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
(http://i139.photobucket.com/albums/q291/bjornweb/First%20Hog/DSCN2369.jpg)
The accomodations are Spartan and there is no pizza delivery and no Trad Gang!
(http://i139.photobucket.com/albums/q291/bjornweb/First%20Hog/DSCN2367.jpg)
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.
(http://i139.photobucket.com/albums/q291/bjornweb/First%20Hog/DSCN2355.jpg)
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.
(http://i139.photobucket.com/albums/q291/bjornweb/First%20Hog/DSCN2361.jpg)
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!
(http://i139.photobucket.com/albums/q291/bjornweb/First%20Hog/DSCN2364.jpg)
OUTSTANDING ! Just the right size for grilling and from the pics, you administered a pefect shot. You're going to have to teach me how to do it my friend. I need some help.
Al
Awesome story! Got to love that hog huntin'. I like your choice in bows too!
Great shot Bjorn! A well deserved Congratulations! You have worked hard for that hog, you should be proud. Thanks for the smile, this made my day. It looks like some beautiful hunting grounds too. Get the grill going!
now thats ap pig!!!! awesome bjorn
Congrast on the great hog! Good story too! Thanks for sharing! :bigsmyl: ;)
Nigel
That's beauty...congrats! Jeremy's the man!!!
That is just cool all the way around!
Congrats Bjorn!
I hope admin notices the hero shot. Needs to be on top of the page for a week.
CONGRATS. GREAT PICS. <><
Congrats, Bjorn!
NICE HUNTING GROUNDS BRUDDAH :thumbsup:
way to go! :bigsmyl: :thumbsup:
:bigsmyl: :thumbsup: :notworthy:
Congradulations on a great hunt!
If you think those accomidations are spartan you ought to see my Elk camp! LOL
Pretty place, nice hog...thanks for taking us along.
Bjorn these are great pictures and a nice story to go with them, thanks for sharing and congratulation on the fine looking hog.
We need a graemlin with a knife and fork.
congrats , nice story :0)
nice hog nice bow!!
Alright Bjorn! I bet that will taste a lot better than that tough old nanny goat you got a while back. I envy your proximity to so many hog hunting opportunities. Its almost enough to get me to think about moving way up north....almost ;)
Let's meet in the middle at Tejon, whaddya say?
Nice place and good hunt! Congrats!
JL
Looks like a gorgeous place to hunt! Congrats!
Great job!
nice hog, nice place to hunt, in headed to Pacifica on the 20th for there shoot hope to see you there.
Well this is better(NO VIOLATION OF MAN LAWS).Great job man.
I thought most of the ranches were down your way Beachbo. That Avatar of yours is too much BTW the Goat cooked up great!
Some nice chompers on that one! Sweet stuff! Way to stay cool on the shot! Congrats!
cool hunt, and nice piggy!
-cory