Comments on: Home from snowy southern California!

By: Blessed

Blessed — Thu, 26 Feb 2009 14:41:43 +0000

That was a great story, glad you got your hog!

I heard about that snow – I have family in that part of the country and a couple of my sisters had gone home for the weekend and almost didn’t make it back to college in time for classes because the passes were closed!

By: Jeff

Jeff — Wed, 25 Feb 2009 19:40:01 +0000

Great write up on a perfect hunt… I always enjoy your in-depth recounting of pursuing the swine in tough, vertical terrain. As you know, even in a stand here, you are lucky to see 200 yards. And if we have to hike up a “hill” it usually means that we are in one of our Carolina bays or fell in one of the big ditches that crisscross our swamps

By: Phillip Loughlin

Phillip Loughlin — Wed, 25 Feb 2009 19:09:49 +0000

Fred, I’m pretty sure that most “charges” are more likely a case of an over-excited hog getting confused and disoriented than actual aggression… and I’m fairly certain that’s what happened to me this time. With the swirling wind and my proximity to the hog when she first woke up, I expect that no matter where she went, it smelled like hunter.

That doesn’t change the fact that not getting out of the way quickly enough can have pretty nasty consequences, but in most boar-charge stories, the hog seldom continues the attack once the hunter has moved out of the way.

Of course, real charges can and do happen. The hunter that was recently killed in Germany is a good example (although the hog that killed him was wounded and possibly cornered). Hogs, even sows like the one I just killed, should never be taken lightly, as they can do some significant damage.

Regardless, it was definitely a good heart-pumping moment. I think that risk, even if it is only a moderate risk, is part of what makes hog hunting so much fun!

By: Fred

Fred — Wed, 25 Feb 2009 19:01:04 +0000

I bet that got the adrenaline going. I’ve never been specifically charged, but I’ve been run at when I happened to be sitting on a hog’s escape trail. I know what you mean about turning your scope all the way down . . . almost impossible to get a sight picture at point blank range when your magnification is turned up. Nice write up. I’m going hog hunting this weekend – your story is helping get me psyched up.

By: Phillip Loughlin

Phillip Loughlin — Tue, 24 Feb 2009 16:50:23 +0000

Albert, as your physician I strongly advise you to get out there and hunt! Now! It’s for your own good.

Arthur, I’ll keep the bow ready… more opportunities are on the horizon. I really want to take one with the bow, but when I’m paying to hunt, I don’t like the idea of going home empty-handed simply due to my pride and vanity.

Michael, I’m using a Leupold VX-III, 3.5-10×40. It’s a great scope, and arguably one of the best in that price bracket. The only thing I don’t like is that it seems like the power dial goes opposite of what I’m used to, so for example, when I set up on those hogs Saturday night, I thought I was cranking it all the way up, but I cranked it down instead… then when I thought I was turning it back down (I make a habit of dialing the scope back down when I’m done shooting), I cranked it all the way to 10. That made shooting the hog on Sunday quite a challenge… 10x magnification at 10 feet away is NOT an ideal situation. I’m just glad that spotted hog had a target on her forehead.

By: T.Michael Riddle

T.Michael Riddle — Tue, 24 Feb 2009 13:13:36 +0000

Cool story Phillip!
By the way, what type of scope is that are you using on your .325 ?

By: Arthur

Arthur — Tue, 24 Feb 2009 02:04:36 +0000

Now that sounded like an excellent hunt; and congrats on the hog. I would be lying if I said I wasn’t a little disappointed that you didn’t stick him with your bow. But I’ll forgive ya this time. Archery is definitely a whole different ball game.

By: Albert A Rasch

Albert A Rasch — Tue, 24 Feb 2009 00:06:36 +0000

Phillip, Nice hog and great adventure. Now if only I could get out and do a little hunting myself. Regards, Albert A Rasch The Rasch Outdoor Chronicles Proud Member of Outdoor Bloggers Summit Southeast Regional OBS Coordinator

By: Phillip Loughlin

Phillip Loughlin — Mon, 23 Feb 2009 23:07:01 +0000

Thanks Josh.

Gary, hog hunting is a real kick. On a good property like Tejon, I think it’s a little easier than deer hunting, but it’s still a blast. Skinning is about the same as any other animal, although hog skin is pretty tough. It’ll dull a knife real fast, especially if you don’t take the time to do it right (cut with the hair, never across it). I’d compare it to an elk hide, but a little thicker and a there’s a ton of fat.

By: Tejon 02/20-2/22.....Pigs Down - Jesse's Hunting & Outdoors

Tejon 02/20-2/22.....Pigs Down - Jesse's Hunting & Outdoors — Mon, 23 Feb 2009 21:56:16 +0000

[...] a great weekend! Thanks to you guys who came out! I wrote a novel about this over on my blog, which you’re welcome to read if you’re having trouble sleeping. In the short version, I spent [...]