Trad Gang
Main Boards => PowWow => Topic started by: Jerry Russell on February 18, 2015, 04:32:00 PM
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A classic TradGang story from the past…
OK guys, I have a story to tell. This is a story that covers a hunt for a single great hog that lasted three years. It is a story about an animal so intelligent and wary that he deserves this long and detailed story. I will put it down here as fast as I can and try to post as many pictures as possible to help chronicle the hunt of my lifetime. This is the story of Kong. The most intelligent animal I have ever encountered in 40 plus years of hunting....
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Get to telling, Im tuned in.
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The Story of Kong.
The boar stood just four yards away and his massive size was nearly overwhelming. Missing him at this range would be like missing a minivan. But before we go any further, there is simply no way to get to the end of this crazy story without going back to the very beginning in the spring of 2012.
I received an email from a guy that was a nuisance animal trapper. He knew that I guided for hogs and asked if I could give him some pointers on a hog removal job that he had been contracted for. The hogs in question were reported to be true monsters and the two of them were basically terrorizing a small neighborhood. The hog inhabited some of the most jungle like mixture of privet, kudzu and briars I have ever seen. We discussed a game plan for establishing a bait station as the hogs were solely nocturnal. Several weeks later, he reported that he had in fact killed one of the boars and it was a monster with an estimated weight over 400 pounds. Unfortunately, the second hog had escaped.
He hunted this hog several more times but the close call along with being shot at a second time left him with a hog that had become very wary. After many more attempts the hunter called me back and asked if I would like to take over the hunt. I jumped at the chance. I have always loved hunting giant hogs. I killed my first hog in 1980 and have been hooked on chasing big hogs ever since. Most would call it an addiction for me.
For those that don’t know me, I have been a hog hunter for nearly 40 years and I guide hog hunters (among many other things) for a living. I have taken more hogs than I can remember and have never had a great deal of trouble taking a specific boar, given enough time. I am providing this bio to help put the rest of this story in perspective. I am not new to the game of big hog hunting. To be honest, I thought I would make fairly short work of this big boar. I had no way of knowing that an incredible journey was about to begin in my life.
I am a trophy hunter by most folk’s definition of that term. What I mean by that is I like to specifically hunt mature animals. Four to five year old deer, bear and hogs are what drives me. Now, having said that, I really couldn’t care any less about the size of the rack or the weight of the bear or boar. It is the challenge of hunting any animal that has survived so long that it has reached a level of intelligence that makes him nearly impossible to hunt that drives me. I like matching wits and don’t mind a bit getting out matched by these awesome animals. My ability to eat regular helpings of humble pie would serve me well over the next three years.
From the very beginning I knew there was something different about this hog. Sure he was a giant but I quickly came to realize that he had been pressured to such a state that he wouldn’t ever move in daylight hours. This was no big deal for me. I had hunted this kind of hog before, but what happened over the first several months taught me that everything I had learned in nearly 40 years of hog hunting might not be enough to outwit this paranoid porker.
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I began by trying to simply find entry points into the jungle he called home. There were several sections in excess of 3-4 acres where even crawling in was next to impossible. This area contained the thickest mix of privet, kudzu and briars I have ever seen. Even getting up through the canopy to place a stand was difficult, and when you did break through, you had to chop a hole to shoot down through it.
(http://i1265.photobucket.com/albums/jj501/jerryrussell1/100_0083_zps358b0e96.jpg)
(http://i1265.photobucket.com/albums/jj501/jerryrussell1/100_0085_zps8161138d.jpg)
I began by attempting to hunt the hog on trails, but there simply was no way to approach his bedding areas without making noise. Even if it were possible, most of the locations wouldn’t even allow you to stand to shoot, much less draw a recurve bow. I placed a bait or two and thought that he would certainly come in. Wrong again. Well-worn trails would go dormant as soon as bait was placed. It was evident that the memory of his near miss human encounters was going to make this extremely difficult. I became aware of his extreme aversion to anything human related as I walked down a sandy creek bed one morning. I picked up his huge tracks and followed them as he approached a bait station. Thirty yards from the bait his tracks showed that he had become aware of the feeder ahead and had milled around a moment. The tracks then climbed out of the creek bed and circled around the bait and then reentered the creek only to continue away. I stood looking at the tracks in disbelief knowing that this was not a normal hog and now sure that this was going to be much more difficult than I previously thought.
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:campfire: :coffee:
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:campfire:
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Sweet! Can't wait for the rest of the story. Not many animals more wary than an old boar.
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At this point, I had yet to even get the ghost on camera. I just simply wanted to see what I was dealing with. He seemed ghost like in his ability to detect cameras and would stop short of the camera view every time. I had to develop a plan and I knew that cameras near bait sites would never work. I changed my camera plan to travel routes and I blanketed the area with 10 cameras. It took a full six months to get him on camera. I will never forget the first time I laid eyes on that hog. It simply did not seem possible that a hog could be this big. I gave him the nickname Kong. It sure seemed to fit. At first, his reaction to being caught on camera could be described as explosive. The trailcam set in video mode captured violent reactions. In time, the sheer number of cameras in the area made it impossible for him to travel and not be recorded and after several months he began to ignore them.
