DIY public land hunting is tough!!!

[Wild1]

Sometimes I wonder why I even do it - much easier to just hire a guide. The scorecard from this weekend:

1. Eight miles of hiking, resulting in dehydration and near sun stroke.
2. Badly bruised right knee cap.
3. Laceration and major scrape of left forearm.
4. Attack of some exotic, killer, stinging caterpillar (yes, I said caterpillar... Hemileuca..?), that left 5-10 welts on my inner left arm.
5. Swipe of a stinging nettle across my lower jaw and chin, resulting in 5-10 welts on my face.
6. Right pant leg ripped from waist to calf.

The only positive thing was finding some fresh new hog sign, and one dead song dog - 15 yard shot, blew through both shoulders (complete destruction of all bones) and clipped the lower part of the heart and lower parts of both lungs.

Currently recovering on the couch with cold beverages and hockey playoffs.

 

[jhill528]

That really sounds like a hell of a trip. Public land may be tough but it is really rewarding when it all comes together.

 

[slanttop357]

Congrats what a day in the field, stinging nettle OUCH hate that plant.

 

[coff20]

That sounds like quite an adventure. Go Kings!

 

[dchunter]

Sounds like a good time to me! Congrats on the dog. Rest well.

 

[dchunter]

And yes. Go Kings.

 

[HogWild805]

Nice kill............National Lampoons Hunting vacation though! Sounds like mine sometimes.

 

[jimmmb]

What a series that was, some of the best hockey I've ever seen. As a native Chicagoan I wish the result would have been different but enjoyed it none the less. They should have no problem with the Rangers.

 

[coff20]

It was quite the series. As a native of SoCal I'm happy with the result though, haha. I was so stressed watching I just about got up and left the room halfway through the third. The kings were outplayed almost that whole game and before Gaborik scored the tying goal in the third the Kings had almost no scoring chances all period. Overtime wasn't much better either. Just a lucky bounce. My hat's off to both teams, I marvel at the things those athletes put themselves through sometimes. I'm excited for the finals now, though and I agree The Rangers shouldn't present near the challenge that Chicago did.

 

[Hikingwithguns]

Sounds familiar to some of my hunts death marches, Cali Bull can confirm that lol. Good luck out there, go get em hikingwithbows :thumbs up2:

 

[JustGuy]

Thai is what called real hunting not shopping. Pure joy. Tons of satisfaction, isn't it...

 

[vogel002]

We forget all about that pain when a good hunt comes together, i'm sure you'll keep at it. At least i hope so, its your success that keeps me pushing it in the CNFig-laughing:

 

[R Kiveme]

Cool share. It's encouraging to know even the skilled guys take a public land beat-down once in a while. Makes it easier to pay the newb dues time and again.

 

[Wild1]

Thanks fellas (I think….lol). Comedy of errors, for sure - but hopefully, something will come of it - besides the battle scars and weight loss! I haven't learned my lesson yet, I'll be back at it this weekend, but not eight miles of hiking - maybe just four. I have two trail cameras out and I need to formulate a plan for the fresh sign I found - it's in a very unfriendly stalking area. Also have to be careful not to pressure out any hog(s) that might be there - this might take some time.

 

[dwikkles]

You do it because you are one of the most hardcore S.O.B's in California and you love the satisfaction and pride you get when you are successful all on your own! Better man than me

Good job dude you just saved some fawns lives and increased the deer and small game heard. You will produce again soon I have no doubt

 

[Wild1]

Turns out that it was worth it. See "Father's Day DIY Public Land Hog"

 

[hks95134]

It's not worth it to me to risk a $30 arrow on a yote.

A 50 cent cartridge, sure. But not an arrow.

 

[motor-vater]

No poison oak?? Not that bad.... LOL

 

[Wild1]

motor - that right there is funny!

hks - not much of a risk when you shoot like me . When you do the math, if I was that worried about the cost of an arrow, I'd spend all this time in the grocery store buying pork, and save a lot more. Deer hunters everywhere are thankful, so it was well worth it!

 

[dwikkles]

motor - that right there is funny!

hks - not much of a risk when you shoot like me . When you do the math, if I was that worried about the cost of an arrow, I'd spend all this time in the grocery store buying pork, and save a lot more. Deer hunters everywhere are thankful, so it was well worth it!

I agree totally. Plus its just fun to shoot stuff. Thats why we buy the arrows to begin with

One less fawn eater. That yote could have eaten the next state record buck for all we know.