Hunting Washington Forum

Big Game Hunting => Out Of State Hunting => Topic started by: h20hunter on October 18, 2019, 06:28:57 PM

Title: Heli Hog Hunting: Completed & Vid added
Post by: h20hunter on October 18, 2019, 06:28:57 PM: So, no joke, I've been offered a trip to go hog hunting via chopper. I of course said yes and need to start looking at providers. Anyone done it? With who? Open time frame....thinking Feb ish would be a good time of the year to visit Texas.
Title: Re: Heli Hog Hunting
Post by: Sutherland on October 23, 2019, 07:53:09 AM: Man keep us posted on How that goes! I think that would be a great experience! Can't wait to hear about it.
Title: Re: Heli Hog Hunting
Post by: JJB11B on October 23, 2019, 07:56:07 AM: I hate you, can I go? :chuckle:
Title: Re: Heli Hog Hunting
Post by: h20hunter on October 23, 2019, 08:03:11 AM: Sure.....not a problem as I could use a 2nd shooter. Right now looking at....

Www.sky-hunters.com

I've talked to the owner/operator/pilot and sounds like a great operation. Since I'll be there a few days to allow for weather delays we will most likely book a night hunt with thermal gear. Gotta do that of course.
Title: Re: Heli Hog Hunting
Post by: pianoman9701 on October 23, 2019, 08:42:38 AM: Sounds like a blast. Survival tip: Don't shoot the pilot. :yike:
Title: Re: Heli Hog Hunting
Post by: JJB11B on October 23, 2019, 08:42:50 AM: holy cripes that's a lot of money! sorry, I need more time to save up for that!
Title: Re: Heli Hog Hunting
Post by: h20hunter on October 23, 2019, 09:04:29 AM: It is significant dollars for the time up. Fuel isn't cheap!
Title: Re: Heli Hog Hunting
Post by: JJB11B on October 23, 2019, 10:12:12 AM: Quote from: h20hunter on October 23, 2019, 09:04:29 AM
It is significant dollars for the time up. Fuel isn't cheap!
I am still used to getting paid to ride in those
Title: Re: Heli Hog Hunting
Post by: JJB11B on October 23, 2019, 10:12:48 AM: Quote from: JJB11B on October 23, 2019, 10:12:12 AM
Quote from: h20hunter on October 23, 2019, 09:04:29 AM
It is significant dollars for the time up. Fuel isn't cheap!
I am still used to getting paid to ride in those
in fact, I have never had to pay to ride in one of those
Title: Re: Heli Hog Hunting
Post by: full choke on October 23, 2019, 10:19:25 AM: Quote from: JJB11B on October 23, 2019, 10:12:48 AM
Quote from: JJB11B on October 23, 2019, 10:12:12 AM
Quote from: h20hunter on October 23, 2019, 09:04:29 AM
It is significant dollars for the time up. Fuel isn't cheap!
I am still used to getting paid to ride in those
in fact, I have never had to pay to ride in one of those

Oh, you paid jjb11b. You paid.
Title: Re: Heli Hog Hunting
Post by: h20hunter on October 23, 2019, 10:25:15 AM: :yeah:

No free rides.
Title: Re: Heli Hog Hunting
Post by: BD1 on October 23, 2019, 10:36:20 AM: Carson said he is in :chuckle: Don't think that would pass with the boss at home :o
Title: Re: Heli Hog Hunting
Post by: h20hunter on October 23, 2019, 11:14:15 AM: Prebooking is $1800 an hour. Just write that check and I'll take extra pics of he and I sending rounds into bacon.
Title: Re: Heli Hog Hunting
Post by: BD1 on October 23, 2019, 11:25:48 AM: I'll buy a lotto ticket tonight :tup:
Title: Re: Heli Hog Hunting
Post by: WSU on October 23, 2019, 11:58:31 AM: How many pigs does one expect to shoot during the 2 hour "hunt?"
Title: Re: Heli Hog Hunting
Post by: fly-by on October 23, 2019, 12:06:58 PM: Always wanted to book a trip with "Pork choppers aviation" just because of the name.
Title: Re: Heli Hog Hunting
Post by: Buckmark on October 23, 2019, 12:12:00 PM: Quote from: h20hunter on October 23, 2019, 10:25:15 AM
:yeah:

