Ramsh00ter
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I would like to share a hunting trip with you.
My friend and hunting partner, Keith McDonald (Long Beach, CA, age 32) went hog hunting on Thursday and Friday June 12th and 13th with his younger brother, Mark McDonald. He took him to an area about 25 minutes from Coalinga CA. that we have hunting privileges. Last year I was with Keith when he took his first hog there, a nice 250-275 pounder.
Early in the morning of the 13th, Mark harvested his first hog, nice meat hog that was between 125-150 pounds.
Later that afternoon, Keith went out after a hog for himself. That evening as the sun was going down, Keith spotted what he said was a monster hog, he described him as a mini tractor. The only shot he could get on him was in direct line with the property owner’s house, 200 yards down the slop. I applaud Keith for showing the will power and restraint of a seasoned hunter by letting the hog go rather than attempting a dangerous shot. As his hunter safety instructor when he was 16, made me very proud. They did not see him again that hunt.
So, Keith and I went back up on Friday the 20th to see if we could get another opportunity to take him. The property owner, Mickey, indicated the hog had been hanging around his barley field all week and he needed to be taken out before he eats all the barley.
We got up on the hillside overlooking the barley field around 6pm that evening. Just after the sun dropped behind the hillside, he popped out in a spot we did not expect him. I had my cross hairs on him about 75 yards out but was not able to get into a comfortable shooting position, so I passed on the shot.
The hog turned and went back into the brush to our right, we had another clearing that we thought he might come out into to give us another chance. Sure enough, about 20 minutes later Keith spotted him just below us about 40 yards.
Keith stood up carefully so that he would not spook him, as the hog walked between two bushes; I made a small move to get a better look. In doing so, I made a small noise and the hog turned looking right at Keith. Keith thru his rifle up, placed the cross hairs of his Model 70 30/06 between his ears, dropped down on his nose and let the round fly. The round was a hand loaded 180 grain Remington Power Loc bullet.
This 400-pound hog never moved, just dropped right on the spot! When we got down to him, we seen that the shot hit him just to the right of his left eye. The bullet actually hydroliced (sp) the eye right out of the socket.
I'm the old gray haired guy, lol
This hog is a monster, solid black with all the Russian characteristics, certainly the biggest I have seen taken. Mickey said it was the biggest he had ever seen taken in 25 years from his property.
We took him to our hunting club, Compton Hunting and Fishing Club, to hang him in the meat locker. Hanging by his hindquarters, he is almost 7 feet long. The 350-375 pounds is an estimate, but it is a conservative estimate!
Hanging in the cooler at the club, he is almost 7 feet long.
Keith goofing around with the tail after we skinned him. (told him it was about the only tail he would ever get)
Keith took the head and hide to the Taxidermist today to have a shoulder mount done. The skinned the head and found the bullet fully expanded in the back of the skull.
Just thought I would share a successful and safe hunt.
Randy Tidwell
My friend and hunting partner, Keith McDonald (Long Beach, CA, age 32) went hog hunting on Thursday and Friday June 12th and 13th with his younger brother, Mark McDonald. He took him to an area about 25 minutes from Coalinga CA. that we have hunting privileges. Last year I was with Keith when he took his first hog there, a nice 250-275 pounder.
Early in the morning of the 13th, Mark harvested his first hog, nice meat hog that was between 125-150 pounds.
Later that afternoon, Keith went out after a hog for himself. That evening as the sun was going down, Keith spotted what he said was a monster hog, he described him as a mini tractor. The only shot he could get on him was in direct line with the property owner’s house, 200 yards down the slop. I applaud Keith for showing the will power and restraint of a seasoned hunter by letting the hog go rather than attempting a dangerous shot. As his hunter safety instructor when he was 16, made me very proud. They did not see him again that hunt.
So, Keith and I went back up on Friday the 20th to see if we could get another opportunity to take him. The property owner, Mickey, indicated the hog had been hanging around his barley field all week and he needed to be taken out before he eats all the barley.
We got up on the hillside overlooking the barley field around 6pm that evening. Just after the sun dropped behind the hillside, he popped out in a spot we did not expect him. I had my cross hairs on him about 75 yards out but was not able to get into a comfortable shooting position, so I passed on the shot.
The hog turned and went back into the brush to our right, we had another clearing that we thought he might come out into to give us another chance. Sure enough, about 20 minutes later Keith spotted him just below us about 40 yards.
Keith stood up carefully so that he would not spook him, as the hog walked between two bushes; I made a small move to get a better look. In doing so, I made a small noise and the hog turned looking right at Keith. Keith thru his rifle up, placed the cross hairs of his Model 70 30/06 between his ears, dropped down on his nose and let the round fly. The round was a hand loaded 180 grain Remington Power Loc bullet.
This 400-pound hog never moved, just dropped right on the spot! When we got down to him, we seen that the shot hit him just to the right of his left eye. The bullet actually hydroliced (sp) the eye right out of the socket.
I'm the old gray haired guy, lol
This hog is a monster, solid black with all the Russian characteristics, certainly the biggest I have seen taken. Mickey said it was the biggest he had ever seen taken in 25 years from his property.
We took him to our hunting club, Compton Hunting and Fishing Club, to hang him in the meat locker. Hanging by his hindquarters, he is almost 7 feet long. The 350-375 pounds is an estimate, but it is a conservative estimate!
Hanging in the cooler at the club, he is almost 7 feet long.
Keith goofing around with the tail after we skinned him. (told him it was about the only tail he would ever get)
Keith took the head and hide to the Taxidermist today to have a shoulder mount done. The skinned the head and found the bullet fully expanded in the back of the skull.
Just thought I would share a successful and safe hunt.
Randy Tidwell
