el_vaquero
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That's awesome....lets hear the story behind it
- Thread starter Hogfest
- Start date
Hitechhunter
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I can...but I can't tell the story on this web site.
Sounds like a great trip!
Sounds like a great trip!
leafyyangguy
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I'm sending my application for FHL today. Upcoming turkey season will be my 1st time at FHL. What training area did you see them in?
Sorry for the delay on the story. I had work to take care of first. Anyhow......here's the scoop.
Being our first time at FHL, we had no clue which area to go. The open area for the weekend was 1, 9, 25, & 29. Talked to a few of the guys in line and they all said they were going to area 25. Well, not knowing the lay of the land, we tagged along with everyone else. We passed up the turn going into the area and ended driving around the perimeter for about an hour. We had to back-track and by the time we got into area 25, the sun was baking us already. We drove around the whole area without seeing any pig except some old rooting and the lay of the land. We found two ponds that were used occasionally, so we decided to set up for the evening hoping something will decide it needs a bath or a drink of water. Nothing. Sunday morning, same plan at the two ponds. I left my friend to stay watch at the ponds while I went to drive around. By 8:00 a.m., nothing. I did stumble across some military personnel informing me that they were gonna be training and for us to get the heck outta there (well, not exactly in the words). So, we came back to the station and decided to change to area 9. We headed over to the new area and right away, saw so much rooting. Old rootings were all over the place. But as I went over to check out the rootings, my adrenalin started pumping. Not only was there rooting, but there was fresh rootings. It was so fresh, it seemed like we missed those porkers by mere minutes. Anyhow, we were sold for this area as our evening hunt. As evening came, I set up under an oak tree overlooking the rooted area. As I sat, I thought, "if any pig was to be out rooting, they're gonna come from behind me. And with the wind in my face, they're gonna catch me before I can even get a glimpse". So, instead of sitting around I decided to take a stroll. I went over the little hill behind me and dropped into the ravine. A dirt road weaved through the ravine, so that was path of choice. Taking one step at a time, I was careful not to make too much noise as there was plenty of gravel on the road, all the while keeping my eyes and ears on high alert. I came upon a large, dense oak tree, on the side of the road, with it branches draped almost to the ground. As rounded the tree, I heard a sudden rustle. I took a step to my right to clear the tree to see what made the noise. Well, right behind the tree was a ditch. So, as I to a step to clear the tree, up and outta the ditch went the pig on the other side. Luckily it trotted instead of taking off at full speed. Without any hesitation, I shouldered my 7 mag and got him in my sight at about 15 yards. He made the mistake of stopping for a few seconds. I wasn't gonna wait for him to give me a good broadside shot. I got my crosshairs locked on him and squeezed the trigger. He dropped right there with a couple of squeals and a few kicks. By the time I was able to calm myself down to go check him out, he'd already expire. I called my friend over and it took all of our exhausted strength to throw it on the back of my truck. This guy was a fairly young boar with tusks that barely showed. But he's a heavy one though. I'd estimate him to weigh about 250lbs or so.
I have been hunting on public land for more times than I can remember, without success. I have also done many hunts on private properties. This was my first time out to FHL and it was awesome. Being at FHL felt more like private property than public. I can't wait to go again. This was the best public hunt I have ever been on.
Greek, what truck were you guys driving?
Being our first time at FHL, we had no clue which area to go. The open area for the weekend was 1, 9, 25, & 29. Talked to a few of the guys in line and they all said they were going to area 25. Well, not knowing the lay of the land, we tagged along with everyone else. We passed up the turn going into the area and ended driving around the perimeter for about an hour. We had to back-track and by the time we got into area 25, the sun was baking us already. We drove around the whole area without seeing any pig except some old rooting and the lay of the land. We found two ponds that were used occasionally, so we decided to set up for the evening hoping something will decide it needs a bath or a drink of water. Nothing. Sunday morning, same plan at the two ponds. I left my friend to stay watch at the ponds while I went to drive around. By 8:00 a.m., nothing. I did stumble across some military personnel informing me that they were gonna be training and for us to get the heck outta there (well, not exactly in the words). So, we came back to the station and decided to change to area 9. We headed over to the new area and right away, saw so much rooting. Old rootings were all over the place. But as I went over to check out the rootings, my adrenalin started pumping. Not only was there rooting, but there was fresh rootings. It was so fresh, it seemed like we missed those porkers by mere minutes. Anyhow, we were sold for this area as our evening hunt. As evening came, I set up under an oak tree overlooking the rooted area. As I sat, I thought, "if any pig was to be out rooting, they're gonna come from behind me. And with the wind in my face, they're gonna catch me before I can even get a glimpse". So, instead of sitting around I decided to take a stroll. I went over the little hill behind me and dropped into the ravine. A dirt road weaved through the ravine, so that was path of choice. Taking one step at a time, I was careful not to make too much noise as there was plenty of gravel on the road, all the while keeping my eyes and ears on high alert. I came upon a large, dense oak tree, on the side of the road, with it branches draped almost to the ground. As rounded the tree, I heard a sudden rustle. I took a step to my right to clear the tree to see what made the noise. Well, right behind the tree was a ditch. So, as I to a step to clear the tree, up and outta the ditch went the pig on the other side. Luckily it trotted instead of taking off at full speed. Without any hesitation, I shouldered my 7 mag and got him in my sight at about 15 yards. He made the mistake of stopping for a few seconds. I wasn't gonna wait for him to give me a good broadside shot. I got my crosshairs locked on him and squeezed the trigger. He dropped right there with a couple of squeals and a few kicks. By the time I was able to calm myself down to go check him out, he'd already expire. I called my friend over and it took all of our exhausted strength to throw it on the back of my truck. This guy was a fairly young boar with tusks that barely showed. But he's a heavy one though. I'd estimate him to weigh about 250lbs or so.
