kingwouldbe
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What are you talking about we like Girlie, lets hear it
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Jean
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First Wilderness Unlimited Pig
On May 26th 2005, I shot an 80lb sow at Willow Creek. I was down at the creek away from the roads. I had been at this spot for an hour and a half.
I had listened to a deer eating in the creek around the corner from me. I never saw the deer but I heard the careful steps. He/she was there for about 20 minutes while I listened. By now the chipmunks and the blue jays ignored me.
Around the corner and upwind from my position came one, Two, THREE, FOUR, FIVE... I THINK THERE'S SIX PIGS!!!!!!!!!! I figure they are going to discover me and disappear. I aim but I am shaking (ADRENALINE!!!!). The round goes over the top of the pig and they completely ignore the sound. There is no urgency in their motion. They trot back and forth in the creek like nothing happened. They are also getting closer. At about 13 yards away, three of them stop and stare up the hill in my general direction.
I am sitting there and I have three of the pigs staring at me, so I picked the one that looked biggest and fired. The shot went though the head and out the shoulder. One of the pigs squealed and mine fell in the creek. The pigs disappeared. I was focused on the creek and any possible movement. All was quiet except that loud BAM BAM BAM noise coming from my heart. My whole body shook. I waited for a bit with a round in the chamber just in case.
If there are forest sprites, or God, or Nature, some or all of them were laughing at me. If I'd been watching me, I would have laughed at me. I don't mind providing them with a reason for mirth.
When I was reasonably certain that there was no activity whatsoever from the creek, I picked myself up and made my way down to creek. I used my now unloaded rifle for support, as I was still very shaky. I found her with her nose underwater in the creek. I touched her eye with the rifle barrel to make certain she wasn't going to surprise me. I guessed the weight to be about 80lbs.
I field dressed the carcass in the shade beside the creek. I had never done this before by myself. My only previous experience (other than fishing,) was a guided pig hunt 5years ago where I had the guide talk me through the field dressing and the skinning. He also helped a lot more than I realized.
I found that if you wash your knife with the gut hook in the creek, it will always come out of the water with algae in the hook.
I called my other half on the radio, but there was no response. I knew he did not expect to hear from me for another 3 hours.
I experimented with dragging but quickly realized it would not work for where I was going. I removed the pack from the frame and used parachute cord to tie my pig to the frame.
I told myself I was probably not capable of doing this. 60 or so pounds of pig plus pack and rifle is too much weight for me to carry. Nevertheless, I shouldered the frame, picked up the pack and rifle and headed slowly up the hill. I have created an obligation to use this creature well. Doubting myself is secondary to the obligation.
I was glad of the time Todd and I spent getting the packs so they would carry weight comfortably.
I called on the radio at every stop, just on the off chance that he might be in range.
It's maybe about a quarter mile back to the truck and 200 feet or so above me. I rested at EVERY shady spot. I talked to myself on the way up. I remembered other doubts and discouraging things that I believed of myself. I gathered these things in a mental pile. I weighed these things in my heart and found myself worthy of the challenge. I can do this. I am doing this. My heart sings.
Almost all the way up the hill I have been telling myself cannot lie down because I may not be able to get back up. Just around the next turn is the truck. I gave in to my desire to lie down and rest. I did get back up and made my way to the truck. With the pig in the back of the truck, I headed back to camp.
As I was putting the gambrel together, the guys drove up in their truck. They had been exploring the ranch roads and doing a little map updating. I think Todd started to ask me if I had given up for now. He had not seen the pig on the tailgate yet, so the meaning of my ear to ear grin was not apparent. I think Rich saw it first. Grins for everybody! They helped me set up the gambrel and block and tackle. I did most of the skinning but I couldn't have done it so well without them. They cleaned up camp and packed up. Rich cleaned all the blood off my rifle (I'd gotten blood on everything). We put the carcass in the cooler and headed home.
This was an awesome experience. I will treasure it my whole life.
P.S. I will also treasure the smoked hams, tomato-basil sausage, ribs and pork loins now temporarily residing in my freezer. They will go well with the onions, garlic, tomatoes, eggplant, peppers, squash, broccoli, beans, carrots, corn, runner beans, pak choi, and cucumbers that make up my garden. This story is my cave painting.
