Nice evening though windy. Got to the spot about 6:30, feeder spun at 7 -- nothing, not even a deer. Spun again at 8 and I was watching my west fence neighbor's hogs. Turned back to my spot and the hogs were there. I had taken my .22-250 as it was whining that it didn't get to go anymore since I bought the AR and thermal. Well, the hogs stayed sort of in the shadows and I couldn't get a good, sure sight picture and it took a few minutes to decide to swap rifles---Here's a view of the lighted feeder from 125 yds.



When I looked back with the thermal, they were gone. Found them but they were on the other side of the mesquites and I wouldn't risk a shot thru the limbs and trunks, so they left. I sat there another 15 minutes or so and decided to go for a stroll--with the AR and thermal.

Walked back to the bridge across the creek and scanned with the thermal monocular--nada except for the neighbor's cows and a couple of deer. Sneaked another 100-150 yds, planning to go down the two-track to the pasture behind the lighted feeder and scan the 40 or so acres back there with mixed brush and pecan trees, but before I got to the 2-track I spot a pig. Well it isn't a huge one but it is quartering crosswind from me--wind was strong but swirling a bit. So I set up the shooting sticks, and got a good steady hold on his broadside image, right on the shoulder. Squeezed it off and he was down for the count in place. Not a huge one, but probably 70-75 lbs. Entry wound on the shoulder, no exit, and I didn't do a post-mortem like Bobby T to recover the bullet, a 55-gr Silvertip.




Continued my sneak and peek but all I saw besides cows was a cottontail, so went back to the truck and decided to sit another 45 minutes---except the cows decided to line up in my shooting lane, so I called it a night. This is #72 from this place, and 261 for the year between me and my partner--off of 3 separate parcels of land totalling 470 acres.

Have you ever recovered a .22 cal
high power bullet shot into animals?

Very interesting find if you do.

Coming out from calling coyotes, walking a ditch
bank trail one jumped up in front of me about
15-20 feet. Still having one loaded in the .223.
I just up and fired. Too dark to see well other
than a gray blob mostly, but, right in front
of me. Hard to miss, even for me.

Hit about center of one side hip in the meat.
Bullet ranged inside the body just under the ribs
and found on the shoulder. Killed him though but,
I've always wondered how as nothing vital looked to be hit.

C/L 55gr, barely 3000fps. Perfectly mushroomed,
about 3/8" dia and 1/8" thick. Had it for years,
it's either walked off with visitors or gotten
kicked under the gun cabinet.

George

Well done...and nice shooting, too! I really like the looks of the lighting on that feeder. Would like to get that set up for myself here one day. Sure would make life easier than fighting the darkness ha ha!

Another success George. I don't have access but enjoy your stories. I don't even want pigs in the state of Misery but some are here. I heard a rumor one year of a guy releasing them around Truman Lake. I hope he never got a shot on one. That's bad Karma. Be Well, Packy.

Bobby—that setup is an LED panel with a solar panel for recharge and a photocell on-off control. It comes in several brightness levels and this is the next to the bottom. With the thermal I don’t need it but I bowhunt this place too and need it for that.

Is that LED panel waterproof, or do you have it covered. I can't really tell in the photo. Thanks! The way the light carries to the feeder is nice and what has my attention.

Bobby--the setup is for outdoor use, year-round. Here is a link to the less expensive type which I have used for a number of years with them only needing a battery change occasionally.

https://www.amazon.com/Hikeren...id=1574386244&sr=8-4

I think this is the one used in the picture---the 40 watt model.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07M...TG9nQ2xpY2s9dHJ1ZQ==

It is erected on a round steel pole (chain link top rail works fine) that is attached to a t-post with u-bolts.

MANY THANKS for that info and the links.

Bobby:

Can you get the pole set up in your
ground??

IF you can get it set up so it'll
stay.

I'll get you the light for a buddies
Christmas present.

George

George-We have lots of sandy loam out here and some black dirt, caliche and clay as well, so it would stand just fine. The rocky portions of the state are a little more west of us.

That truly is a kind gesture, and I appreciate it more than words can say, but that's a large chunk of change. You should use that $$ on yourself and go out and get a nice steak dinner a couple of times!

Take care, my friend, and have a great weekend...