My Texas Hill Country 2013 trip


Adjam5

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Every year for the last 6 I have been going to the Hill country for a free range Axis hunt with a good friend of mine who has access to a real honey hole where native and exotic species come and go free range.

I stay at my friends ranch where he raises Whitetail for auction. Then we go on a 20 min ride into Kerrville to hunt Axis. Well we made that ride almost a dozen times in the am and pm to no avail. Nothing worth shooting came into range. I saw lots of Whitetail and Rio turkeys...But no shooter Axis.

A little bit of luck did come my way though. My friend got a call about 2 hogs that have been crashing through a neighbors fencing and destroying his pasture and eating what feed he puts out for his livestock. We jumped in the truck like Batman and Robin...Off to save the day! :).

The land owner took us for a quick walk showing the land boundries, where the hogs were last spotted and the broken fencing that they come and go through. I had the gun first. My friend stayed by the hole in the fence. I started walking the property looking. With goats and sheep all over it made it interesting to say the least. I kicked up 2 hogs and they went running towards the hole in the fence. My friend was standing there, so they turned around and headed back my way. I got a steady rest and waited for them to enter my sight picture. The first one went by like lightning. The second one was not so lucky. He took a 25-06 and crumbled. About a 100lb boar I was told. Now I stood by the hole in the fence and gave my friend his rifle back. His turn. About 30 mins later this hog was charging my friend and he shot it above the right eye. He was going for the middle of the eyes. But I guess that was good enough. I was very apprehensive about weter or not these hogs were on ahi fence operation. That is NOT me. I am fair chase Charlie. Even with hogs. I asked the land owner and he showed me the destruction these hogs were causing and in no way did he put them/ want them on his land. No fees were paid and we made a happy rancher with 2 dead hogs.

So my hunt wasn't fruitless after all.

Even if I didnt shoot anything while there it was still a great trip. I was able to purchase and close on a 6.5 acre parcel of land. Sell the old decaying mobile home that was on the property(they haul it away). Find a 6pt shed on the land I bought, seen a few deer on my land and re strengthend my friendship with a my Texas pal. There are lot of live Oak on the property. Some of them have that Oak wilt. Those trees need some love next time I am down there.

I even got lucky in a bad way. When I went to catch my flight out of San Antone. It got cancelled and Delta had to put me up in a hotel for the night. Not the worst thing having to spend another night in Texas. Being that I shot my hog on the day before I left. The processor could not cut and freeze my meat in time for me to take it on the plane. That turned out to be a blessing. If I would have had that cooler full of meat with me. It would have spoiled with my one day lay over.

So while I was away. My home area in NY got about 30" of snow! I missed it all and didnt have move a lick of snow! How lucky can a guy get?

The pics.

The mobile I sold on the land I bought.

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The 6pt shed I found on my land. The G5 and G6 were chewed down by varmints.

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My hog with my friend Herbie. Me on right.

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Both of our hogs.

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A pretty cool vid I took with my small dig cam of my friend dropping his sow trotting towards him while heading towards hole in fence.

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Edited by Adjam5
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Glad you had a good trip and making the best of it, Anthony. Loved the pig story. I have a pig kill to my credit, although it was quite unexpected while on a turkey hunt with Leo. Great memories are what its about and by the looks of things you will be gathering many more down there. Good luck with all of it, my friend!

The video came up as not found for whatever reason

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Thanks guys. It was as always, a fun trip there. Getting more comfortable each time I go.

Never shot a animal on the move before like the hog I shot. Interesting to say the least. Hogs are quite destructive. Glad I was able to help. My son Joe has made plans to be down there for a Rio hunt in March. Scoping it out also for a possible move there too. Having my own place down in the Hill Country may make me go more often that just once a year. I need to set up for retirement.

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Thanks Joe, William, Steve and the rest of you guys. It was my best trip to Texas yet.

Now...If I can only stop thinking about living there full time:cool:. I cannot wait. But I will have to.

My son Joe will be going down there in March to look at the land, look at some housing options(mobile/modular or camper) and go on a Axis and Rio Turkey hunt.

I think my son is more excited than I am.

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You just need to get the idea of hogs and "fair chase" out of the same context, lol. I'll shot them here in the guts with a bow if that was the only shot I had lol. Been lucky last few years, but they'll be back I'm sure.

I know you have to do what you have to do to kill hogs John. They are quite destructive. I am just not a guy who wants a hog or an Axis put inside of a enclosure/small hi fence area for the kill. These hogs appeared on their own free will and we were asked to do a favor and come shoot 'em. We did. I don't hope more appear on this ranchers land or even my little parcel...But If they do...Ill do what I can to choot'em! :) Promise.

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