tjhunt2

Those who know me know how passionate I am when it comes to pig hunting. Yes, I've lost a little of the get up and go but the passion is still there. If I'm going to continue to do the things I love, chasing game, then I better get in better shape and start taking better care of myself. I was in bed by 7:30 New Years Eve and woke back up when the fire works were going off around the house. I only got another hour of sleep after that and was up eating breakfast at 3:30am. I left the house at 5:30 to go pick up my huntin partner, Scott Henderson, and we were on our way. We arrived at our destination and sat in the dark drinking coffee and going over our game plan for the day. As light was starting to show in the sky we decided we better head out with our flashlites since we had a good 45 min walk to our glassing spot. I hear Scott say " I can't believe it but I don't have my license." We were back in the truck and heading home to Mesa when we should have been walking to out glassing spot. After many miles and returning after a long morning of driving we had to change our game plan. I dropped Scott off and headed to another spot that would put us a mile apart but in radio contact. By the time I got to my spot it was 10am and Scott radioed he had pigs bedded. I knew this bedding ground and knew the best possible plan was for one of us to stay high while the other made the stock. I give Scott the stock since he located the pigs and waited the hour it took him to get in on them. He busted them out as I was expecting, but I was able to watch where they went, and guided Scott back in to them after he got the wind in his favor. I had a grandstand view of the whole thing and watched as he connected on his pig around 12:30. The temperature was climbing and be decided to head for the vehicle and skin out his pig and get it on ice. After a short lunch we decided to go back but this time Scott would take the top ridge while I climbed down thru the thickit on the flats. He would be able to see anything I pushed out but the pigs gave us the slip and I decided we had just enough time to hunt back to the vehicle. I radioed Scott and said there was a thicket that was nasty but had seen these pigs go there before when spooked. If we could get to it with enough light I would call since it was our last option. It was 5:05 when we arrived at the thickit and the sun had already set. I motioned to Scott, who was about 200yrds away that I was getting ready to call. I had this same scenario last year and blew it when my arrow fell off the rest but now had a whisker biscut. I attached my release to my string and held my call with the same hand and let out a squeal. The pigs were bedded down across the hill from me at least 200 yrds and stood up and started shaking off like dogs. Not much time for a stock so I blasted again and 5 pigs were heading down the hill for the thickit and right towards me. The bottom of the thicket was 100 yrds so they had to get thru it before climbing the steep hillside I was standing on. Up out of the bottom charging me was this pig and it stopped within 15yrds and frooze. I didn't have a shot so I squealed again and it came another few yrds and stopped. Still no shot and it caught my sent and bolted away to my left and heading for the only opening I had at 20yrds. I drew my bow and waited for what seemed like time standing still. As it gave me a clear shot, angling away, I released my arrow and heard the whack. She turned and ran right towards me but there wasn't enough time for another shot. She passed within 2ft of me. The arrow was sticking out about 4in. from her stomack and fell out as she ran by. I was using a Swacker but there was no blood to be found. The angle of the shot was making her bleed inside and I knew this. Not much light and I would have waited an hour with this shot but light was fading and I had switched packs during the day and had no flashlite. After discussing the shot with Scott he said I bet it's already dead. Against my will I started tracking with no blood but could see where she was heading. Straight for the thickit that was almost impossible to get thru. After 60yrds I couldn't get my bow thru the thickit and left it behind. I could hardly see and my knee was telling me to turn around. With the last of light I saw her lying there dead. I yelled for Scott to come get my pig and carry it out for me. He said " How the he!! did you get in there?". There was no way of gutting her there until we got out of there. It turned out to be my heaviest pig to date. It gutted 45lbs and I thank my good buddy Scott for carrying my pig all the way back to the vehicle which took another hour in the dark. Sorry for the long read but for thse who stuck with it thanks. Here are a few pictures. My good buddy Scott Not a good picture but we were tired and didn't much care at this point. Hanging in my walkin.

