Would you hunt hog?

[qajaq59]

This is a question for the guys that have killed a good size hog....

Would you hunt under these conditions?

Here is the criteria. You can walk 100 feet with the aid of a cane. You cannot run at all, nor can you climb a tree or manage a ladder into a stand. However you can group 3 shots in 3 inches at 50 yards with a lever 30-30 without using a rest.

[Land_Owner]

With assistance, why not?  Assistance will be needed in the event of downing a hog.  Althouth, it would appear to me, and reading between the lines, that getting up and down would also be difficult.

1.  Use a monopod, cut off stick, or a tree for a sturdy rest.  No one should shoot off hand when there are so many trees!  Three (3) inches at 50 yards off-hand should be 1 inch (or less) using a solid tree as a rest.  

2.  Try different ammunition.  Most times, your gun will prefer one manufacturer over another - provided that you do not reload your own.  If you reload, you can really gain on accuracy by trying different components and other handloader techniques.

3.  Hogs will escape in any/every direction when shot, unless killed on the spot.  Even killing the primary target on the spot does not guarantee that other hogs (as they will come in in groups a lot of the time) won't escape your way.  Sitting on the ground or on a bucket might put you in harm's way.  Something to consider when regarding your inability to run or climb.

4.  Hunt from an ATV!  There is no reason that an ATV should scare hogs after the woods have settled down following your arrival (about an hour but could be five minutes - one never knows).  Stay still, down wind, and your opportunities should be as good as anyone else's.  Besides, only walking 100 feet with the aid of a cane is not going to put you deep enough into the woods to effectively see game if walking in is your only option.  The ATV should provide a measure of height and security from fleeing hogs.  Hunting from the ground puts the lone hunter in harm's way.

I assume you are referring to your Father, your Mother, or other elderly acquaintance.  Sit with him/her.  Both of you use multi-shot rifles and make every shot count.  The rewards of spending quality time together outweighs the small risk.

[VTDW]

I here you my friend.  I was just about in that same exact situation last year and just hunted anyway.  BUT I got myself a .44 Mag to carry strapped to my leg.  I also had a big old hawg run me up a tower blind I thought I couldn't climb.  As Land Owner says a 4 wheeler can really help.  I managed to shoot 3 hogs about 2 weeks ago while sitting on one.  Get out there and hunt anyway!!!

Feel free to pm or e-mail me.

Dave

[qajaq59]

Thanks guys and Land-owner actually it is me that I am speaking of. I don't have an ATV but I will apply for a Impaired Mobility Permit from Florida so I will be allowed to drive into the closed roads in the WMA areas.
And I never gave the other hogs a thought, and that is somethng I better think about. Oh, and yes I will hand load those 30-30s to be a lot more accurate but I wanted a worst case scenerio. I've never shot a hog and I am liable to screw up the shot.
Any other thoughts you can supply, I would like to hear. Reading suggestions hurts a lot less then being gored. ha ha ha

[DWARREN123]

Maybe have someone back you up.

[VTDW]

Maybe have someone back you up.

Yep, a good hunting partner is a great thing to have.

[Lawdog]

This is a question for the guys that have killed a good size hog....

Would you hunt under these conditions?

Here is the criteria. You can walk 100 feet with the aid of a cane. You cannot run at all, nor can you climb a tree or manage a ladder into a stand. However you can group 3 shots in 3 inches at 50 yards with a lever 30-30 without using a rest.

Without hesitation, ABSOLUTELY.  I was where you are in 1989.  My Son custom fitted a used electric golf cart he got cheap from a local golf club.  He had to rebuild most of it but it got me back into the hills, which in my opinion added my recovery more than the Doctors.  Don’t let anything keep you from enjoying hunting.  Backup is a good idea when hunting anything that can bite back.  Also helpful for hauling whatever you kill out.  The idea about the electric golf cart is a good one.  Sometimes golf course’s sell off older ones that need more work than they consider cost effective. Something you might check out.  Lawdog
 

[elmer]

Unless you are firing in defense I would suggest picking your shots. I like to shot them about an inch behind and inch below the ear. So far I have shot four and they dropped like a sack of potatoes. The other option would be to break the shoulder. They may not die as quick, but that should put them down quickly.

