3 Hogs killed

[Zachary]

I got back from my hunting trip in Texas.  I killed three hogs with three different guns.

The first was a 250lb boar.  It was about 50 yards away.  I had my Remington Sendero SF in .300 Win. Mag with a Nightforce NXS 5.5x-22x-56mm Illuminated Mil-Dot Scope.  The ammo was PMC 180 grain Barnes-X bullets.

I was in a tower blind about 8 feet high.  The boar was facing towards me, angled down.  I placed the cross hairs at the base of his neck.  At the first shot, he was down, but his legs were kicking, so I shot him again.  It took 2 people about 1 1/2 houra to clean him.  His hide was about 1" thick and our knives became dull after it was all over.  BTW, believe it or not, we recovered one of the bullets.  It mushroomed perfectly.  I can't believe that we recovered it.  It was lodged on the far side of the grisle plate. Increadible.

The second was a smaller 150lb. sow.  It was also about 50 yards away.  I had by Winchester M70 Classic Stainless in .338 Win. Mag with Burris Black Diamond 3x-12-50mm.  The ammo was PMC 225 grain Barnes-X bullets.

I was in another tower blind about the same height.  The hog gave me a perfect broad side shot.  I purposely aimed on the shoulder because I knew that the .338 X bullet would penetrate, but at the last moment, the hog took a step forward and the bullet was right behind the shoulder.  At the shot, the hog curled up a bit and then circled and ran in the other direction.  It finally stopped about 50 yards away, started to fumble around like a drunk, and finally dropped.

I got out of my stand and took my Taurus Raging Bull in .480 Ruger with open sights and Hornady 325 grain XTP bullets with me because I know that Hogs are tough to put down.  While I was examining the 150lb hog, which didn't even move, I noticed a smaller pig running towards me from about 80 yards away.

I hid behind a bush and it ran right past me about 25 yards in front of me.  It was about 40lbs or so.  Although it was later in the evening and the sun was in my eyes, I placed the open sights on the shoulder and pulled the trigger while it was still running.  At the shot, the little guy made a back flip, but started running in the other direction.  I aimed in the same place (but opposite side) and shot again.  This time it dropped.  I examined the hog and found out that my first shot was at the base of the neck with a hole the size of a quarter.  The second shot was right on the money - right on the shoulder.  

I would surprised that the .480 didn't put it down quicker.  After all, it kinda was a neck shot, and it was only 40lbs.  Would my 454 put it down quicker?  I don't think so.  I guess it was just one of those things.

Anyway, I had a blast, more so with the little running pig and a handgun with open sights than with the big rifles and big scopes.  

Handgunning for hogs if simply more fun.

Zachary

[mikepow]

:? I am trying to set up a first time hog hunt the tower blind sound like just what I need. Is the place you hunted private?
If not could you give me some info. on it? Any help or ideas would be great new at hog stuff need all the help I can  get
                                     
                                               Thanks Mikepow

[Zachary]

Unfortunately, the ranch that I hunted was in Texas and private....VERY private and exclusive.  I was very lucky to be invited to hunt there.

Tower blinds are the one of the most effective ways to hunt hogs for many reasons.  One, you are elevated and, as such, can survey the land, and game, more easily.  Second, the blinds cover your scent better.  Third, it keeps you outside of the rain, wind, and snow, plus you can install a little portable heater and stay warmer.

In Texas, it is legal to install electric feeders.  You can set then in the morning and in the afternoon.  Check and see if this is legal in your state.  In Texas, they use corn in their feeders.

Hogs tend to use roads as much as we do.  As such, you may want to have a trail of corn that leads up to the feeder.   Either way, hogs have a keen sense of smell and will eventually find it.

Other attractants include honey, pastries, sugar, and other sweets.  Spread this around and if hogs are in your general area, they will come.  It would also be helpful if you feeder was also close to a water source - river, creek, pond, etc., because hogs, although they travel, would rather stay closer to a water source.

Hog hunting is a blast.

Zachary

[markc]

Zachary,  kinda shows just how tough those hogs can be.  I took two more myself this past week.  The first harvests with my new .444P Marlin.  

One of mine was from a box blind on the ground, 80yds, sunset, one shot to the noggin was all that took.  The next I stalked in on within 45 yds, 10 hogs fighting under a feeder with a dim light attached.  One shot to the noggin, again hog down.  Funny thing was when I rolled that hog over he only had 3 legs.  We called him tripod the rest of the hunt.  He field dressed at 92# and didn't seem to be bothered by his missing lower leg at all.
markc

[Zachary]

I have heard, and seen, that head shots are the fastest ways to drop pigs.  Specifically, shots that are taken right in their ear works best.

