azhuntnut Report post Posted January 8, 2008 I finally was able to get out this past Friday and do some pig hunting. I brought my 9 year old boy Austin along to help me out. We started out Friday morning hiking into a bowl where I used to find pigs about ten years ago. During our walk we jumped a fox. He stopped behind some rocks, but wouldn't give me a good shot. About thirty minutes later while glassing I decided to do a little calling. Within 30 seconds the fox came running in and stopped about 50 yards out and just layed down. I mouth called and he looked our direction, and then just walked off. I will be heading back to that bowl another day with my rifle for sure. We weren't able to find any pigs, so I headed to another area about a half mile away to glass for pigs and deer. When we got to our spot it was about 2pm and time for dad to take a nap. I layed down next to the Ranger in the shade and asked Austin to lay down on the front seat. Of course he wasn't tired since he slept the whole way on the drive out there. He fooled around on the Ranger for a while and kept waking me up. Finally he decided to take a break. All of the sudden he jumped up a yelled "dad, PIGS!". I instantly jumped up and thought he better not be messin with me. I asked him where they were and he pointed just above us on a small mountain. They were about 50 yards up just topping over. We got all of our gear and packs and started walking up the road that circled around to the top of the mountain to some larger mountains behind it. About 100 yards from the top I could see the pigs crossing the road. I got to the top fast and found a pig feeding at 15 yards. I didn't want to shoot yet so my boy could see how to stalk and watch the shot. He finally caught up with me and we started our stalk. It was slow going since there was alot of loose gravel and the pigs kept hearing us. A couple times I had 30 yard shots, but Austin never had a good view. We followed them around for about two hours so he could learn how to stalk and listen to them grunt back and fourth with each other. They finally winded us and ran like there butt was on fire for over a mile out onto the flats. I am thinking they have been chased before. We weren't able to find them on Saturday, but had a good time driving around and then stopped for lunch and made a little fire even though it wasn't very cold out. I let him drive the Ranger back to the truck, which he thought was the greatest. I had a great time bringing him along with me and can't wait until my other boy is ready to come along with us. David Austin helping me glass. Hanging out by the fire. First pig hunt together. Austin loading the Ranger for me. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Non-Typical Solutions Report post Posted January 8, 2008 That is what it is all about....nice job.......kids are the greatest and the expressions the give the questions they ask......keep up the good work..... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
coues7 Report post Posted January 8, 2008 Awesome! Is that a Swarovski spotting scope? I have the straight 80mm.....that looks like the angeled. Scott Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Huntn coues Report post Posted January 8, 2008 Your Ranger looks a little wider in the front than mine does. Do you have off set wheels or spacers on it?? Oh yeah great story and keep us informed on the next outing. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CouesWhitetail Report post Posted January 8, 2008 Wow, you showed some real restraint there not shooting your pig! Your boy is very lucky to be able to go along and get so involved in your hunt! Very nice! Amanda Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Non-Typical Solutions Report post Posted January 8, 2008 You are right about that Amanda, I stood by and watched my boy miss a coyote the other day, it is harder than heck to let them learn while you stand and watch. A few years back my 12 year old had a rifle bull tag, and it was very difficult to let him take the shots by himself.....but that is what makes it so dang fun..... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
azhuntnut Report post Posted January 8, 2008 Coues7, That is a new Nikon 13-30x50ED angled I just started using back in November. It is super light and I would put it clarity up against my Swaro ats 80. I like the fact that I can leave it attached to my tripod and slide it down into the back pocket of my Badlands pack. http://www.nikonsportoptics.com/product.ph...mp;product=8321 Huntn coues, I have 2in aluminum spacers on it, and 2+5 offset wheels. It made the Ranger alot more stable and also corners like you wouldn't believe. There is also a two in lift kit on it, along with the 28in tires. I am building my full cage for it next week, and having a full soft top with side windows made just like a jeep. David Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ROBERT RIVERA Report post Posted January 9, 2008 nice job with the boy its not about the kill. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BRYCE CANYON Report post Posted January 9, 2008 Looks like a great time David! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
elkhutnaz Report post Posted January 10, 2008 sweet story, I am glad to se other people take the kids along too, I always try to have the boys tag along, the youngest is into it the most, but the older two have found "GIRLS" and are forgetting all the life leasons the woods can teach. Enjoy it while they are young, it is a very special bond and they will also remember Andy Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AZP&Y Report post Posted January 11, 2008 David, Great story. That is one style of hunting that you can do for a long time- It's always fun chasing pigs in the hills! AzP&Y Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tjhunt2 Report post Posted January 13, 2008 Seeing Austin glassing for pigs just puts a smile on my ugly mug. That is what I'm talking about. Get them younguns out there yearly and make the best of the time when you can. Thanks for sharing and good hunting with Austin. TJ Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
azhuntnut Report post Posted January 14, 2008 Thanks for all of the great comments guys. We were able to get out again this past Saturday. I had the pleasure of meeting another one of our members, Ben(SunsetFarms). He had me meet him early Saturday morning so he could show me an area where he see's pigs quite often, and a good place where Austin could help me. I followed him in to a spot where I could unload my Ranger and get our gear loaded up. We were able to get riding just at daybreak and hadn't been riding for more than five minutes when I noticed some black spots about 150 yards out. I stopped and started to glass. There were eight pigs in the group, and had heard me stop. I got off the Ranger and started to get my bow out of the hard case and I think they heard me. They took off on a fast run. I went ahead and rode down the road quite a ways and then stopped and got off to glass towards the area where I think they might be heading. When I pulled up my binos, they were actually heading right towards us on a fast walk. I then ran back to the Ranger and grabbed my bow and got set up for a shot. We sat down next to eachother and within about 30 seconds the first one came into view. It walked about five yards and stopped. The exhaust from my Ranger was starting to cool down and was making a ticking sound. The pig got a little nervous and walked out away from us and then changed back on the original course. I was able to stop the pig at 35 yards and let my aroow fly. I heard the hit and could then see a hole in the side of the pig as it ran into the thickest, nastiest brush I have seen. We waited about 25 minutes and started to look for the blood trail. I wasn't able to find anything on the edge of the jungle of brush, so I entered it where I saw some fresh tracks. There was no blood to be found. I wasn't able to find my arrow either, and Austin said he thought it was hanging out of the pig when it ran off. We searched the brush for and hour and a half with no luck. There were so many tracks in this stuff that you didn't know which ones to follow. This stuff was so thick that I would loose Austin standing just five feet behind me. I decided to go back to the Ranger and find a road that would take around to the north of the area and then search back towards where I shot. We searched again for about and hour and couldn't find any blood. At this point I was getting upset with myself that I had made a bad shot and might not be able to recover the pig. We went ahead and drove back around to the original area and I started to comb the area for my arrow again. I must have come within a couple yards of it several times, but I finally found it. I finally knew then why I couldn't find the pig. It had the smell of the stomach, which I couldn't figure since the hole wasn't that far back. I went ahead and got back in into the brush again searching for anything, but still couldn't find a drop. I then went and set up about a half mile away and waited to see if any birds would start to circle, but no luck. We stayed until dark, but nothing materialized. We weren't able to pick up the trail on Sunday since Austin started to get sick. Hopefully we can get back out again before the month is over. Sorry I didn't get any pics, I was so wrapped up in finding this pig that I forgot to get my camera out of my pack. Thanks again Ben for the help, and it was great talking to you. Austin had a really good time and can't wait to come out again. David Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Huntn coues Report post Posted January 14, 2008 Hey azhunt- Post some pics of your Ranger when you get your cage and top done. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lance Report post Posted January 16, 2008 Way to go David! Lance Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
