Pics of hog hunt 2/19-20, 2005, Hosted by Gregg Gravois
Mark Normand, David Hanson, Mike Bryge
Some are from my camera, some from David's camera
Here's the story, done in a hurry...
Total of 7 pigs
Gregg: 2 big ones and one young one
David Hanson: 2 big ones
Mark Normand: 2 young ones
Mike Bryge: a ton of stalking fun
Not much time right now, here's the summary:
We had a blast for sure, stalking at its best,
this is the real deal, free range swamp hogs.
Spent Friday night at the houseboat, Mike was hurting pretty bad with the 24 flu/bug thing going around.
At 6am, launched Gregg's cool 19ft crawfish
skiff soon after, short run to the hunting area. Soon as we stepped out, squealing/fighting
could be heard about 75 yards away. Yeehaw!
We fanned out on the high ground with Gregg
on left, then me, Mike, and David in a ragged skirmish line with plenty of
elbow room. Almost immediately I spotted a huge black sow, with young ones,
she was heads up and very aware. Mike and I each would almost get within
range, only to have them move off. I spotted another very large boar, that
was in/out the area. As I sneaked in/out of the thick brush, I held up, and
he began moving towards me, unaware. I spotted a few ragged willow trees to
climb if necessary, he moved to within about 8 yards, no shot clear enough
for a shot, then he moved off. All this within the first hour or so.
The rest of the morning was spent with an
occasional spotting, only to lose it again in the brush.
About 9-10am, I was in thick willow swamp about
1foot deep, and busted 2-3 large hogs, ran off like deer. Stopped to
regroup, about 10 minutes later I hear one coming back on a run. Crows and
blackbirds started flying out of the brush as he neared, he ran by me at
about 6 yards, and my shot hit about 6 inches too high, probably in the low
backstrap. Water flying everywhere, he kept going hard like nothing
happened. After repeated attempts with bearings, no blood, etc, no luck,
just not mortally wounded, will survive no problem. Upon returned to dry
ground, I found a large mixed group of young ones, and stalked for about 1
hour, it was great fun and nonstop action. After 2 misses on the larger
youngsters, I finally got a small one. They were always nervous as heck, and
pretty dang sharp for a bunch of young pigs.
David shot a nice boar while bedded, first shot
missed, he jumped up, and David, always quick on the draw, immediately
nailed him, a short trail and followup put him down. Gregg field quartered
(thanks Warren!) and they hauled it back to boat. We gathered up and ran to
another spot, Gregg jumped out to check the sign, and quickly shot a nice
one, and a small one, while we waited in the boat. Got that loaded up, then
we decided to clean everything at the landing. Then after a quick bite in
town, back to another area, not nearly as much sign, but Gregg found 'em and
got another nice black one. On the way back right before dark, we spotted 2
big black pigs on the levee, Gregg and David went after them, and Mike and I
heard more sneak up near us, but too dark by then.
Next morning, Gregg and Mike went to that spot,
David and I took boat around to Sat. morning spot. I immediately found a
group of large black pigs, and spent most of the morning chasing them, no
shots. Finally found another small bunch of young ones, when my arrow hit it
started squealing, and the 2 sows I knew were near came on the run. I got
ready to shoot (noticing climbing trees nearby) but they saw me slightly
move, and circled around to regain the youngsters.
Gregg called on cell and said Mike was stalking
a group, and having a blast. David and I loaded up and ran over to meet
them, with David getting another nice sow that he caught bedded up. Mike
could never shoot but he was excited and had a great morning.
Gave Mike and David almost all the meat, my
freezer is full right now. I think we're all "stove up" today, but would
gladly take another round anytime!
Thanks Gregg!!!