(http://i1265.photobucket.com/albums/jj501/jerryrussell1/PICT0009-Copy_zps0a5b38c8.jpg)
(http://i1265.photobucket.com/albums/jj501/jerryrussell1/SUNP0226-Copy_zps0fbe72cb.jpg)
I quickly discovered that there was never a pattern to his movement as far as trail usage but he did travel between the hours of 11PM and 4AM. He would enter the back yards of several families and wreak havoc in gardens and lawns. I knew that the only way to have a possible opportunity at him would be on a food source. I hunted apple trees in season, white oaks and others but it was impossible to pattern him. I then came up with an idea that turned things around. I took feeders and suspended them as high as 20 feet up into the trees so that he would not see them. This would change the game and about a year into hunting him, he finally started coming to a feeder. These early hunts showed me just how unbelievably intelligent this animal was.
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Kong would circle baits 100% of the time, but I had anticipated this and placed the baits where this was not possible. Using creeks and ravines, I made circling impossible and I hunted on very specific winds. He countered this by simply coming in and refusing to get closer than 30 yards. He would approach the bait and simply stop and stand for periods of more than an hour without moving a single step. I didn’t think an animal of this size could do this but it occurred many times. It became apparent that if he could not use the wind for protection that he would stand and wait on it to change. If it would not change to his advantage, he just simply walked away. This cat and mouse game happened countless times over the next few months. I spent many all-night hunts in those first two years. On the occasions that he did detect me, he would emit a deafening roar of disapproval and would leave the area for up to two weeks. He never once took a chance. Everything seemed calculated.
As the weeks turned into months and he countered every tactic I had, I realized that everything WAS calculated. This hog was thinking.
Ancient Hog Rubs
(http://i1265.photobucket.com/albums/jj501/jerryrussell1/0322131055_zpsc8a59e14.jpg)
(http://i1265.photobucket.com/albums/jj501/jerryrussell1/IMGP7831_zps47348a32.jpg)
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My first time seeing him was an event I will never forget. I had established a bait in a nearly impenetrable area of privet, and I ghosted in a full hour before dark prepared for an all-nighter. While I was looking at my phone, thirty minutes before dark I sensed something approaching from my right. I scanned the area and determined nothing was there. I returned to my phone scanning and my brain reminded me that every other scan to my right did not include a massive black area just 40 yards away. I snapped my head back up and was stunned to see Kong standing there like a ghost in the swamp. I was absolutely amazed at his size. I have seen hundreds of big hogs in my life and this just did not seem possible. He moved forward a few steps and disappeared from view about 25 yards away. He stood without moving for nearly an hour until full darkness set in and then started a slow circle. Once down wind, he let his absolute disdain for my presence be known with a series of roars. It would be weeks before he would return to the area.
(http://i1265.photobucket.com/albums/jj501/jerryrussell1/MFDC6361_zpsa2943a8c.jpg)
(http://i1265.photobucket.com/albums/jj501/jerryrussell1/SUNP01102_zps4e326af1.jpg)
(http://i1265.photobucket.com/albums/jj501/jerryrussell1/SUNP0085_zpse38b30bb.jpg)
A move of bait stations was needed to get him feeding again, and spring of 2014 found me on the edge of a steep banked creek. I had chopped a shoot hole down through the thick canopy and waited two full weeks before returning to hunt on a rare East wind. Kong approached at around midnight, but the unfavorable wind had him pacing back and forth for an hour before he decided to simply leave. It is difficult to describe how these all-night hunts can be both so much fun and physically demanding at the same time. There is obviously a danger associated with exhaustion so a strap system is needed to both prevent falling and keep you upright and ready for an encounter. It also is beneficial if you are borderline crazy. At 4am I heard the distinctive sound of his heavy breathing just 15 yards away in the inky blackness. I could tell that he was assessing the danger. This went on for twenty minutes or more, and then suddenly he simply started walking right to me.
(http://i1265.photobucket.com/albums/jj501/jerryrussell1/WGI_0009_zps8173dcb2.jpg)
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Note: The photos shown here are from several hundred collected along with countless videos during this three year odyssey. The times stamps are generally right but the years may have not been set on the cameras.
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I can feel the adrenaline.
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Great story so far. Keep it coming
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These swamps have a jungle like canopy so to tell you it is pitch black would be the understatement of the year. The only possible way to take an ethical shot is to have a lighting system on your bow. I had experimented with countless designs over the years, but when hunting pressured hogs, I prefer a red light with a rheostat that allows the light to be dialed up slowly enough that the animal can’t perceive the increase. In the darkness I could tell that he stood just five or six yards away. As I slowly turned up the light down through my shooting hole, I was frustrated that I could only see a massive black hole but no Kong. Months of effort had gone into this moment and I simply could not see him. I could hear every breath and could hear him chewing… Where was he? I dialed up the light a bit more, and suddenly I could see two small white objects on the edge of the black hole. In amazement I suddenly realized that this “huge black hole” I was staring into was actually Kong’s back, and those white objects were his tusks. His size at this short range was overwhelming.
It would have been impossible to miss at this short range, but it became apparent that he was facing me. I certainly could have hit the back of a single lung but there was no way I was going to risk wounding this great animal. Recovery in this jungle would be near impossible if he did not leave a blood trial. I did not expect a pass through shot from this near straight down angle. I waited for him to turn for a full 6-7 minutes, but he simply stood like a statue without moving. I then realized that he was waiting on a wind change. A minute later, he got it. I climbed down at daylight and staggered back to the truck. Depressed and fully aware that it would be weeks if not months before he would return.
