After a nearly a two week hiatus due to no huntable fields had a call from one of the farmer who informed that the fields were freshly cut. The weather has been a challenge here in eastern PA, threat of rain almost every day and unbearable dew points but I can't resist a cut field. 
I'm especially eager to get back to this farm - there's one I missed twice on previous visits - first time a 240 yards - a crawler - profile obscured by high hay; second time, 235 yards - standing in high hay - exposed to shoulder. Hey - I need some excuse - can't be me.
- but it is me 
- declining skills.
Show up at 3:30 PM yesterday. Chatted with farmer for about an hour - he likes to talk and I'm a captive audience. I finally get into the field is about 4:45. The Pipeline Company had been through this area clearing debris away from their line markers as they do from time to time. They expose a ghog hole where I had seen one disappear into the brush last visit - never got a shot on this guy. The ghog is sitting on his hole, big guy, 238 yards but a fully expose profile - nice setup for shot. I set up with my 223 Rem and cross sticks then send a 50 grain Nosler trying not to rush the shot. I connect - hog down. Good start.
Move to the other side of the field to set up for the hog I'm after - 232 yards from brush line where his hole is located. See another hog roll out of the brush line to my right - bonus hog. Small one, 207 yards - crawler. Send another 50 Nosler BT - hog down. - Later find he's a pup. On a roll.
It's starts to thunder - it gets worse - not smart sitting in an open field with a light rod (my 26" barrel rifle). Debating to leave for truck - debated too long - here comes the rain in torrents.
I'm soaked by the time I get back to the truck. But the good news is that I've always had my best hunts after a heavy rain - it's great if you don't get struck by lightening.
I'm on a mission to get another crack at the guy I missed the last visit even though I'm soaked - it's just water so I wait in truck. Rain ends - I'm back out in the field. Sun comes out - great - positive I'll see the hog I'm after. He doesn't show - go figure. The only thing predictable about hunting is the unpredictable! When I get home wifey just shakes her head seeing I'm soaked - after 46 years of marriage she knows it takes a lot for me to give up on a hunt.
I'm especially eager to get back to this farm - there's one I missed twice on previous visits - first time a 240 yards - a crawler - profile obscured by high hay; second time, 235 yards - standing in high hay - exposed to shoulder. Hey - I need some excuse - can't be me. - but it is me - declining skills. Show up at 3:30 PM yesterday. Chatted with farmer for about an hour - he likes to talk and I'm a captive audience.
I finally get into the field is about 4:45. The Pipeline Company had been through this area clearing debris away from their line markers as they do from time to time. They expose a ghog hole where I had seen one disappear into the brush last visit - never got a shot on this guy. The ghog is sitting on his hole, big guy, 238 yards but a fully expose profile - nice setup for shot. I set up with my 223 Rem and cross sticks then send a 50 grain Nosler trying not to rush the shot. I connect - hog down. Good start.Move to the other side of the field to set up for the hog I'm after - 232 yards from brush line where his hole is located. See another hog roll out of the brush line to my right - bonus hog. Small one, 207 yards - crawler. Send another 50 Nosler BT - hog down.
- Later find he's a pup. On a roll.It's starts to thunder - it gets worse - not smart sitting in an open field with a light rod (my 26" barrel rifle). Debating to leave for truck - debated too long - here comes the rain in torrents.
I'm soaked by the time I get back to the truck. But the good news is that I've always had my best hunts after a heavy rain - it's great if you don't get struck by lightening.I'm on a mission to get another crack at the guy I missed the last visit even though I'm soaked - it's just water so I wait in truck. Rain ends - I'm back out in the field. Sun comes out - great - positive I'll see the hog I'm after. He doesn't show - go figure.
The only thing predictable about hunting is the unpredictable! When I get home wifey just shakes her head seeing I'm soaked - after 46 years of marriage she knows it takes a lot for me to give up on a hunt.
