On Tuesday I drove to Hillside Ranch-a 3 hour drive north of San Francisco. This is a 4000 acre outdoors paradise that is free range and has a very nice hog population.
They offer only one hunter per week a one day hunt, or an overnight hunt, and run hunts from October to April. The animals are undisturbed and get only minimum hunting pressure.
The hunts are fully guided, and there is a waiting list even for cancellations!
Here's a view of what to expect
The accomodations are Spartan and there is no pizza delivery and no Trad Gang!
Those of you that have hunted with guides know that a good guide will work your butt off and make you walk and stalk like you only dreaded.
We saw lots of hogs all day-it poured rain and the wind was gusty and shifting back and forth-every time I got close I also got busted.
Just before dark there was a sound from just out of sight, and we crouched down to wait. A very decent Boar came into view waking right at us; 25 yards- 20 yards............
I already had my bow up and in front and could come to fill draw with a minimum of movement.
At about 15 yards he turned sideways, I stared hard, and before I knew it the arrow was in my face and gone. The hit was picture perfect; but now it was just about dark. We crawled around looking for good tracks and blood; but th ground was soaked and finding nothing we decided to come back in the morning.
I knew he could have not gone far, and waiting bothered me none.
In the morning we returned and very shortly found the Hog some 40 yards away, piled up in thick brush.
He is a beauty and will make lots of sausages!
The guide, Robert Larson, shoots a 52# Morrison long bow-he is an impressive shot and expert trad archer.
The little pup is 5 months old and promises to become a good hog hound. We brought him along for a training session in the morning.
And here we are again with Jeremy's knife and the end of a great outing!
Topic: The Hog, me and Jeremy's knife-rest of story(pics) (Read 523 times)