Another all-night defeat...
(http://i1265.photobucket.com/albums/jj501/jerryrussell1/MFDC6429_zps2e3285ca.jpg)
The fall of 2014 had a good acorn crop, and as in years past, Kong took on a gypsy approach to feeding and never returned to a bait site. My sole encounter with him was a single run in under a giant white oak as I walked in to deer hunt. Winter and early spring was going to be my next chance, and I spent a couple days preparing a site in the thickest area so as to provide him with the greatest security approach. Several weeks later I check a trail camera and determined that it was time to give it another shot. I approached the bait site and was disappointed to see that the feeder and everything around the bait site had been destroyed. It was as if someone had taken a sledge hammer to everything. The evidence showed that Kong had developed a new and very bad habit of ripping the legs off the feeder, ripping the motor off the unit and crushing the drum. This happened several times, and I finally resorted to using heavy wire to hold the unit in a large privet bush. A few weeks later I was perched over the site a full hour before dark with a good wind. Thirty minutes before dark, I heard a twig snap. I slowly stood and with bow in hand looked down to see Kong just five yards away staring at the base of my tree. The problem was the canopy. It was impossible to shoot down into this tangle without fear of deflection and wounding him. I had a perfect wind at this point but something told him this was a bad situation and with a roar he was gone. With a broken spirit, I strapped into the tree hoping he would come back after dark. He never did.
(http://i1265.photobucket.com/albums/jj501/jerryrussell1/100_0078_zpsba38aa2b.jpg)
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You have me tuned in jerry :campfire:
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There were countless encounters like this over the three years of this adventure. With the exception of guiding my hunters on my hog properties, I pretty much just stopped hunting all other hogs. I felt like a werewolf prowling around all night. My girlfriend (being used to my crazy hunting antics after 14 years together) would just smirk at me as I crawled in defeated after each all-night defeat. As crazy as it may sound, I loved every single minute of this game.
(http://i1265.photobucket.com/albums/jj501/jerryrussell1/100_0078_zpsba38aa2b.jpg)
(http://i1265.photobucket.com/albums/jj501/jerryrussell1/MFDC7144_zpsa0346cfe.jpg)
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I just called my wife, Ill be late for taking her out to dinner for her birthday.....
go on.....
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I would have several encounters with him over the next few weeks and while he never knew for sure that I was there he seemed to always sense me. Standing one to two hours, just yards away in the darkness before walking away. Everything changed on February 8, 2015.
(http://i1265.photobucket.com/albums/jj501/jerryrussell1/MFDC3813_zpsa1a4687e.jpg)
I would be guiding hog hunters in another area the following day, but I decided that the SW wind would be good for another try. I got to the stand site to find that Kong had crushed everything again, but my pack contained everything to get it back in service. He had been coming to this site just 20 minutes after dark, and to be quite honest I fully expected a quick encounter that would be a repeat of countless other nights where this awesome hog beat me up again. On cue, I could hear him coming in with that methodical walk that would always quiet to a ghost like approach in the darkness. He stood for almost an hour before approaching to within 15 yards. He stood another 20 minutes in total silence before starting his customary circle to get my wind. This time, however; his circle would carry him much closer to the tree on the downwind arc. This would prove to be a fatal mistake on his part.
When he was at seven yards and directly down wind, he stopped and breathed deeply. I held my breath and after a few minutes he continued his circle. When he reached the upwind side it occurred to me that my three year wait was about to provide the long awaited shot opportunity. All I had to do was make it count.
Even at 5 yards the full canopy and darkness of the night prevented me from seeing him. I strained for any sign of him and suddenly he appeared in my shooting hole at four yards.
(http://i1265.photobucket.com/albums/jj501/jerryrussell1/MFDC3270_zps46f38676.jpg)
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Man alive I'm on the edge of my keyboard!! Great story telling Jerry.
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The stand tree can be seen in the above photo.
The lower limb of my Black Widow recurve bow was tucked into my boot and while my light was on it was set at its lowest setting. He was very slightly quartered to me but at 4 yards with a sixteen foot elevation the shot was certainly doable. I then told myself that unless he gave me a perfect broadside shot, I would let him walk away. He had given me so much adventure over the last three years that there was simply no way I was going to let this story end with wounding him or having him suffer. He stood without changing positions for about 7 minutes, and I took the time to just simply take in the moment. His size was amazing and the strangest feeling began to overcome me. I knew that there was simply no way I could miss him at four yards, and I wanted this moment to last. The longer he stood there without giving me the perfect shot, the longer we would still be playing this game. Call me crazy if you like, but I was almost sad that it was about to be over.
He finally changed his posture and I knew that he was dropping his guard. He took a step forward and pulled his leg forward fully exposing his vitals. As I pulled the bow to full draw, I noticed a quarter sized spot of mud right where I needed to arrow to go. A second later my lighted nock appeared on that spot.
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I have no fingernails left
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I'm hoping he's loading up for some serious hero shots
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Talk about a cliff hanger.
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With a huff he stormed out through that jungle with the nock lighting his every step. I also had a string tracker attached to the arrow and the whirring of the string gave additional comfort that the arrow was still with him. As soon as the red glow disappeared, everything went silent. A second later I heard a step or two more and felt a short tug on the line. The sound of his last roar drifted back to me. He had traveled less than 80 yards.
