3-25-12

Today I guided Dave Chavez on a pig hunt. When we arrived at the ranch it was raining and evident that it had poured all night as the creeks were roaring. I knew we were going to be handicapped today as the roads are very steep and there would be no way that we could access most of the ranch because of the mud, but we were there and going to give it a try. We worked the lower country and there wasn't much out moving around but we did see a few turkeys. Around 10:00 we set off into some brush country to see if anything was moving. As we rounded the corner I spotted a couple of pigs coming out of the draw so I slammed on the brakes and Dave got ready to take the shot. The pigs were around 70 yards away and just as Dave pulled the trigger the pigs started to move out, but his shot connected and the pig took off down hill. We walked over to where the pig was standing when he shot and found a few drops of blood but it was evident that the shot was a little far back so we gave the pig an hour before we started in on the tracking job. Right off the bat the pig wasn't bleeding much but as we followed the blood and fresh tracks we made our way roughly a mile down hill to the creek. I stayed on the tracks and found where the pig had crossed the creek and headed up hill. By this time the pig was bleeding very little and the rocky soil made it hard to mind hoof prints, but I kept with it and at each trail intersection ended up on my hands and knees searching for blood drops the size of a pin head. Eventually I would find something and head in the right direction. This went on for hours and eventually I came to a thick brush patch and could see where the pig had laid down. As I sat looking to see which direction the pig had went I heard some rustling in the brush above me and knew it must have been the pig and wasn't about to let it go any further, so I told Dave to sit tight and I took off in the direction of the noise. I had gone about 20 yards when I approached a small clearing and before I knew what was going on the pig came charging down hill toward me. I took a quick shot from the hip and hit the pig but he kept coming and before I could get another round into it it was on me! I had no other options so I kicked the pig in the side and it was enough to knock him off his feet and gave me enough time to jack in another round. This time I put one right between the pigs eyes and it was over. After all of the excitement ended I took a minute to look back up to where Dave had originally shot the pig. The track job had taken us over 5 hours and we had covered roughly 3 miles. This just goes to show you how dirty tough and ornery pigs can be. I have a total respect for the wild pigs and love the challenge of the hunt. Luckily for me I did not end up with any new war wounds from this one. Dave was ecstatic with his pig and is having it mounted so that the story that goes along with the hunt will forever be ingrained in his memory.

Casey        

3-20-12

The water has come up in both the Sacramento and Feather Rivers and we are just about ready to get our spring striper and sturgeon trips rolling. With the water rise the fish should have sensed it and headed up this way on their annual spwaning trip. I have been watching the river closely and as soon as it stabilizes I will be on the water looking for the first stripers of the year. Again this season we will be offering both morning and afternoon trips as I know some of you prefer not to awake that early in the morning! We still have plenty of availability in April and May so make sure and give us a call to get your trip on the books as it is shaping up to be another great season.

Casey

3-19-12

Today I guided Terry and Jim for pigs. We started out looking in the center of the ranch this morning and within the first hour spotted a lone boar working on a ridge. The pig was 350 yards away and went over the ridge so we snuck around to try and get in front of him but he had other plans and never showed himself again so we went on our way. As we headed down a brush covered draw I spotted a pig feeding across the ravine at 175 yards. We got out of the ranger and as they guys got ready to take a shot another group of pigs appeared out of the brush closer to us. I pointed out the closer group and they guys got set and ready to shoot. Terry was the first to fire dropping a nice sized sow in it's tracks. At the shot the rest of the pigs scattered and Jim never got to shoot. We quickly drug the pig back to the ranger and loaded it up so that we could continue looking for another pig for Jim. We headed down into the lower brush country and as we rounded the corner I spotted a couple of pigs out feeding just 100 yards off of the road. While Jim got set to take the shot the pigs got nervous and started to trot up the hill. The 2 pigs that I had originally saw had friends and now there were 12 pigs trotting up the hill. Jim got his lead down and let one fly, but un fortunately the bullet sailed just over the pigs. We quickly got to the top of the hill and I spotted the pigs working their way up the other side of the ravine. I ranged them at 230 yards and Jim got set on the sticks and let one fly, again close but no cigar. By now the pigs had made it into the thick brush and it was getting late so we called it a day as we still needed to get Terry's pig skinned and into the butcher. It was another good hunt and we saw 3 different groups of pigs, and a bunch of turkeys on the ranch today.

Casey   

3-15-12

Today I guided Dan, Bob and Tom on a pig hunt. We got to the ranch and the rain started coming down, but we decided to go for it any how. We hunted for quite awhile and did not see anything out moving but as we rounded a corner we caught a glimpse of some pigs in the brush. We headed after them as I thought I knew where they were going but we came up empty handed. We decided to work the lower part of the ranch and see if anything was moving down there but again nothing. It was now noon and the guys needed to get on the road so we loaded up in the truck and headed towards the gate. As we rounded the corner there in the road stood a group of pigs. It was like a chinese fire drill as doors flew open and guys started grabbing for guns. The pigs trotted up the hill and stopped in some brush. Dan was the first to find one in the scope and dropped a 150 pound boar in its tracks. The rest of the pigs scattered and the race was on. I took Bob with me and we ran up the hill hoping to catch up with the pigs. As we crested the ridge I spotted the group of pigs walking along a trail across the ravine at 100 yards. Bob got steady and I gave them the old coyote howl and they stopped dead in their tracks. I urged Bob to shoot but he couldn't find them in the scope as it was now covered with water. He tried to clean it off but before he could the pigs went in the brush never to be seen again. We walked back down the hill and got Dan's pig cleaned and loaded up. It was a good hunt and I can assure you that these guys will be back to even the score with the pigs!

Casey