Just back now from south Florida, where I'd been for a few days of fishing and a bit of hog killing. Previously I'd asked for some helpful input from the good folks here regarding suitable factory loads to use in my Ruger Super Blackhawk in .44 mag to slay my hog with. As usual, I got some helpful responses (as well as one or two from the haters in the peanut gallery, but that is to be expected; not everyone is helpful and/or happy... ) Thank you again to all who chimed in with helpful suggestions, BTW; please know I do appreciate it very much.

As I'd never used anything other than rifles and shotguns for all of my previous hunting endeavors, I *really* wanted to try something different. Getting back to the story. So, this Sunday past my dear friend and hunting partner Vito and I flew out of Boston headed for Ft. L for a few days of R&R. Vito has been hunting for years, mostly focusing his efforts on waterfowl and upland birds. He'd been on many deer hunts, and was my partner on a NH moose hunt, but to date and in his perhaps 15 years of hunting hard hadn't rolled anything in the 'big game' category. I was determined to help change that on this trip.

V knows how to run a rifle well, so I suggested he bring his trusty .270, which he is comfortable with. He's a fairly avid handgunner, but hadn't practiced with the Ruger, so I thought it best that he shot with something he knows the capabilities of. Also, I figured if the hogs were calling for shots too long for comfort and ability using the hand cannon, we could all use his rifle in a pinch. But that said and truth be told, I was hoping hard I'd get the chance to blood the wheelgun.

Vito's non-hunter friend Greg, our third team member, flew out of Jersey to hook up with us, planning to hang out and act as observer on the hogs, with an option to shoot if he so chose. The three of us rendevoused at the airport and got to our residence for the trip, a vacation condo owned by the parents of one of V and G's other HS buds who was hosting and joining along as well; the scheduled fourth member of our party, Steve. Unfortunately, we learned soon after arriving on Floridian soil that Steve's dad had suddenly taken seriously ill, and needed to have surgery immediately--back up in NJ. Steve left us the key and jumped on a jet.

As the plan had been to fish offshore on Steve's new 27' Cat for the first two days, we were suddenly left without a plan for the time leading up to the hog chasing. No matter. We're all big boys and understand that in times of trouble and especially when family is in need, everything else becomes secondary, and the first part of the plan was nixed; we'd figure out a backup. It's south Florida fer krissakes.

After some discussion, we figured that we'd try to get on some fish with a couple of charters, and hoped for the best for their buddy and his old man. With neither fanfare nor further adieu, we made plan B based on a couple of charter trips to kill time before our date with the hogs.

I had high hopes that on this trip I'd be able to help get Vito on board the so-called 'big game' bandwagon, and as an added bonus, perhaps introduce his friend to hunting. As a hunter I guess I feel it's both a duty and responsibility to try to get others involved in hunting in any way I can. Anyway and as stated, the plan was to charter fishing trips for the first two days, with copious eating and drinking (and maybe some pilaging) to follow, with the final day reserved for taking the lads out to a spot to make some meat. Seemed simple enough a task.

Cutting to the chase, the fishing sucked horribly, but we managed to perfectly execute the plan of eating, drinking and being merry in the time leading up to our date with the hogs, so all good in the 'hood as far as we were concerned. We had been told by the gentleman who runs the operation to be at his ranch at 6:00 a.m. sharp, as he explained that the hogs were not showing well at all shortly after sunrise. As instructed, we headed north before 4:00. Long story short, we got LOST en route, and didn't arrive until just after 7:00. Farking GPS threw us a curveball.

The original plan was to put us on stands early, but he explained that we'd likely not see much at the time we'd arrived, so instead, he said we'd have no real option but to ride with him on the 'buggy'. Frankly, that was what I'd hoped for, as to this Yankee the thrill of rampaging through the Florida hog grounds on his souped-up hell chariot was off the charts fun in and of itself. And so it was.

As I am rambling (as usual), and I'm tired, I'll see if I can't let the pics and videos speak for themselves, assuming I can get the links to work, but what a time we had. Sometimes I almost think that having that much fun should be illegal. Almost. Thank God it's not!

Oh, and I have a sneaking suspicion that we who enjoy chasing big game have two more eager hunters now solidly within our ranks...

Cheers,

KG

































































































Hopefully the two videos below work.

Nice ride! Wish i had on of those. Nice pigs too. Looks like a good trip.

K-G,

Waidmannsheil!

Looks like you fellas got your R&R money's worth, Too Cool!

That Piggie Chariot looks like a lot of fun.

The signature line says Frankfurt, Germany but I hail from Tampa, Florida. I started sweating as soon as I looked at your photos; if you've ever lived there you never forget the oppressive summer heat & humidity!

Awesome report Kamo,

The pig with the hole in the head cracked me up. Good looking dogs too.

What a hoot all around!!!!

Congrats,

Bob

Great report, and great pictures! This is the only aspect of Florida I really miss......

Thanks much for the report!

Oh, and what load did you settle on?

+1 What load did you get? Packy

Thanks, boys. It was big fun!

Great report. Looks like you had a blast!

Nice....swamp, swamp, swamp, swamp music!

When the hound dogs start howling......sounds like ol' Son House singin' the blues.

Looks like y'all had big fun......bonito, huh?

I really appreacitate this. We're looking at a great outdoor experience and moment in time, captured by a real enthusiast and great photographer. IMO, this is truely extraordinary. Each picture has a story, most of which is shown by the picture itself. IMO, this exemplifies what this forum is all about.

Thank you, Kamo Gari, very much for this post, and sharing your experiences.

KB

KB, thank you for the kind words, and you're most welcome. I love reading the various reports from all over the world, and seeing the pics posted really adds to the understanding of what the experience was like. I enjoy taking pics myself, and when I hunt, try to 'give something back', as it were.

As to the load: I'm a bit embarrassed to admit it, but what shot the best were plain Jane 240 grain Winchester jacketed soft points . We didn't recover any. Three went out, and three hogs died. At the ranges we were dealing with--I brained mine at about 10 feet--I don't really think having super premium rounds would have killed them any deader, but I have the others to use in the future.

Norty: yes, bonito and king mackerel.

Cheers, and best.