As luck would have it......for Travis

On the way out to one of our favorite WMA’s for an after work, weekday hunt we needed to take a detour that proved lucky for one hunter. These weekday evening hunts are always a little stressful, given the short time we will be in our stands we try and make every minute count. In from work, changing into hunting clothes in minutes, loaded up exactly on time, an efficient drive without any stops, and so the list goes on.

Within about 5 miles of our turn off on a little traveled narrow two lane rural road we noticed a young man walking along the edge of the road, no truck in sight and wearing full camo.

After coming to a stop we learned that the unfortunate hunter had just been hiking for some time from where his truck became stuck far back in the refuge. With our new comrade holding on to the rear hitch mounted carrier (no room in the 4Runner) and the back window rolled down we navigated through the woods to his truck. After a little digging (yes, I carry a shovel, actually two) the tow strap connected the not so trusty lately (see archives for that saga) 20 year old 4Runner in 4x4 low, pulled the pick up truck out of a deep sugar sand trap where it's rear end  had been buried up to its frame.

With that mission accomplished we went our separate ways. Fast forward about a half hour and Douglas and I have hiked into our hunting grounds and I have continued into the hammock I've been hunting. The area I've been setting up in is not on any marked trail and I have not seen anyone else in the area.....until this evening. While quietly climbing up I hear foot steps, looking over my shoulder I see my new friend Travis! He had hiked in from a different direction.  After we both apologized for hunting the same area. I said that no apology was needed and let him know that I thought I heard a hog feeding not far from our location and suggested where he might be. To keep the story brief, a couple hours later I hear a hog squealing and a text message comes in fromTravis who confirms that yes indeed he has arrowed a nice boar!