With these types of shots, virtually any caliber will do.  Believe it or not, with these types of shots I have seen 200-plus pound pigs drop from a .222 Remington with 50 grain bullets.  Shoot this same round on their shoulder and the bullet will literally bouce off.

The problem is that hogs are almost always moving and it's hard to get a good "ear" or "head" shot.  With my .338 shot, the hog moved up a step or two right before I shot, and he was only about 50 yards away.  Add wind and a longer shot, and you and see why I personally would refrain from attempting such shots.  Accordingly, I would rather use a big gun, just like your .444, and not take any chances.  Plus, it's fun to shoot big guns.

Zachary

[coug2wolfs]

Buddy of mine got me hooked on handgun hunting and now I have to think twice about taking a long gun to one.

Shot one in the noodle with a FA 45 Colt loaded stiff with a 300 XTP Mag from about 10 yards.  Pig went over in the traditional piggy brake dance and I figured it was in the fryin pan.

Bout 30 seconds later it come back to life dirt mean!  And of course RIGHT AT ME!!  I fired one in self defense which is the one that did em in, but I swear if it was not for that 2nd shot that rooter woulda got me :-D

Coug

[Zachary]

Coug2wolfs,

I have had several occassions where the hogs got up after being shot - not only 30 seconds after being shot, but would you believe almost 30 minutes later?!?!?

I think that they are uncertain as to what happened and just lay there for a while.  I also think that they are pissed and are waiting for that fella that some them to come in closer so that they can try and return the favor.

On the 250 lb pig that I shot this year, I shot that sucker 3 times with the 300 Win. Mag.  I wasn't about to take any chances - either of him leaving or trying to attack me.

With hogs, you should ALWAYS be ready for a second ( or third, or fourth, of fifth) shot!
 :eek:
Zachary

[DB Leath]

I hunt them in the river bottoms here in Texas,  sometimes we use box blinds but mostly from gettin down with em.    As for where to shoot them,  if I can head shots mostly.  You just have to make sure of where the best stopping shot so far was a large sow.  I managed to interrupt her evening nap.  She wasnt happy either,  she was staring me down and I wasnt going to give her the chance so one shot, right under the right eye. I thought I  missed she went down so fast. Never moved an inch. 7mm Remington Magnum with 150 gr Nosler BT.  
My buddy shot a smaller pig with the same gun, he was bow hunting up until that second I shot mine,  he shot right behind the shoulder and the little beast ran all over hell and back.  So that proved it for me head shots only.
Just my thoughts.
Cliff

[coug2wolfs]

I think that they are uncertain as to what happened and just lay there for a while.  I also think that they are pissed and are waiting for that fella that some them to come in closer so that they can try and return the favor.

Zach

I have seen the same. Wasn't sure for a while, just figured that they would wake up from the dead and attack whatever moved outa spite.  But when I got into handgunning them I see it in their eyes.  It IS personal, and they DO want to take you out, and not for a walk either.

I know many on the boards think I have hunted a few too many rooters when I talk about x13 altered pigs.  These suckers can bend  inch and a half steel bars, I've seen it.  You plug an animal like that with most anything and it won't even make em flinch!  It's like they're on Steroids and adrenilin at the same time and just refuse to die.

Remember one particular one that took a direct hit from a 475 Linebaugh at about 30 yards with a 400 grain XTP.  That pig bleed out for some 300 yards, left most of its innards on the low cedar branches, and still managed to hit a guide 3 times before I could drop it for good.

I'd have to agree with the chap that said Russian boars are the poor mans Cape Buffalo.

Coug

[Zachary]

Coug,

I now know what you mean about seeing it in their eyes.

When I shot the little 40 lb hog, at some point ( I really don't remember when because it all happened so fast) the little guy was, believe it or not, CHARGING AT ME.  I was almost laughing, but a little concerned at the same time.  He finally stopped about 10 feet in front of me.  When I went up to it to give it a final shot, I too could see the vengence in its eyes.  I have to admit that I was a little sad about it, probably since it was a little guy.  It was like he was telling me "Why did you do this to me?  I wish I was bigger so that I could kick your #@%"

I don't know what would have happened if it would have been the 250 lb boar that I first shot.  He probably would done some serious damage to me - .480 Ruger or not.

Zachary