TROPHY HOG DOWN !!

bigworm

Bay Dog

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TROPHY HOG DOWN !!

« on: January 06, 2009, 11:02:15 am »

Went for a Sunday morning hunt with Flatbroke, and some friends. It was very cold, about 20 degrees. The ground was frozen, and so were we. I was thinking as we unloaded the quads what the heck am I doing out here, I could be in a nice warm bed. My two friends had to gather cattle, so they were thinking to pass on the hunt. This is a new hunting spot for me and Flatbroke, so they were helping us get orientated. They decided to make a quick hunt with us. We were going to hunt this 1 canyon.
We had 3 dogs loose, and the rest on the quads. As we started up the canyon, the 3 dogs got out in front. By the time we had gone 300 yards, the dogs were 200 yards out, and going. They went up on this small ridge. We followed the road that went in the same direction. By the time we got on top, we could no longer see the dogs. We stopped to listen. We then spotted one dog across the canyon. As we waited for something to happen, the dogs were getting farther and farther out. After about 20 minutes of no sign, we began to move around to check. The other guys went to check up the road. They called back saying they could hear barking up on top of the ridge.
Right away I headed up where we had last seen the dogs going. When I was half way up Flatbroke sent two more dogs my way. They got to me and started working hard to figure things out. I could see hog tracks. I kept stopping to listen, but nothing. Next thing I knew, there were no dogs around me. Shortly there after I crested the ridge. I was very suprised at how big and steep the other side was.
I could now hear barking. It was way down the other side, and around this bowl. I began to run the ridge. I figure they were atleast half a mile away. I made it to the bay to find only 2 of the 5 dogs out. I sat tight and watched them bay this nice hog. Flatbroke's boy was bringing the catch. Meanwhile the other guys made the 20 minute drive around to the road below me. The boar made a charge and slammed 1 of the dogs. At that time the dogs starting catching the hog. I could not wait, so I ran in and shot him. When I shot the Jack Russel that was in the truck was there. So this told me the other guys were not too far away. I noticed at this point Buster had a 4 inch cut under his chin and neck. Within a few minutes the guys arrived. They helped me get everything off the mountain.
We knew we had to find the other dogs. They were most likely on a hog, and it had been a long time. The guys were going to drive back around to where we started. I had the crazy idea that I was going to make the 1 1/2 mile trek back up and over the ridge. Away we went. As I was making the climb back up the hill, I was thinking to myself, that I was an idiot. I had already climbed this mountain once, I was tired, and my back was killing me. About 200 yards from the top I got radio reception with the guys again.
This time when I reached the top, I was about 1/2 mile south of when I crossed the first time. When I busted the ridge, I could hear barking. 2 dogs baying south on the ridge another 1/4 mile. I radio for help. I needed more dogs. These 2 dogs were baying solid, and I knew they were tired. I told the other guys where we were at. They drove as close as they could. The problem was they were still a mile out. By now I was within 20 or 30 yards of the bay. I could hear the hog brake. The dogs would get him stopped, then bay again. The brush was thick enough you could not see more than 10 feet or so, and you would have to switch from walking to crawling every few feet.
I decided we could not wait for help. It would take hours. I started to make my way to the hog. As I drew close, it was as if the dogs knew I was there. I could see legs and outlines just a little in the brush. The hog tried to brake. The dogs grabbed him, and I crawled in. I was able to get in there and get a body shot. I punched 1 through his mid section, then 1 more through his shoulder. He dropped right away.
The 3 hour stand off was finally over. I began to cut off the best parts, while the dogs started to take off to hunt again. I had to keep calling them back every few minutes. We then began the long trek down the hill. It took us about 2 hours to get back to the quads. This was a good hunt that produced some good hogs. We just had to work for them. This ranch produced 2 hogs with 3" teeth two weeks ago. It also kicked out 6 hogs with 3" or better last year. In the last year only 1 sow has been shot here. Hence the name Big Boar Ranch.


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bigworm

Bay Dog

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Posts: 31