History of The Homestead Hawg Hunters

By Craig DeWind

     I became a member of the Homestead Hawg Hunters in 1985.  At that time, there were two charter members who were still active members.  They were Joe Doubleday and Grant Crum.  Joe was a neighbor of mine and introduced me to the club.  In 1985, the club had 50 active members; many of them were active military from Homestead Air Force Base.  The year the club was found is unknown but was based in Homestead, Florida.  Meetings were held in the community center of Quail Roost Mobile Home Park once a month. 

     After Hurricane Andrew, the Air Force Base was shut down and many of the members lost their homes.  Members lost touch with each other and the club became inactive.  About eight months later, I received a phone call from a member named Noel Felipe about getting the club back together.  Some of the members had moved away and others were transferred to other military bases.  We contacted as many members as we could and reactivated the club.  This initial meeting consisted of only six members, who met in the parking lot of the park and ride near the South Dade Government Center at SW 216 Street.  We have met every month after that and have continued building on our membership. 

     Homestead Hawg Hunters is a local chapter of B.A.S.S. (Bass Anglers Sportsman Society) and a member of Florida B.A.S.S. Federation.  We have been involved in many community events such as Project Eagle, an Everglades clean-up project; the Homestead Rodeo, as well as sponsor a yearly youth tournament.  We promote catch and release, water quality, a clean environment and good sportsmanship.  We encourage and invite non-boat owners as well as boat owners to join the club.