AZ strip Ferral Hog hunt
one hunting fool
1/25/12 11:16am
Well the Arizona Strip Hog hunt is one tough hunt. Although I never harvested nor did anyone in the 5 days we hunted we did learn a lot of information about the area and hunting hogs in that area. So as promised here is some info as well as my story.
Well the first day of our hunt got us out to the strip after noon. My dad is a trapper on the way to AZ we had to check his sets.
http://i201.photobucket.com/albums/aa90/bgledhill/azstrip002.jpg " alt="" />
When we finally got there we found a group of hunters that had been hunting the area pretty hard for 15 days. They had 7 men, 5 horses, and 7 dogs. These guys had the hunters and the luck. They had harvested a 300lb sow and a few 100-150 pigs in the few weeks leading up to this. On this day they had them running ahead of the dogs but lost them in the many valleys and side canyons. They also lost a dog that we found and would not come to us. We also saw him for 2 more days before they finally came back and found him.
Anyway they had the hogs so scattered that it was hard hunting the next few days. We came close but could never seal the deal.
The hogs where located between Mustang, and knoll and mud mountain. With the best sign we found running through the wash just east of mud springs. This wash runs to Sand springs and if anyone has ever walked 2 miles in the sand you know how hard it is to walk to the springs. But that is the best area we found for fresh hog sign so in we went 3 more times.
This is mud springs
http://i201.photobucket.com/albums/aa90/bgledhill/azstrip011.jpg " alt="" />
Looking to the North from the gate. If you go straight north about a mile (1/2 mile is packed ground ½ mile soft sand) there is a high hill to the east. We climbed this the last 2 days because it gives you the best view of the valleys and surrounding areas. We found the pigs had been lying in the tall greenoak to the North West 5deg off north on your compass. Look here hard before dawn and you will catch them bedding. To long of a shot for my 30.06 but if you have an 800 yard gun your set. We would watch then try to move in.
The problem we encountered was they are so spooked that as soon as they hear something off they are gone.
The hogs will be moving toward Black Rock soon
This is MT Bangs
http://i201.photobucket.com/albums/aa90/bgledhill/azstrip009.jpg " alt="" />
Between here and Ide springs is about 5000 passes that take the hogs to black rock mountain. There is no shortage of water this time of year, however; if you concentrate on the natural springs your luck is better.
Mustang knoll
http://i201.photobucket.com/albums/aa90/bgledhill/azstrip004.jpg " alt="" />
Hog tracks on Mud springs
http://i201.photobucket.com/albums/aa90/bgledhill/azstrip010.jpg " alt="" />
They estimate maybe 40 hogs left. We only saw a few hogs nothing we could get close to.
My suggestion is let the hogs get to 800 then we will have a better chance at getting them. LOL
sunsetting
http://i201.photobucket.com/albums/aa90/bgledhill/azstrip013.jpg " alt="" />
http://i201.photobucket.com/albums/aa90/bgledhill/azstrip014.jpg " alt="" />
Well the first day of our hunt got us out to the strip after noon. My dad is a trapper on the way to AZ we had to check his sets.
When we finally got there we found a group of hunters that had been hunting the area pretty hard for 15 days. They had 7 men, 5 horses, and 7 dogs. These guys had the hunters and the luck. They had harvested a 300lb sow and a few 100-150 pigs in the few weeks leading up to this. On this day they had them running ahead of the dogs but lost them in the many valleys and side canyons. They also lost a dog that we found and would not come to us. We also saw him for 2 more days before they finally came back and found him.
Anyway they had the hogs so scattered that it was hard hunting the next few days. We came close but could never seal the deal.
The hogs where located between Mustang, and knoll and mud mountain. With the best sign we found running through the wash just east of mud springs. This wash runs to Sand springs and if anyone has ever walked 2 miles in the sand you know how hard it is to walk to the springs. But that is the best area we found for fresh hog sign so in we went 3 more times.
This is mud springs
Looking to the North from the gate. If you go straight north about a mile (1/2 mile is packed ground ½ mile soft sand) there is a high hill to the east. We climbed this the last 2 days because it gives you the best view of the valleys and surrounding areas. We found the pigs had been lying in the tall greenoak to the North West 5deg off north on your compass. Look here hard before dawn and you will catch them bedding. To long of a shot for my 30.06 but if you have an 800 yard gun your set. We would watch then try to move in.
The problem we encountered was they are so spooked that as soon as they hear something off they are gone.
The hogs will be moving toward Black Rock soon
This is MT Bangs
Between here and Ide springs is about 5000 passes that take the hogs to black rock mountain. There is no shortage of water this time of year, however; if you concentrate on the natural springs your luck is better.
Mustang knoll
Hog tracks on Mud springs
They estimate maybe 40 hogs left. We only saw a few hogs nothing we could get close to.
My suggestion is let the hogs get to 800 then we will have a better chance at getting them. LOL
sunsetting
24,876
See any deer or sign of them?