18B Juniors hunt produces pair of porkers

[Capt. Don Martin]

The Juniors pig hunts in Unit 18B turned out pretty good this year.

 

I got to hunt with 16-year-old Cole Bruns and his dad, Dave on the opener of the spring hunt.

 

As things worked out we got on pigs right away early on Friday morning.

 

Dave, who is an awesome glasser found not one, but TWO different groups of pigs!

 

Cole was using a Weatherby Mark 5 in 257 Weatherby Mag caliber, topped with a Zeiss 6.5 X 20 Conquest scope.

 

They got as close as they could from a herd of about 8 pigs that were way up near the top of a very steep canyon. We of course, were at the bottom when Dave found them.

 

With the range at just over 400 yards and almost straight up; Cole got ready while Dave served as his spotter.

 

I videotaped the action from over 600 yards away.

 

Finally after about 30 minutes of getting the shot set up, Cole fired a shot.

 

The first bullet hit just to the left of his target.

 

Second shot went right over the top of the pig.

 

Then a larger pig jumped up onto a boulder and started looking around.

 

Third shot was perfect; right behind the shoulder, and the old sow toppled off the rock! She weighed field dressed, 36 lbs 13 oz.

 

 

THE BRUNS BOYZ- STYLING AT PIG CAMP!

 

I had the pleasure and honor of hunting with another young hunter from California who was on his very first javelina hunt.

 

Zach is 11 years old and has had some serious medical issues in his life.

 

He is developmentally disabled, but likes to hunt.

 

On the second day of his hunt, with the help of his "javelina team" he got on to two different herds of pigs.

 

Unfortunately, the first group of pigs gave Zach and his team the slip. Buit the hunt wasn't over!

 

Later on in the day one of my friends who was helping out, Jay Chan spotted a herd of 13 pigs.

 

Zach's dad got him set up with on a Caldwell shooting pod, and young Zach got three shots between 95 and 113 yards.

 

He didn't bring home the bacon, but he had a good time!

 

Randall Schopper-Page McDonald-Zach-Cole Bruns-Dave Bruns-Jay Chan

 

Lastly good friend Ryan Chan brought up his nephew Christian Overhulser on the second Saturday of the hunt.

 

Just before dark that evening, Ryan spotted a good group of pigs and the stalk was on.

 

Christian made a good shot on one of the largest pigs in the group.

 

His pig weighed, field dressed, 42 lbs 2 oz and he is currently the leader in the annual Arizona Wildlife Outfitters Big Pig contest.

 

Next week with the start of the HAM hunt in Unit 18B, we've got about 7 of us with tags.

 

Got about the same on the upcoming rifle hunt too.

 

Ought to be a lot of fun!

 

Don Martin

Arizona Wildlife Outfitters

[Couestracker]

That's cool Don! Way to help out those youth hunters. Not much more rewarding then that. Congratulations to all on their success.

[cramerhunts]

Congratulations to the successful young hunters, way to go to all!

[izquik72]

Great job. Looks like a great time was had by all