Hog Story - A Tricky Hog

[K22]

Shot my 95th groundhog of the season on Wednesday evening but it was weird. I set up about 150 yards away from a group of holes in a large dip in a hayfield. Around 6:00 at saw one barely peek his head out showing only his eye and ears. Figured it was just a matter of time before he emerged. For the next hour I watched him bob up and down, back into the hole then peek out about every 10 minutes or so never giving me more that a view of his eye ball and ears. Never had one hestiate that long especially in the evening. It was a very poor profile so I passed on the shot; didn't want to wound him.

Frustrated, I moved to another section, shot another hog. Out of curiosty, I carefully walked back my previous stand through a row of corn to conceal my movement. It was now about 8 oclock and sure enough he was out; crawling, feeding working his way back towards his hole. I stopped, slowly unfolded my sportman's chair, sat down then supported my Rem 700 223 varmint rifle on my shooting sticks and my elbows on my knees, aligned the cross hairs just behind the shoulder and sent it. Bingo, the 50 grain Nosler hit and he rolled over; a monster hog, one of the largest I've ever shot. It was only a 157 yards shot but I rejoiced in the stalk.

 

[CaptainMal]

Now you have a little bit of writing talent. Easy read with a bit of suspense and a happy ending.

Enjoy the "hog" stories. Thanks.

 

[Virginian]

Great read. Any chance there was a picture to share?

 

[K22]

Sorry, no pictures. I always intend to carry a camera but once I load up with a range finder, binoculars, rifle, ammo pouch, sportsman chair, and shooting sticks I always talk myself out of carrying any more stuff.

 

[jonbearman]

How about a camera phone,LOL. At least its light. Cant figure out how to use mine yet,LOL Us seniors have trouble with new fangled things.

 

[chino1969]

The tricky ones that you have to go back after are definitely the most fun.

 

[chino1969]

I've had groundhogs elude me for a whole season. Those who manage to escape are on the list for next season. Many times, I'll come from a different direction if the hog is cagey enough to elude me. Groundhog hunting is one of the best ways to sharpen your hunting and shooting skills. Every skill you need to be a good accurate hunter comes into play when hog hunting.

 

[Dogbone]

How about a camera phone,LOL. At least its light. Cant figure out how to use mine yet,LOL Us seniors have trouble with new fangled things.

Used my cell phone plenty of times in the past when I've forgotten the camera. Just send it to your email address at the home computer, reduce the size if necessary and then send it on to Photobucket so you can post with your stories. We love to see the results of our efforts! ;D

 

[K22]

Heat wave is temporary abated in Eastern Pa so I'm going out tomorrow to hunt the mighty "saber tooth" ground hog. I'm still in the stone age so I don't have a cell phone with photo capbility but I'm going for number 96 this season.

Daughter did buy me a small Kodak camera but loading pictures on the comuter would be a challenge for me. If I asked her to help me she might freak out seeing all the blood and guts from one of my ground hog safaris.

 

[rdmyofb]

us city boys are jealous of you hog hunters. (dallas , TX)

 

[itchyTF]

K22 -
Take a picture of something "mild" first and ask your daughter to upload that. Then you'll know how to do it for the important stuff!!!

 

[hogpatrol]

K22, Yesterday WAS a good day in PA after the front went through. They were out in force in the a.m. & I had four by 9:30, #5 was an afternoon sunbather. Looks like all the low hanging fruit has been picked and the wiley old veterans are playing hard to get. Late bean fields & the hedgerows are still the best places. Foxes are eating well & gettin' fat for the winter. ;D

 

[K22]

I was out Tuesday afternoon, everything was going great, had taken four, 160, 103, 171 and 176 yards. Forecast was for Sun and some clouds. Seemingly out of no where it started raining in sheets around 6:00 pm. Ran to a nearby gulley and got under a group of trees and managed to avoid getting too soaked. The showers only lasted for about twenty minutes afterwards I saw one at 218 yards when I emerged from the trees. I set up to take a shot but he made me and ran into the tree line. It was about 7:00 pm and I sat there until 8:00 but he never came out again. I plan to return next week and see if I can catch him out again.

 

[lpreddick]

how long will a ghog stand up? i saw on last year from his back and he was so big he appeared to have no neck. at 250 yds ,in thick grass he looked like a small bush. i don't shoot until i'm sure of the target. i kept my scope on it/him for several? min until he turned his head and i saw ears and eyes...BANG and whaaaaccckkk! 13 lbs! a back shot with exit wound below his chest. rolled him over and he had a section of his small intestine in his mouth! most of my kills die with grass/clover in their mouth, but this was different and unlikely to ever repeat. i do have pictures. a small digital camera is good for documenting things to show prospective hunters and to compare with fellow hunters. speaking of weird shots, shot one once in his right earhole and out his other earhole without blowing up his head. took awhile to figure that one out...a drop of blood in each ear. [/quote] if i can see you, i can touch you. BANG!

 

[K22]

Was out again on Tuesday, weather was perfect. Damn if I didn't see that one at 200 yards again but he made me and ran into the treeline. I sat there for over an hour but he never came out again. I really didn't think he would since he was heading in towards the tree line, a sure sign that his belly was full and he was done for the evening. He's a monster hog and I'm sure it the same one I saw last week, almost black fur.

Did manage to get four that evening, none of the shots were remarkable (i.e. 161, 131, 145, and 127).

Going out tomorrow and plan to sit on that tree line until my friend shows himself. It would be nice shot, about 215 yards. Love those monster hogs!

 

[Dogbone]

Gentlemen, pictures please!

 

[lpreddick]

had a bobber in a red dirt hole and he would not come out! waited over 1hour watching him bob. at 200 yds i wanted just a little upper chest but to no avail. finally decided to try my lbc 223 varmint ar aiming at the side of his head...bang and up went a small volcano of red...d-mn, missed and hit dirt. when i went to the hole i discovered what the red volcano was...most of his brain! the whole top of his head was gone and a large wasp was dining on the pink part? [/quote] if i can see you, i can touch you. BANG!