Just noticed I hadn't posted in about a month--well, yesterday was a good day--5 shoats in the trap. I have been after them though---these 5 make 20 total since a month ago--that's another Benjamin in bounty money!!! I think I'll buy a new trap now.



And, started up the feeders for bow season coming and it only took a week for them to find them--

Good to see you posting! Keep after 'em!

A target rich environment! Good to have you back!

No fun out in the heat but a slight breeze made it bearable. Went by the range to verify zero enroute and the M70 is still dead on. The AR wasn't even on paper, but I had some work done so I'll have to do a serious zero. Also the trigger I put in it is quirky---4 times it has doubled on me---and that is a shock.

At any rate, in my seat about 8:30 and about 9:40 I see a shape at the feeder. Put my thermal monocular on it and verify it is a pig. Rifle on the sticks, safety off, breathe, relax, and touch it off. Cloud of dust so I grab the thermal mono again and there it is -- right where it caught the bullet. Fair size sow---no more litters coming from her--



Yep--the M70 is "on"

4 traps baited and set last night---one catch. But that makes 126 this year to date.

And, this little boar took my new trap's virginity--caught one the second night it was set.



I moved a trap this afternoon and about 7 I get a text and pic from the landowner---already has 3 shoats in it. Wonder how many more I'll have tomorrow with 5 traps set?

Good night last night---moved a trap to an area where that bunch of shoats in the last pic in my original post were coming in, and had 2 small sows before supper last night.



Took care of them and then went to Gonzales county where I found 7 in my big trap---all sows too. Unfortunately, I didn't take my shotgun with me and had to watch 5-6 striped footballs run off--they were small enough to wriggle thru the wire on the drop gate.




This sow is the only one of the bunch nursing and is the largest sow I've shot to date--I'm guessing 180-190. I'm betting the other 4 were preg-O but it was too hot to do a post-mortem on them. The buzzards and caracaras can do it--

And, 2 more shoats in the trap today-both females. For a while it was all boars, and now it is almost all sows.

All sows help keep the production rate low.

Keep at it Dusty.

George

The run continues—2 more in the traps today

Had a game cam pic from 2 nights ago showing 15 hogs in the trap, from 30# up to maybe 85-90# but they didn't trip the drop gate. The small tire I pour corn into had been rolled around and the limbs I stack on the corn under the trip wire were all moved too. I tightened the trip wire as much as I felt I could and re-baited.

And, a word for those who are building or intend to build traps---do not use panels with the 4x6" openings---not even the ones with smaller openings on the bottom. A 30-35# shoat squeezed thru as I walked up---he took a LR round in the back above his hip as he ran off, but didn't drop. Use the panels with the 4x4" openings---more expensive but way better.

Another small boar today---this is just nice!

You are on quite the roll!!!

Keep up the good work.

And---3 more in the trap plus one I knocked down as it was leaving the area--this makes 25 since July 31st.

Well, two more small boars today---glad the cow man keeps his calf feeder filled---that sweet smell keeps drawing them in.

Definitely on a roll---3 more shoats today. That makes 29 in the last 2 weeks

Feeding the vultures well it sounds like.

G

Sounds like fun! What bait do you use?

I use just plain corn in the traps but I am getting ready to try a new bait I've discovered---14% Creep Feed. It is a calf feed supplement with a sweet smell that seems to draw them in. I have caught a bunch of shoats in the trap I set near the calf feeder. When the cow man fills the feeder the hogs just seem to follow. The trap is on the south side of the ranch and the prevailing winds blows the scent into the pecan/creek bottom, and here they come.

Those molasses-based sweet feeds do draw them in...no doubt about it!

I’ve heard of people using dog food with success. I’m not sure of the economics of it, as I wouldn’t use what I feed my dog. I think Walmart has Ol’Roy or something that is supposed go be cheap.

I have tried many different baits, from watermelon rinds, pear cores and peelings, old dog food, soured corn, et al, but nothing has beat just plain old corn. It remains to be seen if the creep feed will be effective--but report to follow. I have company here for the next week so it will be some time before I can get the test done and a report posted.

Struck out yesterday, but one small boar this morning---that makes 49 off of the local place and 150 total for the year to date.

Have you ever sold live ones to the guy with the commercial hunt spread north of the town of Gonzales TX? Be Well. Packy

Packy---I've not tried. The ranch on the west end of Gonzales county would be a place to start but just haven't tried. I think I have heard the minimum weight they will take is 70# and the majority of the ones I trap are under that.

Turned in my latest bag of $5 hog tails today and talked to the guy running the program. He had a bit of good news---the county is trying to put the bounty in the budget for next year! I'll just keep collecting tails.

My son and I went in March and shot nine hogs but none were around 70. They were all 100+. I saw lots of small and some tiny wannabe footballs. He wanted too much for the little ones or I would have taken several of them home for the smoker. It would be fun to serve personal piggies from my own smoker. It would get some real mileage from the family. Be Well. Packy

Here is what the majority of my catch looks like--

There were some a bit bigger than those but not many. We shot a couple a bit larger but most were like those larger ones in your picture. Be Well. Packy

In six months or less those will multiply
into quite a herd.

Cull 'em while you can. Sounds like you're
doing your share.

Have you tried to new feed yet?

George

Traps are unset for the week—and that hoard in the trap died a few nights later—18 of them

Traps going again for a few nights--caught this small boar (65 # =/-) last night. He was ticked--wrecked the trap, but I showed him. Not sure how he managed to turn over that bucket feeder on top---it had a ratchet strap across the top--maybe just wasn't cinched down tightly enough.

#50 off this place.

Good count going.
George

Knocked down a smallish boar last night with the AR/thermal combo--

Trapped 17 yesterday - 6 the night before. Lack of rain seems to have them looking far and wide for food - despite 108 degree temps.

I had 16 in the trap this morning but 4 little ones squeezed out and ran off---so 12 hit the dirt.