Hogs are back in spades

[gwtx]

Literally, spading up the pastures.
First spotted them at a neighbors. There were 2 or 3 separate sounders. Estimate 50 to 60 pigs. So many piglets running around, I couldn't count. I could not get to a safe shooting position and so I got busted trying to go around them.
Two nights later I found them. In the only angle I could get there was a lone boar. The "Herds" were a good ways beyond him, and I knew If I spooked him, the rest would be outta sight instantly. So, I took him. I didn't have my camera with me (so I can't count this one huh?)
So, last night they showed up on my place, out in the middle of a full moonlit pasture.
Got as close as I dared, knelt and picked out one the larger sows, got her in the right shoulder quartering away with her head down rooting . 123 sst exited chest. The stick is pointing to the POI. Lined up for a shot on another sow, and "CLICK". A few hogs stopped about 100 yds away, but as soon as I racked the round out, they took off. Got lucky and hit one. "Whoomp",,gut shot, and she ran into the brush. Looked for her all day today, and finally found her in a thicket so dense I couldn't get to her.
So, I've only got 3 out 60 or more so far, but I' check the pastures again in a little while. I have never seen so many hogs on this place in the 30+ years I've been hunting them. The ground is wet, and they are making a huge mess everywhere. One of the times I sure wish I had video. Got a couple pics of the first sow I shot last night. Good Huntin to Y'all

[Constitutionalist]

Soooooo glad we don't have them here! Keep up the great work!

[VASCAR2]

Curious if the round that didn’t fire wasn’t locked in battery or what happened. I bet that was frustrating to hear a click. Thanks for posting!

[CJW]

Excellent color on the pictures, great read.

[Sinclair]

If the feral hog problem is that several, I am curious as to why the Feds haven't stepped in and done their thing. Here in West Central Illinois they came in with helicopters and fed the hogs for several weeks/ months until one night they filled the sky with helicopters full of agents armed with shotguns and killed all of the hogs. Now the farmers have nothing to complain about, but they lost a free food source for their families, un intended consequences! What did President Reagan say, "the 11 most frightening words in the English language are, 'I am from the Government and I am here to help'."

[603 Country]

We had a bunch of hogs here, but luckily they weren’t the smart kids. I shot a bunch and trapped a bunch, and lately it seems I’m down to one big boar (for now). I kinda wish they’d move back in so I’d have something to hunt.

[sundowner]

Kepp up the good work on your hog problem .

[gwtx]

Curious if the round that didn’t fire wasn’t locked in battery or what happened. I bet that was frustrating to hear a click. Thanks for posting!

I was afraid someone was gonna ask about that. I am shooting some rounds that I loaded a while back.
Probably about the time I got my turret press. That round didn't have any powder in it. Yikes ! I guess I didn't double check it visually as I know to do, and usually do. I was having some problems getting acclimated to the new press,,,with an old brain. Like that old saying goes..."there's some that have, and some that will". Glad the primer didn't have enough oomp to unseat the bullet, and leave it in the barrel. Could have been bad. There's another saying that goes..."never too old to learn",,not too sure that one is correct. Be careful, have fun, and kill all the hogs you can.

[VASCAR2]

I was afraid someone was gonna ask about that. I am shooting some rounds that I loaded a while back.
Probably about the time I got my turret press. That round didn't have any powder in it. Yikes ! I guess I didn't double check it visually as I know to do, and usually do. I was having some problems getting acclimated to the new press,,,with an old brain. Like that old saying goes..."there's some that have, and some that will". Glad the primer didn't have enough oomp to unseat the bullet, and leave it in the barrel. Could have been bad. There's another saying that goes..."never too old to learn",,not too sure that one is correct. Be careful, have fun, and kill all the hogs you can.

Well Murphy has a way of showing up regardless how prepared we are. You load and shoot long enough and things can happen. If it happens I just hope nobody gets hurt. I’ve seen others fail to get powder in cases on turret presses. I bet a pretty good percentage of hand loaders have had it happen to them. Just a good reminder for the rest of us. Thanks for the response gwtx.