I have been hunting on public land for more times than I can remember, without success. I have also done many hunts on private properties. This was my first time out to FHL and it was awesome. Being at FHL felt more like private property than public. I can't wait to go again. This was the best public hunt I have ever been on.
Greek, what truck were you guys driving?
chickenfried
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Great write up! Congrats on getting a pig. Hearing your story's exactly what I needed.
Congrats Hogfest!
I was hunting up there this past weekend with "Greek" and a couple other friends. We started off in 25 from the river bottom and worked our way up the hills in search of swine. I was totally amazed at the numbers of Bandtails while making the trek as well as the number of other hunters there which is expected when there so few TA's open. Needless to say, we didn't stay in 25 for too long. The sign was there but it was not fresh enough to warrant us staying and wasting valuable time. Its a good thing too 'cause as far as I know, 25 shouldn't have been open in the first place.
We changed to zone 9 where you got your piggie and decided to change again for good 'ole zone 29. (should've stayed in 9 as it turns out!
...oh well) A couple buddies decided to check out some known bedding areas and we set up a brush drive with a couple shooters at the bottom of the hill. One of our friends had a piggie run right by him in the brush but it did not pose a safe shot so he passed it up with hope he'd get another opportunity. As it goes, that opportunity never came to us but it did help out others hunting the area. About five mins in making their decent we heard a shot being fired by someone else and then again, two more shots a few minutes after...(Gotta get myself a short barrel slug shotgun now for brush huntin' piggies)
Even though we did not bag anything this time out, it was a fantastic trip. Coming back to FHL from King City on Friday, we spotted a group of about 15 hogs feeding under an oak just as the sun was setting. One of the pigs was a monster! Two minutes down the road we see a lone boar rooting under another oak. We had a feeling we'd get into something but luck was not on our side this time out. The amounts of deer, bandtails, yotes and turkey shocked me this trip up as well as all of the elk that were just off Jolon Road coming into the base and off of Mission Road in FHL. As with everything else...you see 'em when you can't hunt 'em only to have 'em disappear when you can.
By the way...we were in a black chevy w/JHO decal on the back glass.
Hats off to ya man! Cheers
I was hunting up there this past weekend with "Greek" and a couple other friends. We started off in 25 from the river bottom and worked our way up the hills in search of swine. I was totally amazed at the numbers of Bandtails while making the trek as well as the number of other hunters there which is expected when there so few TA's open. Needless to say, we didn't stay in 25 for too long. The sign was there but it was not fresh enough to warrant us staying and wasting valuable time. Its a good thing too 'cause as far as I know, 25 shouldn't have been open in the first place.
We changed to zone 9 where you got your piggie and decided to change again for good 'ole zone 29. (should've stayed in 9 as it turns out!
Even though we did not bag anything this time out, it was a fantastic trip. Coming back to FHL from King City on Friday, we spotted a group of about 15 hogs feeding under an oak just as the sun was setting. One of the pigs was a monster! Two minutes down the road we see a lone boar rooting under another oak. We had a feeling we'd get into something but luck was not on our side this time out. The amounts of deer, bandtails, yotes and turkey shocked me this trip up as well as all of the elk that were just off Jolon Road coming into the base and off of Mission Road in FHL. As with everything else...you see 'em when you can't hunt 'em only to have 'em disappear when you can.
By the way...we were in a black chevy w/JHO decal on the back glass.
Hats off to ya man! Cheers
bobcatman04
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great story and pig thanks for sharing.
CaliJeephuntr
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Congrats on the pig! Hunted 9 back on Presidents day weekend and saw a bit of sign in there. Glad you scored.
Great story, hogfest. You will be hopelessly addicted to FHL from now on. I know the feeling. Enjoy it while you can. The rules tend to change too damn fast over the years.
Good luck on your hunts. Maybe we'll meet out there someday.
manteca3
Good luck on your hunts. Maybe we'll meet out there someday.
manteca3