Jean
On May 26th 2005, I shot an 80lb sow at Willow Creek. I was down at the creek away from the roads. I had been at this spot for an hour and a half.
I had listened to a deer eating in the creek around the corner from me. I never saw the deer but I heard the careful steps. He/she was there for about 20 minutes while I listened. By now the chipmunks and the blue jays ignored me.
Around the corner and upwind from my position came one, Two, THREE, FOUR, FIVE... I THINK THERE'S SIX PIGS!!!!!!!!!! I figure they are going to discover me and disappear. I aim but I am shaking (ADRENALINE!!!!). The round goes over the top of the pig and they completely ignore the sound. There is no urgency in their motion. They trot back and forth in the creek like nothing happened. They are also getting closer. At about 13 yards away, three of them stop and stare up the hill in my general direction.
I am sitting there and I have three of the pigs staring at me, so I picked the one that looked biggest and fired. The shot went though the head and out the shoulder. One of the pigs squealed and mine fell in the creek. The pigs disappeared. I was focused on the creek and any possible movement. All was quiet except that loud BAM BAM BAM noise coming from my heart. My whole body shook. I waited for a bit with a round in the chamber just in case.
If there are forest sprites, or God, or Nature, some or all of them were laughing at me. If I'd been watching me, I would have laughed at me. I don't mind providing them with a reason for mirth.
When I was reasonably certain that there was no activity whatsoever from the creek, I picked myself up and made my way down to creek. I used my now unloaded rifle for support, as I was still very shaky. I found her with her nose underwater in the creek. I touched her eye with the rifle barrel to make certain she wasn't going to surprise me. I guessed the weight to be about 80lbs.
I field dressed the carcass in the shade beside the creek. I had never done this before by myself. My only previous experience (other than fishing,) was a guided pig hunt 5years ago where I had the guide talk me through the field dressing and the skinning. He also helped a lot more than I realized.
I found that if you wash your knife with the gut hook in the creek, it will always come out of the water with algae in the hook.
I called my other half on the radio, but there was no response. I knew he did not expect to hear from me for another 3 hours.
I experimented with dragging but quickly realized it would not work for where I was going. I removed the pack from the frame and used parachute cord to tie my pig to the frame.
I told myself I was probably not capable of doing this. 60 or so pounds of pig plus pack and rifle is too much weight for me to carry. Nevertheless, I shouldered the frame, picked up the pack and rifle and headed slowly up the hill. I have created an obligation to use this creature well. Doubting myself is secondary to the obligation.
I was glad of the time Todd and I spent getting the packs so they would carry weight comfortably.
I called on the radio at every stop, just on the off chance that he might be in range.
It's maybe about a quarter mile back to the truck and 200 feet or so above me. I rested at EVERY shady spot. I talked to myself on the way up. I remembered other doubts and discouraging things that I believed of myself. I gathered these things in a mental pile. I weighed these things in my heart and found myself worthy of the challenge. I can do this. I am doing this. My heart sings.
Almost all the way up the hill I have been telling myself cannot lie down because I may not be able to get back up. Just around the next turn is the truck. I gave in to my desire to lie down and rest. I did get back up and made my way to the truck. With the pig in the back of the truck, I headed back to camp.
As I was putting the gambrel together, the guys drove up in their truck. They had been exploring the ranch roads and doing a little map updating. I think Todd started to ask me if I had given up for now. He had not seen the pig on the tailgate yet, so the meaning of my ear to ear grin was not apparent. I think Rich saw it first. Grins for everybody! They helped me set up the gambrel and block and tackle. I did most of the skinning but I couldn't have done it so well without them. They cleaned up camp and packed up. Rich cleaned all the blood off my rifle (I'd gotten blood on everything). We put the carcass in the cooler and headed home.
This was an awesome experience. I will treasure it my whole life.
