Lake Sonoma, and my first hog

[Bgiordanengo]

First off I'd like to introduce myself, my names Bryce. Long time lurker. Finally got approved to post. Well I've been hunting most of my life. Mostly small game and migratory birds with a few deer mixed in here and there. Been doing that a little over 15 years. This year my hunting partner and I decided to switch it up and focus on other game as well. id been hot hunting a few times but nothing special, usually just anhike with a gun for the most part. This year my buddy and I decided to spend our thanksgiving at lake Sonoma for the opener. It was an awesome trip for the first time there. Got on hogs two of the 4 days and did tons of hiking. The thing that had us laughing the most was how not hard the hiking was. Considering how "steep" and "tough" it's mentioned as constantly. Try hunting D zones for deer. It will help get you in shape and 800 ft elevation changes will be nothing no matter how steep. Anyways, seen a bunch of sigh as always. Drew on a sow with piglets but let them live. The boat in camping was awesome and we met some good guys. One specifically we got to talking to and he found out we had never shot any hogs so he offered to let us come hunt a property he had access to not far away. Went out last weekend and put a smacking on this little sow. It's a new addiction for sure and have already upped my arsenal for next time!

 

[JustGuy]

Nice way to shoot hogs and hunt in general, the upside down approach, hogs get curious and come to see you.
Thanks for the tip. Everyday learn something new. Now i have a new weapon under my belt.

 

[Bgiordanengo]

I didn't notice it posted the pic upside down. I'll see about getting that fixed.

 

[KTKT70]

Congrats. Now good luck on that lake hog. I wish they would let us use a gun. Seems like a much better way to get the hog numbers down if that is what they want. Nice job. BBQ time for sure.

 

[Mikey88]

Those hills get a lot steeper when you have to run up and try and cut off a herd of hogs and get within bow range. You will see hogs but getting into position to get an arrow knocked and released is something that really makes hunting the Lake difficult and so rewarding if you can take one home. Congrats on the rifle hog, but don't laugh at the Lake Sonoma hills until you get a hog back to the truck!

 

[THE ROMAN ARCHER]

Yep yep, congrats on your gun kill hog, looks like a great eater.
What threw me off u had a chance to kill a public land sow with a bow at the lake where opportunities are limited but u killed a sow anyway on private property. All wild pigs that destroy important land and habitat must be eradicated unless u want one for a pet....tra

P.s. I right sided tbe pic 4 u....

Sent from my SM-N900V using Tapatalk

 

[Bgiordanengo]

Thanks romanarcher, honestly the sow at lake Sonoma was the first hog I've had in range ever. I caught myself watching instead of killing. Haha I was creeping along. Caught the piglets out of the corner of my eye run behind some bushes. I knew the sow would be in the lead. I had a 2 second opportunity at her as she came into a clearing and turned up the hill. I'm not one to make a bad shot if I can help it. Especially with a bow and on one with young. I don't have regrets. It was awesome just to see them. And yes I can imagine lugging an animal up and down those hills would be like hell. Looking forward to it.

 

[FRISCOHNTR]

Great hog! Congrats

 

[Bgiordanengo]

How many of you guys shoot .308 ars? After having the opportunity to bag 5+ pigs when I shot this one I decided to put the bolt action away and ordered parts to build a 80% .308. Should help a little after the first shot.

 

[MariotheBarber]

How many of you guys shoot .308 ars? After having the opportunity to bag 5+ pigs when I shot this one I decided to put the bolt action away and ordered parts to build a 80% .308. Should help a little after the first shot.

I've shot them but never at hogs. The problem you'll have with that is you will have to serialize it and register it as a assault rifle by 2018 I believe, or make it feature-less. As in no pistol grip. I'm not sure this state will allow hunting with these so called assault rifles past that point. Not trying to burst you're bubble, just something to think about.

 

[Bgiordanengo]

I've shot them but never at hogs. The problem you'll have with that is you will have to serialize it and register it as a assault rifle by 2018 I believe, or make it feature-less. As in no pistol grip. I'm not sure this state will allow hunting with these so called assault rifles past that point. Not trying to burst you're bubble, just something to think about.

Im aware of the laws. Before 2019 you are required to put a serial number on them. Doesn't have to be registered. After 2018 you'll need to apply to the department of Justice for a serial number. As long as you have proof when your build was completed there won't be any problems. But thanks for the tip.

 

[KTKT70]

Lots of good guns for extra shots. You do not have to have a black gun to do the job but. If you want to use a assault style gun, the ar10 chambered in 308 is a nice choice. My friend just built one this last year. He made it the sand color. Real clean gun that is a tack driver. Down side is to dial a gun in like that and do everything just right, will run 2500-3500 at least.

Good luck to you. Let us see what you end up with.

 

[Bgiordanengo]

UPp

Lots of good guns for extra shots. You do not have to have a black gun to do the job but. If you want to use a assault style gun, the ar10 chambered in 308 is a nice choice. My friend just built one this last year. He made it the sand color. Real clean gun that is a tack driver. Down side is to dial a gun in like that and do everything just right, will run 2500-3500 at least.

Good luck to you. Let us see what you end up with.

it could just be me. But the assault style feels better in my hands at least then the regular rifle platform. Having grown up mostly on a shotgun it doesn't feel natural with the slimmer design of rifles these days. I guess I really could look for replacement stocks and probably find something that fits better but my rifle isn't worth enough to waste this amount of time and money. As far as the 2500-3500 for a tack driver goes....... you be surprised at the quality parts you can find if you take he time to search the Internet. It's not convenient having to order parts from 6 different websites but you can save a lot of money. My dad is one of those who builds the 3500 black rifles. Noveske isn't cheap. I'll let you know how the half price version compares. Should have most parts in by Christmas. I'll post a finished pic when it's done.

messed up thing is I hit two pigs in the craziness that was pigs running across the hillside from under every tree and clicked once as a round didn't load when I worked the bolt for my second shot. Upon further inspection the first pig I had hit doubled back around to follow the rest and after I threw the bolt again after my "click" I blew out its back leg as it hit cover. It was the same pig I had shot on my first shot. Made for an easy recovery. Which was a relief because we had searched for the "first" pig for an hour with zero blood sign before we found this one. .270 does damage when it hits bone or vitals, but miss by an inch and you'll be tracking that pig a mile.

 

[Fugaloo]

Good job, but don't pass on a piglet.....I can't wait to find a sow with piglets so I can relieve her of a tender yummy piglet.

 

[P304X4]

Congrats on the sow......now you just need to find that apple tree. :big-grin-aqua:

 

[Bgiordanengo]

Still waiting for a few pieces to get here this week but you can get the idea.

 

[pierpont scott]

It's called a modern sporting rifle . Assault weapon is select fire. Love mine aND it cost me no where near 3k to dial into a tack driver with quality parts.