Being my first Big Game Hunting attempt, I thought you all would enjoy the trials of a rookie. Hope this brings back a few memories to you other JHO’s! Hope you enjoy the pics!
I can say that everyone I ran into (Hunters, DF&G, and the gate guards) was great! All were sympathetic to me being a rookie and tried to give me the benefit of their experience. My hat is off to you all!
Hanging around the check station in the sweltering 110 degree heat did paid off! I discovered that my secret to filling tags was thinking I’m done and I threatening to leave!
++++++++++++++
I hit CR the day before and got some advice from the quite friendly local DF&G folks. Go to area 3 for the bucks and pigs in the morning and fill your G9 in area 7 at the river in the evening. Sounded like an easy enough plan to me.
I started out early Monday morning, opening G9 day. I soon realized Lesson #1… I should have tried to at least try to travel the base before trying to find my way in the dark. Yup, I got lost. I ended up at the end of area 4 by the dam. After the sun came up a little, I thought I should be on higher ground. I moved to the top of a hill and parked. I peered across a small valley and saw my first doe @ about 250yds. I remember thinking, “Hey, the DF&G folks were right. This is going to be easy. I’ll pass on the doe and find the buck and a few pigs then worry about filling the doe-tag.” That was the last animal I saw for the next 3 days… Lesson #2: Consider the “bird in the hand” a little more seriously next time!
Thursday, I was planning to just hunt the morning, hit a few wineries, then head for home. I figured that being a rookie to 'big game' hunting, there was no shame in coming up empty the first time.
In area 7, I was walking along the river on my way back to the truck when I heard some rustling along the edge. I went over and saw little piggy, who saw me at the same time. He darted up a hill and I gave chase. I aimed the shotgun at the running pig (about 25 lbs). Did I mention that there was a scope on the top of the shotgun? Have you ever tried to find a running pig with a scope...? So I thought ahhh, I pretend the scope isn't there and I'm trying for a bunny. One shot went behind, another high, and the pig was gone.
So satisfied that I at least got to shoot at something on the trip, I proceeded to the truck and was about to leave when I though I'd go by the river in area 4 one more time where I had seen a doe on Monday. While driving, I spotted a pack-o-pigs (about 12) down by the river in area 4 about 9:30... (a good overcast morning!) So I pulled off and stopped the truck, they didn't spook. I got out, got the gun, loaded up, they didn't spook. Walked over to get a decent shot, they didn't spook. Thought, hummmmmm, that one looks good. Took the shot @~95yds. Half of the pack split into thick reeds by the river, the others took off for the bushes behind. The one I aimed at headed for the bushes. I went to spot where I shot, no blood or hair, nutz! So this rookie decided to follow the path which the pig departed oh so swiftly. I found what looked to be dried blood on a stick. I thought “hummmm, some other guy must have shot one here too”. I looked up and saw a lump in the grass about 75 yards further up. Upon closer investigation, it was a pig. I thought some poor guy shot a pig and couldn't find it. Soon I put 2 & 2 together and said that looks like the one I took a shot at. Sure enough there laid a ~80lb-er. The shot had actually grazed the heart. I'm surprised he ran as far as he did. Guess those guys are tough!
So I sheepishly put in a call to the wife and asked her to see if the hotel had the room for us for another night. No way I could get things taken care of by a noon checkout.
end Part 1
I can say that everyone I ran into (Hunters, DF&G, and the gate guards) was great! All were sympathetic to me being a rookie and tried to give me the benefit of their experience. My hat is off to you all!
Hanging around the check station in the sweltering 110 degree heat did paid off! I discovered that my secret to filling tags was thinking I’m done and I threatening to leave!
++++++++++++++
I hit CR the day before and got some advice from the quite friendly local DF&G folks. Go to area 3 for the bucks and pigs in the morning and fill your G9 in area 7 at the river in the evening. Sounded like an easy enough plan to me.
I started out early Monday morning, opening G9 day. I soon realized Lesson #1… I should have tried to at least try to travel the base before trying to find my way in the dark. Yup, I got lost. I ended up at the end of area 4 by the dam. After the sun came up a little, I thought I should be on higher ground. I moved to the top of a hill and parked. I peered across a small valley and saw my first doe @ about 250yds. I remember thinking, “Hey, the DF&G folks were right. This is going to be easy. I’ll pass on the doe and find the buck and a few pigs then worry about filling the doe-tag.” That was the last animal I saw for the next 3 days… Lesson #2: Consider the “bird in the hand” a little more seriously next time!
Thursday, I was planning to just hunt the morning, hit a few wineries, then head for home. I figured that being a rookie to 'big game' hunting, there was no shame in coming up empty the first time.
In area 7, I was walking along the river on my way back to the truck when I heard some rustling along the edge. I went over and saw little piggy, who saw me at the same time. He darted up a hill and I gave chase. I aimed the shotgun at the running pig (about 25 lbs). Did I mention that there was a scope on the top of the shotgun? Have you ever tried to find a running pig with a scope...? So I thought ahhh, I pretend the scope isn't there and I'm trying for a bunny. One shot went behind, another high, and the pig was gone.
So satisfied that I at least got to shoot at something on the trip, I proceeded to the truck and was about to leave when I though I'd go by the river in area 4 one more time where I had seen a doe on Monday. While driving, I spotted a pack-o-pigs (about 12) down by the river in area 4 about 9:30... (a good overcast morning!) So I pulled off and stopped the truck, they didn't spook. I got out, got the gun, loaded up, they didn't spook. Walked over to get a decent shot, they didn't spook. Thought, hummmmmm, that one looks good. Took the shot @~95yds. Half of the pack split into thick reeds by the river, the others took off for the bushes behind. The one I aimed at headed for the bushes. I went to spot where I shot, no blood or hair, nutz! So this rookie decided to follow the path which the pig departed oh so swiftly. I found what looked to be dried blood on a stick. I thought “hummmm, some other guy must have shot one here too”. I looked up and saw a lump in the grass about 75 yards further up. Upon closer investigation, it was a pig. I thought some poor guy shot a pig and couldn't find it. Soon I put 2 & 2 together and said that looks like the one I took a shot at. Sure enough there laid a ~80lb-er. The shot had actually grazed the heart. I'm surprised he ran as far as he did. Guess those guys are tough!
So I sheepishly put in a call to the wife and asked her to see if the hotel had the room for us for another night. No way I could get things taken care of by a noon checkout.
end Part 1
