Where are the stories and pics?
Most of crew will just have gotten home yesterday as I did. Give us a day or so to get back in service.
All totalled we had 14 Trad Gangers in camp. Five new comers and the rest vets of Sweats prior. The cold front that turned Dallas and the Pig Gig Gang white was still hovering around when we rolled into camp. We did not see any snow but the weather during daytime was colder than we'd seen in prior years.
A number of pigs/havies were sighted but only seven made it to the coolers and one that escaped.
The weather had turned alot of hogs nocturnal for whatever reason. A good number of big hogs were seen after dark. One big boar 250+ was bagged by myself on last night of hunt.
Many of good stories were told and stump shooting was a regular daily activity. The travelling bows Hope and Faith made it to camp (Thanks Mel for handling/shipping)and were shot by a number of us. Hope made meat in the very capable hand of Curtis on the last night in camp.
It was great to keep the Sweat Tradition going and share camp with great guys as always. Hopefully their stories and pictures will role out here as they all settle back into reality.
Next year boys, next year..... :D
Mel is on the tailgate waiting for you Rob!
Dang! I've only just got the dust out of my ears!
Seriously though, if Curtis'll have me back, I'd love to get back over for TXS'11. Bob & Shaun had the right idea, wish I'd thought of it sooner myself! :D
Looking forward to the stories.....
I pulled into camp a day early having spent the previous week at Pig Gig 1 with a bunch of TradGang folks. There just had to be an improvement in the weather this week as I was dang tired of winter camping in Texas! Both the Sweat ranch near Odessa and the Gig ranch near Albany are in the same geographic part of Texas. This state is so big they have several different named areas like the Piney Woods, Big Bend, etc. This area is part of the Panhandle Plains - and yes there can be winter in the Panhandle Plains!
On my arrival day it was over 60 degrees for the first time since I entered the big state a week before. By the end of the week it would be nearly 80 with morning lows above "see your breath".
I set up my hunting spot in "Dick's Blind" where our bowyer friend from Seattle made his first trad kill a few weeks back on a javelina.
Pigs eye view of where I spent many hours guarding the corn.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v613/shaunw/TX10046.jpg)
And the inside look at where I sunned myself waited for little stinkers.
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Dang! You mean you actually got to hunt on dry ground? That was worth the trip right there!
Looking forward to the story and pics....keep em coming y'all. :campfire:
Been wondering about you fellas and how your week turned out down there. Looking forward to hearing all the details!
I had no daytime visitors at this spot and after the third day I spent an afternoon trying for hogs at a different one. Then on the last hunt day I tried a spot where Cado had been into javies most days. This blind was less luxurious but well placed and in the sunshine.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v613/shaunw/TX10054.jpg)
From 2-5 the birds entertained me and the sun finally warmed me to the core and started to color my Yankee hide a bit.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v613/shaunw/TX10068.jpg)
Javelina are desert dwellers and prefer a prickly pear cactus thicket, but there are fair numbers of them up into this part of Texas. I love to hunt and watch these critters - they crack me up with their cartoon like antics and movements. About 5 my patience was rewarded by a glimpse of movement behind me - a quick shot with the camera...
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v613/shaunw/TX10073.jpg)
A small family group of three - sow and two yearlings - ran out into the sendaro and stopped. At 20 yards they offered nothing but a chance to wound more than one with a single arrow. Again, the camera seemed like the right shot.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v613/shaunw/TX10074.jpg)
Javies will often hang around, dart away and come back and present several shot opportunities. These little fellows had another agenda and departed without so much as a single nibble of corn or how do you do. They had not been down wind or seen me, but they were wound up about something. I feel lucky to have had a close encounter with them again this year.
I had a chance to shoot the Dryad Orion traveling bow Hope at the target butts. Fine little bow with amazing zip. CK took it to the field the last evening and ... well heck, its almost a given that a pig would fall. Heart shot short recovery.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v613/shaunw/TX10077.jpg)
When I got home there was a certified letter from the consulate awaiting my signature at the PO. Picked it up this morning and can now say, "My fellow Canadian Dave (huntit) Stinson." Anyway, he is a little confused about apple placement but not arrow placement. Here is his second piggy of the hunt taken the last evening.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v613/shaunw/TX10088.jpg)
Couple of my bestest buddies in Texas sharing the moment...
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v613/shaunw/TX10085.jpg)
Canadian Eh! Congrats Shaun!
