Upper Cottonwoodcreek Boar 8/24

[Publiclandhunter]

Went out to Upper Cottonwood Creek WMA on Sunday and finally caught up to a boar. I’m not one for long stories, so here’s the quick run down. Before I get started, I’d like to thank Alex, Carlo, Mario, and Big Berna for helping me out. I would have probably been home 3 or 4 hours later without their help getting the boar back to the truck. Here it goes -- since day one of the A-Zone Archery Opener, I’ve bumped into or seen pigs on the back side of the area. After climbing hills from the parking lot to the backside of the property; I started glassing the canyon bottoms where the temps were still cool. I’d been seeing does and fawns all morning-no legal bucks, only spikes. Around 0730, I saw what appeared to be a brown rock amongst a bunch of grey rocks near some shrub oaks. At first I thought it was just another doe, but took another look through the binos. Confirmed it was a lone boar at about 125 yards. Was going stalk closer but thought to myself, “my .243 is sighted 3 inches high at 100yds and that boar is definitely within shooting range from here”. So I whipped out the shooting stix and sent a 85 grain TSX on it way. The boar dropped on the spot. The bullet caught the boar behind the shoulder and stopped on the opposite side. Got full expansion. Was very impressed with the Barnes handloads. Now for the “fun part”- the haul out. I probably should have boned out the boar, but I didn’t. Strapped him on my portable carrier and begin the long, slow, hot, walk back over hill and dale. Took me about 1.5 hours to get to the base of the chapperal patch. It was ALL uphill. The Lord must have took mercy on me because I ran into 4 other hunters who literally saved the day for me. Alex, Carlo, Mario, and Berna all took turns with me hauling the boar out. Fine group of folks. Offered water to everyone they saw on the trail and made the trek back to truck hospitable and fun. Ran into two other successful hunters (Joe and Joel I believe) who also connected with a boar. After we got back to the truck, we skinned out the boar and I gave them a hindquarter. The boar dressed out at 75 lbs on the hook at the butchers. I’ll be back. Still have to fill my A zone deer tag. Before I forget, Alex, be careful over there in Iraq. Glad I could send you off with some good hunting memories.

 

[FresnoHunter]

Well done, you seem to have the area dialed in for bucks as well. You definitely are the top dog from JHO that hunts that area. Excellent caliber choice, some people just dont know what that round can do!

 

[Rancho Loco]

Dude, you are amazing. You've got that place fully wired. Nice pig..

No way would I be betting against you bringing a buck out of there.

 

[Hogfest]

Nice work. Public land pig...can't top that!!!

 

[jd1]

Congrats publiclandhunter,
Great job on the public land hog. You seem to pull one out of there every year.


JD

 

[DeadNuts]

PLH, sorry I couldn't answer your call for a hand. Figures you connect when I'm not around to help. Don't worry, next time is MY turn! Was he where we saw them on the bow opener?

Congrats on the nice hog. My girls were excited when I told them you got one!

DN

 

[Carlitos]

Hello PublicLandHunter,

Hey hows it going, this is Carlos one of the guys that helped you carry the hog out. It was no problem helping you out, its an amazing hog. The pictures really dont do justice to the size of your pig. This was one of those you had to have seen in person to appreciate the size. Great shot, ill be out there this weekend again to see if i get lucky this time.. ill post some more pictures so people can see the size of your kill..

 

[Publiclandhunter]

Carlos,
Glad to see you guys made it back OK. Tried to catch up with you all at the Chevron, but I think I passed you leaving. Don't worry about posting additional pics. Just save your film for this weekend. Hope I'm not jinxing us!! Once again, thanks for ALL your help. I'm still sore. Send me a photo of your group for my game book.

See you in the woods soon,
PLH

 

[Publiclandhunter]

Carlos,
Glad to see you guys made it back OK. Tried to catch up with you all at the Chevron, but I think I passed you leaving. Don't worry about posting additional pics. Just save your film for this weekend. Hope I'm not jinxing us!! Once again, thanks for ALL your help. I'm still sore. Send me a photo of your group for my game book.

See you in the woods soon,
PLH

 

[CAhntr]

Very cool story!! I love hearing about camaraderie amoungst fellow hunters. That is one of the reason I enjoy hunting so much. Unfortunately it is something that isn't seen as often anymore.

Congrats on a well deserved pig!!

Eric

 

[SacFireJT]

Congrats! A public land pig is a true trophy!

 

[Cold1nhand]

Great job and my hats off to those that gave you a hand!

 

[hatchet1]

great hog!! and great story!! congrats on a D.I.Y. HOG

 

[DEERSLAM]

Great job on the public hog and great to hear about others helping you get it off the mountain...congrats to all!!

 

[barel74]

congrats, Cottonwood is a tough hunt. Odd year, the hogs have been in there often this year. I know Joe and Joel, and they said they had a pretty tough pack out, too

 

[Speckmisser]

Nice work, PLH! You make it look too easy!

Big kudos to Carlos and gang as well for taking time from their own hunt to help out a fellow hunter. It's unfortunately a fading camaraderie out there, with all the competition and selfishness that seems to be sweeping through society... both in and out of hunting. Really glad to hear that it's not altogether dead.

 

[Flatbroke]

Congrats on the Kill.

 

[Alex650]

PLH,
How are you doing? I'm happy with a full belly from the generous piece of hog you gave us, we made "pozole" and everyone enjoyed it. By the way, it was a pleasure to able to lend a hand with the hog this weekend, and I'm glad to have met another JHO member. As I had mentioned to you that Sunday was my last day of the season for me until next year. I'm glad I was able to end it by at least carrying some game to the trucks. . .

Alex

 

[scottosan]

Great job PLH!! You have bagged quite a few animals on that property. Some day you will have to share your secret

Congrats and keep up the good work

 

[vberardino]

Congrats on your success.. I was way in back of Upper Cottonwood yesterday, 8/25, and only ran into a few does. If only more pigs would cooperate, I'd be more motivated to head there regularly!