Yesterdays Hog hunt. South Georgia Swamping it!

[Jared D]

Well, the day started off well enough. Perfect weather for a pig hunt. A chill in the air, but temps staying around mid 50s. It was raining a bit, perfect for hunting, but that meant the camera stayed in the bag. I had managed to sneak off of work for the morning. My buddy and I raced towards the island at daybreak and proceeded to still hunt the same corner that we have been hunting the previous trips. It was immediately evident that this corner has been getting hit a little to regularly. There was plenty of sign... but its different now. The pigs are no longer traveling in the main corridors. They are now moving in thick stuff, where you would have to be in "smell their breath" range. My buddy and I decided that we were going to have to change up spots.

We hunted until 830am at the first local. All we had to show for it was hearing a few grunts in some really thick stuff. We then loaded up the boat, and took the absolute peak of high tide to check out a couple other little areas my buddy has access to. All had lots of fresh sign, and will make the short list for the future.

So at 10am we had an hour left to hunt, as I had an appointment I had to keep, so we snuck into another spot on the other side of the island. This part hasnt been touched since early March. We ran up the canal, and tied off, then wandered in. First let me descibe the spot. The way this spot works is, you have the canal which is bordered by a small strip of hardwoods (small cypress mainly with some briars thrown in for discomfort) then there is a boundry about 50 feet thick that is 8 foot tall cat tails. We busted through the barriers, and entered the "flat." The flat is the center of this part of the island, and is bordered by canals on all sides. It used to be a rice field back in the 1800s, but since has just become swamp. When I say swamp, I mean, mud thats soft and wet. You will sink between ankle and knee deep each step.

Well, the flat was absolutely destroyed. Probably 1000 feet by 300 feet was C O M P L E T E L Y destroyed, and turned over, and by the looks of it, was done that morning. Fresh pig poo was everywhere. I cant tell you how many pigs it takes to turn over that size area, but I am guess 50 at least. Apparently, while we were hunting the other side of the island, the pigs were at the buffet on this side.

We wandered around the fringes of the flat looking for corridors, sign, and hoping to put one up. It was a light steady rain, so despite our making sucking noises by pulling our boots from the mud, all in all, it was pretty quiet going. After the alloted hour, we met back near the break through point, and began to discuss what we had seen, and I came up with the brilliant conclusion of what was occuring; where they were bedding, and blah blah blah. So here we are chit chatting for at least 4 minutes when 30 feet away in the cattails that border the flat.... swoosh, swoosh, swoosh. Three pigs just jumped up and bull dozed through the tall stuff. These pigs were either there when we came through an hour ago and had just held tight, or had crossed the canal, and buggered up as we were talking... whatever the reason, they finally had heard enough and decided to split.

I could clearly see where they were as the plowed through the grass as it looked like a elephant busting through the stuff. We set out after em. the closest pig held up about 200 feet away, right beside a fringe canal. I went through the flat, and my buddy went back towards the canal, and we planned to put a pincher on em.

Amazingly, I actually got infront of the pig as it was clearly only paying attention to my buddy. I sat there and waited for it to move. It had only two options, towards my buddy, or towards me. Time passed and every time I could here my buddy crack a twig, or rustle a bush, I would see the tall grass turn a bit as the pig was dialing in on where the threat was. Finally my buddy climbed a small tree and I pointed to where the pig was, less than 35 feet from me, though hidden completely in the tall grass. My buddy pushed towards it, and immediately 150 pounds of pissed off pork came charging out, right at me. I couldnt actually see it until it was 10 feet away, but I knew he was coming. I began to draw as soon as I heard him coming, but pissed off pork moves quick. As I was drawing, I heard a Whoomp and felt a sting on my left arm. My mechanical release had broke mid draw. I mean, you couldnt make this +^&&% stuff up. The arrow went slicing off, the pig saw me and took off into the open.

My mouth hung open! My buddy came out, and asked what had happened, and I showed him. He just gave me that look... for anyone who has "been there" I dont need to tell you what look, cuz you know. I did do a cursory look to be sure there was not hit, but to that fact I was sure with out even looking... I just cant believe it. I guess it does little to put my word on the line and say, I didnt get excited and screw up and misshandle the trigger... as I was completely calm and had PLENTY of time to compose myself... but alas, I guess it is what it is. My equipment, so the fault lies on my shoulders.

One more thing before I conclude this novel. On the way back to the house, we see three pigs 30 feet from the road. I mean, seriously, could they rub my nose in it alittle more!?! Oh well, guess there is always next time.

[weekender]

exciting stuff there, excellent post, there is always next time