By Staff
Sept. 7, 2001
Last week on this page I told of the initiation of Mississippi Woods and Waters magazine publisher Dan Robinson and myself to wild hog hunting in the Mississippi Delta. We met our hosts, and the finest hog dog around, and were ready to hit the woods. After a couple of hours spent searching the swamp bottom, we were getting very close to the wild hogs. As we made our way down an old logging road we found fresh hog sign everywhere. Suddenly Ikerd yelled out in excitement, Boys we've got a fresh hog wallow here! The woods were torn up and by the looks of it the old hog had just departed for parts unknown. By the size of the wallow it appeared he could have filled up the back of a pickup truck!
Suddenly I heard the bark that we had waited for all morning. Up until that point the dogs had not so much as whimpered. Could my ears have deceived me? As I waited impatiently I heard the distinctive bark of the old master. "That's Gator, he's got one bayed, lets go get him boys!" yelled Ikerd excitedly. Yes the race was on and I left all of the rest behind on the way to the barking dog. Before I arrived, another dog passed me, and it wasn't long before old Gator had some help from his young apprentice. Talk about exciting! I could hardly contain myself as I waited for instructions from Ikerd.
Moment of truth arrives
After retreating about 10 yards, the enraged hog turned to face off his pursuers and the fight was on again. This time both Lawrence and Ikerd surrounded the hog in the rear as the dogs went to work on the front of the coal black monster. "Stick him!" yelled Ikerd frantically. Only a split second might have meant the difference between a successful kill or an injured dog or hunter. Reacting instinctively, I stuck the hog hard behind its shoulder, directly into the heart and lung area as I had been instructed.
At that he turned to come for me and I struck the vital area on the opposite side as well. Almost instantly he was down and a quick, clean kill had been made. There are almost no words to describe the thrill of harvesting a large boar after almost becoming a victim. Following several miles of hunting and scouting, the actual hunt was over in 30 minutes.
Although there is danger in taking a wild Russian/feral boar with a Bowie knife, it is a very efficient means of dispatching the game. Certainly it is much more sporting and exciting than shooting them with a gun or bow, and in this instance, precise and deadly.
If you want to enjoy an exciting fall wild hog hunting experience, now is the time to get ready. For more information contact Mike Giles at mgiles17@msn.com or at 626-8843.