Trad Gang

You'll most likely run into Hogdancer ( Thomas Burns )  there... Please tell him "Hi" for me   :thumbsup:

Best of luck to all of the T/G'rs attending this year !!  

Stories and pictures will have to satisfy those not in attendance and I'll be waiting to see and read them   :pray:

Thanks' Gene    :coffee:

You got it Gene. Ya toms already there with Barry and Gene  checking cams, baiting etc. well be sure and say Hi, for ya!

Well boy?

Barry siad a bunch of hogs needed band-aids. Where the pics and stories?

Any stories.  I'm going through withdrawal this year having not gone down south.

Keith

Hey, Keith. Missed seeing you this year. Don't think there was anything exciting like Barry doing hand to snout combat with a hog. But he did tell us to throw our bow at it if we were charged. Hunting was pretty good. I think everybody was into the hogs. Even me, but I could never close the deal. I think the final tally was something like 17 hogs hit.

I'll post pics and stories tomorrow. Been doing other crap like putting my hunting stuff away and cleaning the garage...and photobucket has been fighting me.

Looking forward to seeing your pics buddy.

Heres a teaser with hopes youll come back tomorrow...
(http://i234.photobucket.com/albums/ee256/krakka17/DSC07037.jpg)

I would say he is outnumbered..........

He's got them surrounded, BUT does he have enough arras....

  :saywhat:  

Bring it on!

  :pray:  

Shoot straight, Shinken

  :archer2:

I will have to say for the very limited amount of hunting I have done, and get to do every year.; Hunting  hogs is by far the most fun there is for me.  At this particular place (Lambshead) It's true Spot and stalk.  Just the way I like to hunt. Now dont get me wrong I love, love, love sitting in a tree stand in the fall with the hopes that I'll get a glimpse of a whitetail buck. But ever since I moved west those chances get smaller and smaller every year.  In Colorado It's Elk, Mulies, Pronghorn and Bear.  And all the seasons run together for 1 month, with the exception of antelope which starts 2 weeks earlier.  So usually I spend 10 days or less Running around the mountains dodging other hunters with hopes of an elk sighting. with hopes of a mulie sighting on the way to that!  So to break from the winter lull The Wensels Pig GIg is a great opportunity.  

Heres the Bunk house at Lambshead ranch.
(http://i234.photobucket.com/albums/ee256/krakka17/DSC06895.jpg)

Holy Cow.... :scared: !!! I mean Holy PIG!!! That's a lotta pork right there...Makin' me hungry!!!  :campfire:

This was My second time out to the Cactus State on Pig gig. The first time being a few years back with an awesome and HUGE group of guys. Those stories have been told But just a reminder. Heres what that week looked like.
 (http://i234.photobucket.com/albums/ee256/krakka17/DSC03822.jpg)
 (http://i234.photobucket.com/albums/ee256/krakka17/DSC03821.jpg)
 (http://i234.photobucket.com/albums/ee256/krakka17/DSC03830.jpg)
Needless to say, there wasnt much hunting going on, but there sure was a lot of camp happenings. It was just good ol' fun.  
The thing that sold me was that when we did get to go hunting we saw pigs... lots of them and there were even a couple taken that week.
Heres Grants Boar he shot down by the Stone house Just MINUTES after dropping him off on our first hunt. I'll never forget hearing that SQUEEEEEAL from about 1/4 mile off after he shot it with that 90# Bear TD  LOL
 (http://i234.photobucket.com/albums/ee256/krakka17/P1030973.jpg)

SO I did Plenty of Prayin' this time before we left.  With hopes that the weather would Co-operate and we could really spend some quality time Hunting.  
As a side note Randy the Elk Slayin, Mule Deer Shootin, Mountain Loin mashing Ferret and I went out and bought New Sony Action cams. For some close range 1080P HighDEF Up close hunting. We figured out ways where you could wear the cam and shoot and see all the action wirelessly and compact.  Heres me sporting What I thought would be the greatest thing since Java chip Frapaccino's
(http://i234.photobucket.com/albums/ee256/krakka17/DSC06870.jpg)
So I practiced shooting with my cam on packed up my stuff and headed out 12 hr drive south Smooth sailing (fortunately).  Made it to camp Sunday At 1 ish where everyone was at "headquarters" hangign out and going through all the formal Mumbo Jumbo.  every one did their introductions. And everyone seemed especially excited to meet my hunting partner and personal Photographer, Julie. Especially Barry and Gene.  Weather it was because there would be something making the camp smell better or because it gave them a new target for pranks and Jokes. and if you havnt met these boys...they are full of them
(http://i234.photobucket.com/albums/ee256/krakka17/DSC07167.jpg)
Either way this would be her first time out with a large group of trad hunters, and her first time to TX (Thornland) for Hogs.

