My name is Ollie: I was a big city lap dog, released out of captivity into the custody of an old man in San Saba County. They said I had a problem with chasing the ladies, so my new owner made me an appointment at the local veterinarian office. Now they think my mind and conscious is clear of all the “bad vices” in life, and all I think about now is chasing hogs. Wounded hogs are scary! This happened Easter morning 2008. The hunters were from Grandbury that weekend, and all left early Sunday morning except two. They were looking for an 80 lb. hog that one of them shot earlier. The ranch owner likes to turn us dogs loose in the hog pasture before the hunters leave to help round up any wounded hogs. He likes me the best, I bark the most and I will find them hogs dead or alive, it makes me no difference. It was 10 am and I had this old wounded boar bayed up. I ran this hog before, but this morning he had enough. He was crouched down beside a big rock and I was about six feet straight in front of him barking. The ranch owner comes as quickly as he can when he can hear me barking. He showed up from the side about 40 feet from the hog. I kept barking, keeping my eyes straight on the pig. He carries a single shot 223 and took aim at the hogs head. The old boar turned his head toward the ranch owner. When he saw him he immediately stood up and charged. The ranch owner reached out with that little rifle and without looking thru the scope, pointed it toward the hog. When the hog got about 8 feet away I heard the shot and the big hog fell at his feet. I ran up and got a hold of a still kicking hog. The two hunters showed up they said “man that’s a bigger hog than I shot”. The ranch owner said “that hog charged me, you guys missed it, Ollie was my only witness”. I heard him say later to the hunters “that he did not have time to be scared but was glad he hit him in the spine and dropped him dead on the spot”. The hog had been wounded weeks before and had lost some weight but still had plenty of fight in him. I have noticed that the ranch owner is bragging on that little 223 more than before. Don’t worry about the blood I will rub it off on the grass. ---- Ollie Advice from Ollie: Bow and arrow hunters need to commit your shot to the kill zone or you will not find your hog. The kill zone for a pig is about the size of a grapefruit above the knee joint on the front shoulder. A shot behind the shoulder (mid body) usually results in a wounded but not found dead hog. Most of the shots outside the kill zone leaves very little blood trail resulting in the hunter giving up and not finding his hog. One helpful thing is to come to the ranch prepared to trail wounded hogs. (the ranch owner says one hog out of three are not found) Always bring some paper to mark blood trail, and try to locate your arrow for blood, and bring large LED spotlights for tracking after dark - they are the best. Good flashlights too. If you need help come to the owners ranch house and ask if "Ollie" can come outside and play. I will be glad to help! I may not be the biggest dog on the ranch but I find the most hogs! I do ask (the bowhunters) to be careful and not shoot me with no sharp arrow. Me and my buddies will hold the hog by the ears and you need to get there to help as soon as you can and grab the hogs back foot, flip him on his side, hold him down with your boot and stick him in the heart with a knife. Don't be scared just do it and don't worry we will not turn loose of those ears until you make us. Lots of the hunters say "the dogs are the most fun!" So don't be embarrassed if you wound one, and remember to ask for "Ollie!" |
| That's me!! That's me!! --- Ollie |
| I got him!... Ollie |
Ollie's Ranch Report:
| Always Be Careful |
| "This guy is lucky he still has his..." --- Ollie |
| Easter morning 2008 hog |
San Saba Ranch
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