We got Miss Shaggy loaded up and went around to the other side of the field to where all the games began. I knew exactly where the 1st hog was standing and pretty sure I knew where I'd taken the shot. The hog was standing to the right and just beyond a little green shrub.
When we got to the spot of impact we looked in the direction the animal ran and Ray claimed blood immediately. The cluster of broom straw looked like it had been painted with a mop. Instantly we found another, and another, and another. After the 4th cluster was found I saw a hoof just up ahead and turned to Ray and celebrated because we had found it. I was so exited just knowing the hog was down that I celebrated after only seeing one hoof. Getting one hog that morning would have been more than enough, but getting two was definitely something else.
I turned and walked quickly and the 1st thing that entered my mind was that picture of Guru and his Bruiser. Curt had taken a 300# plus a little over a year ago, and this one looked like it came out of the same litter. I had no idea she was this big. I was elevated even higher to have taken such an animal.
After admiring the animal, and looking back to confirm that it only made it 30 yards at the most, we took a few photos and reflected. She was so heavy that Ray and I literally could not drag her. We had to 1, 2, 3 - heave her to the truck.
I'd like to publicly thank Ray for being a great camp host, hunting partner, hog heaver, and most of all for just being him. I owe this hunt to Ray, and it will be one I'll never forget. I'll likely never forget the breakfast Ray served up that morning either. I'd gotten both hogs cleaned and skinned and Ray helped me tote them into the cooler...As I was finishing up he made a gourmet breakfast of egg, bison sage sausage, and last and most definitely not least some hickory bacon Dean Torges sent me that would make ya slap your mamma. Thanks Dean and thanks again Mr. Ray Hammond.