P.S. I will also treasure the smoked hams, tomato-basil sausage, ribs and pork loins now temporarily residing in my freezer. They will go well with the onions, garlic, tomatoes, eggplant, peppers, squash, broccoli, beans, carrots, corn, runner beans, pak choi, and cucumbers that make up my garden. This story is my cave painting.
Jean
Speckmisser
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Awesome "cave painting", Jean! Thanks!
Nothing like the first time you have to manage the whole affair (from the shot to the meat hook)! Congrats on the pig, and on the memories that will last a lot longer than the meat in your freezer.
Nothing like the first time you have to manage the whole affair (from the shot to the meat hook)! Congrats on the pig, and on the memories that will last a lot longer than the meat in your freezer.
Jean
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Glad you folks liked the story. I tried to write so somebody that doesn't hunt gets an appreciation of some of what hunting is about for me.
Aside from that, I have a soft spot in my head for Willow Creek. I have seen, shot and missed pigs there. I have been told that there is a group of pigs that travels between there and 2 neighboring ranches. If you are there when the pigs there, maybe you have a chance. That's also the ranch where we went to get away from family stuff after my Mom died in 2003.
We're going back to Willow Creek tomorrow morning. Don't know if that's a big adventure but I'm hoping. I guess I'll find that out when we get there.
Aside from that, I have a soft spot in my head for Willow Creek. I have seen, shot and missed pigs there. I have been told that there is a group of pigs that travels between there and 2 neighboring ranches. If you are there when the pigs there, maybe you have a chance. That's also the ranch where we went to get away from family stuff after my Mom died in 2003.
We're going back to Willow Creek tomorrow morning. Don't know if that's a big adventure but I'm hoping. I guess I'll find that out when we get there.
Jean,
Sounds like you really deserved that pig. Wonderful story, well-executed hunt and pack-out, but best of all is the experience and tradition that you will take with you and pass along to those in your life. Who knows..maybe i will see you at one of the ranches and you can try and convince my girfriend she can do it and enjoy it too...
Brian
SD
Sounds like you really deserved that pig. Wonderful story, well-executed hunt and pack-out, but best of all is the experience and tradition that you will take with you and pass along to those in your life. Who knows..maybe i will see you at one of the ranches and you can try and convince my girfriend she can do it and enjoy it too...
Brian
SD
el_vaquero
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Awesome...nice job!
Anyone seen or harvested any hogs on WU ranches lately?
I was out at Benz Ranch. We bumped one hog while quail hunting. I found his bed, tracks to and from. Nice size tracks.
Lots of quail and deer as usual. But few pig as usual. I have been averaging about one hog siting per visit. Not counting cedar canyon hogs right next door ofcourse. Kind of frustrating.
Thing is, there is so much steep, thick country at Benz and cummings. I know they are there. May have to actually head down the canyon next time..they run those steep ass cnayon draw hillsides..natural springs, scrub oak and cover..knarly drag/pack out..there gonna makeme work aren't they? bastards..
I was out at Benz Ranch. We bumped one hog while quail hunting. I found his bed, tracks to and from. Nice size tracks.
Lots of quail and deer as usual. But few pig as usual. I have been averaging about one hog siting per visit. Not counting cedar canyon hogs right next door ofcourse. Kind of frustrating.
Thing is, there is so much steep, thick country at Benz and cummings. I know they are there. May have to actually head down the canyon next time..they run those steep ass cnayon draw hillsides..natural springs, scrub oak and cover..knarly drag/pack out..there gonna makeme work aren't they? bastards..
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div>
I have been to Benz myself a couple times in the past two weeks, and neither time did I see any pigs. However, I did see lots of fresh tracks, scat and rootings. I did not walk down to the bottom of the canyon and instead spent all day glassing the hillside looking for beds, tracks, or anything else out of the ordinary, but I never saw anything but deer on the hillside. I think that they may be down near the bottom of the creek and/or at the Tejon border, but I have not tried going down there yet.
I haven't yet been to Cummings but it looks very similar to Benz and I was going to try that one soon . . . but it sounds like I will have the same issues there too.
