Having looked forward to this hunt for months now, I was in good spirits driving from San Diego Friday morning, through the hell-hole that is Los Angeles traffic, and up to see Neil just outside of Sequoia National Forest. He was able to put me up in a trailer with all the comforts I needed, including a pond (which I am told is holding) and plenty of peace and quiet. We went out with a buddy of his Friday evening to see what there was to see. Amidst tons of orange and avocado trees, there was plenty of sign, but we couldn't get a pig to come down out of the hills before dark.
Fast forward through an evening of campfire, a "few" cold ones, and great sleep, we were up before light and at it again, this time at a different spot. Endless rolling hills and oak trees as far as you can see made the hunt enjoyable even before we saw the pig dart across the road, uphill, and immediately out of sight. Neil and I immediately run up the opposite hill, hoping to get a bead on him. He was spotted huffing it uphill through the oak trees and was maybe 50 yards from cresting the ridge and going out of sight again. I sat on my ass, elbows on knees, and prepared for an offhand shot. I found him in the crosshairs of my -06, waited for an opening in the trees while giving him a bit of a lead, and squeezed the trigger. BOOM! Neil said he was hit good. I tried to reposition for a second shot, but by that time he was already up and over the crest of the hill.
We go uphill to where we last saw him last and, lo and behold, the guy didn't even go 50 yards before he dropped. A NICE boar! I couldn't speak I was so happy to be in that particular spot, in that particular place and time. I'm not a religious person at all, but that moment is about as close as I can get to a spiritual experience.
We couldn't find an entrance wound, but after skinning him we found that I had shot him through the back leg and into his heart. Not a shot I ever want to repeat, but one that did the job nonetheless. I just think it was crazy because I didn't see any of his guts ruptured. All in all, I learned A TON that will help me with all my future hunts, and I can't wait until round 2 with Neil. Thanks to all of you for your wealth of information and motivation to continue becoming a better hunter and representative of the hunting community. CHEERS!
Fast forward through an evening of campfire, a "few" cold ones, and great sleep, we were up before light and at it again, this time at a different spot. Endless rolling hills and oak trees as far as you can see made the hunt enjoyable even before we saw the pig dart across the road, uphill, and immediately out of sight. Neil and I immediately run up the opposite hill, hoping to get a bead on him. He was spotted huffing it uphill through the oak trees and was maybe 50 yards from cresting the ridge and going out of sight again. I sat on my ass, elbows on knees, and prepared for an offhand shot. I found him in the crosshairs of my -06, waited for an opening in the trees while giving him a bit of a lead, and squeezed the trigger. BOOM! Neil said he was hit good. I tried to reposition for a second shot, but by that time he was already up and over the crest of the hill.
We go uphill to where we last saw him last and, lo and behold, the guy didn't even go 50 yards before he dropped. A NICE boar! I couldn't speak I was so happy to be in that particular spot, in that particular place and time. I'm not a religious person at all, but that moment is about as close as I can get to a spiritual experience.
We couldn't find an entrance wound, but after skinning him we found that I had shot him through the back leg and into his heart. Not a shot I ever want to repeat, but one that did the job nonetheless. I just think it was crazy because I didn't see any of his guts ruptured. All in all, I learned A TON that will help me with all my future hunts, and I can't wait until round 2 with Neil. Thanks to all of you for your wealth of information and motivation to continue becoming a better hunter and representative of the hunting community. CHEERS!