After heading down to the Bunkhouse and started setting up camp Thomas Hogdancer Burns Started Funneling people out to where they would be hunting, to scout, look for sign, hunt etc.. Upon his return he grabbed us and we head out to look a round and drop some corn. Cool little spot on "the other side" of the river. Which I had never been so it was cool to see something new.
"What should I take?" I ask.   "Ummm Your Bow. Ya, You just never know."
(duh)     :knothead:  
Anyway, I was a little worried at first because I just bought a new Subaru Forester and I was now going to be crossing the Brazos River, let alone dealing with the most rediculous amount of CLAY-MUD you ever saw.  Now before you make fun me, like... yes even my 70 yr old mother and most of my friends did the forester is quite impressive and completely sold me.  It even got where someones Tundra couldnt get (isn't that right Colburn?) LOL
anyway off we go, check the spot figure out some possible strategies and head back to camp. Eat lunch, then head back out for the first nights hunt.  
this is the view from atop a "mountain" looking down on the Brazos. Facing SOUTH West. If you look close at the distal end of the road you can see the famous "stone house"
  (http://i234.photobucket.com/albums/ee256/krakka17/DSC07045.jpg)
Julie and I primarily hunted the river bottom and field to the Left and whats obviously below us.  we spent about 2 hrs walking that and peeking down off the side looking for Piggy. Nothing...
about an hour before dark we circled completely around the field  back to these oil drums. We decided to head back to camp when right across the road runs 2 piggies.... Now this caught us both off guard Me because I wasnt expecting to see hogs so fast and She because she wasn't familiar with using my camera.
I locked up the Brakes Jumped out and nocked an arrow. Turned on My action cam and began duckwalking...
Now I do duck walks all the time and they are no big deal to me. BUTT these were a bit different because when you walk these fields in TX they are loaded with THORNS which end up in your lower pant legs. Ok No biggie....Untill you DUCK WALK!!!!  Now they are in MY @$$!!!
So here I am cringing and get to a spot were a pig passes me at 12 yds or so...Wind howling fastand action cam ON!  the whole time thinking... MAN this footage is going to be SIIIICKKK!!  well I stand up Slowly so I can maybe get a shot off and realize I'M SURROUNDED. Not even Kidding... There were about 20 pigs all shapes and Sizes and I duck walked right into them.  I played cat and mouse with them for a good 15 miutes the whole time looking back at julie with camera in hand saying "pictures" "pictures" Pictures"!!!!!  I got probably as close as 7 yards to a couple pigs, but the Scramble around, re set themselves, then I'd get on another one. Needless to say I didnt get a chance to shoot, and the eventually moved out to a bigger portion of the Field and connected with about 20 more pigs. unsuccessful, But Man what a Great first night! And the action cam on my head I was Amped with all the great footage and the pictures Julie was taking I mean she was even 10 yds or so from pigs! It was incredible.... We get back to the car and I said.."did you get lots of pics?' and the reply was "NO!" "Well I didnt want them to hear the camera."  
     
Well I explained that the camera wasnt that loud and Please push the shutter as much as you can, Oh Ya...FOCUS!
Head Back to camp,eat dinner, Chit Chat with the group... Day one...End

:campfire:

Yeah, Matty, your Subaru saved me a lot of walking. And swimming since we were hunting the other side of the river. Thanks again.

:campfire:    Enjoying the story!

