Hunt of Lifetime

[K22]

Just when I thought my best days of varmint hunting were behind me due to the lack of available huntable fields / farms and my declining physical condition, last evening I had the g-hog hunt of a lifetime at 77 years old! I just had to share this with someone, and this forum is the only venue I have since I live a life like "Robinson Caruso."

I have not hunted this farm for two years due to a variety of issues, but conditions were finally ideal for a hunt. I was setup by 4:45 PM. Alfalfa was about ankle high (perfect), temperature moderate (low 80's), and calm winds. Ideal weather conditions also. Finally! I had a shootable view of a large alfalfa field, and 5 tree lines.

Within 15 minutes, I got 2 shot opportunities, 98 yards and 10 minutes later 190 yards, dropped both hogs, large monster size. At around 6, another appeared at the edge the far tree line, 217 yards. Drop her. About 30 minutes later another appeared, 254 yards, same tree line, Drop him! Both also monster class hog. But there's more!

At a far freshly cut wheat field, a location I would never expect to see one, I saw one crawling along the field, 301 yards. I dialed up 2 1/2 moa per my chart, and sent a 50 Nosler BT from my Weatherby Super Varmint Master 223 Rem. The hog rolled over and did the "tail dance". This is the longest shot I ever made with a 223 Rem!

Field went cold, then about 8 PM, one emerged from a hole in the field, 154 yards. I drop him or I should say her. About 15 minutes later another one emerged from another hole, 189 yards. I drop him.

I haven't had a 7-hog hunt in a very long time, I can't even remember the last time. But what made this hunt special for me was the 301-yard shot. All hogs were taken off my home-made shooting cross sticks.

PS: I have pictures of all 7 hogs taken with my Lively flip phone. I can text them. So, if there is someone who would like to post them for me, I will gladly text them. Just PM with your cell phone.

 

[Coonman300]

Don- PM sent.
Mark

 

[357Mag]

K22 -

Howdy !

Congratulations on a well-deserved and long overdue “ Hunt of a Lifetime “ !!

Great job all-around, and over all ranges !

Keep up the good work, “ Kid “ !

When you “ got it “…. you got it !


With regards,

357Mag

 

[ohlongarmisle]

Just when I thought my best days of varmint hunting were behind me due to the lack of available huntable fields / farms and my declining physical condition, last evening I had the g-hog hunt of a lifetime at 77 years old! I just had to share this with someone, and this forum is the only venue I have since I live a life like "Robinson Caruso."

I have not hunted this farm for two years due to a variety of issues, but conditions were finally ideal for a hunt. I was setup by 4:45 PM. Alfalfa was about ankle high (perfect), temperature moderate (low 80's), and calm winds. Ideal weather conditions also. Finally! I had a shootable view of a large alfalfa field, and 5 tree lines.

Within 15 minutes, I got 2 shot opportunities, 98 yards and 10 minutes later 190 yards, dropped both hogs, large monster size. At around 6, another appeared at the edge the far tree line, 217 yards. Drop her. About 30 minutes later another appeared, 254 yards, same tree line, Drop him! Both also monster class hog. But there's more!

At a far freshly cut wheat field, a location I would never expect to see one, I saw one crawling along the field, 301 yards. I dialed up 2 1/2 moa per my chart, and sent a 50 Nosler BT from my Weatherby Super Varmint Master 223 Rem. The hog rolled over and did the "tail dance". This is the longest shot I ever made with a 223 Rem!

Field went cold, then about 8 PM, one emerged from a hole in the field, 154 yards. I drop him or I should say her. About 15 minutes later another one emerged from another hole, 189 yards. I drop him.

I haven't had a 7-hog hunt in a very long time, I can't even remember the last time. But what made this hunt special for me was the 301-yard shot. All hogs were taken off my home-made shooting cross sticks.

PS: I have pictures of all 7 hogs taken with my Lively flip phone. I can text them. So, if there is someone who would like to post them for me, I will gladly text them. Just PM with your cell phone.

Nice time quite happy for you,pictures not necessary we believe you, anyone who bs's about a hunt doesn't bs, anyone but themselves,a lesson pappy taught me as a teen,when I lied to a neighbor that I shot 6 ringnecks in one day, when in fact it was 2.I'm off tomorrow and am heading south, good hunt described there.

