Off for another 3 day driven hunt with the association where I am a member.
Friday was one long drive for 4 hours - foggy, freezing and not an animal seen by me in all that time - two boar and three roe were shot but that is very poor for this forest and 30 hunters posted out. Back at the hunt house, as everyone ate and drank, the talk went round to low boar numbers this season.
Sat morning I decided to be super optimistic - was second from the last in a line of 18 down the side of a forest block. In front of me was quite open woods for about 40 meters and I could see right and left for probably 80+ meters. Was very ready from the moment of being posted as I though good chance a roe would move early in the drive. 5 minutes in I catch sight of an object weaving through the trees - nice boar heading my way, all alone, likely a male. I wait until it will cross me but it starts to turn away into the thick stuff - now or never- I shoot, it disappears. I spend the rest of the drive (2 hours) wondering if I hit or missed. Drive signalled as over by trumpet blasts and I go looking - 60 meters away a nice ( 85kg male) has piled up in the thick brambles. shot through the heart he made 15m from the shot site. Tough drag out. Biggest boar of the day.
Sunday - posted in front of a narrow ride 4m wide with really thick stuff either side. Little chance here I think - deer will cross too fast. 15 minutes into the drive I hear 5 trumpet blasts to my right ( the signal for boar sighted). next I hear a almighty crashing heading my way. First huge boar runs across in front of me and I leave it ( first one often the matriarch of the group), second one immediately after is smaller- I snap shoot as it charges across, gone followed by two more in the time I have worked the bolt. Once again the question - was the shot good ?, I get another chance but clearly shoot over it.
Hour later the drive is over - I walk down the ride to find the biggest blood trail I have ever seen. 15 metres into the wood the boar is pilled up, heart shot again and she is huge - just under 100 Kg, I wonder how big the one I left was !
Friday was one long drive for 4 hours - foggy, freezing and not an animal seen by me in all that time - two boar and three roe were shot but that is very poor for this forest and 30 hunters posted out. Back at the hunt house, as everyone ate and drank, the talk went round to low boar numbers this season.
Sat morning I decided to be super optimistic - was second from the last in a line of 18 down the side of a forest block. In front of me was quite open woods for about 40 meters and I could see right and left for probably 80+ meters. Was very ready from the moment of being posted as I though good chance a roe would move early in the drive. 5 minutes in I catch sight of an object weaving through the trees - nice boar heading my way, all alone, likely a male. I wait until it will cross me but it starts to turn away into the thick stuff - now or never- I shoot, it disappears. I spend the rest of the drive (2 hours) wondering if I hit or missed. Drive signalled as over by trumpet blasts and I go looking - 60 meters away a nice ( 85kg male) has piled up in the thick brambles. shot through the heart he made 15m from the shot site. Tough drag out. Biggest boar of the day.
Sunday - posted in front of a narrow ride 4m wide with really thick stuff either side. Little chance here I think - deer will cross too fast. 15 minutes into the drive I hear 5 trumpet blasts to my right ( the signal for boar sighted). next I hear a almighty crashing heading my way. First huge boar runs across in front of me and I leave it ( first one often the matriarch of the group), second one immediately after is smaller- I snap shoot as it charges across, gone followed by two more in the time I have worked the bolt. Once again the question - was the shot good ?, I get another chance but clearly shoot over it.
Hour later the drive is over - I walk down the ride to find the biggest blood trail I have ever seen. 15 metres into the wood the boar is pilled up, heart shot again and she is huge - just under 100 Kg, I wonder how big the one I left was !
