Son-in-law and I decided to make a hunt before church this morning. We took a ride down the Little Missouri River with four dogs, 3 bay dogs and my Dogo. We wanted to bring one of Stuart's pitts, but both of his catch dogs were in heat, so it had to be just Dogo. I was somewhat concerned about that because Dogo hadn't been doing so well lately. On three consecative catches he has been a no-show-jones. Still don't know why that is, but he seems to run off and just go by the bay. If any of you guys have an idea about this I'd like to hear it.

But anyway, we went down the river a little ways and Stuart (SnL) says let's put in on this gravel bar and let the dogs burn off some of this energy. We were just unloading when I observed some hog sign on the bank. Before I could advise Stuart of this his dog Claude took off like a rocket, barking as he went. We all went in pursuit, but Dogo was vering off course bearing to the right and they all were soon out of sight. A short time later the dogs came back chasing what appeared to be a 300+ hog, a big, black, long-haired sucker. I said to my self what are we going to do, as Dogo was not with the other dogs. This hog ran about fifty yards and turned to fight. As we had so few dogs, I had for a moment a clear shot, and I drew my .41 mag. and missed him clean, guess I hurried the shot knowing that a dog might get in the way, but I still don't know how one could miss such a large beast at that short range.

At the shot the boar turned and headed down river where we had first encountered him, with dogs and humans in pursuit. Claude was on him like glue, he was the real hero of this story. When the boar got back to where he was when we fist encounted him, he whorled around and made a stand for a few seconds and then headed back up river, with us in pursuit again. As I was running, I was screaming for Dogo, for up to that point he was missing in action. Finally, I saw him running to catch up to us as I looked over my shoulder. I was praying he would catch up in time, but I needed not to have worried cause help was on the way, in the form of a white guided missle, locked on, with distruction on its mind. The boar had turned again to fight and Dogo went over his snout and had a ear in a flash.

But the fight wasn't over yet, as Stuart went in to grab the hind legs, the boar shook Dogo off and made a dash for the woods. He didn't get 20 yds before Dogo had him by the ear and Claude had a hold of his hind leg. I put up my revolver and drew my knife and started in, but Stuart advised me to wait as the hog was head on to me, good advise I thought while looking at those white tusk. The hog and dogs were doing a slow dance at that point, with a touch of pure chaos and pandimonium. When the hog present his left side I moved in and stuck him, too far back, so I stuck him again, better, but not where I wanted. The hog was head on to me again and I slipped around trying to get him behind the shoulder good, but hit him twice more, this time on the shoulder and the knife didn't penatrate at all. The hog to my supprise fell at my feet on his right side, I jumped on him and stuck him right behind the shoulder, angled forward, taking out his heart in the process. The hog loss about a hundred pounds in death, I swear he looked like a giant in life.

I'm glad I missed with the revolver, because if I had made the shot, I would have been disapointed with my dog. I guess I need to try to walk him to the bay for a while, but this is going to be real, real tough, as he is so strong.

Anyway it was just a quickie, and we made it home in time for church.

Thought I would add a few photos from the hunt.

another

That's a whopper!

Thanks for sharing!

little Dogo and friends

Looks like a great way to start the day off.

Nice dog's as well.

quote:

Originally posted by Bobby Tomek:
That's a whopper!

Thanks for sharing!

Thanks Bobby, glad you enjoyed it. I always enjoy looking at your post as well.

You can see the battle scars on Claude's shoulder in this picture. He's a great little dog.
Regards
Larry

Thanks Mike, I wish I could start more days like this one.

Larry-

That's a beautiful area. The pictures on the boat look so serene.

And yes, those battle scars are pretty wicked. It's amazing what one flash of those tusks can do.

One of the hogs I recently killed was not edible because it appears to have been fighting and had a deep and infected gash in the chest. The overall body temp was pretty warm -- guess it was suffering the effects of fever -- but it was eating and going about its normal business like nothing was wrong -- well, until I introduced him to one of my Contenders...

Keep those pictures & stories coming, Larry. I thoroughly enjoy them.

Bobby

Wow Larry!

What a great account of a super morning. That boar looks every bit as big with you behind it as you described it running on the shore. You know, Doggo's got most of it figured out...he just needs a little more time in the saddle so to speak. It sounds like he got just as excited as you, seeing a pack of humans and dogs chasing that boar and he jumped right in. He's sure not afraid because he went straight for the head. Don't worry, he'll work it out.

Take care.

Matt

Bobby, thanks again, I'll keep them comming as long as the Good Lord gives me the strengh to at least keep in sound of the bay. But I'm approaching 60 and a bit slower than I used to be.

Matt, thanks for the encouragement, coming from you it means a lot. It could be he has a hearing problem which keeps him from pinpointing sounds. But most likely he just gets overly excited. I share that fault with him, myself.

What a way to start the day.
Sounds like a real good tussle for all.
Is it possable Dogo is trying to hunt for himself? Could be interesting to let him go ahead of the other dogs once or twice and see what he turns up.

Nice work, Larry! As usual, I might add! Great story, great big boar, and great performance out of Dogo -- I guess he redeamed himself! All of this and you still made it to church on time.......

That is still one big honkin' boar! It is good to see you out again among 'em. Y'all have some great country to hunt,

Congrats,

Bob

Marco & Bob, thank you for your kind remarks. We do have some great country to hunt in and so close to the house makes it really nice. Our dogs are young and need more time in the field. And yes Marco he has redemmed himself in my eyes, I really believe he has the capability to be something special.

Shanks, it is entirely possible he wants to do his own hunting, as the breed is often used to find and keep them. I've seen him wind deer from quite a distance, so I know he has a nose. Hasn't found a pig on his own as of yet, but I'll try your suggestion and let you know how it works out. Thanks

Regards,
Larry

Great Dogs and Great Story! That is one impressive blade in the first picture. Can you tell us a little about it?

Great hunt !!! And that just before church ??? woww !!!

Great story and great pictures congrats !!!!

L

quote:

Originally posted by doubletap1:
Great Dogs and Great Story! That is one impressive blade in the first picture. Can you tell us a little about it?

Double, it's a NuMade, from an outfit in Canada. I got it from Ebay, Gatorgordo recently purchased one from the same people, but from another internet source. It has a very thick blade and heavy, made of 440 steel. It is made in China I believe, but mine is not marked so. I am pleased with the workmanship of the knife, but had to have another sheath made as the one supplied is crap. Gatorgordo says that the sheath he received with his knife is okay. Gatorgordo says that he finds the knife handle to be slippery and it is, but I find the finger-groves give the knife enough control for my uses. The blade is right at 9" and really is very useful as a campknife, etc. I use mine often in place of a machette, as I find it cuts just as well for brush and is more compact.

Hope that is enough info, and thank you for your kind comments.

Regards,
Larry

quote:

Originally posted by Lorenzo:
Great hunt !!! And that just before church ??? woww !!!

Great story and great pictures congrats !!!!

L

Thank you Lorenzo, I can't tell you how often I've enjoyed your stories and pictures. If the US ever becomes uninhabitable, I am definitely headed for Uruguay or Argentina, which ever one will have me. If that happens look for some french thrown in with some very bad spanish as that seems to happen quite a bit when I try to speak spanish.

Regards,
Larry