As Told by Gregg
Guys, This by far was one of the most exciting hunts for me this year. My friend Todd Gustin and I went out Friday evening to see if we could do any good. Not long after we began our hunt we came across some feeding sows. The swirling winds made short work of our scent and we were busted.
We decided to make a big circle and get downwind and try a lower lying area. The problem was this area was badly overgrown. Our plan was to stay in the lower vegetation and try to find a feeding hog. Not long after we split up and began creeping through the brush, I heard something walking in the water. I followed my ears until I saw a tree shaking from a hog rubbing against it. I quickly made my way throught the deeper water and taller vegetation til finally I coulld see the ears of the hog in the swamp grass. I was now in water up to the tops of my knee boots and within 10 yds of a hog of unknown size.
I was shaking due to the fact that I didn't know the size of the hog and the situation I was in...deep water and tall vegetation. I tried to calm myself by thinking that I would be safe because he couldn't see me. As luck would have it, the hog climbed onto a pile of mud and roots and offered me a broadside shot. I made the shot and watched the hog run then slow to a trot. I quickly reached for my pistol and attempted to draw it "just in case".
Everytime I would try to get my pistol from the holster my belt would also rise so my many attempts to draw the .44mag failed. The now walking hog turn around a patch of willow trees and headed my way. He didn't know where I was nor was he trying to get me but I knew we would meet any second. As I continued to attempt to get my pistol out, the hog looked up at me. This was not a "big" hog by any means but when your in knee deep water with a piece of wood in one hand and an undrawn pistol in the other and a 130#-150# boar is looking at you at less than 3 yds....You just know your about to have a "confrontation"! To my delight, the mortally wounded hog decided to retreat and didn't make it another 30 yds.
I was shaking like a leaf. Now I know why the "Lone Ranger" and other cowboys had that string at the end of the holster around their leg.. TO HOLD THEIR HOLSTER DOWN!!!
Gregg Gravois
