As Labor Day ended (after laboring on the lawn), I drove to my small rural property intent on deer food plot preps. I arrived before sunset and put corn in the pig pipe where I have had repeated pictures of a large spotted boar.
No pigs on the camera Monday night…
Tuesday I did some final prep on the food plots, scattered the seed, and dragged over everything as a final step. We had lightning, thunder, and a few drops. (Based on my weather app, I think the rain came late Wednesday.)
That afternoon, I confirmed that the 25-45 Sharps AR-15 was sighted in.
Near midnight on Tuesday, my spotted hog came to the pig pipe. Got dressed, thermal scanner, rifle with night vision, tripod: ready. I make my approach down the drive and see the big guy at the pig pipe. Scanner down, rifle up. Solid rest, pig still, bang, flop, on his side, a few kicks, looks like a one-shot-kill. Up he jumps and away he runs. Commence forehead slapping.
I searched for a while, but no joy.
What went wrong? Fundamentally, pride. I have become enamored with the “one-shot-kill.” This clouded my thinking. As he lay twitching, I simply had to drill him again. But, I didn’t.
I made another change. I have been shooting 117 grain round nose bullets. They have worked very well. I had loaded some 87 grain spire points. The benefits to the lighter bullets is that they have a higher muzzle velocity and a flatter trajectory. Also, I had watched a YouTube video where an experienced hog hunter had very good success with the lighter bullets. More research required. For now, I will revert to the 117 grain round nose projectiles.
Wednesday morning, the phone alerted me to a group of small hogs at the pig pipe. I was ready to redeem myself. However, when I got there, the pigs were gone. Not sure why they vacated. Photo attached.
I came home Wednesday afternoon.
Thursday morning, the third attached photo came in. I how have a new big boar.
I continue to prefer the broadside neck shot for feral hogs. That is the most effective way to down a hog. Don’t be in a hurry. Wait for the good shot. These pigs are tough. If it’s twitching, shoot it again. We all strive for the one-shot-kill. It is a mark of skill. It is an achievement. But, a two-shot-kill with no tracking is far superior to a one-shot-kill with a two hour search.
Also, attaching a great photo of a bobcat from the game camera. Enjoy.
Porcus Hogrelius
Make Yourself a Better Hog Hunter
