Yamaha Outdoors Tip of the Week: Make the Most of Spring Hunts

Turkey seasons are in full swing across much of the U.S. this month and many a dedicated turkey aficionado will be looking beyond the borders of their home state for more and different hunting opportunities. For some, turkey hunting alone is enough to justify a trip of several hundred, or over a thousand miles. Others might need a little more incentive. If you’re among the latter group, there are several options to sweeten the pot.

Hogs

Feral hogs are widespread over much of the southern half of the U.S.  They make for great sport and table fare, and can be a nice addition to, or integral part of a spring turkey hunting trip.

Conventional methods include spot-and-stalk or hunting over bait.  Because they are feral, and often considered a nuisance, many states allow hog hunting at night; so you can hunt turkeys during the day and hogs at night.

Popular night hunting methods involve running with dogs, or riding in trucks or ATVs and spotlighting agricultural fields – where hogs are considered vermin.

Exotics

Florida, Texas and other southwestern states have a variety of exotic species, like sika, axis and fallow deer, aoudad, blackbuck and even African plains game.  Because they’re not native game species, seasons and bag limits are much more liberal, and spring hunting is often allowed.  Methods vary with species and terrain.

For information on how bowfishing can be a different hunting opportunity as well, please visit – Make the Most of Spring Hunts on Yamaha.com.

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Bagging a Zebra on the African Plains

Last month we told you about Dominic Incavo bagging a lion during his safari in the Kalahari Desert. But Dom didn’t go alone — also along for the ride of a lifetime was NRA Member Peter Dragisic of Berwyn, Illinois. And Peter wasn’t about to go home empty handed.

A deer hunter back home in Illinois, Dragisic was out with the group’s Professional Hunter (PH) when they came upon a small herd of zebras in an open field. Believing there was no way to approach the herd without spooking them, Dragisic and the PHcircled round for a better firing position. In due time, the zebras were actually coming to him.

With his .30-06 Ruger M-77 rifle secured in place, Dragisic zeroed in on a stallion who’d wandered to the right. His first safari, his first potential animal … the pressure built. He squeezed the trigger and fired.

“Grim, our PH, started shouting you got him, you got him,” said Dragisic. “The 925 pound stallion reared up and fell to the ground. It was amazing.”

But that wasn’t all that Dragisic brought back from Africa. There was also a warthog, a baboon and a case of malaria.

“Spent a week in a good samaritan hospital when we got back,” said Dragisic. “I took the malaria pills before heading out, but the Doctor told us there were no guarantees.”

One that is guaranteed is that Peter will never forget that hunt. After all, he’s got a heck of a black and white rug to remind him of the whole thing.

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