Big Island---Close call

[doccherry]

I was archery hunting last night just at dusk and was walking through thick brush/mango trees along a faint game trail that snaked up a hill on an abandoned coffee plantation. The brush was so thick on both sides that you'd need a machete to leave the trail. I heard dogs barking in the distance and they got closer and closer and finally there was a commotion in the brush ahead. A jet-black boar came tearing down the trail straight for me, maybe 60 feet away. I never even had time to bring my bow up [as if that would do any good]. He never slowed or showed any concern for me at all. A collision was imminent so just before he was on me I threw myself against the brush to my right. The boar made a quick little swipe---just a quick 90 degree turn of the head---as he ran past but never broke stride. He disappeared into the brush below me. I never saw the dogs and they didn't make any noise after that. They were probably just farm dogs chasing the pig away from "their" territory.

I don't know if that little swipe to the side was meant to knock me away from his route of travel or it was a bite attempt. It happened so darn fast that I was preoccupied with getting out of the way. I can't even remember if he had tusks, but it was definitely a boar because his back came up to the bottom of my left pocket. I don't like to think of what might have happened if he had collided with me.

For such a thick-bodied critter with short legs, he really moved along. Going back tonight and will take my wife. We'll go to the same game trail and this time she'll lead the way.

 

[Franklin3]

Damn Doc your a brave man if your going to stand that close to a hog fighting a mad woman!

 

[EvBouret]

Im sure the head swipe was to get you the hell out of his way. When pigs are being chased by dogs they are usually hitting the afterburners, especially if they've been tangled up by dogs before. I doubt he would have tried to have a stand off with you unless you cornered him or something, even if you would have tried to grab him, chances are he'd take a swing and start running again. Sounds like a scary experience though.

Alright, this is a true legit story, it sounds far fetched. A few monthes ago my friends were hunting, there were 3 of them and about a dozen dogs. The dogs were chasing and stopped the boar a few times, my friends were all spread apart a few hundred yards waiting for the catch. One of my friends looks up the trail and sees a black thing running towards him, he thought it was one of the dogs at first but saw quickly it wasn't. He stepped to the side and lunged on the 150lb boar. He grabbed a back leg and wheelbarrowed the hog. Right after, one dog got there and caught by the ear, he bladed the hog. I would have $hat myself if I saw one of those things coming at me. The hog had 2" cutters as well.

 

[ducslayer]

Thanks for shareing Doc ,Iallways look for your posts.

 

[doccherry]

Ev:

Two questions for you: Are you related to the Bouret who is an artist in Hanalei? I've admired his work for years. Second, you have a new photo beneath your name. Where was the photo taken?

 

[THE ROMAN ARCHER]

great stories guys, i really enjoy them.............tra

 

[larrysogla]

Doccherry and EvBouret,
Outstanding stories. Always makes my evening reading all the excitement in paradise(Hawaii). Keep 'em coming and thanks a lot and as always, God Bless.

 

[EvBouret]

Pierre Bouret is my father, he's been painting for almost 10 years now, getting better each day. He's gonna be in a paint off up in Carmel this weekend!

The avatar photo was taken on Kauai in a secret(ish) area. There are no trails leading to the mountain top and the top is basically a big flat bog. It is above the east side of kauai and loaded with hogs and goats, but mainly goats. There are rumored to be a few blacktail in the area according to the DFG's game cams they have set up but very few and at the base of the mountain.

 

[larrysogla]

Awesome!!!! 'Nuff said.

 

[Cabowhntr]

Man,.. You're definetly living in Paradise!