Curtis stuck that apple in my mouth amidst the flash blindness. It was nice to wrap up the last night with that narly old boar.
Nice work!
I gotta get there one of these day's. Look's like a ton of fun! Jason
Very pleased to See CK looking Well, how are you Bro?
Dad and I were sad to miss it, been thinking how you guys where getting on all last week.
Shaun Lovely Pics as always keep em coming, but we'r gonna have to work on your accent.. hey :campfire:
Andy,
I'll give you a call in a few days. Curtis is in camp for another two weeks then he'll be home.
Some people have some sort of special knack for killing hogs and Curtis and Dave are two of the best.
That is some fine looking pork! :thumbsup:
Looks like great fun. Maybe next year.
Real nice boar, Dave. Congrats.
Congratulations on your hawg Dave. Too bad we don't have hog hunting in Ontario!! :thumbsup:
Great Pics Shaun!! Congrats Dave and Curtis>>
watch out for rattlers in the blind. the last group cleaned them out maybe
JB
will try and post some pics later, but wanted to say what a great time i had sharing a camp with some of the best trad hunters. the knowlege they were willing to pass on to me, will help my hog hunting. as whip stated Curtis and Dave do have a knack for hogs. thanks Bob
Great stories and pics guys. Had to start this thread ... just couldn't wait any longer. I've gotta get down there. Maybe next year!!
Nice going guy's :thumbsup: I'll be there April 5th.
(http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g56/huntit/P1000216.jpg)
Any of you that have traveled with me, know that we stop at just about every Cabelas store enroute. This was the Dallas store, probably never see it again with this much snow on roof. We had shopped night before at Kansas City store with Mel but of course we forgot to grab a few things. This is Mel (IRISH) and Sheldon (CONSECON) by our tent in the snow.
(http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g56/huntit/P1000219.jpg)
Here is Mel with first hog sighted! Not 5 mins out of camp, the 4 corners hog!
(http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g56/huntit/P1000231.jpg)
Here is Brent and Shaun having a go with Hope and Faith.
(http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g56/huntit/P1000229.jpg)
Another of Brent. We might have a few bidders in this bunch come St.Judes time.
(http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g56/huntit/P1000222.jpg)
This is the first boar I arrowed on day three of hunt. This one was shot at about 7ft, quartering away. It ran about 100yrds and toppled over. I could see the arrow shaft in air as the hog dropped.Even though I knew where the hog lay my reflective wraps from onestringer made finding it in dark real easy. These wraps saved my bacon on last night as well in a big way. I'll never fletch up another shaft without the reflective wraps!
Day one had been quiet but on way back to truck in dark a good big boar crossed road about 50yrds in front of me and circled around me. Day two I drew the waterhole spot and anticipation was high. Sheldon had sat on waterhole day one and seen three big hogs but no shots. My night at the waterhole was quiet, no sightings at all.
(http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g56/huntit/P1000235.jpg)
Here is a boonie I arrowed one day while on a walkabout.
This is great guys, glad to get the news of this hunt. some nice looking critters for sure. Looking forward to more stories/pics.
Sorry, but I do not have any pictures available for a few days. Mrs. Sherpa took a roadtrip to see family and picked up my camera on her way out.
Just as Dave has said, the hogs were pretty much nocturnal most of the week. I kicked up a sow with piglets one evening. I tried to get an arrow into that sow but she wasn't sticking around. I did get one of the little pigs, and would have taken them all if I could have but they can travel suprisingly fast getting away as darkness falls. After two unproductive first days I started hunting late nights, staying out till 11:00-11:30 and I saw several big solitary hogs each night. Even though I have hunted hogs before I am a rookie when it comes time to know how to handle the situation when a big hog is close by. Not wanting to spook the hog away I did not act soon enough and did not get any shots off at the big boars. I drew the water hole the fourth night and set up an ambush site with some corn about 100 yards away from the water hole. I had a big boar come in, similar in all aspects to the black boar Dave shot the last night, facing me at as close as 15 yards. He spent nearly an hour circling me. I had good light from the moon overhead and my Swaro 10x42 EL binos gave me a great look at the night hogs. He never did figure out I was in that trash heap but he was a nervous animal and finally departed, never taking a drink or eating more than a couple kernals of corn. I believe he could smell where I had walked and that was enough to put him on high alert.