I can climb into a stand, but running or climbing trees is out of the question. It's definitely an incentive to aim small  :-)

[victorcharlie]

Sounds like if your going to hunt your going to have to do it with what you got.

 Success ain't in playing a good hand well, but comes with playing a poor hand good..........

You got to play the cards your delt........

I admire your courage and determination.......and hope you kill a big one!

[Land_Owner]

I wouldn't wait for a large hog.  There are so many; take three or four smaller ones (one after the other in rapid succession).  You won't make a single dent in their overall numbers.  Not one dent, but you will feel immeasurably better and an aire will return in your step that you had thought long gone I'll wager.

A 60# hog is all muscle and no fat.  They will kick, bite, squeal, and die just as hard as their larger kin.  They taste better, are less difficult to skin, and considerably more managable than a 250#+ animal.  Often, if the hogs are familiar with gunshots in the woods and/or a "stable" feeding site where corn is routinely found, shooting two in rapid succession is not too difficult and sometimes three are achievable.  Heck, use a 22LR and the crack of the 22 rifle won't send them running.  Often they will start to run, then settle down and eat right around their dead buddy.

I like elmer's shot placement using a large caliber rifle.  Very quick and efficient.  They go down fast and don't get up.  Like most animals, they don't take it well in the neck.  Too many nerve bundles, blood vessels, and much bone to disrupt.  Using the 22LR I aim for a full front of the head shot in the "X" between the ears and eyes.  The brain is just under that spot about 1.5 inches below the skin on a large animal and less than that on a smaller one.  The 22 LR has sufficient energy to kill a hog in its tracks without sending the others back into the woods if shot as described above.

Lawdog's golf cart is an exceptionally good idea.  Some are not too expensive.  None are difficult to trailer and transport.  Quiet, efficient, capable of 18 holes or 6,000+ yards (18,000+ feet or 3+ miles) of 2-player, up-hill and down-dale, round trip excitement.  OK, the second "player" gets on at hole 9 and (in aggregate) weighs the same as the hunter.  Woo Hoo!  Gotta like that.  Wish I had one now that I think about it.  Paint it green and sit quietly in your shaded comfort.  Add camo around like drapes and you can take turkey (with a 22) and deer (but not with the 22).

What else...in Florida it is legal to hunt deer on Private Land with a game feeder provided it has been established and continuously maintained not less than 6 months prior to the hunt.  Turkeys may not be shot when the hunter is within 100 yards of the feeder or over baited areas, and hogs on Private Land are the property of the land owner meaning there are no closed seasons, bag limits, size restrictions, caliber restrictions, etc.   For hogs, the hunt is on 24/7/365 on Private Land.  See the following link for requirements, restrictions, and exemptions:  http://myfwc.com/hunting/handbook/handbook05.htm#1

Fair Chase,
Land Owner
Personal Shooting and Hunting Web Page
http://www.angelfire.com/on2/LandOwner/

[volshooter]

My brother, as a person disabled myself I would encourage you to go for it. I wish I lived closer to you as it would be my honor to back you up. I also admire you and wish you the best. I will say a word for you tonight. I also hunt with a guy who has a muscle disorder that cannot walk on anything other than level ground. We have a good time together. He is not embarrised to have to lean on me to get to his hunting spot or up stairs and I am proud to see and be a part of this man hunting with the hand he was delt with. It makes my heart soar to hear of your story and wish to hunt. Please keep me informed of your adventure. Bless you, you inspire me my brother

Rick Reece East Tennessee
 865-680-2543

[palgeno]

Anything can happen when hunting----I once had a spike buck charge me while still hunting in a creek bottom. Probably never happen again! With hogs, though,I have only been charged when I had one cornered--and that one was a sow with piglets. I secnd the idea of shooting the 50 to 75 pounders---easier to get out of the woods and really good eating. I do think you would need to be wary of the very large solitary boars. These guys are big and nasty---300 lbs and up---how big can they get? We have all heard the stories of giants over 600 to 800 lbs. When they get to a size larger than the others and get old and solitary, they are the kings of the forest--even bears won't mess with them. They are agressive and will kill and eat anything---even other pigs. These are so rare you would likely never see one even if you were hunting for one every day. Shoot the smaller ones and the rest just run away. Hunting with a buddy is always smart and more fun, too. Just get out there and enjoy yourself! :grin: pg