No free rides.
The Superstar usually pays for his entourage, so step up Superstar and let us be your entourage 8)
We will "let" you out shoot us :chuckle:
Title: Re: Heli Hog Hunting
Post by: JJB11B on October 25, 2019, 09:47:30 AM: the price to shoot a trophy moose in alaska is comparable and tantalizing
Title: Re: Heli Hog Hunting
Post by: Pegasus on October 25, 2019, 10:33:53 AM: Be careful and don't shoot the blades off... :chuckle:
Title: Re: Heli Hog Hunting
Post by: h20hunter on March 17, 2020, 05:46:01 PM: Well, due to fog, light wind, and low cloud cover today was a no go and the night hunt ifms off due to flooded fields. So we came back to the 10 2 4 for a quick meat run. Did a little tour in the side by side and easily found a fat axis doe. 125 yard poke with a very nice 6.5 house gun and meat on the ground. Got her hung, skinned for a tan job on the hide, heart, tenderloins, backsraps all packaged up, shoulders and hind qtrs hanging. So really a pretty good day one.
Title: Re: Heli Hog Hunting
Post by: bearpaw on March 17, 2020, 06:59:33 PM: Sounds like a blast, hope you get in the air tomorrow. :tup:
Title: Re: Heli Hog Hunting
Post by: ctwiggs1 on March 17, 2020, 08:19:46 PM: Awesome man!!
Title: Re: Heli Hog Hunting
Post by: Alchase on March 17, 2020, 08:32:36 PM: h20hunter, ask for any tips getting past the friggin stench of the hogs!

I could kill as many hogs as I can shoot, just can't get the stench out of my nose long enough to think about harvesting meat.
Any tips would be welcomed!!
Title: Re: Heli Hog Hunting
Post by: h20hunter on March 18, 2020, 04:56:41 AM: Nope. No tips. Flight window is this afternoon. Shoot em and let em be.
Title: Re: Heli Hog Hunting
Post by: bearpaw on March 18, 2020, 07:05:17 AM: I've eaten wild hog, it was good eating, I would like to freezer a bunch of it when I go hog hunting again. Good luck today.
Title: Re: Heli Hog Hunting
Post by: nwwanderer on March 18, 2020, 07:27:07 AM: WSU, unless you shoot like Nugent, not many. Multiple random motions make for poor marksmanship
Title: Re: Heli Hog Hunting
Post by: h20hunter on March 18, 2020, 03:48:07 PM: Well...two hours of flight time. Got on 4 groups of hogs and saw others that were on property we couldn't shoot into. 17 hogs down. What a fun experience.
Title: Re: Heli Hog Hunting
Post by: jackelope on March 18, 2020, 03:52:52 PM: I'm taking the lack of video as meaning you didn't have a go-pro strapped to your forehead during this event?

:bash:
Title: Re: Heli Hog Hunting
Post by: h20hunter on March 18, 2020, 04:03:03 PM: I did not.

I did have a camera man with a go pro and vid cam next to me, a go pro on my gun, a go pro on the outside looking in, a go pro on my back up shooter, and a go pro on the pilot. Full editing and production takes 8 to 10 weeks.

But no, I did not.
Title: Re: Heli Hog Hunting
Post by: jackelope on March 18, 2020, 04:08:41 PM: So you're a blossoming movie star then.
Title: Re: Heli Hog Hunting
Post by: h20hunter on March 18, 2020, 04:12:27 PM: Yuuuuup. It was a full on deal. Lots of fun and really very comfortable. Once home.....and fulfilling my mandatory 14 day quarantine policy that was put in place TODAY by my company that forces me to use PTO just ask me how I really feel......I'll do a write up and once edited I'll post a link to the video.
Title: Re: Heli Hog Hunting
Post by: Buckmark on March 18, 2020, 04:18:24 PM: Hope they edit out your face
Title: Re: Heli Hog Hunting
Post by: h20hunter on March 18, 2020, 05:10:04 PM: No chance. Sorry you will likely have to suffer through it.
Title: Re: Heli Hog Hunting
Post by: bearpaw on March 18, 2020, 06:52:41 PM: Sounds like a blast, heli hogs is definitely on my bucket list, anxious to see your videos. :tup:
Title: Re: Heli Hog Hunting
Post by: greenhead_killer on March 18, 2020, 07:20:43 PM: Pretty cool experience! Thanks for taking us along. Can’t wait to see the video.
Title: Re: Heli Hog Hunting
Post by: Skillet on March 18, 2020, 07:40:30 PM: Right on H20. Looking forward to the vid.

