Out after a boar on Monday.

[BIGPETE 0]

Well that time of year finally got here and I was as like a kid at Christmas as I packed the car to set off on the epic five hour drive. All the way there I lived every possible shot at least twice and I decided the journey, seeing as how this was now the second time I had done it would now be classed as a pilgrimage! Being so far from home meant I had packed the car the with every thing possible and as as the heavens opened when I approached Birmingham it seemed to follow me for next three or four hours making me glad I had gone for two sets of waterproofs!

We set off in the wind and rain about seven thirty that evening and packed in empty handed at about seven the next morning. I thought I would tell you that now to save you reading further expecting some big tuskers!

No matter what we tried it seemed that every thing was against us that night. When the rain stopped the skies cleared a bit but the wind was swirling around the valley something terrible. Several times we had spied a likely candidate but as we set off through the mud with the wind in our faces it would be blowing full belt in my ear before we got anywhere near a shot and it seemed to pick just the right the moment to swirl right around blowing from our back and all we could do was watch them get our scent and amble off into the wood. Down came the rain for another hour or so but not too heavy and as we had just set up for a sit and wait under some overhanging branches looking down hill at the edge of a wood near an active wallow, we were afforded some shelter from the wind and rain, so in relative comfort we waited, the wind was swirling from all directions so we knew we had little chance and we were right. Not even a fox came into view.

We set off toward the farm where I got my first boar back In February this year. We approached from a different angle than last time, trying to almost quarter the fields in an attempt to get to the hot spot before our scent did! The reasonably solid pasture land gave an opportunity to shed a few pounds of the mud from each boot. As we approached the brow of the hill we were met by a field full of cows, all laid down keeping their patch dry. The black lumps in the nightsight stayed put, aware of us but showing no intentions of getting up as we skirted around them to where we wanted to be. The story of the last tusker to grace the scales of my guide was still echoing in my head as one the black lumps moved purposely off, it was no heifer it was a bloody huge boar and I mean huge. The story of the boar on the scales had stuck with me because it had been too heavy for the 200kg scales! "Holy sh*t" was whispered, "I don't believe it, that another 200kg!" So sodden and muddy with a huge grin on my face, off we went on a course that we hoped would intercept, full of renewed anticipation and with a bit more pace than was probably wise but I reckon the wind would have drowned out our footfalls. No joy with that plan but the sky was now clear, I dont know how long it had been since it stopped raining but the temperature had dropped substantially and the moon now lit our way a bit too well for my liking.

Over the next few hours the weather was better, the wind still swirled from every direction possible and if I am totally honest we should have probably headed back home ages ago but my enthusiasm was not even dented and a superb display of shooting stars brought the hunt to close as the Eastern skies started to show signs of light at just after 06.15! One more quick mooch at an established crossing spot did not reward us so the rifle was was put away and the last of the now tepid coffee drank. If nothing else then the learning curve continues, that was my first ever blank and I did not get to see how the 180 grain homeloaded .308's would perform on a big old lad. Well not yet anyway. My freezer is still devoid of a Christmas joint so a return trip is on the cards. I will keep you posted.

[Yokel Matt 918]

Unlucky mate... it'll make it all the more rewarding when you do get back onto them Still sounds like you've taken some good memories and experiances away from it, its all about getting out there and doing it... fair play to you as it certainly wasn't down to a lack of effort

[BIGPETE 0]

Unlucky mate... it'll make it all the more rewarding when you do get back onto them Still sounds like you've taken some good memories and experiances away from it, its all about getting out there and doing it... fair play to you as it certainly wasn't down to a lack of effort

Aye, we covered some ground alright, it was a bit heavy going at times but a great night out was had, result or not. It was great to out on the land, love it.

Dropped you a pm matt.