MCgunner
Member
I haven't hiked or been in the high country spot and stalking in over 15 years. Now, I've done plenty of marsh tromping this fall duck hunting, but not all that far. It's just the terrain that gets ya, there.
Well, it ain't high country, but a Wildlife Management area opened today for hog hunting, no baiting, just hunting trails, still hunting, and perhaps a shot at spotting for a stalk, though the stalk would have to be in the marsh. The ridge above the tidal marsh is probably 30 ft elevation, allows for a good view.
So, I started out about 40 minutes before sun up this morning, got down to that ridge and sat for a while as the sun rose. Nothing, so I eased on down the bluff and along the margin between the bluff and the marsh exploring little inlets into the brush here and there. I moved on down the bluff about a mile and found big time hog sign. There was a pot hole nearby that paralleled the bluff and had hog trails crossing it with fresh sign, lots of wallows and such. As I moved down the bluff, I jumped one back in the brush. They make little brush tunnels back in that heavy stuff and you can't see 'em, but I could tell it wasn't a deer by the sound of it moving off. Was a hog.
So, now I know where they're hanging out. I think an afternoon back in there could be productive as they move in early evening, usually. Only thing, if I kill one back in there, I'm something over 2 miles from the friggin' truck! Better be a little one, LOL! Next time I go back in there, I'll take my "deer sleigher" in my back pack, a plastic sheet to drag game out on. That will make it a lot easier. I could get in there with my dirt bike easily, but they won't let you ride off road. I had a belt on with my canteen today, no pack, but was toting my 9 pound 10 gauge which got heavy after a while. It's buckshot only rules, but you can't see more'n 25 yards in that crap where I was, so the range will be right. I guess I can see down that pothole's margin quite a ways, but the rules is the rules. My little Remington M7 is a hell of a lot lighter to tote, though.
So, I put about 5 miles on this morning and I'm knackered.
I got back to the truck about 10:30. I know one thing, I'm going to stay out of the mountains if I can't handle 5 miles at sea level any better'n that.
But, twas a lot more fun than sitting in a stand watching a feeder. There are a lot of hogs down in that marsh. Enough time out there and I will run across one, and either die or get stronger in the meantime. I ain't shootin' a big one down in there, I can tell ya that! 100 lbs or less, no big boars.
Well, it ain't high country, but a Wildlife Management area opened today for hog hunting, no baiting, just hunting trails, still hunting, and perhaps a shot at spotting for a stalk, though the stalk would have to be in the marsh. The ridge above the tidal marsh is probably 30 ft elevation, allows for a good view.
So, I started out about 40 minutes before sun up this morning, got down to that ridge and sat for a while as the sun rose. Nothing, so I eased on down the bluff and along the margin between the bluff and the marsh exploring little inlets into the brush here and there. I moved on down the bluff about a mile and found big time hog sign. There was a pot hole nearby that paralleled the bluff and had hog trails crossing it with fresh sign, lots of wallows and such. As I moved down the bluff, I jumped one back in the brush. They make little brush tunnels back in that heavy stuff and you can't see 'em, but I could tell it wasn't a deer by the sound of it moving off. Was a hog.
So, now I know where they're hanging out. I think an afternoon back in there could be productive as they move in early evening, usually. Only thing, if I kill one back in there, I'm something over 2 miles from the friggin' truck! Better be a little one, LOL! Next time I go back in there, I'll take my "deer sleigher" in my back pack, a plastic sheet to drag game out on. That will make it a lot easier. I could get in there with my dirt bike easily, but they won't let you ride off road. I had a belt on with my canteen today, no pack, but was toting my 9 pound 10 gauge which got heavy after a while. It's buckshot only rules, but you can't see more'n 25 yards in that crap where I was, so the range will be right. I guess I can see down that pothole's margin quite a ways, but the rules is the rules. My little Remington M7 is a hell of a lot lighter to tote, though.
So, I put about 5 miles on this morning and I'm knackered.
I got back to the truck about 10:30. I know one thing, I'm going to stay out of the mountains if I can't handle 5 miles at sea level any better'n that. But, twas a lot more fun than sitting in a stand watching a feeder. There are a lot of hogs down in that marsh. Enough time out there and I will run across one, and either die or get stronger in the meantime. I ain't shootin' a big one down in there, I can tell ya that! 100 lbs or less, no big boars.
