|
|
Post by beermaker on Oct 2, 2020 20:42:43 GMT -5
After being postponed twice due to weather, we finally made it to TX last week. Apparently it's been an exceptionally good year and my boss and his business partner decided to charter a flight to Bridgeport. We landed and, within a few minutes, were loaded in two Dodge trucks for the ranch. We went over safety protocols and took a few shots with the AR's. After that, it was self-serve bar and a fine meal. We hit a local lake for bow fishing.
The boat that I was on harvested seven carp and two gar. Although the numbers were low, I had a good time.
The next day we went after hogs from a helicopter. Full disclosure...I am NOT an AR guy. Nothing against them or anyone that has one. I just don't enjoy that type of shooting. Anyway, I killed 15-20 hogs the first hour out and another 12 the second time. I enjoyed seeing the vast TX land more than hunting. The night time thermal hunt was something that I had never imagined. To make a very long story short, the guides called in a herd of 30+ pigs and they were dispatched in about 25 seconds. I don't know what the neighbors thought, but I'd like to have a timed recording of that debacle. Six guys emptied 30 round mags and there was no sign of life left.
If anyone is interested in a trip,PM me and I will provide more particulars.
|
|
|
|
Post by buckert on Oct 2, 2020 21:08:56 GMT -5
Sounds like a pretty great experience. Did you guys salvage any of the hogs for meat? I’ve always wondered if they are good to eat.
|
|
|
|
Post by michaelc on Oct 2, 2020 21:17:34 GMT -5
That would be awesome to go do that, but I'm not sure about being in a plane or helicopter. I feel much better with my feet on the ground and my butt in a car or pickup truck.
|
|
|
|
Post by esshup on Oct 2, 2020 22:27:04 GMT -5
I'll bet the chopper ride was awsome!!!
I've had wild boar before and it is good, really no different to this palate than domestic pig, providing it isn't a boar that is after a sow in heat, then it's not fit for sausage.
|
|
|
|
Post by Ahawkeye on Oct 3, 2020 7:30:53 GMT -5
That's pretty cool, I always thought the helicopter hunt would be neat to try. I realize the bosses put the cash up but I don't think I'd ever be able to do something like that. One company I worked for wanted to"treat"the route drivers to a fancy golf outing, I hate golf and it was the first weekend of November AND it was mandatory. Needless to say I was not happy. Glad you got to go though, I've heard that when trying to figure the lead on a running pig from a helicopter you actually aim behind the pig, did you find this to be true?
|
|
|
|
Post by jonsnowii on Oct 3, 2020 16:07:39 GMT -5
Man, you are living the dream! I'm VERY happy for you. If I had 20% less dead heart, I'd go somewhere.
|
|
|
|
Post by beermaker on Oct 4, 2020 8:48:04 GMT -5
No, we did not keep any to eat. It's not an option when shooting from the helicopter. We could have kept some from the night hunt, but didn't. Above all, exhaustion was setting in by the time we found some.
Some more info:
Like I said, I'm not into AR's. I'ts just not my preferred way to shoot. All of the other guys I was with are and they all said the issued equipment was't of good quality and they would bring their own if we go back again. I can't fault the outfitter for that.
Bow fishing was a good time, but the guide said the best time is March. He said the action can get so heavy that you have to stop to rest.
The ranch we stayed at specializes in breeding trophy whitetails and exotics. I saw some very impressive non-typical bucks and red stagg. They sell 2yr old bucks to other breeders and outfitters for $6-7k and move about 30 every year. There is about 400 acres surrounded by high-fence for hunting. I asked why all of the whitetail bucks were non-typical. The ranch manager said it was because of genetics and the high protein feed program they have developed. He said they go through 40 tons of feed every month. That's in addition to the food plots and numerous alfalfa fields. Success and antler score are not guaranteed with the whitetail hunts. You pay by the inch after the kill.
|
|
|
|
Post by jonsnowii on Oct 4, 2020 16:07:53 GMT -5
Do you have any photos? I'd love to see the ranch.
I'd heard before that one couldn't keep the meat from a helicopter hunt. It does sound fun! I like hunting guns too, but an AR from a helicopter speaks to the kid in this old man.
Four hundred acres wouldn't be too bad for high fence. I used to attempt aggravation by saying I wanted to do it, but never did and never want to. Before I would do that, I'd go to the breeding farm and shoot it there. I actually would do an elk that way if I wanted the meat, and save thousands over going to a fenced hunt. It's really the same.
I went to an elk farm to take photos for Rodney Bruce. He bought four of them, picked them up and took them to another place to sell. He made $5K in one day, just driving them to a new place. Bob, the elk farmer would let me shoot one ... gotta kill it to eat it.
|
|
