Went back the soybean field this week but got chased out - farmer was spraying - figured it was a good idea to leave - got enough health problems as is - don't need more.
Drive over to another farm - old time hunting ground but recently it's been problematic due to new farming practices of planting different crops in strips thus limiting view and availability of suitable habitat for my ghog friends. I'm sure the ghogs don't consider me a friend.
Only two huntable fields - both hay fields. Set up at 4:00 PM on far field. Beautiful field, tree lined on all four sides. I can watch three tree lines - in the shade - a nice benefit for a old fart.
Two hours pass, no ghogs seen. Of course I've taken a small snooze sitting in my sportsman's chair. However it's hard to get discouraged - the weather is perfect - beautiful sunny evening - low humdity - lust green everywhere. Hell, I'm just happy to be in the field and not in a nursing home.
I'm in prime time now, after 6:00 PM, still no ghogs sighted.
I should move but I'm just too comfortable. By 7:00 still no hogs. I decided it's time to move to next field. Start to pack up when I see one standing at the far end of the field - Murphy's Law - right - but he doesn't spook! Range the hog at 224 yards. Reset with my 223 Rem Model 7 on my shooting cross sticks.
Due to the roll of the terrain and height of hay the hog is slightly obscured but now crawling. This is a long shot for me off a shooting stick with this short barrel rifle (20") but I've made it before. The key is to take my time and go through the fundamentals and take note of the ballistics chart I made for this rifle / load combo.
I hold on top of his back towards the shoulder area then send the 50 Nosler BT. Shot feels good - real good - good trigger squeeze and follow through. See the tail do the "death wiggle". Hog down. Wow.
Nothing quite like it. Probably just lucky - rather be lucky than good. Later I check him out - large males - perfect shot - just behind the shoulder about a inch down from the top of the back.
Stay in this field the reminder of the evening - no more seen but hard to feel bad given the shot I made.
Heat wave approaching Eastern PA rest of week - time to reload and rest up for next Safari.
Drive over to another farm - old time hunting ground but recently it's been problematic due to new farming practices of planting different crops in strips thus limiting view and availability of suitable habitat for my ghog friends. I'm sure the ghogs don't consider me a friend.
Only two huntable fields - both hay fields. Set up at 4:00 PM on far field. Beautiful field, tree lined on all four sides. I can watch three tree lines - in the shade - a nice benefit for a old fart.
Two hours pass, no ghogs seen.
Of course I've taken a small snooze sitting in my sportsman's chair. However it's hard to get discouraged - the weather is perfect - beautiful sunny evening - low humdity - lust green everywhere. Hell, I'm just happy to be in the field and not in a nursing home.I'm in prime time now, after 6:00 PM, still no ghogs sighted.
I should move but I'm just too comfortable. By 7:00 still no hogs. I decided it's time to move to next field. Start to pack up when I see one standing at the far end of the field - Murphy's Law - right - but he doesn't spook! Range the hog at 224 yards. Reset with my 223 Rem Model 7 on my shooting cross sticks. Due to the roll of the terrain and height of hay the hog is slightly obscured but now crawling. This is a long shot for me off a shooting stick with this short barrel rifle (20") but I've made it before. The key is to take my time and go through the fundamentals and take note of the ballistics chart I made for this rifle / load combo.
I hold on top of his back towards the shoulder area then send the 50 Nosler BT. Shot feels good - real good - good trigger squeeze and follow through. See the tail do the "death wiggle". Hog down. Wow.
Nothing quite like it. Probably just lucky - rather be lucky than good. Later I check him out - large males - perfect shot - just behind the shoulder about a inch down from the top of the back.Stay in this field the reminder of the evening - no more seen but hard to feel bad given the shot I made.
Heat wave approaching Eastern PA rest of week - time to reload and rest up for next Safari.
