Me and the pigs round here have an understanding, I don't shoot too many, and they don't cause much damage. It works well, however the last week has seen a mob of uneducated little ruffians decide to upset the status quo by ripping up a freshly planted crop of oats. I didn't want to kill all nine, so decided to take my old pigdog, and my young hunterway for a wander to give them a stirup and teach them some manners. Some would learn the hard way, as I carried a .22 as well.
Being close to duck shooting, I didn't want to disturb my pond at the front of the valley, so drove right out back of the farm and walked in behind for a k or two.
looking down from up high, I soon spotted the trouble makers, and snuck on down closer. Tyna knew something was up, and soon left my side to cut up wind. I gapped it across down wind, and came out about 30 meters from the mob just as Tyna hit. A quick shot at a ginger boar of 50lb had dinner on the ground, and when another ran past at two meters, I grunted and shot him as well when he stopped.
I expected to hear squealling from a pig the dogs had, but nothing could be heard, so I quickly started to gut the two.
Was nearly finished and thinking,"Whats up with those dogs, they should have something." When along way up a bush gulley, I heard a quick set of barks I knew well, followed by a ding dong scuffle, and some rather angry grunting and growling from what was quite obviously, not the porkers out on the paddock.
I dropped everything and flew up valley in a panic. tyna could look after herself, and it wouldn't be the first time she'd come off second best, but young Sally had only ever seen a few pigs up to 70lb, and had a love of grabbing them by the ear. Shes my only hunterway, and the only other work dog I have is 3 legged, so I was deeply worried.
Getting closer, I heard the pig break, to be stopped again, then break again, and again and again. I wasn't getting any closer and it was getting dark! Finally everything went quiet. Either they had gone over into the next gulley, or the dogs had come off, i hoped they had come off. 15 miniute later Tyna dropped into the creek next to me. That was wrong, Sally should have been back first I thought. I kept on heading up the creek, calling and whistling untill too dark to see, and no sign of Sally, that dreaded feeling had hold of me now, as I made my way back to the paddock before I couldn't find my way.
For an hour I called, as I slowly climbed the ridge back to my car. Nope she wasn't waiting at the car, I put tyna in and made my way home to ring my neighbours in case she had gone their way, yet knowing that she wasn't lost, she was in her own home area, by this time I was kicking myself hard for taking her, and reminding myself why I don't pighunt any more.
The car lights pulled up to the kennels, and there underneath hers, was Sally, I raced out and checked her over, no wounds, gave her a big pat, and thanked my lucky stars. She was absolutly stuffed, and must have chased it some way.

Now that's an adventure--beats the heck out of me driving out and parking, and waiting for the pigs to show, then shooting one using the side mirror of the truck for a rest--

Take care of those 4-legged hunters!!

We all have different adventures aye Dustoffer.
If there wasn't an ocean in the way, I'd quite like the idea of backing you up one morning when you open up on that mob at your feeder with the 12 gauge.

shankspony-

I'm on vacation for the next 5 days and have a dental app't the first day back, so the first opportunity I'll have to hammer them in the morning will be in a week or so. You can bet a report will follow though-even if I miss.