Perfect Pig Hunt

 It was opening morning of the 2002 Javelina Archery season.  My hunting partner, Mike Roberts, and I were just coming off a successful deer hunt the weekend before. With positive attitudes and high expectations, we loaded up and headed north of Prescott. This is where we filed our tags last year as well as seen a good sized herd this year.

 We reached our destination and glassed over the area. Within ten minutes we had spotted a herd of 15 or 20 pigs. They were feeding on some shoots of grass at the base of a rugged knoll. Mike and I discussed our situation and studied the wind. We made a plan to park the vehicles 3/4 of a mile away and sneak in ever so quietly as to not spook our quarry.

 As we got closer we could see that the pigs had moved, but where?  I decided to stalk to the top for a better vantage point. They might have moved off or even bedded up a little earlier than we expected.  I had a hunch that maybe they had fed a littler further around the base. I planned to try and put a sneak on them and hopefully get into distance for a  good shot.  Mike and I made sure that we were within eye contact of each other, then we edged on.

 Suddenly, I noticed movement up ahead, four pigs had decided to make their way back towards me at an angle up the ridge.  I settled in and motioned for Mike to stop.  The pigs were coming fast.  I only had a 10" window to shoot between the thick brush.  I knocked an arrow and came to full draw.  I noticed the bigger pig was third in line so I let the others pass by me.  Finally she made her way to the window 28 yards away and I fired an arrow passing through the javalina sending them scurrying off in all directions. The Big sow ran 30 yards and piled up next to a group of shrubs. 

  Meanwhile, on top of the ridge, Mike had his eyes set on a huge boar that was making his way towards him. Mike hunkered down and sneaked into position next to some mesquite trees.  The Javelina were on the move so he had to make a quick decision.  Figuring 30 yards, he drew back and sent an arrow right through the sweet spot of the big boar. Mike quickly knocked another arrow as the pig stormed up the hill running right past me.  But he didn't make it much further. The shot had done its job and the pig stopped  and laid down.

  Our season ended forty five minutes after it had begun. It was a textbook hunt where nothing went wrong.  Surely one we will remember for a long long time.

Ryan Nogosek