:tup:
Title: Re: Heli Hog Hunting
Post by: h20hunter on March 18, 2020, 07:43:52 PM: They have all the heli stuff and the axis deer meat run to combine. Should be pretty cool. :tup:
Title: Re: Heli Hog Hunting: Completed
Post by: Karl Blanchard on March 18, 2020, 08:00:49 PM: Where's that "this thread is useless without pics" meme 😡
Title: Re: Heli Hog Hunting: Completed
Post by: Dan-o on March 18, 2020, 08:33:40 PM: I kind of feel like I blew it.

When you got the new boat, I declared myself your best friend and got to go fishing.

Would you have taken me helihog hunting if I declared you my little brother?
Because I will......
Title: Re: Heli Hog Hunting: Completed
Post by: carlyoungs on March 18, 2020, 09:42:06 PM: Hello?
Title: Re: Heli Hog Hunting: Completed
Post by: Karl Blanchard on March 18, 2020, 09:46:28 PM: Quote from: carlyoungs on March 18, 2020, 09:42:06 PM
Hello?
there it is! 😂😂😂
Title: Re: Heli Hog Hunting: Completed
Post by: h20hunter on March 19, 2020, 04:50:03 AM: Considering how little cell coverage or wifi I have im amazed i have web access at all. Most pics are on the camera guys gear. Once i get to Love Field in Dallas I can post a few.
Title: Re: Heli Hog Hunting: Completed
Post by: h20hunter on March 19, 2020, 05:40:49 AM: ....
Title: Re: Heli Hog Hunting: Completed
Post by: 7mmfan on March 19, 2020, 08:50:37 AM: I've heard that Axis deer is some of the best game meat on the planet. When is the bbq?
Title: Re: Heli Hog Hunting: Completed
Post by: carpsniperg2 on March 19, 2020, 08:56:24 AM: I skipped my yearly texas spring trip this year. Planning on going in the fall when all this junk settles down hopefully. Looks like you had a lot of fun on your trip.

