A Family Event- Florida
Amy & the girls
Hunter: Amy Rush
Cameraman: Joe Rush
Along with my opportunity for an alligator hunt, Ralph, Vicki, and Hoppy also offered to let me hunt hogs on the Osceola Outfitters Ranch.
We’d tried spot and stalk hunting with the TenPoint crossbow and the TC .223, but just couldn’t find the hogs when we needed them. It was July 5, and we decided that we’d sit in the Ameristep ground blind with a TenPoint crossbow our LAST night there. Little did I realize that THIS was my night! Danielle, our 6 year-old, had done a Hog hunt before and was excited for me to get the chance. Because both of the girls were so excited, we made it a family event.
The blind was just big enough for Joe and the camera equipment, me, the crossbow, and the two girls. Since Danielle is an experienced hunter, she knows the ropes and how to sit still and be quiet. Our 3 year old, Adelia, hasn’t had the same opportunities, so she isn’t as experienced; however, she stayed in the blind nice and still and very quiet (for a 3 year-old). All in all, it was pretty good, except for the occasional ‘I gotta go potty’ whispering!
During the evening, there were several groups of hogs that came in but clustered so close to one another, there was no chance for a shot. Finally, just before dark and our very last opportunity, another group came in. There were a few hogs that separated from each other and I was finally able to follow one and pull the trigger on my first hog ever...and it was a boar! The girls, Joe, and I were so thrilled. This was such an exciting vacation and I am thankful for everyone involved and all of the hard work they did to make this happen for me.
An extra thank you to Hoppy Kempfer for his “guide”ance, and to Ralph and Vicki for getting me “hooked” on hunting. And to my husband Joe for helping me get back into this wonderful sport.