Tuesday and Wednesday were two of the most perfect weather days I've seen in a long time. Also four of the five farms I hunt regularly all had only one weeks growth in the hay fields. Talk about perfect conditions - it don't get any better than this.
Tuesday I visited a farm that I hunted extensively during the last cut. Have taken 34 hogs to date this season so I wasn't sure I'd see much activity but wanted to give it a try. However I was prepared to move on to next farm if I didn't see any hogs in short order. Never made to the other farms.
As soon as I drove to the field on a farm road I saw one -spooked him into tree line. Park truck in usual place and hiked back with my Rem 223 Model 7 - this is a short field - max shot about 180 yards. Sat up and about 10 minutes later saw him poke his head out. Several minutes later he emerged, waited for broad side shot - sent a 50 Nosler BT, hog down - monster class - 166 yards. Good start.
Watched this field for about another hour - saw nothing. Hiked back to large field at other end of the farm. Took my Rem 700 223 Heavy Varmint w/ Douglas match barrel - this a long field - long shots possible. Set up watching tree line, parallel to the tree line due to roll of terrain. Hunting it west to east.
Seeing nothing after an hour, about to pack up and head to next farm when one emerged at 275 yards on top of the hill. Too far for me off shooting stick. Hugged tree line and stalked closer - stopped at 208 yards - set up and took shot - hog down - another monster class hog. Almost immediately one popped up out of tree line at 139 yards. Sent another Nosler - ghog down. Wow. See another one at 133 yards but only head visable out of the tree line. Wait...wait...finally about 15 minutes later he crawls out - sent another Nosler - hog down. Feeling dangerous. 
Reverse field, hunt tree line east to west. See one at 228 yards, in soybean field that borders hay field. Standing, slightly obscured - take my time - aim at neck level - sent another Nosler - hog disappears - not sure if I got him - tough shot for me. Field goes cold at 7:45 PM. Hike up to the soybean field to check - hog down - pup - perfect shot - sternum - I'm an dangerous.
Hike back to other field - see one at edge of a remote tool shed. Farmer has been after me to take this guy out but I resisted even though it's a safe and legal shot but the only shot possible is about 50 yards due to terrain. I don't like to shoot them under 100 yards. Figure I owe the farmer so I set up and take the shot - hog down - another monster class. Huge hole under shed. Farmer happy. I'm not impressed with this shot even though it was taken on the stalk but I am the Ground Hog Man so I did my duty.
Continued Part 2.
Tuesday I visited a farm that I hunted extensively during the last cut. Have taken 34 hogs to date this season so I wasn't sure I'd see much activity but wanted to give it a try. However I was prepared to move on to next farm if I didn't see any hogs in short order. Never made to the other farms.
As soon as I drove to the field on a farm road I saw one -spooked him into tree line. Park truck in usual place and hiked back with my Rem 223 Model 7 - this is a short field - max shot about 180 yards. Sat up and about 10 minutes later saw him poke his head out. Several minutes later he emerged, waited for broad side shot - sent a 50 Nosler BT, hog down - monster class - 166 yards. Good start.
Watched this field for about another hour - saw nothing. Hiked back to large field at other end of the farm. Took my Rem 700 223 Heavy Varmint w/ Douglas match barrel - this a long field - long shots possible. Set up watching tree line, parallel to the tree line due to roll of terrain. Hunting it west to east.
Seeing nothing after an hour, about to pack up and head to next farm when one emerged at 275 yards on top of the hill. Too far for me off shooting stick. Hugged tree line and stalked closer - stopped at 208 yards - set up and took shot - hog down - another monster class hog.
Almost immediately one popped up out of tree line at 139 yards. Sent another Nosler - ghog down. Wow. See another one at 133 yards but only head visable out of the tree line. Wait...wait...finally about 15 minutes later he crawls out - sent another Nosler - hog down. Feeling dangerous. Reverse field, hunt tree line east to west. See one at 228 yards, in soybean field that borders hay field. Standing, slightly obscured - take my time - aim at neck level - sent another Nosler - hog disappears - not sure if I got him - tough shot for me. Field goes cold at 7:45 PM. Hike up to the soybean field to check - hog down - pup - perfect shot - sternum - I'm an dangerous.
Hike back to other field - see one at edge of a remote tool shed. Farmer has been after me to take this guy out but I resisted even though it's a safe and legal shot but the only shot possible is about 50 yards due to terrain. I don't like to shoot them under 100 yards. Figure I owe the farmer so I set up and take the shot - hog down - another monster class. Huge hole under shed. Farmer happy. I'm not impressed with this shot even though it was taken on the stalk but I am the Ground Hog Man so I did my duty.
Continued Part 2.
