Went out to the ranch where I shot 2 sows last week, and trapped 12 more shoats the same night to sit and wait with my bow for a large boar that has been a regular. Well, the pigs stood me up, and about 11 PM I'd had all of the un-level seat my back could stand. However, as I was thinking about retiring for the night, the biggest 'coon I've ever shot came walking into the light. So--arrow in the ribcage and that was that. The 'coon had to weigh 20+ lbs.

I'm away on vacation now, but will be back home in a few days -- but don't tell the hogs!

Checked game cams last week, and turns out they haven't totally abandoned me--here are two sounders that are coming regularly--at the place 6 miles from the house.





And, yes--those two in the first pic are downloading milk to their pocket-sized litters.

Went to this feeder last night and got settled in after dropping some corn and spinning the feeder, then running off the cows-

About 7:30, I hear a noise behind me and peek around the tree--and see a black blob in the bushes--turns out the blob has 52 legs (sow and 12 piglets). Looks to weigh about 160+ and she is slowly heading towards the feeder, grazing as she goes. I see another sow behind her--but no litter, and that surprised me as the two on the game cam pics showed both with new litters-

At any rate sow with the litter is moving upwind of me (left, non-shooting side) but at 11 yds, she flops down and is immediately mobbed by the litter for a little snack. The other sow is slowly circling but to the right side--downwind, but then the winds are swirling so I don't figure it matters. Then I hear the dreaded "Something stinks" sound and they all beat feet back in the direction they came from. Oh well.

I sat until the feeder did its usual spin, thinking maybe they'd come back or the other sounder that has become a regular at this feeder might show. But--about 75 yds past the feeder I see a big black thing--dang cows are coming back. They walk right up, so I climb down and look for a limb to chunk at them--find one, pick it up, and OUCH! Get nailed on the ring finger by a scorpion--

So, I decide I'll call it a night as it obviously isn't meant to be--and the coons and hogs catch a break. Now--next time, I'll be carrying my slingshot, and will likely build a feeder pen next week too.

Only question is whether I go back with my bow, or take the 12-ga.