Unfinished Business

[K22]

Missed the spring and early summer ground hogging season this year due to a double hernia surgery that I never saw coming.

By the time I got out in mid to late June the soybeans were already too high.

Of the five farms I hunt there are only three fields available to hunt due the nature of crops planted this year. The days of long rolling hay fields are gone around here, at least where I hunt. It's corn mania here.

The weather was just awful this summer - hottest on record around here.

Only two weeks remaining until archery starts on Oct 3. Can't hunt once it starts due to farmer's imposed restriction for archers.

They just made the final cut of hay and were bailing today. Hit the range for a tune up with my Weatherby Super Varmint master 223 Rem. All is good - feeling dangerous. Hogs beware. I know you're there and justice is coming.

Going out tomorrow on a major hog safari - there's unfinished business that needs my attention.

 

[Bill Norris]

LOL. Sounds like you are ready now no doubt.

 

[Kermit in Va.]

Be sure and get some pics and let us enjoy too...

 

[K22]

Be sure and get some pics and let us enjoy too...

First - a field report: Fairly good day considering the limited fields around here these days. Also it was a beautiful day here in eastern PA but with variable wind gusts up to 25 mph. So I had to try and time any shots to avoid wind gusts - not always an easy thing to do.

Saw one at 218 yards about 5:30PM. Large one but he wouldn't come out of the tree line, just roamed along not giving me a clear profile so I waited for him to give me an opening in the brush. When he cleared the brush momentarily I took him broadside with a 50 Nosler BT. Large male. Took a picture later.*

Saw another at about 6:15PM at 224 yards, standing. A medium size hog, probably a 2 year old one. Due to the roll of the terrain I knew if I didn't take him standing I'd have a difficult time getting a shot, even with a freshly cut field because of the terrain. Also I prefer the crawler shot, especially in windy conditions since it give me more lateral margin of error. However it was now or never so I took the standing shot holding on the neck. The 50 Nosler BT dropped him immediately. Perfect shot, chest high - instant kill. Difficult shot for me off a shooting cross stick but the "Super V" Weatherby is very accurate rifle - however being in the zone yesterday was the real difference - everything was just clicking and I was adhering to the fundamentals.

* Last year I acquired a Trac phone. Wifey insists I take a phone with me in the field since I'm an old fart. The phone does have the capability to take pictures. I started taking pictures of the big ones and I did so on the first one I got yesterday - a real monster. However I haven't figure out how to load them on my old computer let alone post them on here. Sorry about that. I'm technology challenged - used a slide rule in college - but I'm trying to get into the 21st century but it may be futile I'm afraid.

 

[hogpatrol]

I hear you. Pennsy groundhog hunting this year was an exercise in heat endurance. Good luck for the rest of the season.

 

[Kermit in Va.]

Thanks for.the update...
I can't post pics eighter...lol
But I like seeing them.Donnie


Kermit

 

[Coonman300]

Thanks for the report...always enjoy reading about your hunts. Glad your back at it!

 

[K22]

Raining here today, Saturday. Bumper.

Was out on Friday for another hog safari. Just can't get enough of it. Same farm. Farmer comes over as I arrive. Points me to a problem hog hole in the center of the field. This bad boy has dug out a bunch of rocks - must be a big one judging from the amount of material removed. Farmer pissed - he hit the pile of rocks while cutting hay. I never saw this hole or knew it was there because of the roll of the terrain. From where I set up you can't see it. Also, it's in a difficult place to get a safe shot. I study the situation and come up with a plan.

I set up across from the hole at 179 yards away. Because the hole is on top of the rise and I must avoid a sky line shot the only chance I have is if the hog comes out and move down the slope so I have a backstop for a shot. I wait and wait and wait. No hog. After an hour and half I move back to my normal setup point.

Moving back I spot a monster class hog, 186 yards away along a tree line. He's made me and starts moving towards the tree line. I set up quickly. He make a fatal error, stops at the edge of the tree line. I send a 50 Nosler BT from the Super V 223 Weatherby. The hog disappears. The shot felt ok but I had to rush it - never a good idea but this rifle has an exceptional trigger. I got to know so I walk down - no hog. I keep looking then see a hole at the edge of the tree line. He's lying in the hole - expired - perfect shot - center chest. Monster male. I conclude the reason he stopped to have a final look at me is he must have felt safe stopping at his hole. Seen this behavior many times before - Professor of Hog Psychology.

After about a hour of seeing nothing I move back to see if I can catch "Mr. Bad Boy hog" out. It about 6:15 now, only about 45 minutes of daylight remaining. At about 6:30 he comes out. He's standing at full height but I can't take the shot - he's sky lined. He surveys the area and must feel secure. Moves now the slope giving me a back stop for a shot. I must be living right. He's about 180 yards away. I wait until he turns broadside and sent another 50 Nosler. He rolls over, fills around a few time then starts moving towards his hole. I crank another round in but it's too dicey to take another shot. He expires. I investigate, poor but moral shot placement, in the head area - I had aimed behind the shoulder. Another monster class hog. Call the farmer on my cell phone and report the good news - Mr. Bad Boy's Demise. Farmer happy. I'm happy. Hog not happy.

 

[Bill Norris]

Sounds like fun no doubt.

 

[TAJ45]

A good time for you, keep it up, have fun.

I miss having the chance here on our place. Too many coyotes. GH pop is decimated. Same on family farm 200 mi NE, and I KNOW where to look there.

 

[Intheshop]

This was a week ago. Out scouting and hog hunting with Coco(Euro Doberman),she hits a hot Ghog track and finds his hole in an old abandoned shed.She loves fighting them. Thought y'all might enjoy a pic.