Ham Blammin With Missus

[Deep C]

During my time away not much of note went by. One hunting related story did unfold however...

It was comming up on anniversay/ valentines day and I asked the usual question. I was about floored when the expected "go on a cruise" "stay at some fancy hotel" didn't come back at me. Instead it was "I want to go find a good lodge some place and go hog hunting!"
I thought at first she was pulling my leg but it came clear that she was up for some swamp stompin and pork poundin... Did my home work and found a real nice place a couple hours north of here...
Before we knew it the urban sprawl we live in gave way to palmetto thickets and marsh only to be replaced by wide open spaces, citrus groves, and cattle ranches... The map we had was spot on and soon we pulled up on a well kept looking lodge hiding under a live oak hammock complete with spanish moss hanging. Okeechobee Outfitters was off to a good start. Inside was a virtual dead zoo of stuffed turkey, deer, boar, bobcat, snakes and our target species feral hogs...


Two young guides greeted us, fed us, and took us over to their shooting range. Supposedly its for "practice" but I think they want to make sure you can hit the side of a mountain at 50 yards...
I had no problem running rounds from the selection of toys I brought. Missus needed to get fitted in and find one she could work with... She picked the blamerator first... It barked thunder and went pretty well on target but the kick was evident... Goldilocks said... "Too big.."


I handed her the 1911 I had on my hip... She dismissed that one without taking a shot... Goldilocks said "too small"...
She took hold of the mini 14 and it was a match made in heaven. No kick, not too noisy and was droppin the rounds inside the rings with regularity... Goldilocks said "just right" ...


Clock ticked by some then our guides reappeared to take us to our blind. A lot of people think being close to "civilization" being in this case work sheds and staff housing isn't gonna work but through the years I have learned don't run past em to find em. Besides if theyre used to people they're not as on their guard...
On the way in it wasn't just track it was well worn highways I was lookin at in the powdery sugar sand. That got my spirits up. It was a nice wood blind with a tin roof... Palmetto fronds for a little more cover. The feeder in the front lane was a mute point this year with an incredible acorn drop. Lane in front maybe ten yards wide and twenty five deep. One behind maybe only five feet across and twent yards long... They'ld have to come in real close to get a shot.
When we first sat within a minute we heard grunts and squeals but going away. At least we had heard something. The feeder went off but as expected nothing showed... Clock ticked. Light dwindled. Still it was smiles as we just soaked in the silence... Then I heard the faints noise behind. I watched intently in the thick stuff for someting moving. Seemed like forever but a little two inch hole went from grey green to blck and back. I tapped the missus on the shoulder and had her turn and get ready.
Tod this day I'm blown away how something as fat and unseemly can move so quiet through the thick stuff. Like black ghosts three shooters emerged. I flicked her safety off. Aim was taken. Trigger squeezed gently... The mini barked out her signature "get back"! The pig lifted and let out an ear splitting squeal. I could see that shot was right but had her run another in case. I didn't want to track in strange thick stuff with it getting dark. Next round went right through the first hole... Some kicking still a third round was sent between the ears... Missus had manned up!
Gave it a few minutes then let her take a look at her first...

I figured I'd help out our guide by dragging it out front of the blind to the road he'd be comming down. It was getting dark but I had no problem spotting another meat size oinker just a few yards away. The 45 barked "stay down" and it was over...
About then the whole place came alive... "Babe!" I heard the missus squeak! I looked up and could see tusks in the dark. We had taken what we contracted for. If the stud boar posed a threat it was gonna get capped but it turned... I looked back at missus and could see the unmistakeable silohuette of yet another stud right behind her... I drew but held my shot... We got back in the blind and waited for our guide...
He told me it would have been ok to drop another one of the big ones at no extra charge but I didn't know that going in. Just as well... We had what we came for. Dinner that night was axis deer backstraps from their other ranch where they do exotic hunts... Some might think "canned" but they have 2500 acres for those critters to "get invisible" in.
Next morn I went back out... Passed a meat piggie. A doe ran by then it got quiet for a while. As the sun came up I could hear brush bustin in a big way... A herd of somethin comming my way. I readied but had to stand down... Turkeys! Dozens of em and not in season. Still quite a sight...
So thats the story.. A romantic weekend of ham blammin...

[seapower]

If your wife ask's to go hog huntin' for your anniversary, "you might be a red neck"!!!! Too much Deep, Too much! She got a sister???? Frank

[Deep C]

Living in Florida so long a little bit of "native" starting to sneak in... She loved it and ready to go back as a regular thing...