I could have spent a bit more time socializing in the cook shack but I was tired during the day and was out hunting until most people were in bed when I got in. Still, I had a good time renewing aquaintences and getting to meet some new Tradgangers at this years installment of the Sweat. Being the last to go to bed I was able to enjoy the evening symphony in the tent circle. It was awesome. The food was good and plentiful and the company beyond compare. If you have the urge to do a Tradgang hunt and meet some good people don't pass up the opportunity to hunt at the Texas Sweat, you won't regret it.
(http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g56/huntit/P1000242.jpg)
The last hunt was a good one for me. I returned to a stretch of road that had been producing sightings of a few big pigs all week long. This was same stretch I hunted first night out. Sheldon had hunted it a few days and had seen hogs every time but they kept giving him the slip. We had ground blinds built at both T intersections on this road. On the last night I elected to go right in the middle between both blinds. All the hogs sighted here were big old boars and they were smart. I corned the location in the truck rather than on foot and then parked a good stretch away. I crossed country and came into where I wanted to be without walking on road. A nice yucca patch provided good enough cover. I lay flat out on my stomach with bow in front ready. After several quiet hours prime time approached. I elected to stand up and have a look down the road. Not 100yrds to my left was a good boar feeding my way. I had good cover and watched him for a few minutes. He fed in roadway and then into bush on my side, then back to road and then back into bush. On his second trip into bush he decided to parallel road and was approaching my spot. I was not prepared for hogs coming from behind and was caught in open. As the boar rounded the closest bush he locked up, looking at me with only his head and shoulder visible. I knew I was made and the arrow was on it's way. The hit was as tight to the front shoulder as could be but was angling back somewhat. The hog ran off and stopped about 80yrds out. He stood still in one spot for over fifteen minutes and then moved 20yrds and did same again. He was hit hard but it being the last night I elected to try and get another arrow into him. I was able to get within 15yrds and another arrow was on it's way. This time he ran about 100yrds and stopped again. I marked the spot and backed out. After picking up guys we decided to go have dinner and return. Several hours later we returned carrying sweet spot and other persuasive devices. The reflective wrap from onestringer did it's job perfectly and the hog was found laying under a tree not far from where I left him. On approaching the arrow was noticed to be moving somewhat and the chase was on. Alot of persuasion and a few hundred yards further and he was in the truck. An exciting end to another Sweat Hunt.
Great pics and story Dave!
Awesome Boar Dave, Nothing like a bit of Gentle persuasion when needed. :saywhat: :archer:
Don't think the word GENTLE is the word for what Dave gave that Hog.
Bob,
Andy's seen old sweet spot before. He's also been co pilot on the gentle persuasion route as well. ;)
QuoteOriginally posted by stickhorse:
Don't think the word GENTLE is the word for what Dave gave that Hog.
:archer: :D
Really miss not being able to make this hunt with you fellas.
:bigsmyl: :campfire:
Congrats Guys!!! Maybe one day I'll get back. :pray:
Good Shooting!!!! Some fine hogs you guys shot up! I have got to get my butt down to a SWEAT one of these days!!
:clapper:
Way to go fellas...congrats to all :clapper:
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Who do you think this wiley hunter is?
My be wanting to advertise?
(http://i981.photobucket.com/albums/ae298/bfreese_2010/IMG_0151.jpg)
Great stories and pictures... Keep them coming..Maybe some day, I'll get to attend and try my luck at some of these and get the chance to share a fire and get to meet some of you guys in person. :pray:
Gene :coffee:
Nice stories and good time with good guys.
Look familiar?
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(http://i981.photobucket.com/albums/ae298/bfreese_2010/IMG_0123-1.jpg)
The first evening Curtis sent me to the Blue Rock stand, the wind was blowing hard and cold. It is on top of a water tank.
(http://i981.photobucket.com/albums/ae298/bfreese_2010/IMG_0122.jpg)
reclined on the top out of the wind,soon after things got started. this group of hogs was a sow-7-20# piglets and one bore. the sow and piglets went to the corn, and the bore stayed back. every time the bore started coming to corn see would run him off. He finally decided to root in the road, Curtis must have corned it at one time.Was about 18-20 yards, when he turned broad side, and the arrow was away. got back to camp and Curtis came out, thought i had froze out. as i had only been out about two hours. told me not to park in front of the Gambrel poles, changed his mind. Great first evening.
keep it coming - jB
"SWEET SPOT"
How nice of you to show her off...Norb :biglaugh:
IB...that was from TXS2006 and one of the funniest nights I have ever had. I got a real feel for what Texas is all about!
