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rwlittle
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I sneak up on the pig (that I first thought was a cow). Everything is perfect; the pig is directly in front of me, the wind is at my right side blowing downhill, the ground is soft from the rain, and it is misty/foggy to help with my stealthy sneaking. 30 yards.
I knock the arrow and wait for him to turn sideways. ....wait, wait.
He turns. Eating and rooting and not even thinking of looking around. I pick the spot. Ready to draw back..when..out from my left side (yes downhill) SNORT!! :hog chewing:
Yep, there was another pig down hill about 10 yards from this pig in the poison oak thickets. The downhill pig winded me. They both bolt!! No shot taken. :smiley_doh:
All of this happens within 20 minutes from the first miss. Although I did not bag a piggy. That was still an awesome hunt...and that was only the first night.
I knock the arrow and wait for him to turn sideways. ....wait, wait.
He turns. Eating and rooting and not even thinking of looking around. I pick the spot. Ready to draw back..when..out from my left side (yes downhill) SNORT!! :hog chewing:
Yep, there was another pig down hill about 10 yards from this pig in the poison oak thickets. The downhill pig winded me. They both bolt!! No shot taken. :smiley_doh:
All of this happens within 20 minutes from the first miss. Although I did not bag a piggy. That was still an awesome hunt...and that was only the first night.
Mel Carter
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Man, this just isn't right! I thought I would wake up this morning and have all kinds of good reading to do.
Soooooo......what happened on Saturday
opcorn:
Soooooo......what happened on Saturday
opcorn:
rwlittle
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Saturday was uneventful for me as far as pigs, but I did take a shot at a coyote the size of a German Shepard.
I ended up not taking a pig that trip, but had the time of my life!!
I will let the other guys tell there tales.
I ended up not taking a pig that trip, but had the time of my life!!
I will let the other guys tell there tales.
rwlittle
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559,
It's tough hunting, for sure. It's all about being at the right place at the right time. There are just so many nice looking spots, it is a gamble to pick the right place for prime time.
Good hunting with you. Hopefully we can hunt there again soon!
It's tough hunting, for sure. It's all about being at the right place at the right time. There are just so many nice looking spots, it is a gamble to pick the right place for prime time.
Good hunting with you. Hopefully we can hunt there again soon!
madreagan
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A big thanks to TRA for setting up this hunt. It was awesome. Nice to reconnect with old friends, and nice to make some new ones.
My buddy Eric came with me and we had a blast.
Lots of hiking, lots of looking, and overall a great outdoor experience.
First of all, I can't thank Chopper and Mike enough for everything they did for us throughout the weekend. They went above and beyond every expectation to try to make sure everyone had a safe and enjoyable hunt. They make sure you are well equipt when you arrive and that you have plenty of area to be uninterupted by other hunters in. (Unless your ok with it). In the evening, they make sure you have hot water to shower, get a fire going (when it's cold), turn on the generator so you have power for the evening. Chopper even aired up my tire while I was getting ready to go out and hunt.
They take you on a guided tour of the ranch, which can be very helpful in finding areas with active fresh sign. After a days hunting, when it is dark as dark can get, they make sure everyone gets back safe and sound.
If you've never been to Chopper's you have no idea what you've missed. Chopper has implemented a solid wildlife management strategy and it shows. There are hogs in just about every area a human could hope to hunt in and more. If they are not there right now, they either just left or are just about to be. There are deer in great numbers on the property, and a ton of turkeys. We saw all of those as well as quail, bobcat, Mtn. Lion and many more. Anybody who goes up there and doesn't have a great time must have issues and difficulty getting along with people in other pursuits, or has strange expectations out of what hunting is all about. No hunt can be guaranteed, unless you're into the high fence thing. (Which I am not.)
So for this trip, we hunted 1/2 day Friday, all day Saturday, and very graciously all day Sunday.
Long hike on Friday, no pigs sighted.
Medium hike Saturday am, saw one pig, no opportunity. Then we saw big cat tracks.
Awesome afternoon glassing from ridgetops and hiking down from there. around 5pm, we saw 9 turkeys, and 10 minutes later,we spoted a big black and red spotted beast of a boar rooting under an oak tree. 54 yards, obscured by low hanging branch. stalked for 20 minutes, wind switched, hog ran off as I drew, no shot.
Right at dark, biggest hog I've ever seen came crashing down the hill and stopped just short of us. He rooted around and thrashed a log, then started towards us. 35 yards, Eric draws, I draw, pig stops, Eric shoots, misses! Pig turns and starts to walk off, 40 yards, I shoot, miss clean. Pig runs up the hill and now it's dark.
Sunday
Am, long hike, good sign but no pigs. Went back to clean the cabin for departure and Chopper and Mike, being the cool dudes that they are, invited us to stick around for the evening hunt. OK we are in! 4 of our 6 were able to stay. Chopper also had his friend Joel come out and bring his dogs to explore a couple canyons that we thought might turn up a pig.
