We had (8) hunters loaded into the back of a pick-up truck on bench seats following a hunting-pack of bay dogs, and then we walked the property to spot-and-stalk a few meat-hogs.
The terrain was rough and we had to develop an expedient warning to alert one-another to duck so that we didn't get whipped and slashed by bushes and tree branches as we traveled up and down, and over and through the tracks, chasing the dogs. The bed of that truck was like a rodeo ride. I told the guys that I had not been bounced off the tailgate of a pick-up since I was a teenager, so if I made a noise when it happened please don't hold it against me. I believe that "LOOK OUT" and "DOWN" were the most used phrases of the day.
The hounds bayed (3) large and very angry hogs which we promptly shot. The dogs were as game as any I've seen, and a few got cut pretty good (badly) by the hogs. I took my first hog, a boar bayed by the dogs, with my Model 94AE in .356Win using the 200gr factory ammo. A pretty big hog. DRT. CRS washed, curried, and shot a hog taking a bath a few minutes later.
![Wink :wink:](./images/smilies/icon_wink.gif)
Actually, the dogs bayed a big mean hog in a creek bottom, and one of the hounds dragged it to land by the ear so that Charles could shoot it. Good dog. Good shot.
I think the spot-and-stalk hogs wanted to get shot. Like... Suicide by Hunter. As we were getting ready to break for lunch a group of small hogs just came walking out at the front of the property. We were like "Can we shoot those?" Uh... "Yes." I walked for about 15 minutes before I took my second hog (a sow apparently taking a leisurely stroll down an open lane with a friend) with my Savage Model 10 re-barreled to .358Win using a 220gr Speer HCFN over 51.6gr of Win748. Nice sized meat-hog. This was the first time I'd had this gun anywhere but at the range, and I am quite happy with the field test.
Overall, it was an efficient operation, well-staffed with guides, dog-handlers, and prompt retrieval of downed game. I thought that the cost to hunt was very reasonable, and there was plenty of available game.
I didn't get photos of everybody after their kill , or of all the hogs pre-skinning, but I did get a few good photos:
![Image](http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y264/FWiedner/Misc/Freds%20Boar_zpse4v2yp3o.jpg)
My .356 Boar
![Image](http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y264/FWiedner/Misc/CRS%20405%20Hog_zpsgisxsbhz.jpg)
CRS .405 Double-Rifle Boar
![Image](http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y264/FWiedner/Misc/His%20Close%20Up_zpsrqatilgk.jpg)
A close -up. Quite handsome for a pig.
![Image](http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y264/FWiedner/Misc/Skinning%20Rack_zpszwjhd1g5.jpg)
The Skinning Rack. These big hogs have some good winter fat.
![Image](http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y264/FWiedner/Misc/Freds%20Sow_zpsrx3wns7g.jpg)
My .358 Sow. First hunt for this rifle. I am pleased.
![Image](http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y264/FWiedner/Misc/The%20Hunters_zpsvrx4rf1q.jpg)
The beauty pageant.
It was a good day, with a fine group of men. Totally enjoyable.
![Mr. Green :mrgreen:](./images/smilies/icon_mrgreen.gif)