In March I had decided to try my first attempt at hunting wild hogs.  Even with the prediction of rain and a forecast of snow above 3,000 feet in San Diego County, I had my mind set on hunting.  Because of the predictions, I did give some thought to cancelling my trip. Hunting, like fishing, you just have to be willing to get out there and see what the day and the elements bring you.

For some time I had heard about the Tejon Ranch youth hunt, sponsored by the California Deer Association, so I entered my daughter’s name.  Soon after entering her name I relieved a call back from Jerry Springer, President of CDA.  He was happy to inform me that of the 275 junior applicants, my daughter Sydney had been one of five lucky youths to draw a youth deer hunt on the Tejon Ranch.  Besides the five youths selected to hunt deer, ten youngsters were drawn to hunt hogs. We were asked to practice at the rifle range, be prepared for any kind of weather, bring a large cooler, but not bring ammo as it would be provided, a camera and of course, one adult. 

Back in 2001, a buddy of mine asked if I wanted to apply with him for a late season cow hunt in Utah. I hadn't been to Utah since I was young and had gone along with my dad and his hunting buddies for their deer hunts.  I didn’t give it a second thought and said yes.  I had no clue where we were going, just that it was a meat hunt and we would use a guide, so it usually only took a day or two to fill our tag.  So we applied and were drawn. November came and we were off to Utah. As we were driving into Utah, I kept telling my friend how familiar everything looked and was sure it was the same area my dad had deer hunted when I was young. It turned out that the guide’s house was right across the road from the restaurant where my father, his friends and I would eat whenever we came into town.