by Guy Fitzgerald

"I think I am going to have a nervous break down", I thought to myself as I ran up and down the brush and rock covered hills.  I was severely and emotionally wound tight  to say the least.  But, I was thrilled to be in hot pursuit of one of the most dangerous, life threatening beasts of the North American continent.  I wasn't just in pursuit of a normal sized beast; I wanted the one that locals had deemed "Nicolai".  For he was the biggest, baddest and most revered of all Russians.  We were headed to his hiding place behind the "iron curtain hilltop".  Folks had warned me of his brute strength and man hating methodology.  He feared no one.  In fact he had been known to charge just because man was in his territory.  Some had told me not to go after him without a big .44 on my side.  I didn't listen.  I wanted to take him down with my 80-pound bow or face whatever may happen to me.  I decided to face the music. 

Early in the day, as the sun shown off of the damp thorn patches, we approached his hang out.  He liked to be alone.  Other less fortunate Russians would often be dealt the misfortune of embarking upon his territory.  As we walked, we heard it.  RRRREEEEEEAAAAAAHHHHH!  The hair stood up not just on my neck, but on every part of my body, as Nicolai tore apart one so foolish as to come into his territory.  What an awesome and magnificent sound.  My heart began to beat irregularly as I pulled an arrow out of my quiver.  With arrow nocked, I got in front of Dad, who was running the camera.  He and I walked quietly with eyes peeled.  I heard some brush crack ten yards to my left.  I almost jumped out of my skin.  I felt a sigh of relief when I saw that it was just a few birds in a bunch.  I now have a little understanding as to how the soldiers must have felt like in 'Nam. 

I was in the heart of his territory.  It was very thick.  Brush, shrubs, thorns, everything was preventing me from seeing more than twenty yards at a time.  Worse yet, he could be hiding behind any one of those things.  Twenty yards can be made up in two seconds by a wild Russian.  Wild Russians have one of the most incredible senses of smell in the world, far superior to that of a whitetail deer.  If I had walked upwind of him, I risked a great chance of detection.  I looked down and noticed that my hands were shaking uncontrollably.  I was terrified.  I began to pray that the Lord would protect Dad and I.  (Dogs will usually aid in distracting the Russian, so you can get into position for the shot.  They will also try to keep the beast from charging you.  This works sometimes.  But one flip of the neck and all the dogs go flying at once.  Then the Russian comes after you. 

I wasn't using dogs; I was stalking this beast alone).  I was confident in my equipment, my shooting ability and my Lord.  That's all I  needed.  We pressed on.  We approached the inner-sanctum, if you would.  The land was totally annihilated.  Wollers full of water were everywhere.  Acres and acres of precious earth were rooted beyond repair.  This Russian was for real, and he had his own kind of communism.  He ran his land his way, and anything that had a complaint was killed and eaten.  I saw carcasses all over the place. 

This was intense.  I had never seen anything like this before.  I felt like I was in the movie "Jaws", but with Russian Hogs.  I knew he couldn't be far.  We walked a little further.  Just as we thought there was no place left for him to hide, out he ran from behind a pile of rocks.  Dirt was flying and the ground was pounding as he ran.  He was huge, over five hundred pounds.  His tusks were big, his head was down, and he was mad.  He was running the other way.  I didn't know what his deal was.  I never did find that out.  He ran behind another rock pile and I went after him.  I stalked down to the other end of the rock pile and waited with arrow nocked.  I heard him getting closer.  He was walking and rooting.  Although I couldn't see him, I knew what he was doing because of the noise that he was making.  (I have hunted many Russians in many parts of the country, but this beat them all). 

He was close now.  I was about ten yards from where the opening of the rocks met with a large patch of brush.  Out he stepped.  He walked out of the rock pile and into the brush.  I came to full draw.  I held for about a minute until he stepped into a clearing.  He was so intensely into rooting and eating that he didn't have the slightest idea about me.  Dad whispered okay and I let that arrow fly.  I smacked him right in the lungs, behind the shoulder.  He let out a squeal that curled my hair.  Off he ran about twenty yards.  The ground quaked as the mammoth Russian Boar fell over.  One last moan and he was history. 

What a tremendous rush!  I felt like my heart jumped right out of my throat and out onto the ground!  It took a Polaris Big Boss 6x6 with a wench to get this bad boy out for photos and processing.  What an awesome time I had with my dad.  Just sharing and laughing in the midst of rugged terrain and thorn bushes.  It was a hunting trip that everyone should experience at least once before they get too old.  Once you try it you'll be hooked for life.  Russians will do that to ya!  Good hunting, God bless and be careful, it's a jungle out there!

-Guy

Guy Fitzgerald is fast becoming a veteran outdoorsman, as he has 19 years of documented and filmed experience in the outdoors.  Guy is the President of Fitzgerald Hunting Corporation, a company that Dan founded 22 years ago.  Guy is, perhaps, the youngest veteran professional bowhunter in the world. 

"Team Fitzgerald Outdoors" on The Outdoor Channel is hosted by Guy & Dan Fitzgerald.

Guy & Dan Fitzgerald are hunting video pioneers and are among the leading hunting video producers in the world today.  They have over forty full-length video titles to date.  Together, Guy & Dan bring forth a fast paced, in your face, roll up your sleeves and go hunting type of attitude.  To them hunting is not a sport, it is a way of life. 

For More Information On Guy & Dan Fitzgerald visit www.teamfitzgerald.com

Watch "Team Fitzgerald Outdoors" on The Outdoor Channel
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P.S. Check one of our latest video releases "Slam Dunkin' Whitetails & Muley's"