Went out Friday afternoon to see if I could get a shot at a monster hog that had been evading me the last two times I had been at this particular farm. This time I decided to sit and sit until he showed himself or the sun went down.
Got in place by 5:00 PM, set up my portable chair, place my 223 Remington Varmint on my shooting sticks and lit up a cigar. I was setup about 200 yards from the tree line where I had seen this guy the last two times before he made me and ran for cover. I no sooner took my second puff on the Garica Vega when I saw a head pop out of the tree line. I set the cigar aside, level the rifle on the sticks and waited to see if I get a better view of him. I could see him turning his head side to side. Because of the height of the hay and slope of the field where he had emerged I could only see him from the shoulders up. I knew if he started to crawl I'd probably never see him because of the height of the hay and I hate shooting at those bobbers, trying to time the shot when they bob up and down so I sent the shot figuring this might be the best shot I'll get. He disappeared from view.
Did I get him? I didn't feel good about the shot, it was 194 yards, certainly within my skill level but I felt like I shot over him. The hay was too high to determine if I connected or missed. I relit my cigar and continued puffing on it waiting to see if another appeared or if I missed and he might come out again. As the minutes rolled by and I saw nothing I began talking myself into the idea that the shot maybe wasn't that bad after all.
Twenty mintues later I saw that silly head again, same place. Damn, I had missed, I was sure of it. He looked like the same hog since he had that distinctive dark fur. For at least ten minutes he peered out of the tree line cautiously scanning the field. He then stood up, giving me a much better view. It was him, dark fur and massive body in all. I sent another 50 grain Nosler at him and heard the infamous "plunk" sound of his body absorbing the shot.
I was too impatient to wait to see if more would come out, I had to see this guy so I walked down and sure enough he was lying there. The shot was perfect, right in the center of the sterum. He was a monster, a large male probably close to 20 pounds, one of the largest I've ever shot. Didn't feel good about missing the first time but at least I can close the book of this guy.
Got in place by 5:00 PM, set up my portable chair, place my 223 Remington Varmint on my shooting sticks and lit up a cigar. I was setup about 200 yards from the tree line where I had seen this guy the last two times before he made me and ran for cover. I no sooner took my second puff on the Garica Vega when I saw a head pop out of the tree line. I set the cigar aside, level the rifle on the sticks and waited to see if I get a better view of him. I could see him turning his head side to side. Because of the height of the hay and slope of the field where he had emerged I could only see him from the shoulders up. I knew if he started to crawl I'd probably never see him because of the height of the hay and I hate shooting at those bobbers, trying to time the shot when they bob up and down so I sent the shot figuring this might be the best shot I'll get. He disappeared from view.
Did I get him? I didn't feel good about the shot, it was 194 yards, certainly within my skill level but I felt like I shot over him. The hay was too high to determine if I connected or missed. I relit my cigar and continued puffing on it waiting to see if another appeared or if I missed and he might come out again. As the minutes rolled by and I saw nothing I began talking myself into the idea that the shot maybe wasn't that bad after all.
Twenty mintues later I saw that silly head again, same place. Damn, I had missed, I was sure of it. He looked like the same hog since he had that distinctive dark fur. For at least ten minutes he peered out of the tree line cautiously scanning the field. He then stood up, giving me a much better view. It was him, dark fur and massive body in all. I sent another 50 grain Nosler at him and heard the infamous "plunk" sound of his body absorbing the shot.
I was too impatient to wait to see if more would come out, I had to see this guy so I walked down and sure enough he was lying there. The shot was perfect, right in the center of the sterum. He was a monster, a large male probably close to 20 pounds, one of the largest I've ever shot. Didn't feel good about missing the first time but at least I can close the book of this guy.
; I mainly smoke them to keep away the bugs. Too bad in didn't help me yesterday. I was wacking weeds around the house and hit one of those underground hornet's nests. They got mad as hell and two nailed me on my right arm under the bicep. My right arm now looks like Arnold Swatzanagger's arm. I guess I'm lucking I didn't get stung more. Hoping to go out tomorrow for some hog hunting if I don't end up in the ER from the swelling in my arm.
