Some of you may remember me mentioning being on "hog patrol" a while back, and the proplem I have been having with the hogs coming into my yard and night.
I detailed a little of the history Here almost a month ago. Well, I have had the trap baited ever since, but they have not been back into the yard again until night before last.
My neighbor has killed a couple on his place which is all woods the last couple of weeks, so I knew it was just matter of time. I have gotten into a habit of getting up a couple of times a night and going out on the back porch to listen for the raiders, and check the trap in the mornings to make sure I didn't catch a deer in the night.
Friday morning I was going to check the trap when I heard hogs take off from the lane just out back of the house, but didn't see them. Then Tuesday night we had some thunder storms come through and twice I got up and went out to listen to see if they were out, but I didn't hear them.
Well, they came and did their dirty work sometime after the rain, and I guess I just could not hear them. This is what the yard looked like yesterday morning.
It will take some rake work to get it back where I can mow it again. So, last night I intensified the hog patrols. Someone asked me the other day what "hog patrol" detailed.
Just think back to a Viet Nam movie where they are on patrol looking for "Charlie" in the bush. Slipping around at night intent on the slightest sound, and ready to rain death when you encounter them. Since the "bush" is about as thick as the jungle, and there are houses not to far off depending on where "Charlie" is, I have the Rem 870 loaded with #4 buckshot and equipped with a xlr100 red led. I usually make a perimeter search and venture into the neighbors woods checking the trap and listening for "Charlie" before I go to bed. I will set the alarm so I can make a couple of patrols during the night as well.
Last night I was pretty ticked and was making a long cautious sweep before going to bed, intently listening for the grunt or squeal that often gives Charlie away. The moon was full last night and about 1 am I was straining my ears and eyes for any hint of movement or sound. I thought I could hear something, but nothing I could swear to. Then I heard a subdued "grunt". Definately a hog! I ease forward and shine my hand held xlr100 but don't see anything in the tall grass. I hold up, listening in the darkness, straining at the moon light.
Then I see a dark shape take form and know a hog is getting closer. I wait until I can see a definate shape and hit him with the barrel mounted xlr100. I big hog at 20 steps, and he takes a load of #4 buckshot straight on in the face! He bellows and jumps around a little and I am sure I hear others running off, but never see anything else shoot at. He spends a minute or two doing his death moan, but then he is done.
By the time I got into bed I was tired and slept through the alarm that was set to go off about two hours later, but I did get up and make a around at the second alarm that was about 5 am., but Charlie was no where to be found. They are out there, it is just a matter of time before strike again......
Hog patrols are in force until further notice....
I detailed a little of the history Here almost a month ago. Well, I have had the trap baited ever since, but they have not been back into the yard again until night before last.
My neighbor has killed a couple on his place which is all woods the last couple of weeks, so I knew it was just matter of time. I have gotten into a habit of getting up a couple of times a night and going out on the back porch to listen for the raiders, and check the trap in the mornings to make sure I didn't catch a deer in the night.
Friday morning I was going to check the trap when I heard hogs take off from the lane just out back of the house, but didn't see them. Then Tuesday night we had some thunder storms come through and twice I got up and went out to listen to see if they were out, but I didn't hear them.
Well, they came and did their dirty work sometime after the rain, and I guess I just could not hear them. This is what the yard looked like yesterday morning.
It will take some rake work to get it back where I can mow it again. So, last night I intensified the hog patrols. Someone asked me the other day what "hog patrol" detailed.
Just think back to a Viet Nam movie where they are on patrol looking for "Charlie" in the bush. Slipping around at night intent on the slightest sound, and ready to rain death when you encounter them. Since the "bush" is about as thick as the jungle, and there are houses not to far off depending on where "Charlie" is, I have the Rem 870 loaded with #4 buckshot and equipped with a xlr100 red led. I usually make a perimeter search and venture into the neighbors woods checking the trap and listening for "Charlie" before I go to bed. I will set the alarm so I can make a couple of patrols during the night as well.
Last night I was pretty ticked and was making a long cautious sweep before going to bed, intently listening for the grunt or squeal that often gives Charlie away. The moon was full last night and about 1 am I was straining my ears and eyes for any hint of movement or sound. I thought I could hear something, but nothing I could swear to. Then I heard a subdued "grunt". Definately a hog! I ease forward and shine my hand held xlr100 but don't see anything in the tall grass. I hold up, listening in the darkness, straining at the moon light.
Then I see a dark shape take form and know a hog is getting closer. I wait until I can see a definate shape and hit him with the barrel mounted xlr100. I big hog at 20 steps, and he takes a load of #4 buckshot straight on in the face! He bellows and jumps around a little and I am sure I hear others running off, but never see anything else shoot at. He spends a minute or two doing his death moan, but then he is done.
By the time I got into bed I was tired and slept through the alarm that was set to go off about two hours later, but I did get up and make a around at the second alarm that was about 5 am., but Charlie was no where to be found. They are out there, it is just a matter of time before strike again......
Hog patrols are in force until further notice....