By Kayla Lockwood
As a guide, we all have great memories of hunts past and present. It’s exciting to be apart of the trill and excitement that happens when you have someone that is successful.
Easter day 2018 we had a great group of people; Andy and Stephanie Kelso along with their 12 year old daughter Sydney. Also, along on the hunt was the Kelso’s longtime friend Rick. We have known Andy for a few years now and this was everyone’s first time hunting with Lockwood Hunting Services. They had never been pig hunting before so they were very excited.
The first day of the hunt was a little slow due to the consistent change of the weather. We had a snow storm just four days prior to this hunt and now we had weather in the 90’s which was making it a tough hunt. Everyone remained hopeful for the second day and it sure worked in our favor! The second day a group of about 3 pigs had been spotted across the canyon. We waited and watched to see if more popped out. They sure did! We watched for a few minutes as the pigs got out in the open field, the sun on their backs, just rooting around for anything they could find to feed on. We decided it was a good time to head over and try to make a stalk on them. The wind made me nervous as it swirled all around us. I wasn’t sure how it was going to affect the stalk, but I wanted to go for it. We traveled across a creek and through the swaying oak trees and the crunchy leaves until we got to the field where the group of pigs were. As we walked through the field the wind was shielding the noise we were making. I was able to communicate with everyone to get them into shooting position. There were enough pigs in the field for everyone to get on one. The hard part once we were all set up the pigs kept moving. After quickly talking about the situation we were in we all came to a solution. The main focus was to get Sydney and if given the chance Stephanie shots on pigs. I had to be smart about this. We were very close and the wind was not in our favor. As we watched the pigs and were about ready to get into position two of the boars in the group had started to fight. It’s something I have seen many times, but never this close up. With the pigs still on the move I made the decision to take Sydney on alone for the rest of the stalk to get a shot. I got her about 30 years and I realized this was our chance. I got her set up on a nearby rock. In all the years I have guided I have never had someone as calm as she was in that moment. There was no shaking or heavy breathing, just calm. She was ready. She had a boar in her sights and we waited for a broadside shot. Once she had it, she aimed behind the shoulder and she took the shot. As I watched I noticed the boar had turned at the last second making her shot hitting him a little far back but he was hit! The look on her face is one I will never forget. Wide eyed, full of excitement and the biggest smile. Once it was safe I called everyone over. When the boar took the shot he ran off and I needed to retrieve him. As we searched the area where the boar had been standing we weren’t finding any blood. This is pretty typical of pigs because they don’t always bleed well when hit. At this point I didn’t have much to go off of…except for the smell of the boar. Anyone who has hunted pigs enough knows that boars have a very distinct and pungent odor and I smelled it. We walked in the direction the boar had traveled following the smell. About 150-200 yards away from where we shot, laying in the creek, there he was! He wasn’t just any boar he was a wall hanger! He had about 3 inch cutters curling out of the side of his mouth. He had died from his wound. I called everyone over and there was Sydney and that smile again…she was then accompanied by 3 more smiles. Her parents were so proud. Rick was excited for her as well. This was an event no one could ever forget.
Some people hunt their entire lives in hopes to acquire something as incredible as what this 12 year old girl just did on her first ever pig hunt. I have had people on impressive game like this but this one was special. So much hard work and determination went into this hunt, into the stalk and Sydney came out on top! Congratulations Sydney on your successful hunt and we wish you all the best on your future hunting adventures!
Pictured below is Kayla Lockwood with 12 year old pig hunter Sydney.
