don't come out shortly after dark. And two, if you're back there after dark, dragging Mr Big out of a hell-hole, the cavalry might just show up to help you pull that sucker out of there.

I will keep everyone posted to any updates from Tejon on this topic.