I stood motionless for a moment longer and then just sat down in silence for a long time. It was over, and I was having great difficulty figuring out how it made me feel. This was not the first time this feeling had come over me, but it was certainly the most intense occurrence.
(http://i1265.photobucket.com/albums/jj501/jerryrussell1/MFDC3820_zps32cab9b1.jpg)
My first call was to my son Luke. He was happy and jumped at the chance to bring my Bavarian blood tracking dog (Bear) to the site. I called another buddy and he organized a drag team. The trail was good but could only be followed on hands and knees down hog tunnels. We used the dog to follow the blood trail which turned out to be quite easy given the string tracker line had stayed with Kong all the way to his last bed. As we approached the down giant it was a very special moment. Yes, he was a giant, but to me it was so much more than that. What a magnificent, awesome, intelligent animals lay before us.
(http://i1265.photobucket.com/albums/jj501/jerryrussell1/IMG_2715_zps82b269c0.jpg)
The end of this story could have come right then but it actually occurred three days later. My 17 year old son advised me upon returning to the truck that he had lost his knife during the tracking. He was quite upset because it was a beautiful custom knife that I had given him for Christmas that a friend had made. To be honest I started to scold him but bit my lip when he said “Dad I wanted Kong to be the first animal that I skinned with that knife”. It’s funny how a couple of words can change your perspective.
(http://i1265.photobucket.com/albums/jj501/jerryrussell1/FullSizeRender_zpsbc64fff7.jpg)
I told him that I would go back in a couple of days to look for it, but it would be like looking for a needle in a stack of needles. I would spend a couple hours crawling through those hog tunnels looking for the knife without success. I changed gears and began to remove gear from the stand site for the haul back to the truck. With the last load on my back I walked out the same trail that Kong had come in on. His tracks were still there and I paused to take it all in one last time. Sure he was just a hog but those of you that have had the rare opportunity to have that 2-3 year connection know the feeling. I took a knee and gave thanks for the many blessings that I have in my life. I then stood and looked up into one of the deepest blue skies that I can remember. I shouldered my load of gear and took two steps out of that jungle to see that special knife covered in frost in a place I don’t even remember us walking. I smiled all the way back to the truck thinking that there simply could not have been a more perfect ending to this story.
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Wow! :thumbsup: :clapper: What an awesome story!
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:campfire: :clapper: :clapper:
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That is one of the best stories I have ever read. Kong is a real monster too, Holy Cow.
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I was a bit hesitant to post the particulars of Kong hoping that the focus would stay on the hunt itself. I do, however, see where there might be some interest in these particulars so:
Location: Georgia
Date: February 8, 2015
The bow I shot was a Black Widow PSAX that was 51#@28” The arrows were Big Jim GT 5575 blems with 100 gr inserts and topped by a scalpel sharp Magnus Stinger.
Kong had been on this property for at least 6 years. His weight was 507 pounds and both cutters were between 5’and 6” long.
He was just such an amazing animal.
(http://i1265.photobucket.com/albums/jj501/jerryrussell1/IMG_2714_zps744e8de9.jpg)
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:clapper: :clapper: :clapper:
Man, what a story!!!!! And I thought I really had something going for me! I've been chasing one about half that size for a couple months! You gave me some great ideas!! Thx!!
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Thanks for taking time to read Kong's story. Not sure I will ever encounter another animal like him.
(http://i1265.photobucket.com/albums/jj501/jerryrussell1/IMG_2745_zps003d8d14.png)
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Well done sir , Congrats on a big-un...
,,,,Sam,,,
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That is an awesome story and great accomplishment. What a beast. When I shot my 400# hog, I was pretty sure that it would be the largest that I would ever shoot. Still trying to beat it, but I will never come close to your beast. Congrats.
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Great story! :clapper: :clapper: :clapper:
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Awsome Story Jerry, thanks for sharing and enjoy them ribs! :clapper:
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PS, I need more details on how you rigged up the rheostat.
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Not many folks were ever aware that I was hunting Kong. It was a personal thing between us but I do want to thank the special few that tolerated my never ending stories about this hog that "could think like a human".
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Great story.! :thumbsup:
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Wow!! What a beast! Thanks for sharing your story and pictures! You played quite the chess game with that intelligent monster! I admire your drive and tenacity!
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Originally posted by pdk25:
PS, I need more details on how you rigged up the rheostat.
I plan to do a Youtube video on my light pretty soon. I will also have one in bear camp to show a couple other guys.
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Well done Jerry. Great story!!
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A great story well told, Jerry. That kind of experience is why we are trad hunters. I am impressed by the photos. He sure is a monster. I can't wait to read the rest and hear about how big he was once he was down.
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Jerry, Congratulations and thanks for one of the best hunting stories I've read! What a fantastic adventure.
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Thanks for the Special Story. :thumbsup:
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I will look forward to seeing it in bear camp.
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Coolest story I've heard in a long time. Congrats on a fine accomplishment.
Jake
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:notworthy: :archer:
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The rest of the story just loaded. Wow. And finding the knife like that. Well, it is just one of those great hunting stories of a match up with a great and noble animal taken the right way. Congratulations. Well done, my friend.
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Just WOW ! :clapper:
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Ya gotta love this stuff!