Congratulations on a beautiful ram. I'm still hoping I get drawn before I can't walk the canyons. Great picture and thanks for sharing. TJ

Heck ya you can do it and you did. It might have taken a few years but how satisfying was that? I know how ya felt and congratulations on getting that first one under your belt. They will come much easier now because you have confidence in yoursef. That's a nice pig. Ya, I'm sure you was getting a little moody but that comes with the territory. Just kidding ya know. TJ

Great story and let me say the hunt with your Dad out weighs the fact that this buck didn't make the 100 mark. Your memory of this will last a lifetime and it still is a dandy of a buck. Look at that smiles on both your faces. Who cares about score? Awesome! TJ

Holy crap, what a beauty. Congratulations Jeff! TJ

That was a great story and congratulations on your first archery deer. If you don't mind me giving a little advise here I would say skin him out as soon as possible the next time unless you had him in a walk in over night. Most deer in az need skinning out because of our weather. Thanks for sharing and congrats again. TJ

That certainly is a buck anyone would be happy to hang their tag on. I wouldn't give him another year. I have a hard time passing up anything. Thanks for sharing. TJ

What an awesome writeup and to share it with your Dad made it that much special. You certainly deserve that beautiful buck after waiting there 2 1/2 hrs before closing the deal. Congratulations on your first az buck and what a dandy he is. TJ

Last year while the wife and I was attending the ISE Show we enjoyed watching the dog jumping competition. We thought we might enter our Lexie this year but didn't know much about it or what all was involved. Since looking in to it I have found there are 3 competitions which are speed retrieve, vertical jump, and jumping. My dog, Lexie, has never been trained to do any of these but I thought it might be fun to enter her just so she and I could have some fun among the crowd. The vertical would not be an option but she does like to jump off the dock at the lake. The speed retrieve might be a flop because she hasn't been trained to swim the length of the pool and grab the dummie and swim back. Who cares, it would be something fun with one of my most beloved huntin partners. My question is, has anyone here done it or knows someone who has? TJ

Who wouldn't be happy with bucks like that. No wonder your smile is so wide. Congratulations on both your bucks. TJ

Happy Birthday Old Man. Great read Jim. You might not have killed but you certainly were successful on your stock. It took alot to get to where you had to make the shot. Thanks for sharing because it brought back a few memories of my own missed shots. Sounds to me like you had the perfect Birthday celebration. Well, maybe not the perfect but close. TJ

That's a great picture of you Casey. Making memories with Dad doesn't get any better. Thanks for sharing. TJ

Looks like the new Foxpro did the job along with a good placed shot as well. Congratulations on the fox. TJ

Don't give up it will eventually happen and good luck next time. Thanks for sharing. TJ

With just less than 6 weeks away I thought I would bring this back up. If you have never hunted javelina or never hunted before and don't know where to start then this hunt is for you. There are still tags available over the counter. Where else are you going to have a hunt catered to you with free meals and a mentor hunting along side you? This is a great experience with friendly folks and a warm campfire for your comfort at the end of the day. Check out last years event in the Javelina Forum. If anyone wants to come and be a mentor please sign up on Amanda's registration form or contact Amanda. I'm looking forward to seeing everyone there. TJ ps.....has anyone mentioned Youth Outdoors Unlimited was selected as Mentor of the Year for 2011? CONGRATULATION!

With ruptured biceps and a bum shoulder, this was tougher than you made it out. I've been there and I give your pops alot of credit pulling this off. I'm glad I inspired you to post up his story and I look forward to your's as well. Pig hunting is a blast and a perfect family hunt that can usually be enjoyed in good weather. Your pictures are great and again I look forward to your hunt posted as well. Thanks for sharing. TJ

If this is the buck you really want then I would look for all possible water source on maps and google earth. It's a start. These bucks burn up alot of calaries this time of year. A good ground blind and a comfortable chair beats chasing him all over the country side all day and gives you a break. I would glass for spot and stock in the morning and afternoons but sit water in the neighborhood of 9am thru 3pm. It certainly isn't a sure thing but it has worked for me in the past. Good luck on grounding this buck.

Congratulations on your pigs. Now go help your partner finish off a 3 for 3 season. Thanks for sharing. TJ

Congratulations on your first archery kill and your first post. Now figure out how to use the photo attachment and share your pig with us. Thanks for sharing the story. TJ

Sounds as if you had a very interesting day of events for your first kill. It doesn't always go as smooth as we wish and better luck next time but you got it done. Congratulations on your first big game archery kill and thanks for sharing your story. Let's see some pics if you have them. TJ

I'm a steeler fan and always have been but I caught myself rooting for Tebow towards the end of the game. Shame on me I guess. TJ

Them are some awesome pictures for sure. Thanks for sharing and congratulations on your buck. I just love hearing the stories of cwt members helping others and the shooter thanking everyone for their help. What a way to start out the year. Thoughts and prayers for your wife's family member. TJ

Well said Bill. We can be our worst enemies by shooting ourselves in the foot. TJ

I've replied to this post already but wanted to bring it back up for those who haven't read it. It's a worth while read. TJ

Now this is definitely an accomplishment worth mentioning. Congratulations! This is something I've always wanted to do. Thanks for sharing. TJ