Several times last night and into the wee hours of the morning, I looked out into the moonlight with hopes of seeing a hog, but all I saw were very skittish deer. I had a gut feeling a hog or hogs may be around but just never saw them. Fast forward to this morning: Around 7:15, Bev and the boys were about to walk out the door, and since I knew they were a couple minutes ahead of schedule, I said "let me take a quick look outside before you go."

Down on the creek bottom, I could make out the alerted white tails of two deer -- and then I saw the dark outline of a small hog in the fog. I wasn't comfortable with the shot thanks to the fog, but the little bands there along the creek were moving in and out. In just seconds, it partially lifted and allowed me to see much better. The hog was now moving away from me, however, and I don't take those sort of shots. But just as he was about to disappear over the creek bank, he spun around and took one fatal last look back towards the deer, which put him facing me at a slight quartering presentation. I instinctively thumbed back the hammer of the 6.5x30-30 AI and quickly sent a 123 grain Hornady SST on its way.

The bullet took the small boar just in front of the right shoulder and exited about 1.5-2" inch past the last rib on the left side, killing the hog instantly. Amazingly, the bullet did not perforate the stomach or intestines, which was a possibility given the shot presentation. The stomach did show some bruising/bloodshotting but did not spill its contents.

Anyway, the Hornady SST barely clipped the very top right side of the heart, heavily damaged one lung (jellied the other a bit) and the edge of liver before gouging but not breaking a couple of ribs. It exited with a dime-sized hole. It appears the bullet's course the final couple of inches was not in a straight line and that it sort of skidded against those 2 last ribs, but it did not seem to matter.

The range was app. 179 yards, and the MV of the load is right at 2600 fps.

You have that oak fire started for charcoal yet?

Darn, I love seeing these posts. So glad you are still doing it!

Thanks, my friend! I appreciate it. I've just been trying to make the best of things. Am badly wanting to archery hunt with the crossbow, and the season is more than half over, but I haven't been able to handle that 125+ yards walk to the blind. But at least the occasional sniping of hogs from the house helps me forget for a while

How are things with you? Been thinking about you and keeping you in prayer.

Great job on the oinker, hope you get a chance to get out with the crossbow before season is over.

Hmm, missed this one.
Glad you didn't!

Was that spike shot with a crossbow?
I've never tried one. G/F in Ga/Fla. had one when I was there. Was having problems cocking the string. I just stood in the handle, bent down and pulled it up. Shocked her. I don't recall the pull it had but, it was plenty to hunt with. When we went to the blind twice she had a M '94 .30/30. Nothing came along either time.
That was near Morgan Ga, Christmas '03. Then she asked if I'd help her move to East Point Fla. the next March. So I drove back down and we made half dozen trips moving her junk. Was supposed to do some hog hunting there but, I was fighting the step dau in court and got a msg late Tuesday night to be back here Friday for court. Over 1400 mile drive so I packed it up and hit the road, end of that deal.

Glad you seem to be doing better much of the time lately, hope it continues.

George

The SST's sure worked this time! Great report and photo.