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One of the greatest stories I've read here. Thank you for sharing your amazing experience with us. Congratulations on the hog of a lifetime.
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That is what hunting is all about. Excellent story........a predator at the top of his game.
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Fantastic story and adventure. Congrats on your determination. What a monster!
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Congratulations Jerry. Outstanding hunt, and story.
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:scared:
I don't know which emoticon to choose. That's incredible.
First off awesome story.
B. Congrats on an incredible hunt and successful!
4. WOWZERS thats a tru monster hog...
AND TAKEN WITH TRAD GEAR!!!!
Who would believe it only a 51# recurve and a "BLEM" arrow!
My hats off to you brother!
This ones gonna be a tough story to beat....
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What an endeavor. Congrats. :thumbsup: :thumbsup:
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Wow! Nicely written and great pictures.
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congrats one a great animal. I really enjoyed the story.
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Great, great story, Jerry, and very well told.
Congratulations on achieving game-set-match.
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awesome story , thanks for sharing and congrats
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Bravo Zulu, on the hunt and the story
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No doubt Jerry this is also the most incredable story I have read myself and had a tear when I knew you got him. What an animal and story and ending. Could it have gotten any better. I surely bet this animal taught you and your family many things along the trail. You were really blessed as I see it for sure in many ways.
Congratulations and thank you for taking us along with you. There was so much suspence this animal died a noble way and you earned every minute and pound of him with incredable respect for Kong. Wow still in awe.
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Jerry, what an animal!!! What a story!!!
I am so glad you had a chance to have those encounters with him before that shot. Appreciation of a critter that smart, as you well know, is most of the hunt. Well done my friend. Proud for you and for Luke. He is getting some man lessons from his old man :)
Now let's get ready to kill some giant old Bears in the Mastogouche :campfire:
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Great story!!!
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Like I said when you sent the email, that is an absolute beast!
Glad you won the war! As old and smart as he was, it could have just as easily went his way instead of yours!
Congrats again,
Bisch
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Way to go! :notworthy: Thank you for sharing with us!
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Jerry, Truly incredible and well Told! :clapper:
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Holy Cow! Thanks for sharing. It's always a privilege to get to live through these moments with hunters willing to share.
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What a great journey after a monster hog! Congrats!
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Very cool story, Jerry. Here's to hoping for another adventure much like this one.
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Congrats, what a great story and animal, thanks for sharing.
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That story made my night, amazing! Congrats.
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What a great story! I got some text message pictures from Mike after you killed him. I am so glad to have read your history with this animal. Added so much to the pics I received. Congrats to you! I really appreciate your respect for this animal. Great story telling as well.
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I'm speechless. What a great pursuit. Thanks for sharing.
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Congratulations, Jerry. What a BEAST! Both literally and figuratively......both of you, I s'pose. Thanks for sharing.
homebru
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What a tremendous journey, Jerry! Thanks for sharing it with us. Congratulations!
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Thanks everyone. I am glad you enjoyed the story. I was just glad to be a part of it all. I have be asked countless times "what's next"? Well, a one week break and then on to helping my son take a brute of a boar we call Thor. A BIG red beast that has given several of my hunters some serious hunting lessons over the last 1.5 years. He is becoming a legend in his own right.
With any luck he will take my son on a journey.
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Jerry, congratulations on an excellent accomplishment and story.
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Great hunting strategy, great story , great outcome!
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WOW! WOW! WOW! What a adventurous time you had hunting this beast and very well told. Congrats for sticking it out until the end. Thanks for sharing and taking us along for the ride.
Tony
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I just re read this entire story again, it is that good. I feel like this would be a great story to be published and put in magazines. It evokes so many feelings and demands respect for this awesome hog named Kong, and the tireless hunter who pursued him. It is stories like this that truly capture what it means to be a hunter, and how blessings come to us in so many ways.
When I hear people say that hunting is bad in some form or fashion, or that it's only done by people who enjoy killing, I wish I could force them to see what it's really about. Force them to read stories like this and show them that it is so much more in so many ways.
Thank you for taking us along with you, this story made my night.
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Thank you for the story on Kong. And I'm really glad you found your sons special knife.
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:clapper: :clapper: :clapper: Awesome story Jerry!
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:thumbsup: :thumbsup: :campfire: :archer:
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Way cool. Thank you
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Fun, enjoyable read! Great job and Congrat's!!!
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That's too cool. :thumbsup:
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Stories like that are what hunting is all about. I envy you the possibility to hunt such magnificent creatures.
Way to go, Jerry!
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Thank you for taking us along on this journey! I tip my hat to your perseverance, patience, ethics, and wonderful story telling. Great job.
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Awesome adventure Jerry. I really enjoyed it. Thanks for putting the story together for us, well done!
:campfire:
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Congrats on a great beast. Very interesting read and most enjoyable.
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An amazing story. Thanks for sharing the journey you traveled with an amazing animal. Congratulations and condolences.
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That's a heck of a story,and a heck of a hog. I'm also amazed at how these hogs will behave. When you were talking about how they will stand somewhere for a long time and not move,it made me think of times that I got busted by not being patient,and it usually was a bigger older boar.
Congratulations on a nice hog and nice story.
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Outstanding tale Jerry. I felt as if I was with you. Outstanding!!RC
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One of the best hunting stories that I've EVER read. Thanks for sharing Jerry.
