JGon
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A friend and I hunted yesterday at one of BHR's fields and we ended up taking a great boar. Here's the story:
We met Deedy the afternoon before the hunt and went out to the hunting area. We were shown where the bedding areas, feeding areas, and potential water were...and recieved some really great tips and advice. We tracked where the pigs have been moving, and there was a bunch of sign. Alot of info was given, so we took notes to compare later that evening.
Arrrived to the area about 1/2 hour before shooting light, and parked up the road for a gear and wind direction check. Then we went to the gate and eased in, parking just inside the gate for another wind and crosswind check before proceeding. We decided, based on the wind and crosswind, to stay put and not push any further in into the hunting area or we could potential bust the barley field. Turns out that was a very good decision.
As shooting light was coming upon us, we did a lot of glassing of what we could see of the barley field, and it looked empty. I think we had dreams the night before of showing up to a barley field full of plump pigs...but reality set in as we heard the dogs on the neighboring property going crazy, as there is a large bedding area up near there and and the dogs go wild when they smell pigs traveling through.
So knowing that the pigs were already out of the fields and nearing their beds...we decided to push slowly up a treeline towards the barley fields to a corner were we could get a better look at the field and the cottonwood stands to look for any straglers that decided they would stay out late that night. The wind still give us and advantage to get up closer, so we moved slowly checking the wind along the way. We got to the treeline corner, and pretty much right away I saw movement. There was a single boar stepping out of the willows, then back in....out then back in...over and over. He was about three hundred yards away, and looked to be checking things out before making a move to head out of the fields and back to bed. We slowly repositioned ourselves next to a deadfall to get in the best possible position based on the wind and crosswind....as the last thing we wanted is for that boar to bust us and make a run for it at that distance. We discussed making a move to get up closer for the shot, but decided to not push it as the boar already looked nervous. We were going to make a move as soon as the boar made his move.
The pig did make a move, and it ended up that he started traveling right towards us! We got set and steady...both of us with crosshairs on him. I chose a sitting position, and my friend Ryan chose prone. The boar was now about 150 yards away from us and stopped lifting his nose in the air, so I knew it was now or never. He turned to change direction and was broadside quartered away. I whispered to Ryan "Take him". Boom-->Twack! "You hit him, put another in him". Insurance shot didn't connect. We ran up to an area of a little higher ground to see where he went...and didn't see him running out of the area. So either he is down, and really pissed off...or dead. Luckily for us he, was dead...not making it further than 100 yards. As it turns out the bullet went in just behind the ribcage and angled up for a lungshot.
As we approached it became pretty clear that this was a big boy...and he was gorgeous...not all beat up with fighting scars and torn up ears.
Round of high fives, holy s#!ts and pictures...we tagged and gutted him. Then we drug him about 100 yards (ugg!) to the treeline to get him in shade so we could hunt a couple of other spots before calling Deedy to help us get the pig back to headquarters. It must have been pretty comical watcing us drag that pig from the treeline, through a small creekbed to the truck...and getting that SOB in the truck!
Back at the resort, the boar's gutted weight was 280lbs, so Deedy estimated him to be 364lbs on the hoof. Wow!
We got him skinned and in the cooler, and preserved the head and hide for a mount.
That evening, I was looking for my pig...but it was not to be. The wind was swirling like crazy...and we were pretty much busted. We did have great time though, and made the best of it.
Everyone was stoked, and Ryan is taking the head to the taxidermist today, and he is giving me half of the sausage. Congrats to Ryan for closing the deal on that shot, and taking a great trophy boar! Thanks to Deedy for giving us the insight and advice that helped us make the right decisions at the right times.
Pictures are attached...Enjoy!
We met Deedy the afternoon before the hunt and went out to the hunting area. We were shown where the bedding areas, feeding areas, and potential water were...and recieved some really great tips and advice. We tracked where the pigs have been moving, and there was a bunch of sign. Alot of info was given, so we took notes to compare later that evening.
Arrrived to the area about 1/2 hour before shooting light, and parked up the road for a gear and wind direction check. Then we went to the gate and eased in, parking just inside the gate for another wind and crosswind check before proceeding. We decided, based on the wind and crosswind, to stay put and not push any further in into the hunting area or we could potential bust the barley field. Turns out that was a very good decision.
As shooting light was coming upon us, we did a lot of glassing of what we could see of the barley field, and it looked empty. I think we had dreams the night before of showing up to a barley field full of plump pigs...but reality set in as we heard the dogs on the neighboring property going crazy, as there is a large bedding area up near there and and the dogs go wild when they smell pigs traveling through.
So knowing that the pigs were already out of the fields and nearing their beds...we decided to push slowly up a treeline towards the barley fields to a corner were we could get a better look at the field and the cottonwood stands to look for any straglers that decided they would stay out late that night. The wind still give us and advantage to get up closer, so we moved slowly checking the wind along the way. We got to the treeline corner, and pretty much right away I saw movement. There was a single boar stepping out of the willows, then back in....out then back in...over and over. He was about three hundred yards away, and looked to be checking things out before making a move to head out of the fields and back to bed. We slowly repositioned ourselves next to a deadfall to get in the best possible position based on the wind and crosswind....as the last thing we wanted is for that boar to bust us and make a run for it at that distance. We discussed making a move to get up closer for the shot, but decided to not push it as the boar already looked nervous. We were going to make a move as soon as the boar made his move.
The pig did make a move, and it ended up that he started traveling right towards us! We got set and steady...both of us with crosshairs on him. I chose a sitting position, and my friend Ryan chose prone. The boar was now about 150 yards away from us and stopped lifting his nose in the air, so I knew it was now or never. He turned to change direction and was broadside quartered away. I whispered to Ryan "Take him". Boom-->Twack! "You hit him, put another in him". Insurance shot didn't connect. We ran up to an area of a little higher ground to see where he went...and didn't see him running out of the area. So either he is down, and really pissed off...or dead. Luckily for us he, was dead...not making it further than 100 yards. As it turns out the bullet went in just behind the ribcage and angled up for a lungshot.
As we approached it became pretty clear that this was a big boy...and he was gorgeous...not all beat up with fighting scars and torn up ears.
Round of high fives, holy s#!ts and pictures...we tagged and gutted him. Then we drug him about 100 yards (ugg!) to the treeline to get him in shade so we could hunt a couple of other spots before calling Deedy to help us get the pig back to headquarters. It must have been pretty comical watcing us drag that pig from the treeline, through a small creekbed to the truck...and getting that SOB in the truck!
Back at the resort, the boar's gutted weight was 280lbs, so Deedy estimated him to be 364lbs on the hoof. Wow!
We got him skinned and in the cooler, and preserved the head and hide for a mount.
That evening, I was looking for my pig...but it was not to be. The wind was swirling like crazy...and we were pretty much busted. We did have great time though, and made the best of it.
Everyone was stoked, and Ryan is taking the head to the taxidermist today, and he is giving me half of the sausage. Congrats to Ryan for closing the deal on that shot, and taking a great trophy boar! Thanks to Deedy for giving us the insight and advice that helped us make the right decisions at the right times.
Pictures are attached...Enjoy!
