We came to a 3 or 4 acre field on the right full of broom straw, dog fennel, and some type of aromatic greenery that I'd smelled many times before but I don't know its name. Maybe someone will recognize it in the pics to follow and enlighten us.
The field was slightly up hill and there was a perimeter with a single lane of bahia grass all the way around.(Ray can correct my spelling of that grass if he'd like). Ray gave me the layout of the lake and bedding areas and I took off for a stroll around the field. I was to meet up with Ray where the bahia grass ran back into the road we were walking. I was on point as I closed in on the back side of the over grown meadow, being as careful as I could. I wanted to make sure I saw the pigs before they saw me, if there were any around. It was a very likely looking place.
As I saw the end of my planted row maybe 50 yards away I looked, but no Ray. I'd come off of point being that I'd just about completed my journey. Hmmm....I'd taken the long way around for sure.....did Ray go on ahead?
Then I was snapped back into hunting mode immediately as I heard hogs directly to my left out in the middle of the field. Couldn't see any, but sure heard many. I nocked my arrow back on the string and started into the broom straw to get a fix on the gang. They sounded like they were having a block party. I had the wind in my favor and the cover of tall broom straw to block their sight, as long as their heads were down.
Now guys, I have to tell you I was transfixed on the visions that were unfolding before me. I thought I was watching a scene out of Primal Dreams it was so captivating. It was as if I had waded out waist deep into a choppy bay full of porpoises. Hogs were appearing and disappearing here and there in a random cadence as the wind waived the broom straw rhythmically opposing the direction of their travels. I was hoping that I hadn't waded out too far and wandered into the herd as some were doing their magic tricks only 10 yards away. There was this one hog that came into view, but it never disappeared, nor was it going to till it left this field. That was the one I wanted since I'd already gotten small smoker, I wanted some big shoulders and hams to BBQ. I'd take my chances holding out for the right shot. Now all I could really see of this animal at any one time was about 8 inches of its back, and on occasion I could see a leg here and there but I sure knew which one was the front cause they were all headed in the same direction. I was in position and the range was good, just needed that front leg to step into a gap. ........
Next thing I remembered was hearing a squeal like a set of 36 x 14.5 mud tires locked down and the beast bucked like a bronco with only a little of the florescent yellow fletch showing. Like a bolt of lightening from the evening before it disappeared going away in the 11 O'clock position from me. Not far into it's retreat there 3 more mud tire squeals from the same area and it sounded like no forward progress was being made. In just a few seconds the only sounds left were the concerned chatter amongst the smaller ones as they started there magic tricks again, only at a frantic pace this time. My eyes were dancing all around making sure I wasn't going to get caught in the stampede.
Topic: Hail Storm Bacon and The Bay of Pigs... (Read 11758 times)