Axis deer and fallow deer are for sure my 2 favorite venison to eat.
Title: Re: Heli Hog Hunting: Completed
Post by: Jpmiller on March 19, 2020, 09:05:35 AM: Cool! What rifle were you using? How many rounds sent on the trip?
Title: Re: Heli Hog Hunting: Completed
Post by: h20hunter on March 19, 2020, 09:33:55 AM: House provides ars....556 ball ammo, red dot. Shot well. Went up with7 30 rounders per flight. 2 flights, one hour up and down. I used less than three nags per flight. Choose your shots, no wild shooting.
Title: Re: Heli Hog Hunting: Completed
Post by: Buckmark on March 19, 2020, 10:12:46 AM: Please tell me they had Ride of the Valkyries playing during the ride, or on your videos :chuckle:
Title: Re: Heli Hog Hunting: Completed
Post by: h20hunter on March 19, 2020, 10:17:16 AM: Sorry but no. Frankly, it was a very calm and relaxing flight that involved fun maneuvers from the pilot, tight turns, banking etc all done like a caddy on air ride. We didn't hoot, holler, or really have any theatrics outside of fist bumps and atta boys at good clean shots. After the initial 20 min of flight I bet my hr never went over 85.
Title: Re: Heli Hog Hunting: Completed
Post by: pianoman9701 on March 19, 2020, 10:21:42 AM: Sounds like a great time. :tup:
Title: Re: Heli Hog Hunting: Completed
Post by: h20hunter on March 19, 2020, 10:26:25 AM: It was. Worth the extraordinary cost....maybe once. I'd suggest a minimum of two hours flight time to get past the learning curve.
Title: Re: Heli Hog Hunting: Completed
Post by: HikerHunter on March 19, 2020, 12:14:51 PM: Wow, that sounds like a blast!
Title: Re: Heli Hog Hunting: Completed
Post by: nwwanderer on March 19, 2020, 04:41:58 PM: I stand corrected, great shooting!!!!
Title: Re: Heli Hog Hunting: Completed
Post by: h20hunter on March 19, 2020, 08:36:06 PM: One tenderloin in the books. Salt, pepper, olive oil. Sear, bake, rest, slice, eat.
Title: Re: Heli Hog Hunting: Completed
Post by: Machias on March 19, 2020, 09:12:56 PM: Awesome, congrats!! I killed one in VA and the meat was excellent....of course I had been feeding them corn for several weeks before I killed him. :)
Title: Re: Heli Hog Hunting: Completed
Post by: idaho guy on March 19, 2020, 09:28:10 PM: Sounds awesome I am going to do this bucket list :tup:
Title: Re: Heli Hog Hunting: Completed
Post by: Jpmiller on March 19, 2020, 09:40:11 PM: Color me impressed on the marksmship. I've never done it but I can't imagine shooting out of a helicopter at running pigs with someone else's rifle is am easy task.
Title: Re: Heli Hog Hunting: Completed
Post by: h20hunter on March 19, 2020, 10:23:52 PM: It's not. If they are in the trees and you are shooting much more "down" its tough. Now, get them in an open field running, chopper is 10 feet off the ground, pivoted, sliding alongside them, you are leaning out tight to the harness, strap tight, come up to the last pig in the bunch, dot touches rump, you fire from maybe 25 feet away, tumble that one, move up the line, tumble that one, pick up two more then swoop the chopper pulls up and banks just at the tips of the trees, pivot and swing towards the strays scattered in the fieks picking up speed.....yeah that's good stuff.

That was our last batch we got on.
Title: Re: Heli Hog Hunting: Completed
Post by: UrbanTrapper on March 20, 2020, 06:45:45 AM: Is that wild pork that you are eating not cooked well done?
Title: Re: Heli Hog Hunting: Completed
Post by: h20hunter on March 20, 2020, 06:57:53 AM: Axis tenderloin.
Title: Re: Heli Hog Hunting: Completed
Post by: luvmystang67 on March 20, 2020, 07:09:59 AM: How'd those pigs taste :chuckle:
Title: Re: Heli Hog Hunting: Completed
Post by: h20hunter on March 20, 2020, 07:15:14 AM: You gotta ask the scavengers on that one. No nasty pork in my freezer.
Title: Re: Heli Hog Hunting: Completed
Post by: hunterednate on March 20, 2020, 10:08:12 AM: Man, that is so cool!! Can't wait to see the video.

I shot a big hog in Oklahoma in December two years ago. Super stinky old boar. I took home about 40 lbs of meat (backstraps, tenderloins, and most of the hams). Had it ground up into sausage and it tasted ok. I'd give it 3 stars out of 5.
Title: Re: Heli Hog Hunting: Completed
Post by: luvmystang67 on March 20, 2020, 12:23:38 PM: My brother tried really hard to eat the Texas feral hogs. Smoked some hams, tried to make some bacon, tried loins and even sausage. He couldn't find a way to do it that didn't taste terrible. They go to the vultures in this camp as well.
Title: Re: Heli Hog Hunting: Completed
Post by: idaho guy on March 20, 2020, 06:58:27 PM: I had 2 wild hogs I shot in Texas made into breakfast sausage. It was good might be how you butcher it and the mix you use :dunno: anyways I would definitely keep the meat if I go again. Anyways thanks for posting up details on your hunt :tup:
Title: Re: Heli Hog Hunting: Completed
Post by: h20hunter on May 27, 2020, 09:32:18 PM: Trying to add a link to the vimeo vid...
Title: Re: Heli Hog Hunting: Completed
Post by: Skillet on May 27, 2020, 09:55:59 PM: :tup:

