Another evening in Gause, another hog.
After returning from our Nation’s capitol to Tejas, our holy land of blastin’ and castin’, I was most definitely in the mood to shake off that over-civilized feeling you get when visiting the East Coast. Steve suggested a trip to check the hog traps he set this past weekend with Brian, so I slipped out of my duties early and we hit the road.
Making our way to the Middle Ranch (the scene of the most recent carnage) we were disappointed to see that not only were there no porkers in the trap, but the corn had only been picked at by the birds. Continuing our jaunt along the creek rim we came upon some fairly fresh digs, agreed we shouldn’t be too disheartened and decided to hit the road for the Main Ranch with thoughts of returning to the Middle Ranch later.
As we searched the ranch grounds driving from the road I thought I saw a group of about a dozen hogs way off in the distance – subsequently confirmed by Steve and his scope. Since it was quite a distance in, with no way for the truck to get through, we started hoofing it. And hoofing it and hoofing it. We were not only racing the pigs as they moved away from us, but also the sun as it was disappearing over the horizon. Steve suggested we double time it and we closed the distance considerably, although now completely winded. After coming to a cross-fence we heard a huff from behind us and saw a sizable boar running not too far from us; apparently we disturbed his evening snack in the high grass and he was not the least bit happy about it. Not being able to get a good site on him we switched back to the herd which was a ways up the hill. After picking the one most perpendicular to me I tried to control my breathing and my heart rate (I can hold my breath just fine, but I need to find some ninja master to work on the heart control) and let out a shot. Our fat friends took off in a run, save my target that stumbled around punch drunk for a second or two and finally fell over as the last of the sunlight disappeared.
Vital stats… Distance: 200+ yards, Caliber: .270, Bullet: 90 grain with “maximum powder” (ask Steve), Ballistic analysis: small entrance and exit wound extending through the bottom of the lung and the top of the stomach – very little damage to the vitals (i.e., no goopy gel), Hog type: 100ish pound, female with more Russian characteristics than typical for Gause, Drag distance back to the truck: about 1000 yards.
Although the shot was slightly behind where I wanted it, considering the pre-shot run, the light conditions and the distance I can't complain. Damn, it felt good to be back in Texas!
Making our way to the Middle Ranch (the scene of the most recent carnage) we were disappointed to see that not only were there no porkers in the trap, but the corn had only been picked at by the birds. Continuing our jaunt along the creek rim we came upon some fairly fresh digs, agreed we shouldn’t be too disheartened and decided to hit the road for the Main Ranch with thoughts of returning to the Middle Ranch later.
As we searched the ranch grounds driving from the road I thought I saw a group of about a dozen hogs way off in the distance – subsequently confirmed by Steve and his scope. Since it was quite a distance in, with no way for the truck to get through, we started hoofing it. And hoofing it and hoofing it. We were not only racing the pigs as they moved away from us, but also the sun as it was disappearing over the horizon. Steve suggested we double time it and we closed the distance considerably, although now completely winded. After coming to a cross-fence we heard a huff from behind us and saw a sizable boar running not too far from us; apparently we disturbed his evening snack in the high grass and he was not the least bit happy about it. Not being able to get a good site on him we switched back to the herd which was a ways up the hill. After picking the one most perpendicular to me I tried to control my breathing and my heart rate (I can hold my breath just fine, but I need to find some ninja master to work on the heart control) and let out a shot. Our fat friends took off in a run, save my target that stumbled around punch drunk for a second or two and finally fell over as the last of the sunlight disappeared.
Vital stats… Distance: 200+ yards, Caliber: .270, Bullet: 90 grain with “maximum powder” (ask Steve), Ballistic analysis: small entrance and exit wound extending through the bottom of the lung and the top of the stomach – very little damage to the vitals (i.e., no goopy gel), Hog type: 100ish pound, female with more Russian characteristics than typical for Gause, Drag distance back to the truck: about 1000 yards.
Although the shot was slightly behind where I wanted it, considering the pre-shot run, the light conditions and the distance I can't complain. Damn, it felt good to be back in Texas!
posted by Jefe | 3:44 PM
6 Comments:
Congrats on yet another pile of pork, you boys must be running low on freezer room by now. I sense a big sausage party in the near future. Glad to hear the 90s are workin so good. I figured they would be pretty nice for such activities, but was unsure how they would do at extended ranges (200+ yds) now all you gotta do is shoot some beyond 200yds and let me know how they do out there. I didnt think yall usually got shots beyond 150 or so. Good shootin.
Z
I would like to talk to you at some point about the best way to deal with elevated heart and breathing rates. If you have any quick pointers feel free to post 'em, but next time we get together be prepared for a lecture.
When I saw the pig up close I could see the blood coming out it's nose and mouth, I told Jeff it was a lung shot. I was later vindicated.
The bullet was a complete pass through like always. It punched a hole slightly larger than an half inch in one lung and exited at about the same size. The lung not punctured was full of dark blood but intact.
Yet another pig with an ample fat layer, they are really stocking up for winter. Stomach was totally full of grain, the ranchers in Gause must get sick of feeding their pigs so well.
I have found holding my breath is not a good way for me to shoot accurately. I always grip the rifle, settle behind the scope, acquire the target, re-grip, exhale and pull the trigger at the bottom of the breath.
More or less agree with what Steve said, some exceptions. First and most important: If your intention is to shoot, always be ready to shoot. By this I mean, when running, breath in a controled manner (deep, full, slow, and controlled breaths). This will prevent the full bodied huffing and puffing that causes pigs to move in and out of the scope. I dont hold my breath either, I shoot on an empty lung. Breath all the way out, settle in for the shot while breathing out. Once the lungs are completely empty, take the shot within a 3 count. The best way is to practice. Set up a target about 500yds out. Run about 1/2 way to it, watching the target the hole time, pick out a spot to shot from and once you reach that spot, assume your shooting position and shoot within 3-5 sec. Dont always shoot prone, it is the most stable, but high grass and ant beds may prevent it. Seated bone on bone is the 2nd most stable field position, followed by supported standing, and finally freehanded. Practice them all, dont get discouraged by 4-6" groups, that is not too bad given the conditions.
When I said "hold my breath" in the posting, it was more stream-of-consciousness writing than completely factual. I basically exhaled, waited a second, then shot. I guess I was more interested in tricks for dealing with your heart rate. I think your suggestion on setting up a 500 yard target range is the best way to approach this - basically practice, practice, practice.
Good stalk and really nice shot. Getting the pig back to the truck would have been a workout.
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