Feral pig pays a visit

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Yesterday at dusk as we were walking the pack of four rat terriers, lab mix, boxer mix, and junk yard dog in the back yard (heeler was left inside with a sore foot) I spied what I thought was another large black dog at the tree line not more than twenty yards from the back door. Then I saw the ears. It was a large wild hog. Staring back at me. I yelled to my better half to get the dogs inside but it was too late. The pig goes into the woods, the dogs go after the pig, and I go inside for the 20 ga semiauto loaded with #3 buck.

Adrenaline dump and semi-hilarity ensues.

The lab and boxer are going crazy with the RT's lending vocal aide. I can't see a thing. My wife says "Shoot in the air!" Three shots into the opposite tree line later the RT's are bolting for the door and the other dogs break off their attack. Inspection shows no damage to any of the dogs.

My neighbor had been out walking and called to see about the commotion. He confirmed he saw what he estimated to be about a 200 lb boar heading down the fence line to the west. He is a serious hunter who traps and hunts these things. I am not. I later realized that the pig had probably been attracted to a small brush pile that I have on occasion poured used frying grease. Won't do that again.

Other than an armadillo or possum I have never seen any varmits in over twenty five years here. Coyotes can be heard at night now and then. Lately I have been taking my Ruger SP101 on our walks for no good reason. Now I have one.

Cue theme song from 'Green Acres.'
 
My aunt and uncle pulled up in front of their house one night after having dinner out (Near Gunbarrel City, TX) and for whatever reason didn't see it when they pulled up, but my aunt started to step out of the passenger side of the truck and there was a wild boar standing there waiting for her. He wasn't scared at all by the truck approaching. She slammed the door and called my cousin, one house over who came outside with his shot gun and blasted him. It's scary how bold they're getting. You can't let your dogs outside by themselves unless they're large enough to handle themselves. (My Chihuahua and Pomeranian don't stand a chance...the Boston Terrier could probably outrun it). Kinda makes me long for the days when wolves were seen wandering around out there. They like bacon. :-)
 
I'm in N.E. La. We have deer run 10 feet from the house. All kids of raccoons and possums. I've seen bear tracks but no bears, except for a cub crossing the road after dark last Feb.

No hogs yet. Soooeeeee!
 
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Did anyone else read that as Federal the first time?




Yea,,I did!! Figured they'd shown up to raid the corn-liquor still
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Bob
 
No still
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But we do have an ancient grist mill under what's left of an old barn Katrina just about finished off.
 
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Dang - that would be some good eating!!

Saw two deer staring at me from across the road yesterday, but they aren't near as good chow as wildish pork.




Yes, they are outstanding. A group of us harvested about 10, processed, then donated to the local shelter. Everybody wins!
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This photo was taken at the 2006 Bitog Moderator Convention at a double-super secret location. Spy satellites from China revealed it to be the backwoods of Nigeria. Super powerful microphones were used to record sounds. A screeching and snorting chorus of, "We've got to get that oil!" was chanted late into the night.
 
Yup- plenty of wild hogs running aroune here in NE Texas too.

I'm gonna break one of my self-imposed guidelines, and offer some unasked-for advice. You have a 20 ga shotgun- don't trust those #3 buck loads for a wild hog. If you must use a 20 ga, load with slugs- if you ever actually shoot, I'm afraid you'll find that #3 buck won't cut it. Probably make that hog plenty mad though.
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In fact, the most avid hog hunters I know refuse to use buckshot at all- not even 12 ga, 3-inch 000 buck! They prefer rifles, though one of them often uses a 12 ga with the newer, high tech slugs that require a rifled barrel.
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You have a 20 ga shotgun- don't trust those #3 buck loads for a wild hog. If you must use a 20 ga, load with slugs- if you ever actually shoot, I'm afraid you'll find that #3 buck won't cut it. Probably make that hog plenty mad though.
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In fact, the most avid hog hunters I know refuse to use buckshot at all- not even 12 ga, 3-inch 000 buck! They prefer rifles, though one of them often uses a 12 ga with the newer, high tech slugs that require a rifled barrel.
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That was my thought. Even a 20 gauge slug sounds light for the job.
 
LOL, a guy at work left because he could make more money harvesting wild pigs (there is a huge market selling them to Germany or surrounding areas) than an apprentice.

He takes his dogs out, they track them, and "lug" them (grab the ear).

He strolls in and slices the jugular, helping them to bleed out before dragging them to the chillers.

FIL used to jump off the back of a ute, tackle them and cut their throats "on the run".

But these are crazy people.
 
Re: caliber selection. The shotgun is my wife's which was given as a gift 30 years ago by her father when she was into shooting trap. I cleaned it up after Katrina and picked up the revolver after relying on a .22lr semiauto rifle to keep the looter hoards away. It worked as they never showed up.
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The #3 buck is a step up from the #7 1/2 birdshot loads available during the storm as it's main use is now seen as being against two legged swine rather than four. But it's a point well taken. I will explore whether this gun (Winchester 1400 MK ll with IC choke) can handle slugs and pick up a few and practice. Any ideas about that? I would really like a Marlin lever gun in .38/.357 to compliment the Ruger. Maybe Santa will read my letter this year. Anyway, as they say, it beats a pointy stick. And in the interest of full disclosure, our best guess is the pig was an escaped domesticated version rather than a true wild hog. My neighbor said he saw no tusks which is probably why the dogs and ourselves made out so well.

mechtech2. Not many racoons noted. My neighbor told me that he used to watch the lab and a rot mix we had hunt them around the ponds. The little rottie never showed up one day and I have a guess that a racoon may have drowned him. Hard to say.

Shannow. If my Blue Heeler had been with us he would have chased that pig all the way to Mississippi. Crazy Aussies. He is much loved even though fairly high maintenance.

The dogs walked themselves last night.
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