Around 5, we headed out to our evening spots and again, right before, dark, here comes 2 hogs down the hill in front of me. They cross a little creek, I draw, 25 yards, WHACK. Pigs run off, I think I hit him.
I give it a few minutes, mark the spot I shot from, mark the spot he was standing at when I shot, look at the backdrop for my arrow. No arrow to be found. I call Chopper and Mike on the radio and advise them of my situation. Within 15 minutes, I had the cavalry there including Joel and his 3 dogs. We spotted blood on the other side of the creek, 30 yards later we found my arrow. Complete pass/pull through, covered in blood. Blood trail and tracks for 300 yards, however it is just about microscopic.
We combed that hillside for 2 and a half hours with 6 guys and 3 dogs.
We did not find my pig.
I feel bad about it, as I have never not recovered a big animal like that. I've lost a turkey and a few ducks, but never a pig or deer.
I also feel bad that I screwed up the night for all those guys that helped look for it and their wives and loved ones waiting for them at home.
I sure appreciated the help and owe you all a dinner sometime. Hopefully, next time we can all meet up at Chopper's and I'll cook us up a great meal.
Even though I was unable to recover my hog, this trip was exactly what a hunting trip should be (to me). Good friends, good food, experiencing all that mother nature has to offer with weather, scenery, animals and the amazing changes throughout the day.
Again, thank you TRA for organizing this hunt. And, thank you Chopper and Mike for making us feel right at home and helping us have a great, great time.
Till next time,
My buddy Eric came with me and we had a blast.
Lots of hiking, lots of looking, and overall a great outdoor experience.
First of all, I can't thank Chopper and Mike enough for everything they did for us throughout the weekend. They went above and beyond every expectation to try to make sure everyone had a safe and enjoyable hunt. They make sure you are well equipt when you arrive and that you have plenty of area to be uninterupted by other hunters in. (Unless your ok with it). In the evening, they make sure you have hot water to shower, get a fire going (when it's cold), turn on the generator so you have power for the evening. Chopper even aired up my tire while I was getting ready to go out and hunt.
They take you on a guided tour of the ranch, which can be very helpful in finding areas with active fresh sign. After a days hunting, when it is dark as dark can get, they make sure everyone gets back safe and sound.
If you've never been to Chopper's you have no idea what you've missed. Chopper has implemented a solid wildlife management strategy and it shows. There are hogs in just about every area a human could hope to hunt in and more. If they are not there right now, they either just left or are just about to be. There are deer in great numbers on the property, and a ton of turkeys. We saw all of those as well as quail, bobcat, Mtn. Lion and many more. Anybody who goes up there and doesn't have a great time must have issues and difficulty getting along with people in other pursuits, or has strange expectations out of what hunting is all about. No hunt can be guaranteed, unless you're into the high fence thing. (Which I am not.)
So for this trip, we hunted 1/2 day Friday, all day Saturday, and very graciously all day Sunday.
Long hike on Friday, no pigs sighted.
Medium hike Saturday am, saw one pig, no opportunity. Then we saw big cat tracks.
Awesome afternoon glassing from ridgetops and hiking down from there. around 5pm, we saw 9 turkeys, and 10 minutes later,we spoted a big black and red spotted beast of a boar rooting under an oak tree. 54 yards, obscured by low hanging branch. stalked for 20 minutes, wind switched, hog ran off as I drew, no shot.
Right at dark, biggest hog I've ever seen came crashing down the hill and stopped just short of us. He rooted around and thrashed a log, then started towards us. 35 yards, Eric draws, I draw, pig stops, Eric shoots, misses! Pig turns and starts to walk off, 40 yards, I shoot, miss clean. Pig runs up the hill and now it's dark.
Sunday
Am, long hike, good sign but no pigs. Went back to clean the cabin for departure and Chopper and Mike, being the cool dudes that they are, invited us to stick around for the evening hunt. OK we are in! 4 of our 6 were able to stay. Chopper also had his friend Joel come out and bring his dogs to explore a couple canyons that we thought might turn up a pig.
Around 5, we headed out to our evening spots and again, right before, dark, here comes 2 hogs down the hill in front of me. They cross a little creek, I draw, 25 yards, WHACK. Pigs run off, I think I hit him.
I give it a few minutes, mark the spot I shot from, mark the spot he was standing at when I shot, look at the backdrop for my arrow. No arrow to be found. I call Chopper and Mike on the radio and advise them of my situation. Within 15 minutes, I had the cavalry there including Joel and his 3 dogs. We spotted blood on the other side of the creek, 30 yards later we found my arrow. Complete pass/pull through, covered in blood. Blood trail and tracks for 300 yards, however it is just about microscopic.
