Well its been a while since I posted a report. Its been an atrocious late winter and spring here, rain almost every day for two months averageing 2 inchs every 3 days. Tends to make the work hard, and puts a damper on wanting to head back out in it for a hunt.
I've managed a bit though, mostly taking others for a walk. The first was a young guy who's father wanted to go for a hunt. My brother took the old fella while I grabbed my rifle and the 14 year old and suggested we go look elsewhere.
No waiting rund for us, as soon as we got to the bush we spied a nice 70lb boar. The young guy had never shot a pig, so mindful of that fact we crawled in to about 50 yards and I set him up with a good prone rest and a few quiet words in his ear about not rushing and to wait for it to stop moving. Bang! and flop, one extatic young guy now had to gut and carry his first pig. Bigger than his fathers best just to top things off.
A week or so later and back out I went. this time with a Irish taxidermist who was also looking for his fist pig with a rifle. The trusty spot failed us, and with not much light left we high tailed it to another spot where there was a bit of sign. I cast my eye across the valley, and spied something out of place. Putting on some pace, I whispered, "Theres either a biiiig boar down there, or a stump I don't recall." We dodged out of sight and came over a small rize to spie a big boar allright. No time to waste, as he heard the bipod click into place, and turned to bolt back to the bush a scant 70 yards away, but Mick was quicker and straight down he went as well.


A very solid boar of 170lb gutted, and with 3 inchs of ivory. Whats the bet that guy gets mounted.
We still had to carry him home though, and with Mick being 140lb, the boar was quite abit heavier. I loaded him up and took a photo as he staggered off.
and another when he crashed to ground a 150 yards further on.

Between the two of us we carried him back though, for a well earned beer at the end.
Sometimes pighunting can get in the way of work (YAY). I had been up back shifting cattle. The job was done and i was heading home to do my chores when I loked down to see the dogs running off. Soon saw their reason, a small mob of pigs was out where it wasn't safe. My hunterway was first on the scene and bailed a big sow, next in was my old pigdog, who prompty grabbed an ear, followed by my GSP/Lab cross bird dog who grabbed the other. Not too mention the other lab and my 3 legged eyedog who desided to join the fun. Only one small problem, i had no knife. Quater hour later and I'd finally managed t grab all the holding dogs in a kind of spralled bearhug, and the sow made her way to safety not knowing how lucky she was.

Great!--I've not killed a pig since July, and I'm long overdue. Tried tonight, but after I got to the ranch, parked and was taking my bow and pack out of the truck, discovered I had not brought my release--so I came home and shot some practice rounds at the house. But, going back tomorrow--with ALL my equipment.

And, by the way, your pigs have big hairy tails--ours are nearly naked.

quote:

And, by the way, your pigs have big hairy tails--ours are nearly naked.

Something to do with the heat difference perhaps? Its often one of the first indicators I use t sort out the big pigs, when the tail looks like it comes from a horse.
Bummer about the release, hate it when something small stuffs an evening.

Great report, shanks! You've managed to hook another young hunter into the obsession of boar hunting -- good job! That is a fine hog with great cutters!