 

[K22]

Mr. Coonman300 from the great state of Alabama has agreed to post for you guys. I sent him the pictures - Thanks Coonman. Enjoy.

 

[Coonman300]

Don’s carnage in the ground hog fields. Great shooting Don…glad you had such a great day!!

 

[K22]

Don’s carnage in the ground hog fields. Great shooting Don…glad you had such a great day!!

Thanks a bunch. The fifth one is the 301-yard shot, smallest of the hogs - it figures. Farmer is very happy, especially the ones that had holes in the field. Return of the Ground Hog Man.

 

[troupe]

Congrats for sure. I miss groundhog hunting more than anything. Wish I was in a location to do it again. Nothing is better than being outdoors, in the evening, in a great field. Nothing finer, I do miss the hills.

 

[nakneker]

Nicely done K22! Thanks for sharing!

 

[K22]

Nice time quite happy for you,pictures not necessary we believe you, anyone who bs's about a hunt doesn't bs, anyone but themselves,a lesson pappy taught me as a teen,when I lied to a neighbor that I shot 6 ringnecks in one day, when in fact it was 2.I'm off tomorrow and am heading south, good hunt described there.

Mr. Coonman300 posted the pictures. Enjoy fellow Ground Hog Man.

 

[TonyinKY]

Congratulations! I think I may have seen a total of 7 groundhogs this whole year. I’m definitely jealous

 

[K22]

Congratulations! I think I may have seen a total of 7 groundhogs this whole year. I’m definitely jealous

For the last several years it has been that way around here. Largely due to changes in farming practices, planting more and more corn / wheat, planting in strips which conceal hayfields, and overdevelopment. Soybean fields are great, but you have a limited time to hunt them and when you combine that with weather - well you get the idea - reduce opportunities.

Last evening is surely rare air around here. I am the last of the breed around here, all the others that I would encounter in the fields are either dead, given up, or too infirmed to hunt anymore. In other words, I have no competition for access to the fields.

I characterized last evening as my Hunt of a Lifetime because, although many, many years ago I may have shot more in one hunt, last evening I got 6 monster class hogs, and the 301-yard shot was an all-time personal best for me with a 223 Rem. In addition, no misses, no wounds, and all dropped on the spot. Again, rare air for me. Also, given the status of farming around here, it was truly a remarkable opportunity. Hoping to get out Saturday if the weather cooperates.

 

[snert]

K22

You warm my heart brother! Great story and good on you! That Weatherby is an uncommon and overlooked gem. Thank you for sharing this and congratulations on a lifetime hunt.

 

[DRK]

It is sad nowadays kids would rather play on IPads, ipods, phones, etc. than go out hunting. I guess I'm kind of a kid at 37, hopefully I can live long enough to reach 77 & still be hunting.

I went hunting tonight too. I did not have as good of a day as you but still better than sitting at home.

 

[mattri]

Good shooting!

 

[jmill21]

It is sad nowadays kids would rather play on IPads, ipods, phones, etc. than go out hunting. I guess I'm kind of a kid at 37, hopefully I can live long enough to reach 77 & still be hunting.

I went hunting tonight too. I did not have as good of a day as you but still better than sitting at home.

Just when I thought my best days of varmint hunting were behind me due to the lack of available huntable fields / farms and my declining physical condition, last evening I had the g-hog hunt of a lifetime at 77 years old! I just had to share this with someone, and this forum is the only venue I have since I live a life like "Robinson Caruso."

I have not hunted this farm for two years due to a variety of issues, but conditions were finally ideal for a hunt. I was setup by 4:45 PM. Alfalfa was about ankle high (perfect), temperature moderate (low 80's), and calm winds. Ideal weather conditions also. Finally! I had a shootable view of a large alfalfa field, and 5 tree lines.

Within 15 minutes, I got 2 shot opportunities, 98 yards and 10 minutes later 190 yards, dropped both hogs, large monster size. At around 6, another appeared at the edge the far tree line, 217 yards. Drop her. About 30 minutes later another appeared, 254 yards, same tree line, Drop him! Both also monster class hog. But there's more!

