Wild Boar In California

Pursue The Outdoors had the opportunity to travel  South for this season’s first elk seminar coupled with a Northern wild pig hunt. The Fishers of Men organization invited us to Redding, Ca. for a chance to conduct the Northwest Elk Academy. Thanks to a close friend, we were able to connect with Tom McKlosky who organized the weekend activities. Our plans were to arrive early and hunt with Tom before the seminar on Saturday morning. We loaded our gear and headed out early for the five hour drive. When we arrived we stepped out of the air conditioned RV to temperatures in the low 100’s. Tom drove us out to the property where we were able to scout with binoculars looking for wild pigs to appear on their way out of the thick brush seeking water.

I decided to carry my bow for a lucky chance at taking a boar. Right behind me, I had my daughter carrying a 7mm Mag. eager to launch a 140 gr Nosler Accutip at over 3000 fps. As we moved closer to the brush looking to play the wind and remain concealed in the shadows, we spotted a sow with piglets heading out for evening feed.

If you look close, you can see the sow with her piglets in the lower left corner. We remained still while the pigs continued on their way…. Tom had us check the wind constantly to make sure we had the wind in our favor as we continued deeper into the upper fields near the berry bushes. Our hopes were that a large boar would be out feeding allowing us a “spot and stalk” opportunity. Sure enough – Robyn (my daughter) spotted a nice boar off feeding near the berries about 250 yards away. The wind was right so I knocked a broadhead and moved in close for a shot.

Once we got close, we lost sight of the boar. Jeremy (our camera man) motioned letting us know he could hear a pig snorting in the brush headed our way. Jeremy had an ear mic allowing him to hear sounds much better than we could. I moved to align myself when all the sudden a small boar appeared looking right at me about 15 yards away offering a close head shot. I chose not to release. Tom wondered why I had not taken the shot till I explained the poor shot scenario. We decided to head back  from there as the sun went down to prepare for the morning seminar.

Thank the Lord for air conditioning!!! When we woke up Saturday morning, the temperature had already rose to around 90 degrees. Lyn chose to sleep outside till the sprinklers came on allowing him barely enough time to avoid a fresh cool natural shower…

The Fishers of Men staff arrived early to help us setup for the breakfast provided by Black Bear Diner (what a treat). Over seventy people arrived for what proved to be a great turnout thanks to all the promotion by Fishers of men. Gary Lewis (outdoor writer) and I felt truly blessed to have such a great group of passionate elk hunters attend to discover more about elk biology, behavior, language and tactics. The seminar ended up such a success, we can’t wait to come back next year!

Saturday afternoon turned up the thermostat over 110 degrees as we prepared to head back out in the field for another opportunity to ambush a wild boar. Once we arrived back at the base of the foothills, my daughter and I decided to break off on our own while Gary, Lyn and Jeremy headed a different direction with Tom and Perry. We quickly advanced back to the deep brush above the creek to hide in the shadows and play the wind. Once again, Robyn spotted some sows with piglets walk about thirty yards in front of us quickly on the move towards water. We held steadfast trying not to spook them… “whew – that was a close call”!!!  As we snuck over the next knoll, we found another large boar feeding infront of a group of cattle about 150 yards out. We moved quickly as sweat began to pour off our forehead with hopes that I could get an archery shot. Wouldn’t you know it, the boar held broadside at forty five yards feeding allowing the release of a 340 grain arrow tipped with a 100 grain Razorback seeking a lethal hit. The arrow missed just under the cavity behind the front leg. Ends up I mis-judged the yardage which ended up closer to fifty yards. I couldn’t believe it! As the boar checked out heading for the ridgeline, I asked Robyn to give me the 7mm Mag. for a little target practice on the run. “YEP”, direct hit right in the heart as the 200+ lb. boar wheeled up squealing his last plea before landing legs up. You know the deal…. “Praise the Lord,” as my daughter and I had harvested our first wild pig together pursuing the outdoors! Once we arrived back at the hanger, it was picture time since we had been filming most of the action and forgot the still cameras back at the truck.

Sunday arrivedearly with milder temperatures allowing one more opportunity for Lyn and Gary to find a pig looking for a BBQ.

Ends up Jeremy filmed the other guys in hot pursuit of a few wild boars while Robyn, Tom, Lyn and I went on a beautiful nature hike to be evaded by the elusive pigs in the area.

We arrived back at the truck close to 10am as the temperatures were reaching close to 100 degrees. Lyn decided to hook up with Perry who was familiar with the various water holes. The two of them loaded the Rhino while Jeremy and I hopped in the back with cameras. We drove a few gravel roads when we spotted a group of hogs moving in the grass at the bottom of a draw headed towards cover. Lyn jumped out with Jeremy and the camera following close behind. I ended up across the ridge filming both parties as Lyn steadied his rifle and pulled the trigger taking what promised to be a great  little smoker! As you can see, a picture is worth a thousand words….

Hats off to Fishers of Men and the ministry they stand for!!! The Lord has a blessed group of servants working to serve outdoor enthusiasts loving people while spreading the good news.

God Bless Fishers of Men!