Publiclandhunter
Well-known member
- Joined
- Aug 17, 2005
- Messages
- 138
- Reaction score
- 2
[attachment=42572:attachment]I decided to do some scouting at Upper Cottonwood for the upcoming A Zone Deer Archery opener and changed my mind at the last minute and went hunting instead at San Louis WMA across the road. Of course I left my game cart AND pack frame at home because I knew I wasn't planning on seeing-much less arrowing anything. My wife calls what I do "hiking with a gun or bow" since there are many trips between getting game. That all changed as soon as I left the sign in booth. Knew it was going to be a good day when I almost hit a forkie parking the truck. Then I jumped 4 more deer (2 spikes, 2 antlerless) after crossing the fence into the WMA. Didn't see anything on the ridges and then thought to myself..."self, if I was a pig, where would I go or be?" The lake bottom had a trickle of water flowing through it and those baby green huckleburs had covered the exposed lake bed...and the willow thickets were thick and green. Cover, water, and food. I saw a large pile of old pig scat as soon as I got to the bottom. Elk and deer droppings were all over the place so I knew game was down there eating at some point or another. Was very windy, too. With the wind in my face, I proceeded to walk the lake bottom willow thickets. At the second clump, I heard a branch snap and saw the boar about 45 yards in front of me heading out of the lake bottom up the hill. I followed until we came into some low-level chaparral which provided me some cover. At 30 yards, the boar presented a quartering away shot. The arrow hit low in the chest...too low in the front brisket. I drew enough blood to follow for about 100 yards before I caught up with the boar and finished it off with a 20 yard broadside shot. The boar ran about 20 more yards and fell over. Way, far from the truck at the bottom of the lake bed. Only took about 45 minutes to get the boar to the road. Thank goodness it there was a solid, cool breeze all day and it wasn’t stifling hot. Still have 2 tags to fill!! Was a good day.