:campfire:    :coffee:

The morning of Monday was the actual day 1. The one I wrote about previous was Sunday and was not actually day 1. So keeping this in mind, the morning of day one, of which we saw nothing. Not one hog. our hunt consisted on getting up high on that mountain and looking down at the field Glassing as we went.  All we saw were turkey and deer. Which both seemed to be everywhere. And a whole bunch of cardinals. Which should be the state bird if it isnt. The temps were warm. Mid 60s to 70s gorgeous and sunny.
  (http://i234.photobucket.com/albums/ee256/krakka17/DSC07043.jpg)

The evening hunt however.
 (http://i234.photobucket.com/albums/ee256/krakka17/DSC07050.jpg)
Will have to wait till tomorrow as my day has gotten away from me.. Bed time already, I get up at 4:20 am.

I like it.

:campfire:

Matty, You are always with the most beautiful women!   :thumbsup:   Whatayagot?    :dunno:

SO after lunch and maybe an hour nap, we all gear up at our own pace and trickle away from camp for Julie and myself it was an over the river and through the woods ordeal, Because these were always in the river:
(http://i234.photobucket.com/albums/ee256/krakka17/DSC06886.jpg)
It was fun to see them there were lots of calves and Julie was beginning to get attached to them and give them names,    :rolleyes:  
(http://i234.photobucket.com/albums/ee256/krakka17/DSC07061.jpg)
anyway the plan for the evening was to head to the WEST end of the field where they appeared to be coming from and head them off before they made it to field maybe in a funnel area or in some thick cover.so we parked the rig.
Now the field we were hunting in has a road that essesntially makes a loop that covers the perimeter of the field....ish.  So at the split we decided to take the right side so not to disturb the riverside to our left, or south.  So we make our way, its about 4:00. So that gives us plenty of time to get down there 1/2 mile or so. Get set up and wait.

Not 3 minutes of walking I see off to the left a couple Hogs making their way ON THE ROAD, but the other side of the loop...(figures) bout 100 yds away
So I say "lets get back toward the car quickly then cut across the field toward them and cut them off in the thick stuff."  So we boogie Looking back every few yards to see where they are so we dont cut the field too short and run into them.

Now pigs only stand 2-3 feet tall; so any bush , shrub, thorn patch  taller than them is going to  cover your view. we kept an eye almost the whole way,but it didnt matter cause we KNEW where they were and at the least the direction they were heading. Well sure enough looking back We lost them.  We figured we were far enough ahead cause we were running hahaha.  so we cut the field to try to cut them off.... Well they were NO where to be found. Looking all over and ...nothing. So the 2 of us jump up into this tree like 2 little kids and I tell Julie... OK I'll look East toward the Bigger part of the Field you look West where they were and then maybe we can see what they are doing.

Well about 1/2 hour goes by and Nothing still when I decide to look back in the direction  (She was supposed to be looking) And Sure enough there they were moving across the field almost RIGHT WHERE WE WERE when we spotted them!
She was watching this Bluebird
(http://i234.photobucket.com/albums/ee256/krakka17/DSC07053.jpg)

Again... Figures So we start making our way BACK That way across the field.

Now unless you know me personally I should tell you I HATE 2 weather phenomenons BRIGHT AND SUNNY and WIND.  I was now dealing with BOTH! Yaaaayyy! SO the Suns setting WEST the pigs are coming from the WEST I'm looking Directly into the Sun and the Wind...Needless to say Is BLOWING erratically.
So we get about 100 yards away, And On with the "action cam" I turn.  
Now I have VERY limited Pig hunting experience this being my actual 6th day ever. But what I have learned about them is they are either on the move.....Or face in the ground rooting stuff up.... So were squatting down ...Thorns in Butt (yes again) and they arent Budging.... 1/2 hr goes by... So I decide to move in.. I re assure Julie that they wont hear the camera please take lots of pictures (into the sun) HAHA
The landscape in this particular part of the field is sparse, Couple Bushes of sage and thorns a few trees so I'm looking for places to hide as we are working our way toward each otherevery 20 yards or so I find myself moving a few back to hide incase they move in.  They dont I advance and hold... Man the action cam is getting sweet views...
and in a few pics heres what Julie was getting...
(http://i234.photobucket.com/albums/ee256/krakka17/DSC06939.jpg)
(http://i234.photobucket.com/albums/ee256/krakka17/DSC06961.jpg)
(http://i234.photobucket.com/albums/ee256/krakka17/DSC06982.jpg)
(http://i234.photobucket.com/albums/ee256/krakka17/DSC06996.jpg)

