Started out squirrel hunting prior to checking the traps--and saw ZERO squirrels. Guess my squirrel control efforts are paying off. Did have about a dozen turkeys on the ground and in the big pecans where they usually roost. When one gobbler and hen walked up the low hill into the oaks, I saw a black shape come down the hill--only on 4 legs. It was a pig--and it stopped behind one of the pecan trees with its head/shoulder area exposed. Well, I screwed the shot and it ran off--how do you miss a standing pig shooting off a bipod at 60 yds shooting a rifle that shoots under an inch at that range? Oh well. I moved a couple of times after a 30 minute sit in each place-no tree rats, but when I got to a place where I could see the traps, I could tell the figure-6 trap was empty, but couldn't tell for sure about the box trap. I was sitting watching the trees, and noticed something black and tall in the vicinity of the box trap--put the scope on it -- pig! And more than one. So, I strolled on back to the truck, unloaded and cased the rifle, strapped the M1911 .22 cal on, sipped a bit of coffee, and walked to the traps. The figure-6 trap was sprung, but all the corn was gone around it, but looked like all was still inside-so I guess the trigger wire straightened all by itself from the gate tension, or a 'coon tripped it. Oh well, I tied the gate open as I can't go check it tomorrow and refuse to leave them in the trap to die in the heat. Walked over to the box trap-4 shoats, 30 to 55-lbs. Locked and loaded, and popped the first one--pandemonium. Took me a couple of minutes to get the next two DRT, but the last one was easy, as she had managed to stick her head through the wire past her ears, and couldn't back out, so I shot her right there. Then I figured out if she couldn't get her head out, I wasn't gonna be able to either--so I just cut her head off.

Here's the take--


This evening, I went to another ranch that is suffering "predation" and the same place I missed a largish boar about 10 days ago. I have since made a swivel seat that is much better to shoot out of. Got in my seat at 7:35, poured a cup of coffee, and lit the Thermacell. Herd of Angus across the fence couldn't figure out who/what I was and it was funny--19 of them lined up at the fence, all staring at me. After about 5 minutes of staring, they turned and hauled butt. Cows are so dumb!

Watched the birds and butterflies as the sun set, and enjoyed things just fine. I had decided to stay until midnight as the tattletale (game camera) said they usually showed up by then. Kept a good lookout on the pastures from 2 0'clock to 8 o'clock but all I saw was weeds. About 9:30, saw a satellite pass over from S to N, something that has become a near every-hunt occurrence at this place. Got another cup of coffee at 9:45 and had just about finished it off when I saw something in the lights at the feeder that wasn't there last time--Deer came to mind as it was light colored (I thought) but when I put the scope on it--saw it was a largish boar. Laid the rifle down, inserted earplugs, and put the gun back on the bipod--no pig!!! I knew he wasn't going far, and sure enough, was standing outside the feeder pen behind some brush. Just a matter of time--he comes back to the pen, but not inside--and I didn't want to shoot as the wire was in the wrong place. Patience, Grasshopper! Next thing I know, there is a large dark shape coming into the feeder pen from the left side--Hmmm? Either there were two pigs, or the first one had circled the brush out of the light and entered from the opposite side. At any rate, switched the lighted reticle on, put the rifle on the bipod, safety off, and when he cleared the wire, tree, and feeder leg, I dropped the hammer on him. Down he went, pedaling away. I had taken the rifle to the range this week because I had missed two in a row with it, and this rifle is usually a "DRT" proposition. New scope (cheap scope) and each time I shoot it, it is off, but I held center-of-shoulder instead of on the eye, and got 'er done.
Initially, after dragging him out of the pen, I though it was the largest I've shot--but not so. Weighed 194 lbs-and didn't stink too badly.


Rifle is a Ruger tang-safety 77 in .25-06 that I paid $137.95 for brand new--that tells you how long I've had it.

Congrats on all fronts!

That is a nice boar!

Bob

Way to go Dustoffer!! I like it when they are DRT. Makes tracking a lot easier.


On the Ruger, I have one of those also, tang safety and all, it is my swift and I think I paid around 189.00-199.00 for it. It is a tack driver as well. The barrel is showing some tonsil issues and I can see a new Shilen in the near future.

Here's tonight's addendum:

Started like this:


Ended like this:


3" mag #4s and buckshot does 'em just fine.

Goodness sakes man!
Did you do all five of 'em in with one shot?
OR repeat fire??

Productive evening regardless.
Helps make up for those nights of being
skunked huh?
George

Really nice work, dustoffer!! Congratulations!

That was a single simultaneous double-shot. First shot with the #4s and second with the buckshot. Had a couple more stagger off into the high weeds as well. Range was 20 yds.

Way to go Dustoffer….. The Pigs just don't like that #4 do they.

I wished things around here were a little different so I could get out and find some pigs. Everything has grown up so you just can't see them unless it is one of those HOGZILLAS.

I have already shredded around my trap once and this is what it looks like as of last week.

swifter--same situation with me on this place--the grass and weeds are waist-high to head-high and I don't go prowling through there looking for wounded piggies. On my other two places, there are enough cows to keep it down to a reasonable level, but then cows are their own set of problems too.