After seeing the big 'un Sunday night but not getting a shot, decided I had to go back mid-week. Also had to put my broken light back up that the cows had broken off. Got to the feeder and installed the light, spun the slinger a few times to put some corn on the ground, and was in my seat by a few minutes after 9--prepared to stay until . . .

No deer, no coons, but about 45 minutes later, I see a shadow in the pasture between me and the feeder-put the binocs on it and its a coyote. Probably should have punched it, but was holding out for the big hog. It was about 15 yds away-then I hear a critter moving in the ditch in front of me, about 15 yds to the right. Put the light on it and it was another coyote-guess they were teamed up looking for supper. They left the area and I settled in again.

Sometime later, in the midst of a nap, the feeder went off--10:00. Another nap, feeder went off again--11:00. Back to nap land, and I was roused by a grunt--open one eye and check the feeder--nothing. Look out into the pasture to their usual/normal approach path, and see several black blobs. Put the binocs on 'em and its several hogs, about 80 yds from me and about the same distance from the feeder-just standing and watching the feeder. Wind is completely in my favor, so I figure it is just a matter of time until their greed gets the best of their caution, and I'll have a shot at them under the feeder. One starts to move towards the feeder, and gets within about 40 yds and stops again (typical behavior). Then I hear a grunt, the pig turns and heads back where he came from. They milled around for a few minutes, then I guess their better judgment got the best of their appetites, and they left.
It's now 11:30, so I figure I have plenty of time and surely the next feeder spin will bring 'em back--wrong!!! I stayed until 12:45 but nothing showed.

Guess the hunting/shooting pressure is beginning to really sharpen their survival instincts, so I'll take 10 days off. I'll go squirrel hunting in stead!!!

Sorry to hear that! I guess thats why they call it hunting and not killing!

My buddy and I laughed when we readabout you passing on a Coyote, we will always drop the hammer on a predator!

Justin

We would never let it be known we passed on a coyote. If our landowners heard we were not taking that shot we wouldn't be asked back.. But we do kill a lot of pigs each year so its not like our freezer aren't not full of fresh pork.

Landowner says I can shoot the coyotes if I want to, but my invite was to help lower the pig population, and I take that mission seriously.

dustoffer

What strange the pig behaviour...if the wind was wright they must sense some other danger.

Do you walk too much around the feeder when you repaired the light ??

Don't know nothing about coyotes as we don't have them down here but it is possible the pigs were alerted by the smell of them ??

About returning empty handed....welcome to the club...Hi I am Lorenzo...pigs always escape away from me..

L

Lorenzo--I was in the pen only long enough to install the light and to spin the feeder plate a few times to put corn on the ground. I had stepped in cow manure on the way to the area too, and, this was 2 hours before the hogs came in--I can't imagine enough scent lingering that long, and the wind was blowing from the feeder to me, with the pigs about 80 yds to my left. I still think they are getting a bit gun shy.

With you around, I don't blame them for getting gun shy!

If they had little pigs with them and smelled the coyotes thats prolly what kept them out. I have not seen a coyote win that fight but I have seen them try it, and I have seen similar behavior from groups with small pigs when coyotes are around!