Great winter hog hunt, despite frigid weather

[Mike Gerardi]

This is the blood trail Bryan found.
 

[Mike Gerardi]

I told myself that there is no way this hog is getting away. Bryan is just as determined as I and we head out. We tracked this sow for an easy 600 yrds. The hog had run within three feet of Pat and Pat told us we could move up quickly to where he was. Still on blood and now a little over 800 yrds into this Bryan tells me he sees the hog. I ask if she is down and he syas, "No!".

I move up in time to see the hog running and then stop. She goes into a thick cover area and beds down. I moved uo to find an opening "cause I'm good at those shots!" Ha. She waits until Im close and moves off real slow to another spot and beds again. I was able to close up within 20 yards and put another arrow in the lungs. At this point she does a false charge and everyone takes a step back. I had no plan and was happy she did'nt. Another double lung shot and it was over.

 

[pdk25]

[pdk25]

And here is one that shows the bow a little better.

 

Scene of the crime.

 

[pdk25]

Just so I don't forget to mention it.  Scott and Dave are both excellent cooks.  Scott marinated his jackrabbit in a special blend and cooked it in a stew that we ate a few days later.  It tasted awesome, pretty much like a good beef.  Someone with his cooking skills could probably eat just about anything that he wants to.

[Jayrod]

Great work guys and story's also THXS for sharing! Dave that dale dye is beautiful someday I would love to make it down with you guys

[Mike Gerardi]

Bryan and I glassed an area on the opposite ridge early Thursday morning. Several hogs were feeding in an area with alot of pines and blond grass. We found an area that we could climb up down wind and begin our stalk. Once there the hogs were gone and signs of fresh rooting were everyware. This spot seemed good. There was no wind and the temp was 10 degrees warmer. Cows fed around us and several calfs and full size cows were bedded. Bryan and I were excited with teh area and took it real slow. Just past an opening about 35 yards away Bryan asked if a small dark blob under a pine was a hog. I looked through a pair of quality swarovski bino's and saw what I thought was a calf. Bryan asked me to take another look. He thought it was a hog. I said,"Dude!" its a calf and looked through the bino's again. This time I wasnt sure. I'm thinking, "You dummy your looking through Bino's"
Just then all four stand up from thier beds. Bryan and I at the same time, like excited 12yr old kids yell...out loud... Javies!! and each fling an arrow. Both shots missed. I quickly got another arrow on the string and sent it infront of the right shoulder and out the left side. The other three just walked off. The one I hit went less than 10 yards and stopped. I was able to step out and finish it with a double lung. The first shot paced off at 28 yrds.

[Mike Gerardi]

FIRST JAVELINA
 

[Mike Gerardi]

This is the area the seperated me and the javie from the truck. I was going to have to climb down then back up the other side over three high rises to make it back. Total distance was about 500 yrds. I did not want to drag it so I cut a pine limb and wore it like a javie purse.
 

[Mike Gerardi]

 

[pdk25]

Great job on the javie, Mike.  I am going to post a pic of Bryan's hog.  I don't know if anyone has any details of the chase of this hog.  I wasn't hunting with him at the time, but I know that it was a quartering shot that pierced the heart, and the hog still went nearly 250 yards.  Crazy how tough these critters can be.  It was a fine sow, probably just under 175#.

 

[Dirtybird]

I think I was excited as Mike that he got a javelina.  How cool I thought.  Two years prior my brother and I were very close to getting shots at a small group of javies in the same area.  What a great day.

[Mike Gerardi]

I was with Bryan when he shot that hog. She about walked into his lap and he heart shot her at 12 yrds. We tracked her 300 yrds. He did not center punch the heart the broadhead put a good slice in it.

[Izzy]

Sweet bow Mike and a nice javie.

[hunt it]

 Way to make the best of bad weather conditions. Many would have headed home. White stuff sure does make piggys stand out, been there done that!

[Mike Gerardi]

Thanks Izzy. Special bow for sure.

Hunt it, it was colder in Texas that week than back home in Ohio. So much for increasing my vitamin D.

[cacciatore]

I am glad you all had such a great hunt,congrats.

[SteveD]

Nice Pat Congrats. Looks like a great time.

[Cyclic-Rivers]

Great stories everyone. That place looks awesome.  Congrats to all!

[Dirtybird]

I would like to thank everyone who has commented or read this thread for all the nice comments.  I would also like to thank those of who I shared this hunting camp with and consider all of them very close friends.  Memories that will stay with me as long as I keep my mind and my broadheads sharp.  Thank you all.

David