Texas or Bust II: Bushwackin' em and Stackin' em!

[tmccall]

Dad and I together:



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[tmccall]

My last morning passed with no pigs.  It was the only hunt that I left my camera back at camp and the only hunt where I was surrounded by exotics.  I saw every species of deer possible and had some trophy Angora in my shooting lane but never any hogs!

[tmccall]

The crew from Arkansas had a great time.  It is a long drive, but it was definitely worth the effort.  Good fun, good food, good fellowship and some unbelievable stories.  We made some great memories and we transformed Mike's truck and trailer.  I'm sure Mike will get a pic of the truck posted sooner or later...

[tmccall]

Can I post one more shot of my Awesome bow?



Thanks! I knew you all would understand...

[wingnut]

Gotta wash the truck and trailer and take some good pics of the new artwork.

We had a great time too and am sure we'll hook up for another adventure next year.  We already are planning a javie hunt with Curtis in January.

Mike

[the Ferret]

wait...Mike has an issue with strawberries?

2nd pic up from last pic on page 5 looks like a couple of me's and mini me's LOL

Congrats group, looks like ya wiped out a sounder!

 

[tmccall]

A couple of my pics from my camera.

Mike with his pigs:



Me and Jason with ours:



Future plans will be made and hunts shared...  We've had a great time thus far!  Dad said he'd be on in a bit to share things from his perspective.

[tmccall]

Yep, Mickey they were matched pairs:



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[T-Mac]

First let me say that the hunt, trip, and hunting experience were all a great success as far as I am concerned. Anytime a father can take a hunting trip with one of his children and share the excitment of a good hunt with a good kill it is forever a good day. To see the sun rise while sitting on a stand anytime is a thing of beauty and a thing to give thanks for which I do. Not long after arriving at camp, the first evening hunt was upon us and we were all excited and expecting many good things to happen. The truck dropped me off at my stand and I waited for the first action of what I was sure was going to be real regular this trip. I hadn't sat in my stand much more then an hour when I heard the unmistakable sounds of piggies coming up the road from my left. I had already seen a couple of deer and 3 goats. The goats seemed to somehow know that I was there although I didn't know how. Later I learned that Mike had had a little go around with them the night before. He had helped them decide to move on before they feasted on the corn in front of the stand. They came looking right at the stand and it kind of made me wonder if I was somehow exposed from that direction. Anyway, as the pigs came closer I had decided to let them pass my first shooting lane and move into my second lane so as to get the best angle for a shot. They came into view -3 pigs about 50 or 60 pounds apiece all bunched up. I drew about half way and swallowed my heart to get back down where it was suppose to be. My hand suddenly seemed awful wet even under that glove. The little pigs were hopping around staying bunched up and I was trying to pick one out to shoot at. They were in my first shooting lane and in my mind I began to think what if I was somehow exposed from there. I was watching and waiting when one of the pigs laid back while two went ahead and he turned a little where he was a little quartering away. All in one motion I finished my draw, picked my spot, hit anchor and fired. The little pig seemed to jump the string and turned just as the arrow slipped beside him for a near miss. If he had only turned a little the other direction he would have turned into the arrow instead of away from it. Oh well! thats hunting!!! Did not get another chance that evening but felt that that was not a problem because there was going to be plenty of time to get another shot.

[tmccall]

"That's hunting..."  LOL Seems to be the story of my life!

[T-Mac]

The next morning did come awful early. Tony had driven 12 and half hours to get there and had only gotten about 4 or 5 hours sleep that night. I thought about shooting that rooster that was going off at 5am. We made it to our stand and watched an awsome sunrise in south Texas. But for me that was about the highlight of my morning. I set the stand did not see or hear anything that made me think pig. The morning was great just not with a pig to claimed. The mid day was a time for Tony and Jason to work on the truck and trailer. Mike and I went out to move stands and blinds for the evening hunt. We now had several situps and they were all well brushed in and well hidden in excellent positions. After a good meal we went out to our evening stands expecting again good opportunities for success. I was in a good position with good cover and had narrow shooting lanes. I was expecting to down that hog for sure that evening. I sit untill near dark with nothing then suddenly I was sure I could hear piggies coming. I carefully stood as I had seen that I could see anything coming around a bend in the road through the limbs and leaves if I looked closely. Sure enough there were 3 of them making the bend and one was a dandy. I mean one was a real big hog not a piggy but a hog. The other two were not any small thing either. As they moved down the road I knew that they would disappear behind some real thick brush and as they did I sit down to ready myself for the ambush. Listening closely and waiting for the hogs to reappear I noticed that all of a sudden the sound was moving away from me. They had stopped and turned away and as far as I could tell left the way they came. They new that I was sure to make things right this time and they were smart to leave. For me the rest of the night went uneventfully, but Tony had gotten one and my day was made by that. Success is sweet especially when it comes to someone that you love and respect.

[T-Mac]

ttt

[tmccall]

Back up again for those that may not have seen it over the weekend!

[AZStickman]

Sounds like a great hunt.... Kinda hard to beat having the Westvang crew in camp.......    Great stories guys thanks for taking the time to share....... Terry

[AZStickman]

Dang.... I didn't mean to kill this thread...    Terry

[wingnut]

Terry,

You didn't kill it.  It just ran it's course.

Mike