Blackpowder Boar

[Publiclandhunter]

My co-worker and I decided to do a mid-week hunt at Upper Cottonwood since our weekends were booked. After checking in at the parking lot we hiked in the dark to my ususal sitting spot across from this huge chapparel patch. Right after first light, we spotted what we thought was 2 hogs on the far ridge line under ome acorn trees near the fireroad. After a little stategizing, we hiked over to that side of the valley, got the wind right and set up for an ambush. The pigs, about 20 in all of various sizes from "footballers" to a few pushing 200 lbs, were feeding their way in our direction follwoing a side hill trail. Since the both of us were shooting single shot rifles---he had a 45-70 with regular open sights and I was breaking in my TC Triumph 50 cal, multiple shots would be limited. When the hogs got about 70 yds away, my partner shot and missed, which sent the boars running. They didn't know where the shot came from and ran directly at us-some passing as close as 10 yards. I took aim at the first boar that stopped, fired and because of all the smoke, couldn't tell if I'd hit anything. My partner managed one more shot, but in all the excitement rushed it and missed again. After everything got back to normal, we started looking for blood and found a good trail. The boar traveled about 30 yards and piled up on a fallen tree. Ended up shooting a dry sow that was about 125 lbs. Not the bigest, but more than enough since we were a good ways from the truck. She ended up weighing a tad under 70 lbs on the meat hook. This was my first game animal taken with the muzzleloader.

Hunter Pat, we also picked up about 2 bags of cans and plastic bottles on the way out. I usually go back during the off season while scouting and do a trash pick-up. Overall, was a good day off. Gotta look for turkeys now. I've seen a flock back there, but that was a while ago. Cottonwood is always hit or miss---just gotta put yourself in a good position when things do go right and game is spotted.

 

[Speckmisser]

Nice work, PLH! Man, you've got that place wired!

I keep threatening to dust off my Hawken, but everytime I reach for it the .325 comes out instead.

 

[hatchet1]

strong work!! way to get some

 

[huntingbret]

Great job on the hunt out there.

 

[Live2hunt]

Way ta go!

Nothing is more rewarding than a public land hog. Congrats!




L2H

 

[Bulleye]

Great job on some fresh meat!

 

[Huntr Pat]

PLH,
God job, I'd like to go back again but with another person. The wife was pissed because I was by myself. She told me go with someone or take some one with you.
PLH,
Let me know when you guys go out again, I'd like to join you guys. I saw you couple time at predators Archery.
Some times its know fun hunting by yourself as I do most of the time.
You guys did well. Good job on the litter picking also.
send me an emailwahuntn@hotmail.com

 

[LKN4HOG]

Good job on the public land smoke pole hog. And I really commend you on the off season KP. Keep up the good work.

Randy

 

[Publiclandhunter]

Thanks for the comps everyone. Read that article in this months California Game and Fish and decided to actually take the muzzleloader in the field. Will be taking off the scope to get used to shooting open sight for the 2009 deer season. Still waiting for some more rains to get the hills green again.

keep chasin!!!
PLH

 

[DEERSLAM]

Awesome! Smokepole public land hog...heck of a trophy. Congrats.

 

[Cold1nhand]

Way to go on the public hog, and with a muzzle loader! I have been thinking about converting over from my rifles... a way to kick it up a notch!

 

[dkhuntr25]

were u hunting on the south side of cottonwood by dino point? or the north side??? been thinkin bout going up there but have never been any help?

 

[Publiclandhunter]

Northside in the valleys on the backside of the property...near the border of the ranch.

 

[THE ROMAN ARCHER]

supper congrats PLH on your wild hog! i know your freezer is full! thanks for sharing your story and photos!.............tra

oh yeh, where is Cottonwood located agian i forgot, i need more public land options close to home if possible, i work weekends so trying to plan a weekend hunt to FHL not easy for me, and now Sanoma is open there closed on my days off, mon. and tusedays so i just cant get up and go without having to always ask for time

off, it really sucks!

i wouldnt mind going bow

hunting with any of my local JHO members on public land on a monday or tuesday for some wild piggie's, anyone who has hunted with me knows my ethics and passion for bowhunting is very strong and i always make a great enjoyible hunting partner.
so if anyone wants to hook up for a bowhunt, please hit me up i am ready for some action, RAIN or SHINE, COLD or HOT, no problem, i have all the gear and equipment i need to hunt any time of the year, nothing goning to stop me from getting out to the woods>(except

work) and good jobs are hard to come by these days if ya know what i mean..............tra