17 August 2008, 20:57
x-caliberN. GA Hog Hunt
Here in the mountains of N. GA there is a good population of wild hogs. The hunting takes place on public wildlife management areas and they are considered a "non-game" species. However, you have to hunt them during an open season with whatever weapons are legal during that particular open season. Small game season opened on August 15th. Legal small game weapons include shotguns with No. 2 shot or smaller, 22 rimfires, bows and arrows, and "any" muzzleloading firearm. Notice there are no centerfire cartridges allowed, so that rules out revolvers and single shot pistols shooting centerfire cartridges. My weapon of choice given the above options is a modified 209 X 50 Encore pistol. I shoot 80 grains of Triple 7 and a .45 caliber, 260 grain Speer Gold Dot bullet in a Hornady sabot in this particular gun.
Anyway, on August 16th I headed up the mountain at daybreak and saw limited hog activity until I reached the mountaintops. The hogs appear to be congregating near the ridgelines this time of year. I saw lots of hog sign and was close to hogs on three different occasions. I was literally 30-50 yards from them but I haven't seen a hog yet as the vegetation is so thick right now I could hear them, but couldn't see them. I did see one black bear up a white oak tree. He was helping himself to acorns before they fell. The hogs were already bedded down in briar thickets and I could hear them grunting and "woofing". I grunted back and would pursue them but they stayed just out of sight. Evening hunting has always been better for me as you catch them getting out of their beds in preparation for a night of feeding.
So...here is a hog hunt that ended unsuccessfully. I'm gonna go back next week for an evening hunt so for now this hunt is
TO BE CONTINUED...
The gun:
260 grain, 45 caliber Speer Dold Dot bullet driven at 1600 fps dug out of a hog last winter. The bullet lodged under the skin on the offside. The hog ran about 30 yards before piling up. Excellent performance!
