leftyhunter
Well-known member
- Joined
- Jun 24, 2006
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My son and I went on a guided pig hunt with Marty Rovenstine on a private ranch near San Miguel which is about 7 miles north of Paso Robles on the 101. We didn't see any pigs in the morning but plenty of sign. We also saw black-tailed deer and some hens and 2 jakes. Marty does deer and turkey hunting has well. Around 4pm we saw about 5 large pigs approx 180 to 200lps about a mile away. Marty drove about half a mile and then we hike up the hill. I don't know how Marty knew exactly where they were but he did. My son was behind Marty but maybe not close enough I heard a scared pig grunt and those pigs were close but they scattered before my son could get a shot off. I don't think it was anybody's fault thats just hunting. Marty's technique which is most likely a common one in Cal is to drive the ranch roads in a pick-up with two car seats slowly and scan the ridges with binos. Marty would also have us walk the roads for a half mile or so. One road we walked to had a pond and just has we rounded the pond sure enough me and my son saw a beautiful red-brown boar over 200lps approach the pond and start drinking. I told Brandon to shoot and I promised him he would get the first shot but I started aiming about 65 yards away with plenty of light and the pig was broadside. I aimed and fired right over the pigs back.
Marty is a hard working guide and there are nice pigs. I can't blame Marty I have to blame myself I have had a few chances and I always blow them. This year has you all know has been dry and the grass is already turning brown. There is already development on that ranch for "ranchettes" I don't know what the future holds for pig hunting if there is another real-estate boom and ranchers convert from ranching and hunting to suburban sub-divisions. Well theres always next time.
Leftyhunter