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I'll admit, I don't always read the stories. But, I kept refreshing this one yesterday. Congrats on the chess win. We don't have wild hogs in CT, so I had no idea that a pig could be so smart. Will this special hog become a shoulder mount over your fireplace?
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Fantastic journey Brother and congrats! I have had two bucks in my time that your story reminds me of that happily ended with me standing over my adversaries. I know exactly what those feelings of sadness are like when the journey ends. A really strange feeling and my favorite part of your story with Kong. Great stuff and thanks for posting!
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thanks for taking us along jerry. as good as any
thing i've read in F&S or OL.
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Nice job Jerry. Also interested in your light setup. Looking to do something to hunt fox and coons at night.
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What an awesome story - and the part of kneeling to give thanks and then finding your son's knife - that is just how good our God is. Thanks for sharing
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Thank you for the wonderful story!! :clapper: :clapper:
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What a story! Awesome!!
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Congrats. Incredible !!!
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Thanks for sharing. What a story!
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waouh !!!
congrats from France !!!!!!
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Thanks Jerry, that was awesome.
Gilbert
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Congrats Jerry on a truly awesome trophy. These giants are definitely some of the smartest creatures on God's green Earth. :archer:
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All I can say is congratulations on a great hunt and thanks for taking us along.
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What a hunt awesome.
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WOW....that was too cool, thanks for taking the time to post that...incredible!!!!!
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What will you do with all that meat? I have heard that once they are too big they are not good to eat.
Gilbert
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Awesome hunt for an awesome animal sir! :thumbsup: :thumbsup:
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Amazing story telling and what perseverance. There would be a touch of sadness after a ride like that.
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Was out of town for a while and just got home to read this. What an awesome story and congrats to you on your successful endeavor. :thumbsup:
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Great...i have a long day of waiting tomorrow. ....so this will be a great pass time.
:campfire:
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i loved the story Jerry, just didn't know whether to be happy or sad when i got to the end.
good story mate!
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What a great tale of the hunt. I can imagine the thoughts/emotions as you were pulling back the string, knowing the long chase was about to end.
Thanks for sharing the tale..!
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Thanks Jerry! What a ride that must have been!
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Congrats. Truly enjoyed your story and photos. Thanks for sharing.
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Thanks for a great story and for sharing your respect for what you are hunting, in this case, Kong.
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Wow what a brute! Great story telling thanks for sharing :clapper: :clapper:
Steve
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Jerry,
Thanks for sharing, it was a great read.
Oh ya, You done good.....really. really, good!
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Thanks for bring us along!
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Well first off let me say your a great writer!!!! I smelled the smells, heard his breath etc..... While we don't have wild hogs where I live they are on my bucket list of game to hunt. Outstanding boar and two thumbs up for your dedication and perseverance ;) i hope my first hog hunt is that exciting ;)
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Jerry, nicely told....you did a great job honoring a great animal, and relating the persistence needed to "outlast" Kong. He really only made the one mistake...but he beat you time and again...amazing, and congrats for keeping at it!
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this is the epitome of hunting. a quest that speaks volumes for your perseverance, tenacity, resolve, respect and skill. i'm glad you got him and he wasn't killed by another hunter who had no clue of the legendary hunt that was transpiring.
many congrats and thanks for sharing.
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Nice story sir.
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"borderline crazy" you say...? May have gone over that line a few times!
Great tale, well told. You inspire with your determination.
Thanks for sharing.
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Destination is a shallow word, if there is in fact no journey. What a story, thank you for sharing.
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Awesome story Jerry and congrats sir!
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Thank you sir for the kind of story I can read over again and again...reminds me of "the old man and the sea"..........
Well done sir.
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WOW, just WOW!!
Nice job on the whole package ,Jerry :clapper:
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wow, that is some serious bacon. great job.......
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Thanks for taking the time to share this story the way you did.
One of the best I have read. Well done!
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Wow! Just finished reading your story about Kong for the second time. Enjoyed it even more the second time through!
I have to say, I believe a full body mount is in order. There's got to be some kind of special way to honor him. Then again, you might need an addition to your house for a monster that size!
Congratulations not only on the hog, but on a well written and entertaining story.
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Thanks much. Very special
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Thank you for sharing. Simply superb.
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Well done, talk about feeling we were part of the hunt. Congrats
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:campfire:
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Thank you for sharing the journey you were on while hunting such an animal. Congratulations!
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Really glad you found the knife, congratulations to you and the pig. Thanks for a great story.
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Congratulations Jerry and thank you for the story. That is a magnificent animal and your dedication is amazing. Glad you found the knife!
:clapper:
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Many of the greatest rewards are realized after a longtime investment. Your wise unwaning perseverance delivered tenfold.
Thank you for sharing and a salute to you.
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Can't say anything more than what has already been said. Congrats on a truly honorable hunt!
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Thank you so much for sharing your story. As someone who is brand new to traditional archery, I cannot wait to experience the thrill of a pursuit like yours. You are a great story teller and I'm so glad you shared. Thanks!
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I had looked at the pics a few days ago but just now had time to read the story. Wow! An epic tale of perseverence! Congrats!
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I just got around to reading the many comments that followed the story I wrote. I had hoped that you all would "get it" and understand the real purpose of the story. This was all about the hunt, the chess game and this amazing animal. Thanks for truly understanding. This place is full of awesome folks.