The pigs next door at Cedar Canyon are really a pisser though, they are everywhere! I could have knocked down a dozen that I saw along the fence line
I have been to Benz myself a couple times in the past two weeks, and neither time did I see any pigs. However, I did see lots of fresh tracks, scat and rootings. I did not walk down to the bottom of the canyon and instead spent all day glassing the hillside looking for beds, tracks, or anything else out of the ordinary, but I never saw anything but deer on the hillside. I think that they may be down near the bottom of the creek and/or at the Tejon border, but I have not tried going down there yet.
I haven't yet been to Cummings but it looks very similar to Benz and I was going to try that one soon . . . but it sounds like I will have the same issues there too.
The pigs next door at Cedar Canyon are really a pisser though, they are everywhere! I could have knocked down a dozen that I saw along the fence line
Yup..all my pig sightings at Benz have been on the south facing steep slopes and on clarence ridge..right at the cummings border..i have seen some real big boars..usually alone..but i have heard pigs in numbers down at the bottom/ sides over in white cow canyon..but man it is steep...ol phil over at benz will help you out with his winch if you get one in the canyon..they seem to come up to the ridges at night and monring to feed...i found that pig bedded on a ridgetop hillside north facing..thick ofcourse..pigs are really tough to figureout onthese ranches..good luck..let me know when you head out..i will join u. oh yeah...look outfor the lions..i saw three..a mother with 1 yeard olds..she was big..150+
Yeah, Phil told me about the lions out there, but I haven't seen one. I'm a little worried about a mother with cubs though, she may get a bit mean. Phil said to shoot them and coyotes too while out there. He said once its shot he'll call the sheriff and they will work out the depredation permit retroactively. He said the lions have been spotted in the homes nearby, especially there in the Stallion Springs area an the local sheriff is very cooperative with people removing these animals from their property.
I'll let you know when I go out there again, probably next week sometime. Would you say that Cummings is better than Benz, or about the same? I am wondering if it would be worthwhile to go to cummings instead of Benz next time.
I'll let you know when I go out there again, probably next week sometime. Would you say that Cummings is better than Benz, or about the same? I am wondering if it would be worthwhile to go to cummings instead of Benz next time.
Cummings is best at the lowest elevation or highest elevation in my opinion. Here's why.
The lower elevation will hold pigs when the lower fields are planted..otherwise..not so much..best in the spring.
The higher elevation of cummings is awesome..at about 7,000ft..tons of deer..and have seen some pig track but have not spotted any at the top. only problem right now the roads will be closed due to snow and icy conditions..so you would have to hike to the top..whichis a long way my friend..however i would highly recommend hunting the 4wd trail systems at cummings..that's how i got my pig off cummings..
Benz is a ranch I like because of the challenging terrain..there are some honey holes..you just need to expend shoe leather and gas to find them..but mostly shoe leather...there are some good natural spring sources and ofcourse the ponds..i do a lot of still hunting at Benz..which i enjoy..
My tip is...park the truck at camp and just walk the roads..you'll see more animals, find new spots and get excercise...
The lower elevation will hold pigs when the lower fields are planted..otherwise..not so much..best in the spring.
The higher elevation of cummings is awesome..at about 7,000ft..tons of deer..and have seen some pig track but have not spotted any at the top. only problem right now the roads will be closed due to snow and icy conditions..so you would have to hike to the top..whichis a long way my friend..however i would highly recommend hunting the 4wd trail systems at cummings..that's how i got my pig off cummings..
Benz is a ranch I like because of the challenging terrain..there are some honey holes..you just need to expend shoe leather and gas to find them..but mostly shoe leather...there are some good natural spring sources and ofcourse the ponds..i do a lot of still hunting at Benz..which i enjoy..
My tip is...park the truck at camp and just walk the roads..you'll see more animals, find new spots and get excercise...
Sasquatch619
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Sonnds like great hunting on those ranches.
Btele, you wouldnt happen to be the Brian that deer hunted with us (The Ryans and the Henrys) in the lagunas a few times this fall would you?
Btele, you wouldnt happen to be the Brian that deer hunted with us (The Ryans and the Henrys) in the lagunas a few times this fall would you?
Sasquatch619
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Danielson with the f-150. How have you been man?
