bisonic

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Two weekends ago I spotted a herd of pigs on a hillside at my ranch around 8 am. I headed up the hill beating thru brush and come out panting and sweating just in time to see the last two duck into a thicket of chemise to bead down for the day. "Aha!" says me, now I know where they're bedding, I'll get them next time! So last weekend I drive up early, climb up same hill and set up against a tree around 7 am. No more than two minutes later a big boar trots by around 150 yards out headed for the bedding area. I'm still breathing hard and he's moving fast so I pass on the shot and wait. Good thing because ten minutes later a nice 125-sh lb sow comes along the same path but a bit slower. She stops and I line her up in the scope of my 30-06 and pull the trigger... apparently a bit too hard as I miss high and she skedaddles out of there along with any other critters anywhere near. Dang. Don't see anything else the rest of the day.

Fast forward to this morning when my buddy picks me up at 4 (ugh) and we head up. Once more I trudge up the hill, this time with my Win 30-30 as I'm planning to set up closer and want to have the mobility of the carbine. I come over a rise to where it opens up, again panting and sweating, and right in front of me is a herd of 15 hogs grazing in the grass 75 yards or less out. It's barely shooting time and too dark for any reasonable shot thru my peep sight so I decide to wait for them, but then see a big sow by herself to my left that's heading my way and seems to see me (not hard as I'm totally exposed). I freeze and she eventually heads to my left as the rest of the herd turns and starts walking right toward me. The big sow gives me a broadside view about 35 yards out so I pop up and fire off a couple rounds at her... and miss high!! Dang!! The rest of the herd takes off running toward my right so I run 10 yards and have a broadside view of a line of pigs again about 35 yards out... rack another round - shoot and miss - rack a round - shoot and miss - rack a round - shoot and finally get a hit as I hear a squeal but she keeps running and disappears with all of the herd into the thick stuff and is gone. DANG!!!! Don't see anything else the rest of the morning.

Unfortunately I know my rifles are sighted in so I can't blame it on them.

Of course, I'm making plans to head back again next weekend!
 

baco

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How far were you able to track the one you hit
 

bisonic

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They dove into the thick brush immediately and disappeared. No blood trail and I couldn't find any signs of them over the next couple hrs of beating the brush.
 

THE ROMAN ARCHER

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Are u developing pig fever my friend....lol
Yeh give them a little breather then next time bring a fully auto with u.....lol
Thanks for sharing bro....tra
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dthome

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It happens to the best of us. Don't kick yourself too hard. I suspect you'll get more chances. Chalk it up to learning experiences, and make a mental note of what you'd do differently next time. And show us some pics of some oinkers once you've downed some!
 

mochosla

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And you are sure your rifles are sighted in correctly? That is a lot of misses at short distance. Although I have been told by a couple of guides that people miss a lot more at short distance than farther out. You may be getting too excited? BTW, under 50 yards, aim at the the bottom of the chest and not the middle.

Good luck next time.
 

TheGDog

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May I suggest the Weaver Classic 1x3-20mm. On the 1x power you can shoot with both eyes open and acquire target lightening fast! On 3x you can check out nearby ridges pretty well too.
And it only weighs 8.5oz
View attachment 86758
 

hunterdoug

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Nice looking gun Gdog, beautiful stock, but if he's shooting a winchester it won't work cause the winchester is a top exject, like he said prob operator error. Shooting close can be tough cause the bullet may still be rising, I love hunting lever with open sights, 30.30s rock!
 

eoats

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Tough luck bisonic,

I have seen enough of your successes here on JHO, so I know you got a handle on this.
You'll be bringing pork home soon.
 

bisonic

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And you are sure your rifles are sighted in correctly? That is a lot of misses at short distance. Although I have been told by a couple of guides that people miss a lot more at short distance than farther out. You may be getting too excited? BTW, under 50 yards, aim at the the bottom of the chest and not the middle.

Good luck next time.

Yeah they're sighted in... and I think you're right and that I aimed too high. I love the 30-30 but the peep sight is tough to see thru in low light and an all black hog. Still, user error... Haven't gotten back yet, hoping to next weekend.
 

wedgy

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Shoot at some paper targets various distances(25, 50, 75, 100 yards) to see where your bullets are really hitting. Different ammo will probably have another point of Impact. Pick one and stick with it. You owe It to the animals so you don't wound more of them let alone waste your time.
 

thewolfman

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Every time I take anyone to the range to sight in the rifles.... It's natural for them to wanna shoot at 100-500 yards... But after the guns are all dialed in... I make everyone shot at 25-50 yards... People are surprised how they miss at that close... Thought I share
 

bisonic

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Every time I take anyone to the range to sight in the rifles.... It's natural for them to wanna shoot at 100-500 yards... But after the guns are all dialed in... I make everyone shot at 25-50 yards... People are surprised how they miss at that close... Thought I share

Thats a great idea I hadn't thought about... yep I sight in on the 100 yard range. Will indeed check at shorter distances.
 

Hog slayer

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Everyone misses. Hog hunting is very exciting. Go to the range and do some practicing. I will make some hog targets to shoot at and practice. Lots of fun. like they say practice makes perfect. Good luck on your next shot.
 

OVHunter916

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Shooting from a kneeling or sitting position is usually the best option for pig hunting. Especially when you use a good set of shooting sticks or a bog pod from these positions. I'd recommend practicing from kneeling and sitting unsupported first and then using sticks. You can make your own sticks or buy HS "predator shooting sticks" for under $20. I like the folding Stoney Point or Primos Pole Cat sticks that sell for about $30 since they can easily be stashed in a daypack. Most pig guides won't let their clients take unsupported shots; they carry various forms of shooting sticks and make their clients use them if no other rest is available. Pigs have a smaller kill zone than deer and we all get excited.

Sent from my XT1030 using Tapatalk
 

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