Snipe Magic in 22

[MULEPACKHUNTER]

I am writing a long drawn out story for my own use but I will shorten it up and worry over it. I just think I cant do the whole experience justice, from conversation in this forum to actually do it I feel it needs to be told better than I can do it. Anyway,,,

 

Hit the road Thursday afternoon for a long dirt drive set up camp with no one around and had some dinner just me and my son age 21. My daughter was still in school and couldnt miss. Friday morning we got some great sign and some deer and left about 12 miles of cross country boot tracks in some beautiful and hunterless Arizona wilderness.

No pigs spotted on Friday and now was the time to drive back out the long dirt road to pick up my 16 yr old daughter and drive back in on yes the long dirt road. Quick dinner and a beer and off to bed. Saturday morning 6 mile one way hike into rough country when all was looking like the day before and the kids were starting to look bored at my explanations of where they might be I spot a 9 strong herd 100 yards ahead of us across a wash we just found hot sign in. Too thick to get a shot we decide to back off and watch them move. Feeding steady east we hump it 200 yards up another wash away form them and pop up with them feeding right across us into a 100 yard pick and roll.

We get set up and bam my daughter lays down a perfect heart shot and she just lays down, before I can turn to tell my son to take one he lays down pig number 2 10 feet form his sisters. What a day. What a day. I have never killed a big game animal and now I am in company with my kids who have and they did it as well as I hope to someday. I had plenty of time to fill my tag as well with my son pointing to target after target but I knew 2 was plenty to haul for today. Tagged, pics and meat stripped we made our way from cool shade to cool shade and burried the meat at each stop to keep it cool, we finished the hike out in the dark and talked like old hunting buddies all the way. We spent the night telling stories and talking in the tent until 2 am and slept in before heading back out the long dirt road home.

 

Here are some pics from the 2 days.

[brian390]

Congrats on the double. We had unit 22 also with no luck.

[MULEPACKHUNTER]

It was a tuff hunt, I was in there 3 days scouting and never saw them physically but I had hot sign in a few areas. They were moving from week to week, I went to hot spots I found the week before and they were not there anymore and then found new fresh sign 500 yards from there then the same a few weeks later they weren't in the new spot anymore or the old one. Basically we cut a fresh track and followed it and glassed the direction they were headed and spotted them on that fresh trail. This was my third Javi hunt so I am happy and lucky I think.

Oh and I forgot to mention My buddy that had the 4th tag bailed out the day before the hunt so it was just family which ended up being a blessing.

[tjhunt2]

Mulepackhunter, I just knew it was all going to come together for ya. You stayed after it and didn't give up and it paid off for you and the kids. How great is that? Awesome to say the least. My congratulations to both your daughter and son. There is nothing like families hunting together and the memories you just made will forever be etched in each of your minds. Javelinas are my most enjoyable thing to hunt and I bet it becomes yours as well. Thanks for sharing it all with us.

 

TJ

[Evan]

Congrats!

[bonecollector]

What a great hunt for the family, an experience that wont be forgotten.

[Mocha1545]

Great job and nice write up. Congrats to the kids in their pigs and to you on being a great father. Great memories made on that trip.