He has but is planning on later in 2012. I thought he/they might join us. Any one for 20th to 23rd of January in Hungary ?
Well I'm back and almost settled. Boy what a trip. Two myths put to rest straight away.
1. Hungary is flat - no it isn't ! it may be mostly flat but where we went the mountains, more like steep hills but just as much a challenge walking into position as some other places I've been, see attached picture.
2. Anything less than .30 calibre will not touch driven boar - yes it will. One of the guys used a .243 and shot dead three rather large boar with no trouble at all. One ran probably ten yards and dropped but so did some of the others that had been hit by rather large calibre rifles.
The organisation was splendid, we were given crib sheets to show us where we were going and positions to take and from where the beaters were coming. Mostly delivered to our positions by various 4x4 vehicles, so for some (me) real luxury !!
The accomodation and hotel facilities were splendid and we were well looked after by the hotel staff.
The weather was good, there had been snow before we arrived but we were lucky, all we had was hard frost, bright sun and a bitingly cold wind.
The first day, we accounted for twelve rather large pigs with talk of another two being collected after we moved and a Fallow.
I use the term 'we accounted for' rather reservedly as I could not hit a barn door so just enjoyed the lads company rather than make a contribution to the bag !!
The second day was another driven boar dream !! but again my shooting was not up to scratch but even without my help the gang managed to put twenty six boar and four Fallow in the bag.
I must admit I had so many chances but could not get it right, I gave a foot lead at short ranges and more at further ranges but still only managed to destroy a few trees
When the snow clears the foresters will know where I stood as there will be used brass everywhere !!
One young lad put a few of us to shame.
He had never been on a driven boar shoot and hadn't owned his rifle for long having only just managed to get it a few weeks before we set off. It was a Winchester underlever (cowboy!! ) gun in 30-30 calibre with iron sights.
On one of the drives he was in a good position with a few pigs presenting them selves, probably feeling confident as Pete was a novice !! he taught them a lesson !! I was further down the line and when he started I thought he'd joined a pheasant shoot !! he fired eight rounds and accounted for three large boar. It was like a butchers shop around his peg !! Although I didn't manage to contribute anything to the bag I was very happy with the whole outing but the icing on the cake was seeing the smile on Pete's face when the drive had finished.
On the return trip to the airport we made a detour to the Diana shop in Budapest and drooled over the things we wish we could afford or were available here in the UK.
We then went on to a Hungarian Restaurant where we immediately brought the reputaion down !!
There were obviously office workers, well dressed couples that appeared to be entertaining clients all suited and booted, that included the ladies
and we turned up dressed for travelling.
The food was all typical Hungarian and, for me, was an eye opener. The others had been there before and knew what to expect.
The starter, a Goulash soup served in an enamel 'bucket' was more like an all in stew and would have been enough for a main meal for two !!
Then followed the main meal, we all had various individual choices, but again of such portions to make the average guy struggle to get it down.
Then there were still one or two of the group that had a sweet, how they managed that I will never know !!
The beer and wine flowed all the time so you can imagine how we all felt on the last leg of our journey to the airport.
We all managed to get home and are most probably planning/saving/practicing ready next year.
Not many photos I'm afraid, new camera and a bit too technical for me. I'll take my Brownie with me next time !!