The first snowfall after the start of winter caught the animals in the mountains off guard, as they hadn't seen snow for half a year, including spring, summer, and autumn.
The animals are so confused that they will all hide and stay away from the outside, so experienced hunters don't go up the mountain on the first day after the snow stops.
Animals in the mountains are different from humans; most of them don't store food, and if they stay cooped up and don't go out, they'll get hungry.
So in the afternoon, they couldn't resist and came out to forage for food, leaving their footprints on the snow.
The day after the snow stops, hunters with dogs will hunt with their dogs, while those without dogs will follow animal tracks in the snow to hunt.
This is the best time to hunt; the snow is full of fresh tracks, just follow them.
The Sheng and Liu families have a total of nine adult dogs.
Such a large gang of dogs is rarely seen, not only in Qianchuan Forest Farm and Dajianchang, but even in other places.
The two families also have four puppies: Zhaocai, Wangfu, Dalong, and Erhu. These are still small and there's no use bringing them out.
We'll bring out these four half-grown dogs again around the New Year, making a pack of thirteen dogs—that would be an even more spectacular sight.
The nine dogs were quite excited after entering the woods, sniffing here and there. Some of them even went to the tree stumps and lifted their hind legs to urinate.
Not long after entering the forest, the group saw animal footprints on the ground, including many tracks of pheasants, rabbits, weasels, and other small animals.
The dogs seemed indifferent to these things, not even bothering to look at them.
Erlang Shen raised his head, sniffed in mid-air, and then called out in one direction while struggling in that direction.
Erlang Shen was the first to bark, followed by the leopard, then Daqing. All the dogs barked in the same direction, which proved that there must be prey ahead.
So, the group untied the ropes and saw Erlang Shen and Daqing leading the way, followed closely by Hua Bao and Xiao Hua, with Hei Jiangjun, Pang Hu, Er Qing, Xiao Hui, and a few others running after them.
Only Xiao Huang ran out for a while, then ran back to follow Liu Yujiang and his brother.
The dog barked again, and Xiao Huang ran a short distance before returning.
Snow falls on the high mountains, and frost covers the low-lying areas; the snow on the mountains is thicker.
Moreover, this was the first snowfall of the season, and the snow was loose and soft, so that neither people nor animals made a sound when they stepped on it.
Unlike in the dead of winter, when the snow accumulates layer upon layer and hardens, making a crunching sound when you step on it.
The group followed the pack of dogs and ran up the hill. They hadn't gone far when they saw a patch of large and small pig hoof prints ahead.
Sheng Xiping glanced at the group and estimated there were about ten pigs, including a large one that looked to weigh around 400 jin (approximately 200 catties).
Wild boars return to their herds before and after snowfall. Those that usually roam alone will join a herd to take care of their boar needs.
When spring comes next year, the piglet will leave the herd again, leaving the sow to raise the piglets.
If that's the case, then running basket is also a scumbag. He'll leave once he's had his fill of comfort, without caring how his wife and kids live their lives.
"Come on, let's keep up."
Of the four, only Sheng Xi'an was young and had little hunting experience, while the other three were seasoned hunters who had been in the mountains for years and knew the nature of wild boars well.
This season is when the pigs are most protective of their herd, and it's also the time when the pigs are most aggressive.
Normally, when a herd of pigs sees a hunting dog, they scatter and flee for their lives.
During this period, under the guidance of the running basket, the pigs are likely to form a defensive formation to deal with the attacks of the hunting dogs.
There was a group of more than ten wild boars, including a large running basket weighing about 400 pounds. It was probably not easy to deal with. Someone had to get close and shoot to break the herd.
Just as Liu Yujiang and his group had guessed, after crossing the ridge, they found a litter of about ten wild boars of various sizes lying under the pine trees on the opposite hillside.
The leader was a running basket weighing about 400 pounds, and its size clearly indicated it was no pushover.
Besides the pigs that run around in baskets, the herd also includes three sows, four piglets that have been kept for a year, and six young yellow piglets.
When Erlang Shen, Daqing, Huabao, and the other dogs rushed over, the big running basket did not lead the pigs away. Instead, it roared twice and turned to confront the dogs.
This guy weighs over 400 pounds, and his big body is like a small mountain. Erlang Shen and Daqing, who weigh around 100 pounds, are no match for him.
With the big basket supporting them, the pigs seemed to have found their backbone, and not a single one ran away.
Behind the running basket, three sows led the year-old pigs to form a protective formation, directly shielding the little yellow-haired pig.
Erlang Shen, Daqing, Huabao, and Xiaohua, the four dogs, arrived first. Upon seeing the situation, the dogs did not dare to rush forward rashly.
Just then, General Black arrived with several other dogs. The nine adult dogs were arranged in a wing-like formation, confronting the pigs on the other side. Both sides were looking for an opportunity to attack each other.
Erlang Shen is a big-headed dog. He is very smart and experienced. As soon as he saw the situation, he knew that he had to lure the big running basket away from the pigs.
As soon as the big basket leaves the herd, several dogs will surround it, while the rest will attack the other pigs, thus breaking the pig formation.
So Erlang Shen barked and pounced on the basket from the right angle.
The big-headed creature's small eyes gleamed with murderous intent. It arched its back, its mane bristling like steel needles, and raised its mouth, its large fangs thrusting towards Erlang Shen.
Erlang Shen's pounce was a test, so naturally he wouldn't let the big basket's fangs pick it off.
The dog was clever and agile, and it skillfully avoided the large basket, causing the big guy to change direction.
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