At a far freshly cut wheat field, a location I would never expect to see one, I saw one crawling along the field, 301 yards. I dialed up 2 1/2 moa per my chart, and sent a 50 Nosler BT from my Weatherby Super Varmint Master 223 Rem. The hog rolled over and did the "tail dance". This is the longest shot I ever made with a 223 Rem!

Field went cold, then about 8 PM, one emerged from a hole in the field, 154 yards. I drop him or I should say her. About 15 minutes later another one emerged from another hole, 189 yards. I drop him.

I haven't had a 7-hog hunt in a very long time, I can't even remember the last time. But what made this hunt special for me was the 301-yard shot. All hogs were taken off my home-made shooting cross sticks.

PS: I have pictures of all 7 hogs taken with my Lively flip phone. I can text them. So, if there is someone who would like to post them for me, I will gladly text them. Just PM with your cell phone.

Great job K22. Like you shooting ground hogs was my favorite rifle past time. When I got out of the army in 1968 it was a yearly event for me and my brother to make it to Potter Co, Pa, and southern NY to hunt chucks for anywhere from four to seven days at a time. { Had a camp in Potter Co near Ulysses } Most of our shooting was anywhere from 100 to 1000yds. We used the big guns, 280ack, 7mag 300win mags. Anyone who has hunted hogs at long range knows that doping the wind and range estimation was the hardest part. No range finders back then. If you didn't make a solid hit at those ranges they could crawl back in there holes. WE always said pound for pound they were as tuff as a grizzly. We used to stay out all day taking a lunch with us. We would start around 8:00am and hunt till dark. We had constant shooting all day long. What a blast. Last time I was up we hunted all day and only seen 2 hogs. Glad I didn't miss those 40 years they are some of my best memories.

 

[jpx2rk]

Congrats on a good day.

 

[JEFFPPC]

We are in the same boat as I will be 77 next month. The last 3 years I have got back into groundhog hunting here in Pa. Yes there are not as many but everyone quit hunting thrm 20 years ago. Farmers welcome you with open arms. I have found a few hotspots. I shoot 2 usually and quit for the evening saving targets. I often use a factory Rem .223 Tactical that is deadly to 300 yards with the same 50 BTip you use. But when hunting some fields stretching to,500 or 800 yards I take one of my bench rifles in 6ppc or 6brx. Keep hunting, I plan too until I can't and thankfully that time is not here yet.

 

[Bill K]

Thanks for sharing your story and also Thanks to the party posting your photo's. Nice day like that is always a treat.

 

[K22]

Great job K22. Like you shooting ground hogs was my favorite rifle past time. When I got out of the army in 1968 it was a yearly event for me and my brother to make it to Potter Co, Pa, and southern NY to hunt chucks for anywhere from four to seven days at a time. { Had a camp in Potter Co near Ulysses } Most of our shooting was anywhere from 100 to 1000yds. We used the big guns, 280ack, 7mag 300win mags. Anyone who has hunted hogs at long range knows that doping the wind and range estimation was the hardest part. No range finders back then. If you didn't make a solid hit at those ranges they could crawl back in there holes. WE always said pound for pound they were as tuff as a grizzly. We used to stay out all day taking a lunch with us. We would start around 8:00am and hunt till dark. We had constant shooting all day long. What a blast. Last time I was up we hunted all day and only seen 2 hogs. Glad I didn't miss those 40 years they are some of my best memories.

I have hunted turkey, deer, and bear in Potter for about 20 years, South Woods, south of Coudersport. Did some bear hunting near Sinnemahoning - roughest terrain I ever hunted. My friend, Dixon, has a cabin near Costello. I had to give it up, double hernia surgery and spinal condition was just too much to hunt that rough country, but I loved every moment of it when I hunted it.

Hogs are tough for sure. I nailed one (244 yards) early this summer, rolled down an embankment and I assumed the critter was down. About 10 minutes later I saw it crawl over the embankment before I could get a second shot. Upon investigation, I tracked the critter's blood trail to its hole. It crawled some 20 yards up and over an embankment and made it to its hole! With the 223 Rem, I have to keep the shot high and just behind the shoulder on a crawler to drop it them where they stand.