http://www.pawsandstripes.org/home.htmlI had a wonderful hunt today with the founder of Paws and Stripes and four of his fellow war veterans. If you don't know about Paws and Strips click the link above a see what they do to help our returning veterans who need a little help.
Pole Canyon Ranch here in Brisco County called me out to do guide a dog hunt for these men and Donnie and I met them at the ranch after lunch. We made a nice hunt in the canyon country of the ranch. We ran a couple of different sets of hogs and had a rolling breaking bay in some rough country for several hours over quit a few miles. We never got close enough to send the catch dogs but we saw some good boars getting worked by the dogs across a canyon. Everyone had a great time and we took a break to regroup and eat some rib-eyes.
We made a run around the wheat ground just at dark but came up empty. So we pulled up stakes and change hunting grounds for a night hunt. We headed south of Turkey to the sand hills and shinnery country. We roaded and cast dogs for about a hour and worked our way to some wheat ground. Dogs got piggy and were hunting well as we waited in the cold night air under a beautiful clear sky with the milky way shinning bright.
Smoke opens way off to the east and off we go. The other dogs get in to help but can't quite get the track lined out. Smoke checks in a rolls out, gone 20 minutes. Then we hear her open and she is bayed one mile to the south west. The rest of the dogs roll to her and the race is on. I can tell its a good boar, we have a running gun fight that makes a big four mile loop and we are hustling to keep with-in ear shot.
Finally we have a solid bay with Smoke, Rose, and Griz hammering steady. I have AJ and Frog with me as we are getting close I send them in to make the catch. We have traveled to far for the trucks to get to us with the catch dogs, so AJ is going to be the anchor if I can't get a shot with the pistol.
All the dogs are hammering down and they are bayed in a thick oak mott. This is a bad spot no room to move for us or the dogs. Its a good boar, AJ hit the ear when I get close and gets tossed. No chance for a shot, I put the pistol up and pull my knife. AJ catches solid and the rodeo is on. I lead followed closely by three Army veterans, so I am felling pretty good.
We have a pretty wild time in the oak mott, boar rushing us, dogs getting tossed, no room to move, but nobody on this team lost their nerve. AJ get pinned against a tree and the other dogs hit up to help subdue a rank fighting boar. I jump on the boars back and come up with a leg. I give the word and done deal, stuck hog.
A great end to a long hunt with five very happy hunters. Nothing quite as rewarding as showing these men a good time. A big thanks to Pole Canyon ranch for hosting this hunt and Donny for all his help.
Thanks,
Paul T