Again we really stepped in them... there were about 20 10 piglets and about 4 boars and 6 sows probably more, Either way I worked my way closer and closer to where I simply couldnt go any further
(http://i234.photobucket.com/albums/ee256/krakka17/DSC07006.jpg)
(http://i234.photobucket.com/albums/ee256/krakka17/DSC07037.jpg)
As you can tell from the pic, theres just a bush between them and me. They Also are further than they look maybe 40 yards from what I recall.  So obviously from this spot...All I can do is wait with hopes theyll move in and somewhere between wind gusts I'll Pull off a shot!
Pigs are a BLAST to watch, The little ones Scurry about The big ones get annoyed with each other and chase each other off then re group... The little ones will feed on mamma, etc. Man that action cam is going to have some killer footage.  OS I get spotted or winded a few times...They throw a huff and re group Faces to the Floor and I was really hoping to get a hit on this multi colored (calico) Sow..It was just real cool looking and she was making her way in my direction...ish  HAHA
well this boar kind of notices me and makes his way off to my left Giving me the stare down about 30 yds or so Squeals and snorts.. Runs about and does this for a few minutes. Here and there...Well The have DEFINATE sounds, and I quickly learned and ALERT Squeal, Cause he eventually did it and they eventually made their way AWAY from us. Bummer But man how cool! I really hopes She got some good pix But I know she was fixated on those Piglets!  All In All I was stoked for that evening hunt as It was JUST like the night before a few less pigs but there were plenty!
Cant WAIT to see that video footage!!

In this pic, on the left you can see the pig who was making his move in on me, hes facing me at this point.

(http://i234.photobucket.com/albums/ee256/krakka17/DSC07036.jpg)

Just a couple more for fun, Oh and this was cool Talk about a BAD Birth mark... Look at the HEART SHAPED SPOT on the pig in the second pic!
 (http://i234.photobucket.com/albums/ee256/krakka17/DSC06970.jpg)
 (http://i234.photobucket.com/albums/ee256/krakka17/DSC06952.jpg)

Matty,
Keep up the pics & story tellin !!!

This is great really enjoying the pics.  Pigs are a blast to hunt.

We had a lot of hogs in that area. Wish we had a few more days out there. That's cool that you had a photographer to take pictures.

:campfire:   great story!!

Nice story telling..and pictures...

Great stuff Matty - keep bringing it!
But you shouldn't be carrying this story alone - let's hear yours too TP  :readit:

:bigsmyl:

Sounds like a blast!  Keep it coming!   :campfire:

So upon getting Back to camp that night a couple of us stood around the fire ring sharing stories and a few micro brews.  Thomas Rolls in said he Nailed one or 2 cant remember I lost count, LOL. And Uncle Berry Rolls in with one in the back of his truck Claimed to be a 80 pounder or so But after seeing Bisch's 210 lb.er in his latest post, I'm starting to wonder about the Guesstimated weights of all these pigs.     :rolleyes:  
Anyway, That night began the Wensel Story Tellin'. again Nobody tells a story or remembers as many details as Gene and Barry. They are seriously one after another and they keep getting funnier as the night goes on. Having been on a few trips with them now I'm begining to wonder if I couldnt write my own books about them telling stories!
The super funniest part about it was after we were all turned in Julie asks me...IS that TRUE....(about all the stories)  I just laugh!
It's anyones guess anymore.  And if you've heard them youll know that One of Barrys Favorite finish up lines for a lot of things is..."I mean, you gotta be $#!++ing me!" It truly puts a smile on my face and I think it should be put on his Headstone!
not too soon though.
Well that night was rediculous with RAIN. I mean it POURED! Julie and I were in my big 2 room tent..It was cold but tollerable but the sound of rain on a tent is like pellets hitting a tin roof. LOUD! so sleeping wasnt that great cause of the noise... Plus you could hear the snoring through the outside wall of the Bunkhouse HAHAHA, and that was louder. So the next morning everyone was on DELAY getting up, I hit snooze a few times for sure cause it was going to be a wet one.  Well we eat breakfast and head out into an Overcast morning. (my favorite weather) No Blinding sunlight, cool and damp. Down the Muddy clay road we go over the cattle guard make a right...more clay mud... down the hill and HUUUGGG  a HUGE mud hole still FULL with water and Lots of it.
Well now I'm skeptical because Colburn had gone out and came back and was hunting around thickets near the house. So if his Tundra couldnt get through, hows My dinky Subaru gonna make it. So I bagged the Idea of attempting to go through it and I decided wed hunt the random brush areas that are accessible by road and walking. Were in good shape so walking a lot is no big deal...So we did poking about and enjoying the weather the quiet ground and the Cows.
  (http://i234.photobucket.com/albums/ee256/krakka17/DSC07063.jpg)
 Needless to say the morning was a wash, No pigs were seen. From what I recall by most of us. Thomas probably shot a few more, but thats to be expected and its not that exciting any more..LOL  (kidding)
So back to the routine eat lunch, hang out, nap, go for a walk Take some pictures look for rocks and sheds and things till we head out for the evening hunt...Oh and relocating the tent OUT of the puddle it had been sitting in from the nights rain!
  (http://i234.photobucket.com/albums/ee256/krakka17/DSC06901.jpg)
  (http://i234.photobucket.com/albums/ee256/krakka17/DSC06890.jpg)
  (http://i234.photobucket.com/albums/ee256/krakka17/DSC06892.jpg)
  (http://i234.photobucket.com/albums/ee256/krakka17/DSC06894.jpg)

