The "Next Hunt"

   

       A short time after harvesting anything I begin to plan for the next hunt, thinking of where and when I will go after the next hog or dog. I get calls and messages twice a week from new land and decisions have to be made. This Saturday will be my next full night hunt and a fresh property has messaged me. I want to write a short blog on my thoughts on the always present "next hunt".


   My thoughts on this next hunt think back to the most recent hunt and the group that feed by before taking the boar and sow. They came through around 10 PMish so that is a possibility. They like the area and if I slide in for part of the night if the trees are still dropping I believe I can take one of the group or a loner. I also got an eye on another good boar the same night as my last double so he may wander by.

     Cameras on another property tell me the two fat hogs pictured are coming between 11 PM and 2 AM but rely solely on the corn pile and is only a 40 acre track. All eggs are in one basket on that deal but it may pay off especially if I feel like sitting for a few hours surfing the web on the phone and relaxing.


    New property hunting with someone is always iffy. I generally ask what times are the hogs coming in just to get a general idea. If I can at least get a four hour window I can sit it out but if I am confident on any spot, especially if a jumbo has been spotted , I can all night sit it if need be to take out a good tusker.


   Farmers that have fresh damage- These spots I will hit multiple times a night to at least check for my land owners. They see the damage and check their fields daily so it just is a matter of hitting that right time. I alternate my times here generally in two hour windows. The sign is there I just have to catch them at the right time. 

    I also always have go to spots to check. I pull in and walk to a scanning location and will generally sit an hour or until I hear coyotes. Also I keep in touch with a few landowners with feeders. They tell me the times on their cameras and I trust them  to get me on the hogs they want gone.


   Lastly is my lease.... Too many corn piles right now for a pattern so I will wait until mine are the only restaurants open to sit on them. Once the deer hunters are gone I will have it all to my lonesome.


    I will factor all of this in and come up with a plan that probably will be finalized the hour or so drive to my hunting areas after work Saturday.. Having confidence in your sightings and specific spots on your lands make it easy to keep going after them. Don't leave it to chance or luck. Luck is for Lepricans and I ain't green.