The Hay Is Cut

[Dogbone]

Got a call Sunday from my friend Matt who owns the 20 acre farm. Says the hay is cut and he saw two fat ghogs.

Went this afternoon about 5. I'm at the back of the hay field in a bottom where I can see three holes, two of which I have scored a ghog apiece earlier. The third is an old hole that was recently reopened.

I took the 17 HMR because of the short distances and neighbors on both sides.

I'm laying on my back on an old picnic table relaxing, periodically glancing around. About quarter to 6 a fly is bothering me and when I lift my head to shoo it away I see a grey body slip into the hole closest to me. The hog must have spotted me before I spotted it. By the color and a glimpse of the size I estimated it was one of this years litter.

Figuring it would come back up, I sat up and trained the gun on the hole. Finally after 30 minutes a large brown ghog rises up out of the hole, takes a few steps going away from me, then turns right and I pop it right in the ear. It goes down, doesn't move, doesn't even salute.

Here's the DRT. I had another pic of the other side, but deleted it from the camera my mistake. It was a large female with an exit wound out the neck on the left side. The 20 gr XTP did the job once again!

I waited around another hour, but nothing showed. So I walked up the hill and around to one of the three holes to get a different angle, but again nothing showed. Thinking about going back on Wednesday for another try at the two big ones that Matt saw on Sunday.

 

[K22]

Nice shooting - I'm always amazed that the 17 HMR can take down a large hog. Do you go for 100% head shots?

When I see the hay baler out, my adrenalin starts flowing - I've have some of my best hunts immediately or the day after the hay is cut - seems like the hog boys want to get out a look around.

Was out Friday evening after we finally had some rain here in eastern PA. The alfalfa was lush and the weather was great. Bagged five with my 223 Model 7 but missed one at 189 and wounded one at the same location. Lots of blood but he manage to make completely inside his hole. The shot felt good, the hog was standing - good profile but it was a small one probably a pup. Forty minutes later another one appeared, same place but I totally missed him. Low profile - looked like another pup. I should have waited for a better profile before shooting but it was getting close to sunset.

So far this year I'm 75 of 81 with 5 misses and 1 wound (wound define as positive sign of hit but hog was not recovered - made inside his hole. Plan to get out as soon as we get some decent weather (heat wave has returned) and try to get another crack at the one I missed. This time however I might take one of my heavy varmint rifles with a higher power scope to enhance my chances if that guys shows himself again.

 

[357Mag]

DogB -

Howdy !

After the hay is cut, " soybeanus digestous " DO genuinely seem suprised..... at how tall they've suddenly become !

With regards,
357Mag

 

[Dogbone]

Nice shooting - I'm always amazed that the 17 HMR can take down a large hog. Do you go for 100% head shots?

Thanks!

When I'm out with the 17 it's head shots only, even for the small ones. And it's the small ones that seem to have more fight in them. Not sure why? Maybe their nervous system is amped up or something?

Even when I've got the big guns with me I'm going for either a head shot or a shoulder shot to put them down right there. Anything else and the chances of a run off increases dramatically.

Nice shooting too. Maybe some pics next time?

 

[calib]

nice job!