![wtg :wtg:](./images/smilies/wtg.gif)
![Very Happy :D](./images/smilies/icon_biggrin.gif)
Anyway, to the good stuff!
I decided to take a trip to the local gamelands for some hog eradication this past Monday evening. I've been a morning/early afternoon hog hunter all season and I had yet to get out for an evening hunt. So I traveled to the normal spot, loaded up and down to business I got
![lol :lol:](./images/smilies/lol.gif)
![lol :lol:](./images/smilies/lol.gif)
![lol :lol:](./images/smilies/lol.gif)
![eek :eek:](./images/smilies/eek.gif)
![eek :eek:](./images/smilies/eek.gif)
![eek :eek:](./images/smilies/eek.gif)
Soooo, it was off to the field #2 which was bone dry (field #2 comes into play during the second part of the story!
![Smile :)](./images/smilies/icon_smile.gif)
Feeling a bit bummed out at this point, I decided to mix it up a bit and checked some other fields and let my "sure things" for another day! I caught a few glimpses of some "new" hogs but nothing was happening! I eventually hooked up to my normal trail and spotted one I have been trying to get for a couple weeks now (again, this guy will come into play in the second part of my story). I had time to settle myself down and really get a good bead on him because he had no idea I was there. I was about 40 yards out. So, through the processes, settled in and BANG....ZOOM....there he goes! Another MISS! At that point, I had enough and bagged it for the night!
On the way home, I got to thinking what may have caused this????? Why am I missing these EASY shots with a consistent 3/8" gun????? Then it hit me...I recall cleaning it one night the week before and in the process of doing so, I accidentally knocked the rifle from it's cradle and the scope took a fairly good hit on the edge of my safe door! Could this be?????
Fast Forward to today. Off to the range I went this morning to verify zero prior to any hog hunting today! Low and behold...the first group printed high 2" and right about 1/2"!!!!!
![eek :eek:](./images/smilies/eek.gif)
![eek :eek:](./images/smilies/eek.gif)
![eek :eek:](./images/smilies/eek.gif)
![eek :eek:](./images/smilies/eek.gif)
![eek :eek:](./images/smilies/eek.gif)
![Smile :)](./images/smilies/icon_smile.gif)
We and the woman packed up about 4 and headed to the usual spot! Yes, she goes with but doesn't get involved in the hunting, YET! It's sort of a way for me and her to both enjoy what we like to do, together! She is very health concious and LOVES to exercise! Anyway, to the good stuff.
As I recall, I mentioned a certain hog that I have been trying to get for a couple weeks. Not even 5 minutes into the walk I have my potential first victim in my site's!!!!! I guess he was attempting to play "incognito" because all he was giving me was a headshot! I attempted to let him have it at about 35 yards. BANG.....nothing!
![mad :mad:](./images/smilies/mad.gif)
I start checking the normal fields and nothing till I get to field #2.5 at which time my Stacy tells me we got a hog about about 175 yards! AWESOME! I have been wanting to stretch the legs on this badboy for a while now and here it is! I drop prone and realize that I can't get a shot on him! So I tell Stacy to follow me to the fencerow so we can creep closer. Somehow, we ended up spooking him which kinda P'OED me! I told her to take a knee and give it a few minutes. Not even 30 seconds after we settled down he was on his way back out into the field! I go prone, and give it to him from about 160 yards...BANG.....FLOP.....FLOP....OFF TO THE RACES!!!!!
![Shocked :shock:](./images/smilies/icon_eek.gif)
![Shocked :shock:](./images/smilies/icon_eek.gif)
![Shocked :shock:](./images/smilies/icon_eek.gif)
In all honesty...It was a BAD CALL on my end! I hit the little guy but to give you and idea of the shot i'll put it politely.....Southbound shot on a Northbound G-Hog!
![Wink ;)](./images/smilies/icon_wink.gif)
So on our return trip (we basically walk a BIG circle and sometimes pass fields twice) we're coming up the trail talking to each other and WHAM...out comes the KING of field #2. I give Stacy the WHOAAA, saddle up, and let him have it at 50 yards. (If I may add, I really came to appreciate the beauty of the .204 today) Gave him a dose of 39SBK and it was light's out! I was AMAZED at the damage these bullets can do! Hit him right in the side of the neck and it just about detached his head! LOVE IT!!!!! Meddled in the beauty of FINALLY getting the .204 rung out and off we went. Not even 100 steps later I hit another at 50 yards again while on the move (my first double of the year)
![wtg :wtg:](./images/smilies/wtg.gif)
Here's the hero pic! (sorry, not pics of the first! Seems stacy only remembered her camera phone on the 2nd kill)
![Image](http://i443.photobucket.com/albums/qq157/WaltherP99/8-1-09HOG2.jpg)
Here's a pic of the exit hole compliments of the 39SBK!
![Image](http://i443.photobucket.com/albums/qq157/WaltherP99/8-1-09DAMAGEHOG.jpg)
That was the end of the day and boy did I really need it to raise my spirits! I was just told by my doctor yesterday that I have the early stage of Emphysema.
![wall :wall:](./images/smilies/wall.gif)
It was a great hunt today and it gave me time to think and talk with Stacy about the future PLUS enjoy everything I love about life and my hobbies!
Welp, I hope you guys enjoyed the story and I hope I wasn't too long winded !!!!! Take care Fellas!