BML Report post Posted January 7, 2009 After being completely skunked on opening day, I have been sitting around the house just waiting for some decent weather so I could get back at chasing pigs. I had some plans to get out this past weekend, but the high winds and the rain/snow kept me at home watching football. Not such a bad thing!! So Monday I am on my way into Prescott around 10:30 and wouldn't you know it, I see two pigs out feeding on the side of the highway! I figured that was my sign to haul butt and finish my route so I can head out for an afternoon hunt. I was able to leave my house at 1:00 and had the glasses on the hills shortly after 2:00. There is so much country to cover in this area that I knew I wasn't going to be able to see it all. The farthest hill was right at a mile away as the crow flies. It was more of a bowl than anything and was literally covered with prickly pear and yucca cactus. I honestly didn't know if I could even make it over there since it was so far away so I purposely didn't glass it. After about 30 minutes glassing with no luck I decided to put the 15's on that hill. Wouldn't you know it, within 20 seconds I had two pigs!! At first I thought I didn't really want to walk all the way over there, but quickly kicked myself into gear!! I had to hike down to the river and find a way across, since there are no roads into the area that I was glassing. I finally found a decent spot to cross, or rather jump, and I was on my way. I lost sight of the pigs as soon as I got to the river, but they were just feeding, so I knew they weren't going anywhere. I made it all the way to the base of the ridge they were on and sat down to try to relocate them. The wind was really blowing hard and I knew it was going to be very tough to get on these pigs. I had two choices. Plan A was to hike around the back side of the mountain and come over the top on them. Plan B was to skirt the bottom of the ridge and try to get high enough to see them from the same side of the ridge. I chose plan B since it would give me a better opportunity to locate them first. Problem was, that during my stalk they had completely vanished!! I knew they were there, but I could not for the life of me find them again. After about 40 minutes or so of glassing, I decided to pull out the predator call. I blew on the call about 6 or 7 times and wouldn't you know it worked! I immediately saw one of the pigs stand up and start to shake. That call always gets the pigs moving!! The wind was blowing very hard and right at my back, so I knew I had to hurry to get above them. I had no choice but to hike straight up hill about 100 yards. When I got to my landmark, the pigs were gone yet again!! I thought for sure they had winded me and left up over the top of the ridge. I sat down and started scanning the pears when I see one of the pigs about 60 yards below me. PERFECT!! I was now upwind of them and I knew I was going to be able to get on them. They were slowly heading down the ridge to get a drink in the little spring at the bottom. The wind was blowing so hard that I knew I could get away with some noise as I stalked down to them. I was able to get to 40 yards when the first pig stepped into a lane. "too far with this wind", I though, so I continued getting closer. Finally, I closed the gap to 30 yards. The pigs still had no idea I was there, but I could only see this particular one. I drew back, settled my 30 yard pin right behind the shoulder and tapped my release. I have no idea what happened, but that arrow flew almost three feet left!!! I don't know if the fletchings were messed up or what, but I know it wasn't me. I was very calm and my pin was right on him when I let the arrow fly. Fortunately for me, none of the pigs had any idea what was going on, so I had another chance. I woofed a couple times after the miss and it helped calm them down again. I hadn't seen the other two pigs come down yet, so I slowly hiked up about 10 yards or so to get on the other side of a big tree that was blocking my view. All the sudden this HUGE pig steps out from behind a prickly pear. I didn't have time to range her, but guessed 25 yards. I drew and put my top pin right at the top of her back. She sort of jumped the string when I released and turned towards me. The arrow ended up entering her shoulder, right below hear ear and exited behind her last rib. She never took another step. The Slick Trick broadheads once again performed flawlessly, doing severe damage upon impact. When my arrow hit, the third pig stepped out from another huge prickly pear patch a mere 10 feet away from me! I had no idea that pig was even there! It was very confused and kept looking back toward the pig that I had just shot. I was able to take off my pack, dig out my camera and get a couple pictures before it finally headed up and over the mountain. This one really shows how thick the prickly pear cactus really was. It was very easy for these pigs to disappear on me. Here is my pig as she lay. She was standing in that little window when I shot her. She dropped right in her tracks. And finally, me and my pig. It took me forever to get some good ones with my new field camera. This is as good as it gets. When I finished up all the work on my pig, I sat down with a fresh bottle of water. As I watched the sun set, I had some time to reflect. I was thinking about all the events that just occurred and realized that this was the first time I had harvested a big game animal while hunting alone. I don't really like hunting alone. Not only is it boring, but there is just something missing. I really enjoy spending time with my brother and dad out in the field, along with other hunting buddies. To me, part of the whole experience is who you get to share it with while it happens. I was actually a little bit bummed out as I started gathering my gear. I missed out on that part of the hunt this time, but I will be taking my dad back in there when he gets some time, so hopefully we can make up for it!! Sorry for such a long read, but I tend to get a little long winded!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
willhunt4coues Report post Posted January 7, 2009 Congrats that is a great pig. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Coues 'n' Sheep Report post Posted January 7, 2009 Congrats on the pig! Great story and pics! Thanks for sharing! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Coues Archer Report post Posted January 7, 2009 Thats awesome mann great job. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
lowyder993s Report post Posted January 7, 2009 cool story...neat looking country, she looks like a toad!!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BML Report post Posted January 8, 2009 Thanks folks! I appreciate the comments. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
