Angie does it again!

[Gr8 White Jr]

If any of you had tags for the general javelina hunt last weekend then you know that the poor weather made for a difficult hunt. Last year the weather was very poor as well for the general javelina hunt and after hunting two straight days in the rain my girlfriend Angie and I were unsuccessful at filling her tag. Being that Angie’s hunt turned out so poorly last year, this year we were determined to hunt hard, rain or shine, and find a javelina for her to put her tag on. Do to us both having to work on Friday we had to miss the first day of the hunt and weren’t able to make it out until Saturday morning. Saturday morning we were up early with high hopes but uncertain expectations with the projected weather reports in the back of our minds. Rain and snow was in the forecast but that wasn’t going to stop us, not this year! After making our routine stop at QT to get coffee and snacks we were on the highway and on our way. By the time we reached our turnoff we were being blanketed by a steady shower of rain as we started our long drive down the dirt road. When we got to our parking spot we had a short discussion about the rain and decided not to hike up to our usual glassing point since it is a rock outcropping with no cover. Instead we decided that we would hike up and over the ridge and find a nice juniper tree that would offer some shelter from the rain so we could sit and glass. After getting settled in under the chosen juniper we spent the next couple of hours doing our best to glass through the nonstop rain. We weren’t having any luck finding javelina, or any game for that matter, and we were getting pretty wet sitting there anyway so we decided to go for a hike and go check some mine shafts a few canyons over. After hiking all over the countryside in the nonstop rain, stopping occasionally to glass under a tree and checking the mine shafts with no luck we made our way back to the truck. By the time we reached the truck the temperature had dropped and the rain was slowly turning to snow. We were SOAKED and very cold. The day had come to an end so we headed home longing for a hot shower and a warm bed. Sunday morning the alarm rang early and I was honestly not so enthusiastic about getting back out in the cold rain and snow. Again the rain was falling hard on us as we headed up the highway but thankfully by the time we reached our parking spot the rain had stopped and there was a only a very light snow falling from the sky. We put our packs on and hiked up to our usual glassing point up on top of the rock outcropping. As we set up our tripods my confidence started to soar as visibility was the best we had seen on this hunt. I started glassing the hills I usually find javelina on about ¾ of a mile out. As I was glassing I kept hearing rustling and twigs breaking but I could not tell where it was coming from. Not sure if I was really hearing something or if it was just my ears playing tricks on me I pulled the hood on my jacket off of my head and lifted my beanie up exposing my ears. I continued glassing for another five minutes or so and then I heard it again, twigs braking, and it sounded like it was coming from below us. I looked down below us and couldn’t see anything with the naked eye so I spun my 15’s down toward where I thought the sound had come from. When I put my eyes to my binoculars, there in the center of my field of view was a javelina tearing apart some prickly pear cactus. I couldn’t believe it! I scanned around and saw that there was a whole heard feeding around about 200 yards below us. I turned around to Angie who was sitting about 5 yards behind me and told her to very quietly and very slowly get the rifle and come to me. Her face lit up as I told her there was a herd below us. When she got to me I showed her where the herd was and I told her to keep her eye on them while I set the rifle up and got everything ready for her to take a shot. As she watched the herd I grabbed my rifle and jumped down off the rocks to a flat spot that was perfect for Angie to shoot from in the prone position. After moving some rocks around I got my rifle set up on my pack and on the bipod and told Angie to come down to me. She layed down, settled in behind the rifle and found the herd in the riflescope. I asked her “do you see that big, old pig that looks really light grey, almost white?” She answered “yes”. I said “that’s the one you want to shoot”. I told her to wait a minute being that there was another pig standing directly behind it. When the other pig took a few steps forward and moved out from behind the one Angie was going to shoot I told her to go ahead and shoot. I was telling her to slowly put pressure on the trigger, “remember to just squeeze it, don’t pull it” I said. BOOM! I watched her pig drop at the report of the rifle! I was so excited but I kept perfectly calm and showed no sign of any emotion. Angie looked at me and very excitedly asked, “Did I miss?” I told her to calm down as I kept looking through my binoculars. Angie asked again, “Did I hit it? Did I miss?” Again I told her to calm down and to give me a minute while I kept looking through my binos. Angie was on the verge of freaking out being that I wouldn’t tell her whether or not she missed. She kept looking back through the scope trying to find her pig again. I told her to hold on and then I said “Wow, there are quite a few pigs in that herd!” I started counting out loud, “one, two, three, four, five, six…….should I count the dead one that is laying on the ground?” I asked her. Not realizing what I had asked her she said, “I don’t know” as she kept looking through the scope. I looked at her and said, “Angie, did you not hear what I just asked you?” She took her eye out of the scope and looked at me with confusion. Her facial expression changed as she started to realize what I had just asked. I was smiling really big as she started asking very nervously, “I hit it? I hit it? Are you serious? I hit it?” I gave her a hug and said “congratulations, your pig is laying dead down there in the cactus!” She was so excited and so happy and called me a few “choice words” for messing with her and leaving her in such suspense for so long. I know, I know, it wasn’t very nice letting her sit there so nervous not knowing whether or not she hit it, but it sure was FUN! HAHAHA! We watched the herd continue to feed around for a little while before making our way down to her pig. It was a big old sow and very old. Its hide was very silver and very unique looking. The pictures just don’t do it justice! She made a perfect 196 yard shot hitting it right behind the shoulder. One shot, one kill! We took pictures and tied the javelina up in the Badlands 2200 pack (which is the absolutely perfect pack for hauling out javelina) and hiked our way back to the truck as the snow started to come down. What a perfect morning! My “city girl” girlfriend has done it again! This is Angie’s second javelina and we already can’t wait for next year. Thanks to those who took the time to read my story and as always thanks to Amanda for this great site where we can share our experiences with each other!

