Disclaimer: Wild Things in Estill SC is beyond a shadow of a doubt my absolute favorite place to hunt and there is no better person to spend time with than my friend Andrew Harper there. Hog hunting is a passion of mine and I was able to indulge that passion just a bit last month.
It had been way too long since my last trip down to SC and this five day hunt was going to be savored from start to end. With only one other hunter in camp, my new friend George from MI, we had plenty of room to roam.
Mike Shaw has been a true friend through thick and thin and when his health was such that he couldn't shoot his bow any longer I was honored to be able to bring it along on this hunt. This one had plenty of mojo built in and I couldn't resist a picture in such a picturesque spot.
Didn't take too long into the hunt to find where the hogs had been absolutely demolishing a chuffa field. Went back the next morning and put the sneak on a group but somehow they wandered off before I could get within range.
Regardless, that night found me sitting along the edge of the field in a tree stand that Charlie had hung with care......perfectly for this left hander it turned out. With just the right amount of cover in just the right place it was just what the Dr. ordered!!
With the chuffa field in the background....I snapped this picture early in the afternoon and settled in. Feeder went off and nothing showed.....for a while.
About 5:15 or so a sounder of about 10 pigs came rolling out of the pine field across the road and made an absolute B-line for me.....all the while grunting, snorting, growling, and generally making their presence known. About 60 seconds after popping out the first ones were right under the feeder. Waited patiently for the boar, who was bringing up the rear, and once he stepped out from behind the pine tree it wasn't too long before the arrow was on its way. Watched it find the mark and the boar made a short grunt, walked about 30 yards or so out into the field, and drop over dead. Once he was down my attention turned to the pigs that were STILL there! Found the next biggest one and the arrow was on its way as well. After finding it's mark she ran about 25 yards behind the stand and gave up the ghost right there.
Two dead pigs about 40 yards apart and I could not have been happier. Done a lot of pig hunting and this was the perfect trip to have lady luck smile down. With Mike's bow in hand it was heaven sent.
145 pound sow as we found her
Couple of pics of the two of them together right out in the chuffa field. The boar was 165 pounds.
Great trip from start to end. The setting is unparalleled. Andrew is a host who not only cooks outstanding meals but makes you feel like you never left. Charlie does an amazing job of getting the feeders and stands set up and is very handy around the skinning shack.
A trip to remember for a lifetime for sure....and I'll be back!!!
Topic: Wild things + Very Special Bow = 2 for 1 Night....Update! (Read 1055 times)