Que it up!!
Title: Re: Heli Hog Hunting: Completed
Post by: h20hunter on May 27, 2020, 09:56:45 PM: Trying! Can't figure it out yo.
Title: Re: Heli Hog Hunting: Completed
Post by: h20hunter on May 27, 2020, 10:01:44 PM: Texted the link....I can not figure out how to copy the link....
Title: Re: Heli Hog Hunting: Completed
Post by: Skillet on May 27, 2020, 10:03:22 PM: https://vimeo.com/423442796/2777b7b037 (https://vimeo.com/423442796/2777b7b037)
Title: Re: Heli Hog Hunting: Completed
Post by: Alchase on May 27, 2020, 10:04:07 PM: Quote from: idaho guy on March 20, 2020, 06:58:27 PM
I had 2 wild hogs I shot in Texas made into breakfast sausage. It was good might be how you butcher it and the mix you use :dunno: anyways I would definitely keep the meat if I go again. Anyways thanks for posting up details on your hunt :tup:

I wish I knew how to do this, I could bring as many hogs home as I could afford ammo, LOL
Title: Re: Heli Hog Hunting: Completed
Post by: Alchase on May 27, 2020, 10:16:32 PM: Quote from: Skillet on May 27, 2020, 10:03:22 PM
https://vimeo.com/423442796/2777b7b037 (https://vimeo.com/423442796/2777b7b037)

That looks like a total kick in the pants!

At first, seeing a 10 rnd mag in, I was thinking, I would be reploading every couple of seconds, LOL.

How did that (axis or roe?) deer taste?

Awesome video!
Title: Re: Heli Hog Hunting: Completed & Vid added
Post by: h20hunter on May 27, 2020, 10:20:57 PM: The axis is some of, if not, the best game I've eaten.
Title: Re: Heli Hog Hunting: Completed & Vid added
Post by: Alchase on May 27, 2020, 10:32:53 PM: Quote from: h20hunter on May 27, 2020, 10:20:57 PM
The axis is some of, if not, the best game I've eaten.

Nice !
Title: Re: Heli Hog Hunting: Completed & Vid added
Post by: Skillet on May 27, 2020, 10:41:27 PM: That looks like a blast man. Thanks for sharing!

:tup:
Title: Re: Heli Hog Hunting: Completed & Vid added
Post by: Pegasus on May 27, 2020, 10:43:40 PM: You did great. Hard to hit moving targets firing one round at a time while flying by. Too bad you did not have a fully automatic firearm with a huge amount of ammo. Training door gunners with 50 cal M-60's with belted ammo on a range where the goats were fair game and legal to shoot was a real kick and a flight where everyone wanted on. What kind of price tag was that hunt?
Title: Re: Heli Hog Hunting: Completed & Vid added
Post by: h20hunter on May 27, 2020, 11:08:20 PM: Flights are 2k per hour, suggested 2 hour minimum. I would suggest that....2 flights, 1 hour per as there is a learning curve. Shooting down into the timber is very tough....skimming alongside a group in a field and making broadside hits is not easily done but easier than the timber.
Title: Re: Heli Hog Hunting: Completed & Vid added
Post by: bearpaw on May 28, 2020, 08:09:18 AM: Thanks for posting the video, looks like a blast and its not hard to see they really have a serious hog problem!
Title: Re: Heli Hog Hunting: Completed & Vid added
Post by: h20hunter on May 28, 2020, 08:12:17 AM: You could see the damage all over. They said a small group, less than a dozen, can root up an acre overnight.
Title: Re: Heli Hog Hunting: Completed & Vid added
Post by: Dan-o on May 28, 2020, 09:01:52 AM: Nice shooting!!!!

That had to be an amazing time.
Title: Re: Heli Hog Hunting: Completed & Vid added
Post by: h20hunter on May 28, 2020, 09:03:34 AM: Yessir. What the video doesn't do justice is the flight. Those that have served in choppers can relate I'm sure but until I went I'd have not been able to imagine the experience. Amazing how smooth and how quickly he would maneuver.
Title: Re: Heli Hog Hunting: Completed & Vid added
Post by: HikerHunter on May 29, 2020, 09:41:25 AM: Wow, awesome video, looks like you had a blast!
Title: Re: Heli Hog Hunting: Completed & Vid added
Post by: h20hunter on May 29, 2020, 09:48:09 AM: Indeed, ty.