Booked a hunt with Cedar Ridge Aviation and had a great time. Definitely got into a mess of hogs. We used their weapons --Black Rain .223-- and although the .223 was adequate... a 6.8 or .308 would be my choice next time.

Looks like a lot of fun.
How many shots per hog, that's what I'd like
to know.
Thanks,
George

I have hunted with them twice. They are a fun group. The 223 will put them down with one head shot. Body shots typically take 2 or more. Once you figure the lead hits come easy and the pilots are experts at putting the shooter in position.

Perry

That looks like a real kick in the ass!!

quote:

Originally posted by Kenati:
That looks like a real kick in the ass!!

No doubt!! Can you use your own firearm?

Do you have a link to them?

That has got to be great fun.

Do you know what bullet you were using in the 223?

I have seen several videos of chopper hog hunts and it looks like that most always they are using the 223.

I agree, it seems like an AR-10 would be a much better choice. It probably has something to do with the cost of ammunition. But honestly, if I was going the distance to do this, it might as well be done with a 30 caliber or even a 6.8 as mentioned above. It seems like 168 grain softpoint would be ideal. Not only for stopping power but also for less chance of ricochet as compared to full metal jacket bullets.

This is not hunting. But nevertheless, it looks like fun. It is impressive what the little 223 can do. I would opt for a 308, given the choice, since weight isn't an issue for this type of shooting sport.

KB

A friend of mine is doing the shooting. 148 pigs in four hours.
"Freedom Helicopter Hog Hunt" on you tube.

I would really hate to derail the original posters discussion with this sort of thing, but no it is not hunting. Simple as that. Shooting. Not hunting. And there is nothing wrong with using this method to thin the herd.

It boggels the mind to think how it has come to something like this, from the times of our origins as hunters, when flint tip arrows were state of the art. Still, the kill excites us. Hogs, running amuck. It's too much. Even being the top of the food chain, supreme predator, it's not enough to control a population out of balance somehow. What's next?

KB

quote:

Originally posted by Kabluewy:
"What's next?"

KB

Poisons. That would be my next guess.

I prefer hot lead.

Please, let's not let this conversation get off track. If we want to have a conversation about the ethics of shooting pigs from helicopters, we should start a new thread.

The "ethics" to shooting a pig are easy....anywhere, anytime, anyhow, anyplace, any bullet (all assuming legality). Simple, ain't it?

They had a chopper hunt on the place next to me recently, I wasn't there, so am not sure how long they flew but they killed over 200 hogs in one day. I was surprised they could kill that many with the heavy tall tree cover we have but the leaves had not fully come out yet.

It Pains Me to see pigs shot and left lay.

I find wild pig meat to be the best game meat of any 4 legged animal.

Here in Texas there is a Hunters for the Hungry program, and they take in a lot of deer meat...

I have been told they do not take in wild pig meat. Pity if true...

However, even I know, and accept, that there are so many wild pigs in Texas, and they do so much damage, that they are persona non grata, and need to be killed.

I just wish the meat could be properly used...

quote:

Originally posted by Kenati:

quote:

Originally posted by Kabluewy:
"What's next?"

KB

Poisons. That would be my next guess.

I prefer hot lead.

Please, let's not let this conversation get off track. If we want to have a conversation about the ethics of shooting pigs from helicopters, we should start a new thread.

I prefer hot lead or copper too. Poison would be really bad, because it kills a lot more than pigs; birds, small animals, buzzards, everything that gets a dose, even secondary from eating the carcass. Poisons are worse than unethical, it's immoral, and will actually contribute to a deeper problem.

I wasn't really referring to ethics or morals. It's ecological issues. This helicopter hunting doesn't solve the deeper problem. It's just a temp fix, rationalized because the hogs are overrunning the place. It's a major indicator that something is seriously out of whack.

Obviously, since we are the only top predator left, hog hunting should be a lot more popular. I wish I could get down there more often to do my part. Either that or intro a few hundred wolves, jaguars, pumas, in Texas, and make it illegal to shoot one.

KB

Big mutha snakes.

quote:

Originally posted by Kenati:
That looks like a real kick in the ass!!

Booked our dates yet?!

Ball ammo takes multiple hits to stop a hog. The cheap Russian bi-metal stuff is a bit better. The best I have used is Hornady Steel Match 70+ grain. It would typically take only one good hit to stop the pig.

You can use your own gun on the hunt as long as it is equiped with a pilot approved brass defector.

Tony-They will even let you use a double if you can prevent the brass from flying out and hitting the blades. And for an extra fee they will pick up every hog you shoot and bring them back to the lodge.

Perry

This is on my bucket list.. How much does this cost??

IF I had enough advanced notice to get ready and drive down there from CO. I'd bring a trailer with side boards and some helpers. Find a nearby ice house to ice 'em down with and haul a big load of 'em back home for butchering. I've got four good friends with a butchering facility and two of them don't work any longer either.

So IF anyone knows ahead of time when one of these pig killing sessions is gonna happen PLEASE e'mail. I'd need about a weeks notice.

Thank you for sharing the shootin games.
George