March 28, 2024, 04:21:25 am *
Welcome, Guest. Please login or register.

Login with username, password and session length
News: HAVE YOU HAD YOUR PORK TODAY?
 
   Home   Help Search Calendar Login Register  
Pages: [1] 2   Go Down
  Print  
Author Topic: Good hunt...bad ending....and no pics!  (Read 2383 times)
crackerc
Alpha Dog
*****
Offline Offline

Posts: 909


Monkey....gone but never forgotten! RIP


View Profile WWW
« on: November 16, 2014, 08:55:14 pm »

I haven't been on here in a while. Seems I never have time between working and dogs and the few times I do I don't even see anyone on here I know.

But I went on a hunt a week ago that was....interesting....and thought I would share it with the few guys I do know on here. I had posted something a couple weeks ago, but the post was deleted, not sure why.

Anyway, last Sunday (Nov Cool I loaded my two old wore out dogs Monkey (10 1/2) and Spur (9) and went to my lease. I normally hunt by myself anymore which can be a good thing and a bad thing...just depends on the hunt. This hunt I wish I had a couple of strong backed helpers with me.

My lease is 29,000 acres of rough woods. Timber has been cut a lot and cut overs have grown up thick as hair on a dogs back.  No pasture hunting here! I has run a hog with Monkey the week before in an area for over 5 miles on the Garmin but he never got it stopped. He just isn't as fast as he used to be. But neither am I ! I saw the track where it crossed a dim road and it looked to be a sure enough good hog. So I went back to the same area and put both Monkey and Spur out together, something I rarely do anymore. Seems every time I do they get wrecked. But it usually produces a good hog.

I let them out of the box on the 4 wheeler and started down the same dim trail Monkey had struck the hog the week before. They went ahead, Monkey went off one side of the road and Spur on the other. They were each out 250-300 yards on the Garmin and just working around. It was real thick and they were looking for a hog I could tell. I could see they were making loops but the two dogs weren't together. Now this was about 2 PM after the deer hounds had been all through the place so I figured any hogs were either squatted tight or had left the area. I should mention I left my backpack, phone, extra leashes, etc on the 4 wheeler. I am always afraid of losing my phone in the woods . My dogs had been out for about 30-40 minutes when I saw Monkey line out on the Garmin. He is 110% silent so if not for the Garmin I wouldn't know what he was doing. At about 600 yards out I heard him bay. Looked at the Garmin and Spur was bee lining to him.  I thought...I hope I hear a squeal when they get together. Well, when Spur got there I heard both dogs baying, which means a good hog with these two dogs, even as old as they are.

I hurried as best I could trying to get there. Both dogs were baying their hearts out and i love to hear these two bay together. Monkey is Spur's sire and they sound similar. But when the two are baying together it's like they try and see who can bay the loudest. Sure sounded pretty on a cool afternoon in the thick woods. As I got close I heard the hog run the dogs. Sounded like a good hog as he was breaking things down running the dogs. I eased in and could see yellow (the dogs) but couldn't see the hog as it was so thick. Both dogs were baying every breath. I tried to ease in a little closer and the hog ran the dogs. Good lord what a hog! And teeth everywhere! No catch dog, by myself and this is the best hog I have been on in years! He stops with his head behind a cabbage palm so I pull my pistol (.44 magnum) and shoot him right behind the shoulder. He was angling a little away from me so I figured the shot would angle right into his boiler room.  It's about a 10-15 yard shot, it should be lights out!

Well, he fell at the shot, the dogs piled on him, I ran in to grab a leg to keep him down until he died (as he had some terrible teeth) and just as I got to him...he jumped up! He saw me, slung the dogs off and here he comes! I had holstered the pistol (so I could grab a leg ) so I  ran around a tree....he chased me around that tree, I grabbed another one and went around it, and so did he! He was still after me but Monkey had him by the rear and and the hog was dragging Monkey chasing me! Spur finally grabbed him too and that pissed him off enough he spun around and got after the dogs. He slung Monkey pretty good and then the hog broke and ran.