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I applaud your command of the written word, but that skill is far over shadowed by the teachings you shared in this post. It touches on every value of what a traditional bowhunter should live and breath.
This should be a mandatory read for any new comer to this lifestyle.
Congrats on your harvest!
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I have read the finish....to the end of page 3...will read all tomorrow.
Wow...that's all I can say Jerry. I've seen hogs like that in the wild myself a few times, and contrary to what many believe, they are NOT farm fed or get that big just eating corn. There really are hogs that big corn or no corn. And yes, they are very smart, unbelievably smart.
I was told of a hog once, not at big as yours, had him beat on a hunt, but chose not to shoot....my reason is personal and I need to say no more, but he was a smart one let me tell you. It was just the wrong hunt to shoot him on. BUT, I will never forget getting to full draw on him 12 ft up and 12 yards away. He would have been the biggest hog I've killed to date....and what a memory.
I can't imagine your feelings at the time, but I can come close. I once too hunted an animal that I did not want to end but it did. It wasn't as long or as intense and calculating as yours.
Way to go sir....that's what hunting is all about....perseverance and staying the course. And, its extra special on an animal such as that.
Congrats again, and thank you SO MUCH for sharing....even if I was the only one you shared it with, it was well worth it.
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What an incredible hunt and story! Thank you so much for sharing it with us, Jerry.
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WOW WOW WOW!!!
CONGRATS!!!
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:clapper: :clapper: :clapper: Excellent story!
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I first meet Jerry several years ago when we started talking about hunting in Africa. Several conversations later we were booked to Namibia for a 10 day planes game hunt. I remember setting in the airport in Johannesburg waiting on our flight to Windhoek and Jerry starts telling me about this super, large, smart, incredibly intelligent hog that he was hunting that he had named "Kong".
I have told him since that I thought he was a little over the top on his descriptions of how big and how smart this pig was. Several years go buy and several hunts together and the legend of Kong continued to grow.
Well you have read the store and now I know that he was no exaggeration, he was the super hog.
As far as Jerry goes I have never met a more determined hunter and I am thankful to call him friend and hope to spend many more night around the camp fire and hear the store of Kong retold.
We've got bear camp coming up in June so I wonder how the story can be translated to French.
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For those that care to see it, here is a little video of the recovery of Kong. It is pretty cool because I included some trail cam videos of him. It also shows the jungle like swamp he lived in.
Certainly not the best quality video I have produced but all we had was a cell phone. Some great memories non the less.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JfQ8I4KwUUo
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Thanks for taking us along! What a great story.
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Very cool Jerry, can't wait to get to meet and hunt with you! How much penetration you get on that monster?
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Great video!
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Finally catching up on this one....huge congrats Jerry!
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Wow Jerry, incredible story. Congrats!
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One of the best stories to date. Congrats.
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Great Video Jerry! :thumbsup:
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Wow. What a quest. Great video.
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Awesome video Jerry thanks for posting that...what an animal :thumbsup:
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I just read this through for the first time, and I can't thank you enough for sharing your story, the pics and video. I was right there with you the whole time. You went about it with determination and ethics, and you should be proud of your accomplishment. I was sorry to hear that your son lost such a nice knife, not to mention the sentimental value attached to it, and then elated to hear that you found it. I'm happy for you Jerry, congratulations. :thumbsup: Thanks again for sharing a great hunt with us.
Bob
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Thanks for the video, I enjoyed it!
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Thanks for the video. Congrats again.
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Something else!
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Great story and pics! What a Hawg!!! :thumbsup: :clapper: :goldtooth:
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I've killed several in the 300# range, but i've never seen anything like that monster! Bet that was a job getting him out of the woods!
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Thanks for posting the video! Just an awesome story/hunt.
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Great story Jerry.
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Great video on a legend hog jerry...hard to beat that one! :clapper:
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From watching and reading, I almost feel what you felt. Great, great job. The hunt, the kill, the experience, the feelings. You shared it all.
Excellent job.
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Awesome story! Thanks for sharing and Congratulations!!
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That is one of the best hunting stories I have ever heard. I really admire your determination. Most guys would give up. Unreal!
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Been off of TG for awhile what a wonderful story to return to
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What a great story and amazing hog.
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TTT FOR those that have contacting me looking for the story.
I still drive by where I hunted him and think of this great animal. I sure miss hunting him.
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Bitter Sweet for sure.
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Great story! My company is moving me to Texas next summer, and I've been dreading the move, but this story has helped get me excited to try some hog hunting. Well told!
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Originally posted by Jerry Russell:
TTT FOR those that have contacting me looking for the story.
I still drive by where I hunted him and think of this great animal. I sure miss hunting him.
I bet there are a ton of emotions that go with driving by that place. I know guys who hunt a certain deer all year. When they get them, there is a sense of accomplishment, but also a sadness that the journey is over. I could feel both emotions while reading this post.
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Dang, Two years has passed already on this hunt. A bump for those that are new to Tradgang. Its time to get after those monster hogs folks... Go get em!
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I think about this story often. I check my cameras every few weeks hoping for pics of another big mature boar. Nothing exciting so far this year.
Did you ever get pics of the hog that left those HUGE tracks where we bear hunted 2 seasons back?
