A couple of days ago I got my mail out of the box and started for the house.I was next to the local creek with a lot of willow and quakie.I noticed some kind of odd configuration in one of the trees almost drove by it but backed up to look again,to my self I thought magpie nest and started to drive away then I realized it was a porqupine.I got out of the truck had 2 rifles in the back seat my 17 rem. scoped and my win.94 25-35 figured that was my best bet.Well I got over to the tree the big blackSOB was in and marveled that he could set on that limb.I put the sights on his nose pulled the trigger and quills went every where before he hit the ground.w/regards

Gophershooter: Good one! I have a distinct memory of a huge Porcupine my friend Louie shot over in the Powder River country of eastern Montana many years ago. We were Deer Hunting on a large cattle ranch and the rancher had requested we shoot any and all Porcupines we saw.
This "Porky" was high up in a tree and out on a limb chewing bark!
Louie asked me to spot for him and took the shot with his 270 Deer Rifle!
Yes indeed I saw quills "fly" and of course the big Porky hit the ground DRT!
I have shot a lot of Porcupines and even taken a couple with archery gear. I have learned that Porcupines are tough to kill with 22 L.R. ammo!
I have taken several with my 17 HMR though and carefully placed shot with the 17 HMR renders quick kills, it seems to me.
The family VarmintDog has lost two fist fights with Porcupines to date! He was one and two years old when these encounters took place and its been 3 years since his last "lesson"!
I think he may be cured as far as Porcupine fights go.
Nice shooting with the "classic Rifle and caliber" there!
Good for you!
Hold into the wind
VarmintGuy