We combed that hillside for 2 and a half hours with 6 guys and 3 dogs.
We did not find my pig.
I feel bad about it, as I have never not recovered a big animal like that. I've lost a turkey and a few ducks, but never a pig or deer.
I also feel bad that I screwed up the night for all those guys that helped look for it and their wives and loved ones waiting for them at home.
I sure appreciated the help and owe you all a dinner sometime. Hopefully, next time we can all meet up at Chopper's and I'll cook us up a great meal.
Even though I was unable to recover my hog, this trip was exactly what a hunting trip should be (to me). Good friends, good food, experiencing all that mother nature has to offer with weather, scenery, animals and the amazing changes throughout the day.
Again, thank you TRA for organizing this hunt. And, thank you Chopper and Mike for making us feel right at home and helping us have a great, great time.
Till next time,
rwlittle
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Dom!!!
Awesome that you got a shot!! I know the feeling of not being able to recover an animal. Don't let it get you down, it happens to all of us.
It was awesome to hunt with you again. Hopefully We can hunt there again....soon!:toast-yellow:
Awesome that you got a shot!! I know the feeling of not being able to recover an animal. Don't let it get you down, it happens to all of us.
It was awesome to hunt with you again. Hopefully We can hunt there again....soon!:toast-yellow:
CalTurkey
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Thank you TRA for putting the trip together. You are are a great chef. The steaks, chicken, pork and fixings were awesome.
Chopper and Mike were excellent hosts and made for a memorable trip. They put me on a area that had plenty of hogs. I saw five in total on or near a heavily used game trail.
After taking the tour of the property and getting settled in, I followed a ridge line and hiked into a valley where there were lots of signs. In between rain showers I spotted two hogs moving at a decent pace between some trees. I could not get a shot but was excited to see some game.
Saturday morning I went back to the same valley and the grass looked like a rototiller had ripped the place up. The sky was clear and there was background music of gobbling until 10:30 AM.
While following a trail I came up over a round ridge and met a startled hog coming straight toward me from the other direction. At ten yards, I looked at him, he look at me, then he stuck up his nose to give a sniff and bolted. All this took about a second or two. I kick myself for not drawing.
Saturday evening I walked the valley and saw eleven turkeys. One tom with a 6 inch beard and a bunch of hens. There may have been a jake or two in the group too. Near sundown I went back to the same spot where I saw the previous hog and spotted another. He was in overdrive and a bit too far out.
Sunday I decided to setup on the pig super highway again. Sneaking into position under a big oak tree I get busted by a hog up the hill about 40 yards away in some thick brush. Rats.
Even though I did not get a shot off, I had a great time at Chopper's. Everyone in the group was upbeat and the trip was excellent. I hope to be back very soon, maybe for turkey season.
Chopper and Mike were excellent hosts and made for a memorable trip. They put me on a area that had plenty of hogs. I saw five in total on or near a heavily used game trail.
After taking the tour of the property and getting settled in, I followed a ridge line and hiked into a valley where there were lots of signs. In between rain showers I spotted two hogs moving at a decent pace between some trees. I could not get a shot but was excited to see some game.
Saturday morning I went back to the same valley and the grass looked like a rototiller had ripped the place up. The sky was clear and there was background music of gobbling until 10:30 AM.
While following a trail I came up over a round ridge and met a startled hog coming straight toward me from the other direction. At ten yards, I looked at him, he look at me, then he stuck up his nose to give a sniff and bolted. All this took about a second or two. I kick myself for not drawing.
Saturday evening I walked the valley and saw eleven turkeys. One tom with a 6 inch beard and a bunch of hens. There may have been a jake or two in the group too. Near sundown I went back to the same spot where I saw the previous hog and spotted another. He was in overdrive and a bit too far out.
Sunday I decided to setup on the pig super highway again. Sneaking into position under a big oak tree I get busted by a hog up the hill about 40 yards away in some thick brush. Rats.
Even though I did not get a shot off, I had a great time at Chopper's. Everyone in the group was upbeat and the trip was excellent. I hope to be back very soon, maybe for turkey season.
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sdnative13
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Does anyone know if any more of these hunts are scheduled before it starts getting to hot. I wouldn't mind throwing down $400 for a chance if nothing else the experience is well worth it.
BackCountryHNTR
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Sounds like a great time! I hope to save some cash and maybe make it to Choppers next year...
So did anybody got a pig?
So did anybody got a pig?
sdnative13
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Well unfortunately the wife did not go for the idea of me being gone easter weekend so looks like i am going to have to wait till next year too.
Mel Carter
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Well, as usual sounds like you guys had a great time.
I'll be there Easter weekend, so hopefully I can get one.
I'll be there Easter weekend, so hopefully I can get one.
I was thinkin the same thing....I was looking forward to reading his novel after this hunt and see how that secret bedding area turned out?
