Went to the golf course around 9:30 today after nearly two months of absence. They are still dealing with the reconstruction after the gas line went through, so one of the three nines was closed. I got out the Marlin in 17HMR, hopped in a golf cart and started cruising the course. I drove around for quite a while before seeing a ghog. Unfortunately, it saw me first and scooted back into the brush. I waited for close to a half hour, but it was a no show. So I started back tracking and when I came around a corner to one of the other greens, another ghog spotted me first and headed straight for its burrow under a huge rock. 
Again, I sat there for some time before it popped it head up from under the rock, but it was only showing its nose and eyeballs with some grass in front. I waited with the crosshairs on its nose in hopes of getting a better shot, but some of the maintenance crew appeared and started working on the nearby green. Funny thing, the whole time they were working, the ghog has it eyes on me. Don’t tell me these guys have no clue about what’s going on here. While still watching the ghog in the scope, it rose up from its hide and started moving to my left in front of the rock. I did not feel comfortable taking the shot for fear of a possible ricochet toward the maintenance crew, so I watched as the hog disappeared behind another nearby rock. :-[
As the crew was getting ready to move on, I decided to relocate to the downside of a hill on the back side of the green. I got down into a prone position with the Marlin on the short bipod and ranged the distance at 65 yards. I hoped to get into position while the hog was out of sight and use stealth to nail it if it reappeared. Was just about ready to leave after spending close to a half hour lying on the grass when, finally, the ghog came out on the opposite side of the rock from where I last saw it. I was ready and it did not take long to send a 20 grain hollow point on its way, using its ear as my target. ;D
Here’s a picture of the large rock, from the backside of the green, where the ghog had its burrow. It came out from behind and to the right side of the rock.
And here’s the walk up and rollover with views of the entrance and exit wounds.
After the picture session, I drove back to the green where I saw the first ghog, hoping to catch it knapping before it saw me, but it wasn’t there. I drove the golf cart a little closer, but still no ghog. However, further away, along the edge of the fairway, I caught a glimpse of another ghog peeking out from some bushes. I moved to the left to get a better shot and ranged the shot at 125 yards. This would be my farthest shot with the Marlin. 8)
I raised the gun using the steering wheel of the golf cart as a rest and centered the fine crosshair reticle on the ghog’s ear like last time. I steadied the gun, controlled my breathing and took the shot. Almost immediately that welcome sign of surrender rose as the ghog desperately tried to make its back to the sanctuary of the tall grass.
Before I drove up to where I hoped I would find the ghog, I took a picture of the view to the kill. The ghog should be just beyond the lighter colored bush near right-center of the pic.
Again, here’s the walk up and the rollover showing the entrance wound.
It was 12:30 and time to go. I’ll be back there again for the ghogs I saw, but did not get a shot at today.
Again, I sat there for some time before it popped it head up from under the rock, but it was only showing its nose and eyeballs with some grass in front. I waited with the crosshairs on its nose in hopes of getting a better shot, but some of the maintenance crew appeared and started working on the nearby green. Funny thing, the whole time they were working, the ghog has it eyes on me. Don’t tell me these guys have no clue about what’s going on here. While still watching the ghog in the scope, it rose up from its hide and started moving to my left in front of the rock. I did not feel comfortable taking the shot for fear of a possible ricochet toward the maintenance crew, so I watched as the hog disappeared behind another nearby rock. :-[
As the crew was getting ready to move on, I decided to relocate to the downside of a hill on the back side of the green. I got down into a prone position with the Marlin on the short bipod and ranged the distance at 65 yards. I hoped to get into position while the hog was out of sight and use stealth to nail it if it reappeared. Was just about ready to leave after spending close to a half hour lying on the grass when, finally, the ghog came out on the opposite side of the rock from where I last saw it. I was ready and it did not take long to send a 20 grain hollow point on its way, using its ear as my target. ;D
Here’s a picture of the large rock, from the backside of the green, where the ghog had its burrow. It came out from behind and to the right side of the rock.
And here’s the walk up and rollover with views of the entrance and exit wounds.
After the picture session, I drove back to the green where I saw the first ghog, hoping to catch it knapping before it saw me, but it wasn’t there. I drove the golf cart a little closer, but still no ghog. However, further away, along the edge of the fairway, I caught a glimpse of another ghog peeking out from some bushes. I moved to the left to get a better shot and ranged the shot at 125 yards. This would be my farthest shot with the Marlin. 8)
I raised the gun using the steering wheel of the golf cart as a rest and centered the fine crosshair reticle on the ghog’s ear like last time. I steadied the gun, controlled my breathing and took the shot. Almost immediately that welcome sign of surrender rose as the ghog desperately tried to make its back to the sanctuary of the tall grass.
Before I drove up to where I hoped I would find the ghog, I took a picture of the view to the kill. The ghog should be just beyond the lighter colored bush near right-center of the pic.
Again, here’s the walk up and the rollover showing the entrance wound.
It was 12:30 and time to go. I’ll be back there again for the ghogs I saw, but did not get a shot at today.
It's a 917VSF. Really accurate. Glen from another forum uses that same gun and loves his too!