So that evening we set out again taking the same path back to our field with the hopes that our giant mud hole would be evaporated or gone... or something...Well No such luck, but I was feeling Bold "were going through it"  Cause I want to hunt dammit!  So I blasted through this thing and the forester Just laughed!! HAHAHA! lol
Should have done that in the morning idiot...anyway we make it through over the second cattle guard, make another right down the road to the locked gate. But before we get there I look way up on the hill off in the distance.... I see the "Black Spot" Quickly grab my new Zeiss 10x42 conquest HD's, and **BAM** "PIG"! I say.....

You tell a great story, Matty. I'm learning more about your hunt now than when I was there. I appreciate your efforts.

:thumbsup:   Great pics. I love chasen TX hogs. Keep it coming.

:bigsmyl:     :bigsmyl:

:campfire:

Great pix Matty...hope there's more    :campfire:

:thumbsup:   OK, keep it comin'......  :coffee:

What no more pictures of Julie??  :goldtooth:

QuoteOriginally posted by Littlejake:
What no more pictures of Julie??   :goldtooth:  

My PM in box has been flooded with requests of her pic in print. Well have life sized cut outs made that you can tote around with you. Lol.  Kidding.
I'll write more tomorrow and post up s'more pics. 2 more exciting hunts to come.

Great story tellin' Matty.  I guess that's the end of the Gaggle  :)

Matty....you ok?....waiting to hear more...   :campfire:

Terry, I just didn't think anyone was really watching this. I just thought I would put it on hold...

I been watching and waiting for more of the great pics and story. Keep it coming please.  :campfire:

I'm waiting too and... I was there! UB

Great stuff Matty!  I don't know how I missed this till now, but sure would like to hear the rest!   :thumbsup:

We're like elephants Matty - we don't forget, and you aren't done with this story!  :readit:

Oh no, we are still here waiting, Matty.

:campfire:    :campfire:    :coffee:

We are waiting and watching.......  :readit:  

  On with the story.....  :campfire:

QuoteOriginally posted by Tater:
We are waiting and watching.......   :readit:  

  On with the story.....   :campfire:  

Keep it coming!   :campfire:

:coffee:

I wanna see pics ..one heck of a good story!! Something I have to do someday!!!!

Looking good!  What great pictures too!!

Busy weekend with Julie?  :dunno:

Great Story Matty, don't worry about waiting on the crowd to show up, a lot going on with Cades hunt etc... your on the clock now   :readit:

Hey Matt you know most of us don't have lives so get on with it already. Great story keep it up

Just caught up.  Would love to attend a pig gig someday.  Keep the story coming.

Ya all are gonna have to cut him a little slack! I was out visiting my daughter this weekend and actually shot a 3D with Matty,Julie, Ferret, Labman and Tater so I know he was busy most of Saturday not sure what his excuse for today will be though!!

Steve

St. Patrick's day!
Hickup!
Lol