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I never had any respect for hogs until I met Jerry. Hes changed my mind a lot for sure!
Even as a hunter, Ive never been much into killing anything, but I have a kinda awful memory of killing a bunch of pigs in a cattle trailer that we had caught in a trap. We pulled them out one by one and shot them in the back of the head but you could see in their eyes and reactions that they all knew exactly what was going on. It was a level of comprehension and overall sadness that Ive only seen in humans and black bears.
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Originally posted by Crittergetter:
I think about this story often. I check my cameras every few weeks hoping for pics of another big mature boar. Nothing exciting so far this year.
Did you ever get pics of the hog that left those HUGE tracks where we bear hunted 2 seasons back?
I never did see or hunt that monster hog. I did not bear hunt that farm this year so he is still roaming there I am sure. No doubt that it was a giant.
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Originally posted by Etter:
I never had any respect for hogs until I met Jerry. Hes changed my mind a lot for sure!
Even as a hunter, Ive never been much into killing anything, but I have a kinda awful memory of killing a bunch of pigs in a cattle trailer that we had caught in a trap. We pulled them out one by one and shot them in the back of the head but you could see in their eyes and reactions that they all knew exactly what was going on. It was a level of comprehension and overall sadness that Ive only seen in humans and black bears.
The same look you saw in Bambi's eyes? Funny, I was there and saw the same thing you saw. I saw hogs dying. I did not see one hog on bended knee weeping, crying or praying for mercy.
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Originally posted by boinky:
Originally posted by Etter:
I never had any respect for hogs until I met Jerry. Hes changed my mind a lot for sure!
Even as a hunter, Ive never been much into killing anything, but I have a kinda awful memory of killing a bunch of pigs in a cattle trailer that we had caught in a trap. We pulled them out one by one and shot them in the back of the head but you could see in their eyes and reactions that they all knew exactly what was going on. It was a level of comprehension and overall sadness that Ive only seen in humans and black bears.
The same look you saw in Bambi's eyes? Funny, I was there and saw the same thing you saw. I saw hogs dying. I did not see one hog on bended knee weeping, crying or praying for mercy. [/b]
But you're a sociopath:)
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Thank you Jerry for bumping. Great hunt & story
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That is a fantastic story!!! Thank you
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Don't know how I missed this 2 yrs ago. But enjoyed the story and saw the video tonight. Congrats on capturing what a great hunt is all
about.
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i believe it's fair to say this is a tradgang classic. one for the archives.
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can you elaborate on your lighting setup on the bow. i'm intrigued. not sure if you mentioned here or not. i had a look on every page but didn't see anything.
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Originally posted by ozy clint:
can you elaborate on your lighting setup on the bow. i'm intrigued. not sure if you mentioned here or not. i had a look on every page but didn't see anything.
I am planning on producing a video that shows the various lighting systems we have developed. I will post a link when we get it done.
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Thanks for bringing it up again, had a great time reading it all over again.
Mike Palmer had a huge hog on the ranch he leased in Texas. I saw the hog three times but never got a shot. I'll always remember him though.
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I remember reading this story. That was a huge hog!
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What a great story! The hunter and prey at the top of their game. One determined to live the other to obtain his goal no matter what the odds or how hard it would be. Incredible dedication and determination.
I booked a bear hunt this June with Jerry. Talk about getting to know someone before you've met them! I'm pretty sure I picked the guy :)
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Don't know how I missed this one! Thanks for bringing it back up!
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Ttt for wudstix
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Epic tale!!! :campfire:
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What an epic story and hunt..thx for bringing it back up...tough,resilient, disciplined are a few words to describe the hunter!! Way to go brother,,nothing but respect for you...
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It’s been almost 4 years since I wrote that story. I still think of Kong every time I climb into a night stand to chase those big boars. I LOVE chasing those monster boars and have the greatest respect for these intelligent animals.
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It is a great story Jerry no doubt about it..... Pure dedication.
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It’s been a couple years since I bumped this story about this epic 3 year hog hunt. I have taken a couple hundred hogs I guess but this one taught me more about the species (and myself) than any other.
For those that missed it, I hope you enjoy it.
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Great adventure. I especially appreciated you sharing your feelings and your respect for the animal.
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Jerry,
I would never want you hunting me!
If they gave a prize for the best post of the year - Kong's would be first place. So many great lessons, I learned about hogs, dedication, values and respect for the animal and the process.
You guided me at bear camp and gave me the most exciting hunt of my 75 yrs.
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:clapper: What a fantastic story and congrats on the magnificent animal!!!!!! Man, what a HOG!!!! :thumbsup:
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One of the best stories I’ve read.
I want others to read it and take in the full experience.
It has the best of both worlds:
An animal with outstanding intelligence and adaptability, and a hunter’s determination and cunning to bring the animal home.
Congratulations Mr Russell- it was indeed the hunt of a lifetime.
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I think I’ve read this three times over the years. It is one of my all time favorite stories of Tradgang. Maybe the best one. Thanks for bringing it up again.
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Thanks for resurrecting this thread. What a great story. Hard work and dedication pays off.
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I’m different in that I can be watching what is considered by many to be a premium movie and get up and go to sleep with ten minutes left and never give a hoot how it ends. But this hog hunt captivated me till the end. A man with the grit to stick it out and a gift to tell the story. Well done Jerry!