Sitting in the dark watching the lighted area at the feeder about 80 yds away. Got an "order" for some sausage raw material and the hogs have been pretty regular at this feeder. Temps were nice (mid-70s) and wind was perfect, thermacell was working--but no pigs. I was just gazing at the feeder when I thought I saw a dark "thing" coming at me--and it went past me maybe 3-4 yds away and it was absolutely silent! WTH--stealth bird? Well, when the owl sounded off about 10 yds behind me I realized what I had seen--and believe me they are completely silent.

Oh yeah--pigs--I finally gave it up and was walking back to the truck, scanning the area, and noted a hot spot to the west on the neighboring property. Got clear of the weeds and put the AR on the bipod--medium boar across the fence. I walked up about 15 yds closer and debated whether to take the shot or not---let's see---too muddy to drive to him, and way too far (and too big) to drag to the truck. Had it been on "my" place I would have shot him and left him to the buzzards, but even though the neighbor has said "kill 'em all" I just couldn't bring myself to shoot it and leave it laying on his place.

Next time!!!

HA! Big birds up close create a sucking sound
no matter how silent they are. Glad it flew on by.

At a teen I was sitting on a river bank in heavy
fog waiting on it to clear for a shot at some ducks
squawking right in front of me.

At least four sandhill cranes landed on both sides
of me almost within reach. Amazing how big they are up close with wings spread. Sure thought I
was being had.

You'll get 'em yet. Deer hunt over?

George

Now both of my bowhunting spots are infested---guess I need to take action--