Sweet Spot....Steel Toed Boots and a Flashlight....Just follow me and stay close :scared: :scared: :scared:
Great pics and thanks for sharing your stories!
Looks like everyone had a Great time. That's another great looking Boar Dave {YOUR THE MAN}
I sure missed going this year Son's college got in
the way. Maybe next year? I really missed setting
in the cold all night looking for pigs with you
John. Did Ya'll hunt on a different ranch than last year? Congrats to everyone!!!
Hey Robert hope your well buddy.
Any Javies this year.
It was a blast hunting with Curtis and everyone. It was my first TS and I enjoyed meeting and hunting/camping/stumping and good ol general bsing with everyone. It was just a good time. To the hunt.... The first two hunts were at four corners, an intersection on the ranch that had both water and "cornage". Three days before the hunt, we had just recieved about 10 inches of snow in Texas and on that first night, the wind was still blowing from the north at about 30 mph. It was cold. Even the Canadians were cold. I didn't expect to see anything that night and I think my chattering teeth made have given me away. On the second night, the wind was still swirling around and at about an hour before sunset, I had a visitor. A big hairy 200 lb meat monster started towards my stand but just knew something was up. Now this was my second time hunting with Curtis and I've been hoghunting for a lonnnnnng time. I've shot alot of herd pigs but I have never before seen so many big smart lone boars over 200lbs running around. But after arrowing a 225lb. red hog with Curtis last year, I got a little spoiled and just assumed this piggy wanted to go home with me also. But he wasn't so agreeable. I had the pig at about 30 to 40 yards for about fifteen minutes but since he was out in the open, I couldn't close the distance. After he started to circle me (and with the help of swirling wind), he busted me. It was just cool to be that close to such an animal.
The fouth night, stick hunter and I hunted another pasture that was run over with tracks and after a two hour nap in my pitblind (the best nap I've had in years), I heard something and woke up to grab my bow. I then realized that that was my snoring and proceeded to resume my rest. About 5 minutes later, I heard pigs coming my way and grabbed my baby(my bob lee) to do some work on the local piggy population. A herd of about 10 small pigs ran past my pit at about 10 yards and they were just too fast to get a shot off but I just knew that they would back track and give me a second chance. 2 minutes, the swarm of crazed pigs migrated passed my pit blind again and I slowly sat up in my pit to take the shot. It was hard to slow down and just pick a spot when these pigs were just sprinting in circles around each other but I got off a good shot on a little boar on the edge of the group and recovered him 30 minutes later. Everyone at the house enjoyed my "piggy" with a side of carrots and potatos and said I made the right decision to shoot the little one. I'm sorry about no pics. Many thanks to curtis and everone at the sweat. Hope to see yall again in 2011. If you are considering hunting big pigs in Texas and you really want to hunt em on the ground (too much fun) give Curtis a call.
Hello Robert,
Sorry you couldn't make it this year. Dang kids and college get in the way of more hunts.
You missed some cold nights this year for sure and we did see some big hogs just about every night after dark. We hunted a different ranch this year, just south of the highway where you and I stalked that pair of wild goats last year. It looked the same as the last ranch did, gravel roads, mesquite, cactus, dry grass windblown dust and sand, but seemed to be fewer water holes to hunt. We hunted mostly roadways and pipeline grassways. I will be ready to go back and hunt again by the time next year rolls around. I am still learning to speak big hog and need more practice time hanging out with them.
Hey Andy I'm doing Great, how are you doing Hope everything is good. I didn't get to go this year so no Javies. Hope to see you in camp again I've really enjoyed sharing a campfire with you.
Robert
Day 2---- Curtis sent me to a new place about 2PM. just before dark some hogs came in, and was able to get a shot on a nice 20#er. he ran about a hundred yards. by then it was dark, and went back to camp for help. had a great dinner, then Curtis and i went back. just have to say i think Curtis could track a jackrabbit across a tile floor. we tracked him for another 50 yards and decided to come back in the morning. Next morning we found him a short distance away. (http://i981.photobucket.com/albums/ae298/bfreese_2010/IMG_0139.jpg)
see the smile on this guy, I think he had a pork dinner the night before.
COOL, :clapper: Hog threads rank right up there with Elk Threads. Nice Hog Stick!! That coyote get a shaft?
No Vic, had a zoom on camera, he stayed just out of my comfort range. this Guy did but as things go, wrong season and no Tag.
(http://i981.photobucket.com/albums/ae298/bfreese_2010/IMG_0146.jpg)