Got to my spot and parked, got the rifle on the outside mirror, windows down and was enjoying the cool breezes while I read. Heard a noise from the passenger side and when I looked over there were two hogs--one about 50 yds out and one about 75. Slowly re-oriented the rifle and put the crosshairs on the closest and biggest one and touched it off. BAM!! Forgot to put my earmuffs on and that short-barreled rifle wasn't out the other window. Ouch!! But, pig hit the dirt and the other one hauled ham. Re-oriented the rifle towards the feeder as I figured the one that ran in that direction might still come in. Looked back in a minute and he was back--so I re-oriented the rifle again and BAM!, forgetting my muffs again. Heard the bullet hit and sounded like a gut shot. Hog hauled west up the fence line and eventually crossed the fence onto property where I can't go.



What I thought was a medium sow turned out to be a huge boar--estimated weight at 250. I was driving a rental truck and didn't have my hitch lift and this GMC is about 8" taller than my Toyota. Ended up gutting the hog in-place, and got the hind-quarters up off the ground with a rope. Then I climbed into the bed and was able to drag him the rest of the way up. Back is gonna be sore in the AM for sure.

Not a bit of stink on him either--and dropped him off to a fellow that takes 'em all, regardless. He was happy, but his eyes got a bit big when I dropped the tailgate.

Congratulations, hopefully your ears will quit ringing.

Learned a lesson from those two shots for sure--and thinking back, the very first time I hunted this spot I got busted by a hog that was in just about the same spot only I was sitting in a chair in a pear patch and not in the truck.

I have a theory on animals and parked vehicles. My boss does not view things the same way I do, but he has not been able to prove me wrong yet.

From my experience, parked, non running vehicles do not really seem to pose a threat to animals. I developed this theory over the years I have been hunting and watching wildlife.

Moving vehicles, especially those that slow down or stop, do pose an immediate threat but deer/turkey/coyotes and even hogs will stand still if a vehicle just keeps on driving.

On too many occasions I have witnessed myself, and in conversations with others on the subject that have experienced similar situations, upon returning to the vehicle that was parked in a pasture and discover fresh deer or hog tracks around the vehicle.

My experience too--but most of the hogs I've shot from the truck have been after dark and the vehicle isn't as obvious.

Most hunted animals are pretty smart.
I was in the back seat when we spotted a nice buck antelope. Had a small ditch to cross. the plans were to open the door and fall out when we got there.
I did so and they kept on going. When I raised up to check things out the buck was staring right at me. I made the meat though. Most times it's a zilch.

George

quote:

Originally posted by Crazyhorseconsulting:
I have a theory on animals and parked vehicles. My boss does not view things the same way I do, but he has not been able to prove me wrong yet.

From my experience, parked, non running vehicles do not really seem to pose a threat to animals. I developed this theory over the years I have been hunting and watching wildlife.

Moving vehicles, especially those that slow down or stop, do pose an immediate threat but deer/turkey/coyotes and even hogs will stand still if a vehicle just keeps on driving.

On too many occasions I have witnessed myself, and in conversations with others on the subject that have experienced similar situations, upon returning to the vehicle that was parked in a pasture and discover fresh deer or hog tracks around the vehicle.

+1