We get a one week break from school at this time of year, and as the weather is warming up nicely (actually, oppressively), it is a perfect time to drive out to a cattle station before dawn to try our luck with the feral swine.
Earlier this week, we lucked-out with the bows, but I managed to catch this little sucker. I put it in my mate's backpack while he wasn't looking, and he got a nice surprise when he eventually opened it. Anyway, my wife enjoyed baby-sitting the little blighter while we found a home for it. A family from my school took it in to join their collection of ducks, geese, dogs, cats, rabbits, and horses. It'll enjoy playing soccer with the kids, and will end up filling the freezer.
(http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l164/b_kleinig/OctoberHolidays001.jpg)
Well, this morning everything went marvellously! Simone (my wife) and I went out to the station and checked the first swamp without finding any pigs. But as we were walking around the second swamp, we heard those wonderful noises that happy feral pigs make. I set off through the swamp toward the noise, with Simone following a safe distance back. Eventually I caught up with about four pigs hopelessly caught up with piggy-wiggy romance and its associated violence. At five metres range, I drew back on the nearest and let fly. They scattered, and I found good blood. Nearby lay the dying boar, around 65kg worth. From where this boar lay, I could see other pigs out rooting-up on an open area. I waded through the mud and water, and snuck over. Soon a little sow wandered too close, and I zipped an arrow through her, and they took-off. I was worried about the hit, because it looked like a liver shot, and I've had a tough time before in this situation. So I left it while I went to find Simone, and we photographed the boar. Then we took up the trail, and the wife proved highly proficient, finding a lost blood trail a few times. We were searching earnestly at one point, when I looked ahead and spied the pig laying down, but requiring a follow-up, which was administered.
(http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l164/b_kleinig/24.jpg)
(http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l164/b_kleinig/25.jpg)
On this hunt, I was using Wensel Woodsman broadheads for the first time since having a bad experience with them a few years ago. Giving them a second chance, they certainly did the trick. I think they may have even given me an advantage when it came to that liver-shot sow, by making it difficult for the fat to seal the wound.
Another really cool thing is that for the first time ever I was hunting with a back quiver, which Mike made for me. I picked it up at the post office yesterday. It is such a beautiful piece of craftsmanship. Thank you so much, Mike!
The bow was my faithful Black Widow PLX "Bocote", 78lb@29", and the arrows were Carbon Express Heritage 350s weighing 704 grains.
On the way out, we took some photos of the cattle and scenery, as well as one of my Missus perched on the gate.
(http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l164/b_kleinig/OctoberHolidays061.jpg)
(http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l164/b_kleinig/OctoberHolidays065.jpg)
(http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l164/b_kleinig/OctoberHolidays072.jpg)
I hope you enjoyed this little bit of my Australia!
Cheers, and all the best on the whitetail!
Ben
nice pigs...great country, great company..what more could a fella ask for? You are a lucky man, Ben.
That's great Ben! Thanks for sharing the story. Good shooting.
My moose hunt went well, although we did not loose any arrows at moose, we did call in four bulls, but they did not present any shot opportunities. I'll send some pictures your way soon.
I'll be back on your side of the Equator in January, and perhaps I'll get a pig one day too!
Ryan
great pics... :thumbsup: looks like you folks had a great time....
great stuff Ben!
thanks for sharing, bet your looking forward to getting your hands on the Silvertip!
keep well
Andy
Very cool! Congrats
Cool! I think the babies are the best. Here's one of mine when he was much younger. He's about 70 pounds now.
(http://www.tradgang.com/upload/ck/BabyPig.jpg)
They seem to look the same at this age no matter the continent. Looks like you had a great trip. Thanks for the pics. CK
Thanks for sharing the hunt. Looks like you hunted well and married well. Good going.
Good on ya mate! That'll be fine tucker for the next bring a plate. Thanks for the pics and story but painful to see at the same time: Whip and I are planning on meeting up with Al Kidner in '09 in the lucky country for a couple weeks walkabout in search of pigs and ? Makes the wait that much more difficult :readit:
Keep em coming anyway, Deer season's a bit slow around here....
Ben, It's looking very green, has it been raining already? I hope to get a bit of hunting in this week for whitetails, pigs and black bear.
That story does stoke the fire a bit more doesn't it JC? Very cool Ben, thanks for sharing, and please keep us updated on all your forays down there! It helps my dreams at night! :thumbsup:
Looks like a great hunt, congrats.What are those birds at the water hole, are they goot eating?
Congrats on the hogs and thanks for sharing the hunt and pics. Always interesting to see where other folks hunt. Even the everyday stuff to us is new to somebody else.
Ben, Congrats on the hunt and thanks for the pics and story. matt
Too cool
J
Thanks, lads...happy to share!
Rick, it hasn't rained yet, those pigs were in a swamp that holds water the whole year, although it does get smaller and smaller.
Herk, I really should learn more about ornithology; maybe they're Whistling Ducks? I suppose they're edible (most things are!), but haven't had a need to eat one yet!
JC and Whip, I'm sure you'll have a blast in Queensland, the pig-hunting Mecca of Australia - poor old Al can't take a step outside without treading on a cranky boar!
Yes those are whistling ducks and they are good to eat, but I don't think they allow hunting of them. For some reason, when you get to the outback, everyone can tell you how all the protected species taste and the best way to cook them!
Nice re-cap, Ben!
Australia is another of those places on my "Need to Go" list!
Someday!!!!
LD
Cool story Ben and nice pictures!!! Someday I definitely want to get over there and experience your country! :thumbsup:
Ben,
Watch out...those baby pigs get big fast....Here is my baby! Samson will be 7 next month and is pushing 500 lbs!
(http://www.brutalboarcreations.com/appalachian03.jpg)