 

-Tracy

 

 

 

 

Under a juniper trying to stay dry.

 

 

 

 

Angie behind the glass.

 

 

 

 

Out in the rain and snow.

 

 

 

 

Ready to shoot! Pigs were where the red arrow is pointing.

 

 

 

 

Angie's trophy!

 

 

 

 

Angie sporting the CWT shirt.

 

 

 

Shot placement.

 

 

 

Angie pretending she is going to pack out her trophy.

 

 

Me, the actual pack mule.

 

 

One more pic of Angie sporting the CWT shirt.

 

[girlygirlhunter]

Wow finally got the story up! Thank you baby for another fun and exciting hunt! He has to be the best hunting guide a girl could ever ask for... well besides his not so funny way of stressing me out about if I got my pig or didn't I ... Hahaha wasnt funny . He didn't just get me once he got me twice that morning... All in all I had an amazing and very fun time out there with him.. Can't wait for our next hunt together!

[tjhunt2]

It's about time you got this story on here. It's been driving me cracy. I just had to read it before hitting the sack. Congratulations Angie on an awesome shot. Tracey, you story was great as always and the pictures were great as well. I just love the that last one of Angie. I felt like I was there with you both as I read it. Thanks for sharing. I'll show Peg in the morning. See ya down the trail sometime.

 

TJ

[tjhunt2]

Wow finally got the story up! Thank you baby for another fun and exciting hunt! He has to be the best hunting guide a girl could ever ask for... well besides his not so funny way of stressing me out about if I got my pig or didn't I ... Hahaha wasnt funny . He didn't just get me once he got me twice that morning... All in all I had an amazing and very fun time out there with him.. Can't wait for our next hunt together!

 

Oh yes it was funny. like something I would have done. You got a great guy with a super personality and a sense of humor to go along with it. What else could a girl ask for. Congratulations once again.

 

TJ

[girlygirlhunter]

Oh yes TJ really funny...Hahahaha J/K he made the hunt very fun and special... Little prnkster I got it all right here! Glad you enjoyed the story!!!!!!!

 

 

Wow finally got the story up! Thank you baby for another fun and exciting hunt! He has to be the best hunting guide a girl could ever ask for... well besides his not so funny way of stressing me out about if I got my pig or didn't I ... Hahaha wasnt funny . He didn't just get me once he got me twice that morning... All in all I had an amazing and very fun time out there with him.. Can't wait for our next hunt together!

 

Oh yes it was funny. like something I would have done. You got a great guy with a super personality and a sense of humor to go along with it. What else could a girl ask for. Congratulations once again.

 

TJ

[Santana Outdoors]

Great story. Congratulations Angie!

[ibowhuntaz]

Congrats Angie, nice pics and story Tracy. Great job as always.

 

 

Ron

[Ernesto C]

Tracy great story great pictures I love it! Angie, YOU ARE THE BEST! Great shot, great hunt under xtreme weather situation. Congratulations and I'm sure both of you are alrady waiting for next years hunt I know me an Ana are

 

Ernesto C

[Kaffer62]

Congrats Angie! Looks like it was a very fun hunt besides the weather!

 

I am sorry I couldn't have made it. Next Year Baby!

[Basser15]

Congrats you two! And good job sticking out the bad weather. It seems as if the general pig season always attracts the rain clouds.

[Coues 'n' Sheep]

As always, I enjoy reading/seeing the success & fun you two have when hunting! Awesome & Congrats!

[pjhunt2]

Congratulations Angie on your pig. Tom has been working on setting me up with my own profile member name for over 2 hours now so I could get on here and congraulate you. I guess I'm now a member. Tom sure is slow on this thing. lol Not sure he has figured out my avatar picture yet but he's still working on it. I really enjoyed the story and the pictures. You and Tracey sure didn't have the weather on your side. Way to stick in there girl.

 

PJ

[tjhunt2]

Let me be the first to welcome you to the site Peg. Now I guess we will be fighting over the computer for sure. You know this means you will be posting your own stories and pictures from now on. Please be nice!

 

Your Better Half

 

TJ

[Chef]

Great story and pics.

Congrats!

 

Only you could pull off a prone shooting position with one boot in the air!

[ScottAdams]

Way to go Angie!! Wow that's some hardcore javelina hunting right there out in the snow and rain the first day then out the next for more of the same. That's what's separates the girls from the real hunters huh? Good job Tracy on helping her out and introducing a city girl to the exciting world of the outdoors woman!