Planning for our annual pig hunt at the Skyrose Ranch, my shoulder has been bothering me and was not going to be good enough to start pulling my bow back in time, so Jeff A (Ashlok) and I decided to go halves on “Project Crossbow”. After some fevered research, we settled on a traditional limbed Excalibur RevX. Our sight in sessions progressed quickly, and our test with the chosen Slick Trick broadhead landed dead center. Project Crossbow is ON!
Jeff E confirmed he would join us, and unfortunately, Bryon could not this year. I had missed last year for a work trip to Cape Cod but am determined not to miss again. We all arrived at the Skyrose gate on Friday at 2 and followed Jared to our beautiful lodge. The weather is perfect for June, maybe mid-80s.
We set out Friday afternoon around 4:30 with a quick stop at the range, where Jeff E & A both ran the bell with one shot at 100, and we were all deemed good to go. Jeff E came prepared with a beautifully stocked pre-64 Winchester in the fabled .300 Holland & Holland. Jeff A equipped with his trusty Kimber 84 in 7mm-08. I forgot to bring my rifle since I was going to sit in a blind with the crossbow.
I had packed my first rifle, the same Remington that started this madness for me, an ADL in .270 Winchester. Since that first pig in 2002, the bargain-basement rifle has been customized with a Pac-Nor barrel, Jewell trigger, and Bell & Carson stock. It hits the 500-yard steel at Kyler and Dylan’s, so I know it will do the job if needed.
My stock Remington ADL on my first pig hunt with Kyler Hamann.
Plaid hunting shirt. I think this was in the 1940’s
The guys dropped me off at the blind, which is about 44 yards from a concrete water trough. The crossbow should be solid at that distance with a scope and illuminated reticle for distance. I love sitting in a blind. Mostly bird watching, but you never know what may appear. After the sun set, I could soon hear some pig noises in the distance. Hopes are high.
Not long after sunset I hear rifle shots. Pretty sure someone has shot one. Unfortunately, even though the field was teeming with pigs, none made it into my drinker that night. Not long after dark the lights of the pickup appear. I gather my gear and join the guys. Jeff E has dropped a nice boar with one shot from his vintage Winchester. We go collect him, and he’s an easy drag to the truck.
We got back around 10 and cooked some great hamburgers with the burger left in the fridge for us from the cattle ranch. We had a nice evening catching up and turned in around midnight for a rough 4:15 am pickup. Saturday morning Jared took us to a hilltop with a heavily travelled game trail. I set up with my back against a tree like a turkey hunt, ready with the crossbow. Another concrete trough at only 30 yards. Sure enough, shortly before sunrise, a group of pigs streamed by. It was legal shooting hours, but still a little dark to judge the outline of a black boar in the rear. My finger was on the trigger, but I just couldn’t make the shot. We wait a little longer, and two more small ones come by, not shooters, and they don’t stop. Jared comes up with great plans, always fun, and they usually result in a shot opportunity.
We decided to scout around in the truck and it’s not long before Jared has spotted pigs out browsing on a hillside. He and Jeff A head out for a chance at them. I decide to grab my rifle and see if I can take a second shot on one. We sit on a hilltop and it’s a perfect set up. The pigs browsing on the opposite side about 150 yards. Jeff is set up on a black boar on the right and I am watching a couple to the left. At Jeff’s shot the other pigs run only a short distance. Jared tells me to try for the spotted boar. I’m on him, shoot and he’s down. Jeff’s boar is still moving and he hits him again at what looks like 200. We have our double!
After a couple more drags to the truck we head back to the lodge. We’re super pleased to have our pigs but wish we could have christened the crossbow. Jared decides we should try for a jackrabbit. We don’t have to go very far until Jared spots one about 40 yards from the road at the tree line. I proceed to put 3 bolts within a hair of the hare who seems utterly unconcerned by my efforts. I let Jared take the last one and he buzzes a bolt just over him. I think that was $120 of carbon fiber, illuminated knock, slick tricked crossbow bolts.
Back at the truck, Jeff A laughs and says he was never really concerned for our bunny, as he seemed to be some sort of spiritual manifestation rather than a corporeal being. We remain humbled. At least he didn’t charge us like the one in Monty Python’s Holy Grail.
Back at the lodge, Jared takes care of our pigs with Jeff A doing a nice job on his own under Jared’s direction. They have a great skinning setup and a huge walk-in cooler right there at the lodge. That night, Jeff A barbecued tri-tip for us, and we enjoyed a great meal and another great evening. Sunday morning, Jared meets us to fetch our pigs from the cooler, and we all head home. Another great time at the Skyrose.
This was our sixth annual Skyrose Pig Hunt. Such a great tradition, wonderful company, and always-exciting hunts with our excellent Guide, Jared Christensen.