The dogs were on him like white on rice, pulling hair and fighting him for about 200 yards. Then they get him stopped and bay again. I hurry as fast as I can, having to crawl in places, and just about the time i get close enough to see the bushes moving the hog breaks again. It's a running fight for about 100 yards and they bay again. I hurry to get there and just as I get close, the hog breaks. This goes on for like 40 minutes. This hog acts like he isn't hurt at all. They must have stopped him 8-10 times in 40 minutes and I have yet to see the hog other than the first time.  Finally they bay and its a REAL thick spot. I ease in from the downwind side being as quiet as I can. The hog runs the dogs and I see a shot. I shoot him behind the shoulder again as I can't see his head. This is from like 20 feet away. The shot knocks the hog down, he bounces up and breaks!

The dogs are right on him and stop him pretty quick. I ease in and he runs the dogs again, knocking down trees as big around as my arm. I see the hog and can see his head this time. The dogs are right in his face so I have to be careful shooting. I aim right below his ear and shoot. He drops like he was hit with a sledgehammer. The dogs pile on him, I run in (or actually crawl in) and the hog gets up again !!!

I had kept the pistol out this time and shot him right in the face as he turned to me. Down he went, this time for good! Thank God! I was out of bullets and the box of shells was on the 4 wheeler in my backpack.....with my phone!

Only then do I get a good look at this hog. It's a barr hog, left ear cropped, tail bobbed and LOTS of teeth! It's starting to get dark, I am a long ways from my 4 wheeler and miles from my truck. it's Sunday night, I am almost two hours from home and have to work the next day. So I tie some mule tape around his mouth behind his teeth, snap a lead to that and pull. And pull....and the hog doesn't move. Monkey is hurt, won't even put his right rear leg on the ground, but is steadily chewing on the hog. I don't have my phone to call anyone for help(or take pics) so I head to the 4 wheeler. Glad I had the Garmin because I didn't know where I was or where the scooter was. Spur follows me out, Monkey stays with the hog. i keep calling him and after I am about 300 yards away he starts coming to me on the Garmin. I get to the scooter, load Spur and wait on Monkey. It's about 5:30, maybe 30 minutes of daylight left. Monkey finally limps out and I load him. Jump on the 4 wheeler trying to find a way closer to the hog. I see a guy standing next to his Polaris ranger so I stop. They are trying to catch their last few deer hounds out. I explain what happened and he said they would help me get the hog out. He told me this as he was fixing himself another mixed drink.....

His two buddies show up and we drive around.....and around...trying to get closer to the hog. Close as we can get the 4 wheeler is 580 yards. I had told them they could have the hog I just wanted a couple pics first. When they realized it was dark...and we had a 580 yard drag....they looked at me and said " we don't want him that bad! Goodnight."
Logged

Florida cur dogs for almost half a century....now I know I am old!!
crackerc
Alpha Dog
*****
Offline Offline

Posts: 909


Monkey....gone but never forgotten! RIP


View Profile WWW
« Reply #1 on: November 16, 2014, 09:15:43 pm »

I had called 4-5 people while driving around trying to get help but to no avail. Funny when you call & say HUNT everybody wants to go. Say DRAG....and everyone is busy!

So as bad as I hated to do it, I headed to the truck without the hog & without any pics even! Didn't hardly sleep that night upset that I couldn't get the hog out of the woods. I decided to at least go back the next weekend and get the head. I had to work all week, but went back the next Saturday, 6 days after the hunt. We have quite a few bears in the lease so didn't know if the hog would even be there.

I drove as close as I could (580 yards) left the dogs on the 4 wheeler (in case there was a bear camped on the hog) and headed in......WITH my phone! I got close and was having to crawl around. I could smell him but didn't see him right away as SOMETHING.....probably a bear, had fed on the hog and pawed leaves and sticks and cabbage palm fronds on top of him. Now that will make the hair on the back of your neck stand up! squatting down in a super thick spot, no dogs, cutting the head off of SOMETHING'S dinner! You wonder what's watching you! Anyway, got that done, hooked a leash to the mule tape I had put on him the week before and headed to the scooter. I would be lying if I said I didn't stop a couple times and listen to my back track though!! Smiley  Just in case that something was coming to claim his dinner!

