I made a trip with a buddy to TN for some bacon. UPDATE
Jan 12, 2016 15:24:46 GMT -5
Robster, zac0419, and 5 more like this
Post by zac0419 on Jan 12, 2016 15:24:46 GMT -5
To be clear, hunting Wilderness Hunting Lodge is a high fenced hunt. Some of the animals there are docile and some are pretty skiddish. I was after a 300lb sow with light color and I wanted it to feel more like a hunt than a harvest.
The accommodation there is nice and the people are great. I met some real characters while there and got to spend the weekend hunting with a buddy I haven't seen in a while. Mostly it was an excuse for us to get together drink and tell lies.
Opening morning neither of us planned on shooting, plenty of hunting time left, no need to rush it. We walked a ridge looking to jump a pig from under the rocks when we came upon a group of about 15 doing what hogs do. fighting and generally farting around.. I saw a really big light colored sow and said to Rob, "I'm gonna take that one". Before he could say "really" my pack was off and I was stalking in for a closer look.
I carried a newly acquired Linebaugh 475 and I had it loaded with Dicks 385 Lipstick HP's and 13.5 HS6. Enough for the medium hog I planned on taking. I stalked over about 10 minutes to about 45 yds, with this new to me gun I had limited myself to that until I can shoot it a lot more. The hog I wanted stood a good foot taller than the others but I still had no idea how big she really was.
The pigs were startled by a truck on the gravel road not far off and it let me sneak in a bit further, now about 35yds out. I had a good rest on my legs, and a clear shot at the pig in question,
BOOM
The first shot hit a few inches higher than expected about mid shoulder and she shrugged it off like a mosquito bite. She turned toward me and gave a frontal head shot and I took it. Lights out DRT.
First shot could have used more fps. I got into the cavity through all the shoulder and hide but no exit to the other side of the ribs. Bullet wasn't found even after exhausting gut pile search. I didn't feel like digging the other one out the head, but it worked just fine. She was a feral hog with some good Russian. I was worried about the size affecting the meat but so far I'm been happy with the chops.
The guys there say a bit over 500lbs. I can't say for sure but three of us pulling her on a chain downhill was a lot of work. I'd recommend the hunt for a quick weekend, it can be as much or little of a hunt as you want it to be. 1000's of acres and a fantastic staff.
I need a bigger freezer.
The accommodation there is nice and the people are great. I met some real characters while there and got to spend the weekend hunting with a buddy I haven't seen in a while. Mostly it was an excuse for us to get together drink and tell lies.
Opening morning neither of us planned on shooting, plenty of hunting time left, no need to rush it. We walked a ridge looking to jump a pig from under the rocks when we came upon a group of about 15 doing what hogs do. fighting and generally farting around.. I saw a really big light colored sow and said to Rob, "I'm gonna take that one". Before he could say "really" my pack was off and I was stalking in for a closer look.
I carried a newly acquired Linebaugh 475 and I had it loaded with Dicks 385 Lipstick HP's and 13.5 HS6. Enough for the medium hog I planned on taking. I stalked over about 10 minutes to about 45 yds, with this new to me gun I had limited myself to that until I can shoot it a lot more. The hog I wanted stood a good foot taller than the others but I still had no idea how big she really was.
The pigs were startled by a truck on the gravel road not far off and it let me sneak in a bit further, now about 35yds out. I had a good rest on my legs, and a clear shot at the pig in question,
BOOM
The first shot hit a few inches higher than expected about mid shoulder and she shrugged it off like a mosquito bite. She turned toward me and gave a frontal head shot and I took it. Lights out DRT.
First shot could have used more fps. I got into the cavity through all the shoulder and hide but no exit to the other side of the ribs. Bullet wasn't found even after exhausting gut pile search. I didn't feel like digging the other one out the head, but it worked just fine. She was a feral hog with some good Russian. I was worried about the size affecting the meat but so far I'm been happy with the chops.
The guys there say a bit over 500lbs. I can't say for sure but three of us pulling her on a chain downhill was a lot of work. I'd recommend the hunt for a quick weekend, it can be as much or little of a hunt as you want it to be. 1000's of acres and a fantastic staff.
I need a bigger freezer.