Just returned from California to after chasing animals through scorching hot temperatures. I was chomping at the bit to get out and hunt some wild pigs and just happened to hit the opener of deer season as well. I had high hopes of getting a shot at a good pig with my bow and had the rifle to help settle the score on the bucks. The hunting was tough due to the searing temperatures and as my time was nearing an end, I had to make the tough decision to put the bow aside use the fire stick. Our guide, Jason Montagner of North Powder Outfitters got us into excellent rifle range of some animals Saturday evening and then we were punching tags and taking photos well into the dark.

Jeremy Henricks, publisher of HuntTheOutdoors.com, took the trip south with me and was able to take his first ever wild boar.

I was fortunate enough to take my first ever California Blacktail on a shot that even amazed me. After a vertical hike up to the opposite ridge of the buck, I threaded the needle and made a cross canyon shot that broke his neck dropped him in his bed. He never knew what hit him.

After a long night of skinning a buck and a boar and three hours of sleep. The early morning found us glassing for hogs at first light. Soon we spotted a small group and the race was on to try and sneak in close before the opportunity to fill my pig tag expired. We covered a mile and a half and snuck on the pigs as they entered the trees. I was able to creep to a large rock and take this sow at a range of 50 yards as she moved through at a quick pace. One shot through the lungs and she came to rest no further than 30 yards from impact.

Excellent trip, lots of fun and a great way to get the blood pumping before archery elk. North Powder Outfitters, definitely worth the trip down.

I was shooting a Remington 700 - 22.250 with a 4.5 x 20 Gold Ring on top. Flat shooting. I am more of an archery hunter but with the open terrain, I had to make some changes. I stopped in Medford and shot at the Jackson county sports park.

The pig was a bit closer. We spotted them from almost two miles away. After closing some distance, I was able to sneak in and I believe I made the shot at 50 yards. One shot behind the shoulder with the 22.250 and the pig was down in less than 40 yards.