Got out to the 4 wheeler and that head was smelling ripe! Maggots all over it, but I did get the head. I am estimating the hog was 270-280 (and I won't be off by much) and the teeth measured 4 1/2".  Still makes me sick I couldn't have gotten the whole hog out and on top of the dog box last week.

Anyway, here are a couple pics if I can remember how to post them. I just wouldn't look at them while you are eating! Smiley



Where the bear...or whatever..had fed on the hog. I had to remove the leaves & such to get the pics.



Logged

Florida cur dogs for almost half a century....now I know I am old!!
Mike
Administrator
Internet Hog Hunting Specialist
*****
Offline Offline

Posts: 10273



View Profile WWW
« Reply #2 on: November 16, 2014, 09:27:52 pm »

Helluva story and helluva hog Mark!
Logged

Handle_It
Alpha Dog
*****
Offline Offline

Posts: 684



View Profile
« Reply #3 on: November 16, 2014, 09:30:00 pm »

That's an adventure there! Good story and good teeth on that sucker!
Logged
crackerc
Alpha Dog
*****
Offline Offline

Posts: 909


Monkey....gone but never forgotten! RIP


View Profile WWW
« Reply #4 on: November 16, 2014, 09:33:37 pm »

Thanks guys. That hunt got real interesting a couple different times!!  LOL
Logged

Florida cur dogs for almost half a century....now I know I am old!!
Judge peel
Hog Doom
*********
Offline Offline

Posts: 4859



View Profile
« Reply #5 on: November 16, 2014, 09:39:15 pm »

Nice teeth good story read it twice
Logged
shadygrovehawgdawg
Strike Dog
****
Offline Offline

Posts: 376


View Profile
« Reply #6 on: November 16, 2014, 10:05:03 pm »

Man that was a great story. Hope Ol Monkey is doing better. Hope you have something out of him besides just your  Spur dog. They sound like good ones. when you go it alone like that it really makes you think and rely on your dogs. Good job.
Logged
Shotgun wg
Hog Catching Machine
********
Offline Offline

Posts: 2203



View Profile
« Reply #7 on: November 16, 2014, 10:24:30 pm »

Good story. Nice teeth. I have read several stories about ur monkey dog. Sounds like he is still getting it done.


Shotgun
Arkansas
Logged

Shotgun
alapaha blue blood
Strike Dog
****
Offline Offline

Posts: 367


Tiny


View Profile
« Reply #8 on: November 17, 2014, 10:16:20 am »

Great story  and hog good job bud
Logged
WayOutWest
Boar Slayer
*******
Offline Offline

Posts: 1498


View Profile
« Reply #9 on: November 17, 2014, 10:54:53 am »

Heck of a story and heck of a hog!
Logged
BA-IV
Hog Doom
*********
Offline Offline

Posts: 3563


View Profile
« Reply #10 on: November 17, 2014, 11:13:31 am »

That's an awesome hog Mark...sounds like you better retire Monkey to the good life after getting some more pups outta him to fool around with!
Logged
hoghunter71409
Boar Slayer
*******
Offline Offline

Posts: 1457


View Profile
« Reply #11 on: November 17, 2014, 12:31:32 pm »

Agree with all.  Great story and glad you got the head to show.  I know you were proud of posting that pic.

Not only do I think that was a very successful hunt, I think a lot of people can relate to your stories and a lot of lessons can be learned.  Lots of posts about bulldog or no bulldog.  Gun or no gun.  Cary phone no phone.

I am interested in your answers based on this hunt.

Will you always carry a pistol on future hunts?
Will you make a new rule that you dont hunt by yourself?
Will you now always carry a bulldog?
Logged
crackerc
Alpha Dog
*****
Offline Offline

Posts: 909


Monkey....gone but never forgotten! RIP


View Profile WWW
« Reply #12 on: November 17, 2014, 01:37:51 pm »

Thanks again guys for all the posts. Monkey IS getting up there in age and I DO need to retire him. I just don't have anything else to hunt. I had bred him to my JJ female a couple years ago and kept two pups out of that but they just never did what I wanted them to do and they were mean as could be. They would bite anyone, so I culled them.  This past summer I THOUGHT JJ was out of heat and put her back on the cable runner. Well, Monkey proved she wasn't and 63 days later she had one pup! So I will mess with this one and see what it will do. She is now 7 months old and I have never messed with her...yet.

