John O Report post Posted February 4, 2013 My youngest son Ryan and I headed out last Thursday to try and bag a pig on the last weekend of the youth hunt. His brother Jake couldn't come this time due to school and sports commitments, and family events and bad weather kept us from getting out during the first weekend. Let me start by saying that VERY few of the animals myself or my boys have taken in Arizona have come easy. Almost half were within the last few hours of our last day, and after hunting very hard. They have really stuck with it, and I have always been proud of them regardless of whether tags have been filled or not. As they get older, I treasure each hunt with them a little more. We rolled out Friday morning and headed out to begin our hike up to the familiar red bluffs where we have had reasonable success finding them over the last few years. Typically we find them 3/4 of a mile to a mile out, and have to make a long trek over to get into shooting position. To our surprise, this morning was different. Within 5 minutes I glassed up a herd of 9 pigs not to far off, and in a spot we could get to rather quickly. We packed up and headed down, always mindful of the wind as we made our way towards them. I got Ryan set up prone at 200 yards, with my 8's on a tripod behind him so I could confirm the shot. I told him I was ready, and he made a perfect 200 yard shot, dropping the pig in it's tracks. I looked at my watch and it was 9:03. This never happens to us, but man was it nice to be done so soon! We got it taken care of and packed up, and were back to the car by noon. I had pre-cooked some elk tacos we planned on eating for dinner, but Ryan wanted to eat them for a victory lunch instead (Fried elk tacos, spanish rice, sweet corn, sour cream, and peach mango salsa). I feel extremely blessed to have shared such great times with my boys in the outdoors over the last several years. On the way home Ryan and I counted, and between the 3 of us we have now taken 20 big game animals over the last 6 years since I started hunting. Thanks a bunch to some really good friends for letting us stay with them again this year, and we are hopeful my older son Jake can get one in a few weeks when we head back for the general rifle hunt. **UPDATE- PART 2** With basketball over and rodeo break upon us, we headed back out with my oldest son Jake with tag in hand for the general rifle hunt. Even though the area we were in had unusually high pressure, we were able to slip a little further back into the mountains and glass up a herd about a mile out. We dropped down and made the trek over to get Jake into shooting position. We were on a down hill slope shooting across a canyon, so my tripod served as a nice rest. First shot was a little low, and then the pigs ran in all directions. One skirted the hill about 40 yards and stopped to try and figure things out. Jake had followed it across the hill, and as soon as it stopped he made a slight elevation adjustment and put one right through the boiler room. We did our little high five session, and got our gear together for the hike across the canyon. My other son Ryan was along, and I think he was more excited than Jake. Ryan really has the hunting bug, and does a good job of keeping us going and never lets us call it a day until the last minute of shooting light is gone. It was mid-afternoon, and by time we got it dressed and packed up, we still would have had a long up hill hike to the car. I called a good friend who was kind enough to meet us at a closer pick up point, and give us a ride back. Saved our bacon for sure. We had a great spring season, all of us filling our tags and enjoying the great outdoors together. I continue to feel blessed to have the opportunity to share such awesome memories with my boys. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
duxngeez Report post Posted February 4, 2013 Nice!!!! Congrats to both of you. Way to get it done together. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mocha1545 Report post Posted February 4, 2013 Congrats. That was a good shot. Thanks for the story and pics. Enjoy the time you have with your kids. They grow up way too fast. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Redman Report post Posted February 4, 2013 very cool!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
trophyhnter Report post Posted February 4, 2013 great pics and congrats to your family! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Coach Report post Posted February 4, 2013 Outstanding, Ryan! Congrats! And way to get him out there dad. Great write-up and pictures too. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
John O Report post Posted February 25, 2013 Part 2 updated. See original post above. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
lucky2hunt Report post Posted February 25, 2013 Very cool indeed! Congrats to both your sons, and congratulations to you for being able to spend amazing days afield with your boys!!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tjhunt2 Report post Posted February 25, 2013 Great wite-up and pictures. Congratulations to both Ryan and Jake. You'll very fortunate to be blessed to make these memories of a lifetime and thanks for sharing with us. TJ ps.......not sure where this underline came from. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Flatlander Report post Posted February 26, 2013 Looks like a great time and a big ole oinker. I can't wait to have these experiences with my boys. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bonecollector Report post Posted February 26, 2013 Way to go Ryan and Jake, congrats. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
