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