I had bred my Red female a couple years ago to a different male and those dogs didn't suit me either, so they went away. Seems I am having a hard time finding a young dog that will do what Monkey will do. Maybe I am too picky, but I know what I want, and like, and I am not willing to settle just so I can buy more dog food.

What I like in a dog:
Hunts out decent. I can't stand a dog that stays at your feet!
100% silent
Not trashy. I believe some families of dogs are just trashier than others.
Dog must hunt ALONE. If he needs help to go find, stop and bay a hog, he will never be a top dog in my book.
Gritty enough to stop a hog, but not suicidal. If its a big hog with teeth, bay it. If its a 100 lb hog or less catch it!
I don't like a dog that goes around the woods killing baby pigs. I have baby pigs in my yard that get out of the pen and neither Monkey (who runs loose 24/7) or Spur will even mess with them.
And I like a smart dog. Intelligence is a big factor in my liking a dog. Monkey has more sense that most of the people I meet... Smiley

As far as the three questions:

I will always carry a handgun. Better to have it and not need it than need it and NOT have it.
I will still hunt alone a lot.
And I won't be leading a bulldog. I could not have handled this hog, a CD and two cur dogs by myself anyway.

But I DO need to carry my phone.
Logged

Florida cur dogs for almost half a century....now I know I am old!!
MakeEmSqueal863
Catch Dog
***
Offline Offline

Posts: 128



View Profile
« Reply #13 on: November 17, 2014, 02:20:29 pm »

I love hearing your stories. I can really relate, I only run a couple cur dogs too. Makes it a little more interesting Wink Haven't gotten into carrying a gun yet. I like talking my dogs into catching those better ones! Great hog and great story! If you ever need a hand i'm here in central Fl
Logged
Hollowpoint
Strike Dog
****
Offline Offline

Posts: 377


View Profile
« Reply #14 on: November 17, 2014, 03:04:12 pm »

Great write up on a hair raising adventure. You made me feel like I was there with you.
Logged
colecross
Alpha Dog
*****
Offline Offline

Posts: 607



View Profile
« Reply #15 on: November 17, 2014, 07:47:04 pm »

Good story ,nice teeth on that dude!
Logged
rdjustham
Lord of the Hogs
********
Offline Offline

Posts: 2737


View Profile
« Reply #16 on: November 18, 2014, 06:25:22 am »

Heck of a story mark.  Good to see you an monkey are still getting after them.
Logged
TazD
Strike Dog
****
Offline Offline

Posts: 496


View Profile
« Reply #17 on: November 18, 2014, 06:30:02 am »

Nice cutters on that Barr. Was that hog from Chass property? Lot of bears on that property!
Mark your dogs are getting up there in age. Time to go out and get some new dogs. Since your breedings did not produce what you like/want, then go get some dogs from one of your friends! Sometimes your best dog does not reproduce itself. You need to find your next Dixie and Rock!!

Logged
TexasHogDogs
Hog Doom
*********
Offline Offline

Posts: 3531



View Profile
« Reply #18 on: November 18, 2014, 04:11:03 pm »

Great story and great dog work and you also LOL .  I believe I would trade that 44 in on a 12 gauge with 1oz solid slugs are 1 oz Defender slugs .  Get you a short 12 with about a 18 to 20 barrel put you a strap on it and throw it around your shoulder he  wont get up at  least I have never had one get up yet and its been manya
Logged

The older I get the less Stupidity I can stand !
Bowhunter1994
Alpha Dog
*****
Offline Offline

Posts: 540



View Profile
« Reply #19 on: November 18, 2014, 07:10:59 pm »

Nice hog


Sonny
Logged

If you cant hang with the big dogs STAY ON THE PORCH.
Pages: [1] 2   Go Up
  Print  
 
Jump to:  

Powered by EzPortal
Powered by MySQL Powered by PHP Powered by SMF 1.1.18 | SMF © 2013, Simple Machines Valid XHTML 1.0! Valid CSS!