This is How Custer Must Have Felt

[J.R.@A&M]

My hunting habit these last few years involves still hunting in the National Forest. At my age, it’s the hike that matters. Getting in range of deer and pigs is kinda like what the U.S. Army experienced chasing Plains Indians - it’s hard to even see them, and when you do, they scatter.

With that experience, I have bow-hunted, and toyed with thoughts of hangun hunting or black powder. Why not? The emphasis is more on the process than the outcome.

Which brings me to yesterday. Hoping the rain would stop, I left work early and got to the bottomland by mid afternoon. Good, soft, quiet stalking under the putter patter of the drizzle.

With my back to a swollen creek, I heard deep, guttural grunting and squealing, and here they came. A long line of wild hogs, about 70 yards away, across a tributary. Maybe fifteen hogs, mostly black with Russian-looking features. There were all ages, including some huge boars, and some sows with piglets.

I was on foot, carrying an open sighted 30-30, loaded with four rounds. Also carrying a concealed 5-shot revolver. When I first saw them, I was thinking about the logistics of dragging one out, and could I get over that tributary, etc. But after a few moments, I realized that this collection of hostiles could, if they wanted, probably overpower me. Never felt this before. Vulnerable.

At a similar moment of revelation, Custer sent a message “Benteen: Come on. Big village. Be quick. Bring [ammunition] packs. P.S. Bring packs.” For my part, I said goodbye to thoughts of future handgun hunting and black powder. Maybe something with a 30-round magazine.

[Grayling813]

Maybe something with a 30-round magazine.

Or 100! https://www.betaco.com/cmag_product_det ... &weapon=25

[Lynyrd]

I kill a lot of hogs. 75+ every year and all of those on my own property. I've only had two charge me after being shot. Both were big boars, and they seemed to know that I was the cause of their pain. Anyway, neither of them made it to me but one got within about 20 yards before I managed to put him down. From the size of his cutters it looked like he could have disemboweled me with one flick of his head. That will get the old ticker pumping fast!

Almost always when there is a large group like you described they will run and scatter at the first gunshot. The biggest boars tend to run alone or in pairs. They are much more likely to stand their ground rather than run. But, YMMV. And just so you know, IMHO you didn't have enough ammo.

[Greybeard]

Wear tree-climbing boots.

[J.R.@A&M]

And just so you know, IMHO you didn't have enough ammo.

Most definitely agree with your opinion!

[C-dub]

I have not hunted hogs yet, but have considered this scenario often if I ever get to. I'm considering climbing the tree before the first shot and then waiting out the insanity of the scrambling and any charging that might ensue. How do some of you experienced hog hunters think something like that might work?

[Jago668]

Have you tried artillery?

[Lynyrd]

I have not hunted hogs yet, but have considered this scenario often if I ever get to. I'm considering climbing the tree before the first shot and then waiting out the insanity of the scrambling and any charging that might ensue. How do some of you experienced hog hunters think something like that might work?

Hogs are primarily nocturnal feeders. You can see them out foraging in the daylight on occasion, but the weather has to be just to their liking. A hog cannot sweat anywhere but the end of its nose, and they overheat easily. This makes them move at night, or in cloudy rainy weather. That being said, you can certainly hunt them from a tree stand but they are going to need a reason to come where you are.

[The Annoyed Man]

Wear tree-climbing boots.

[crazy2medic]

Have you tried artillery?

T.O.T?

[C-dub]

I have not hunted hogs yet, but have considered this scenario often if I ever get to. I'm considering climbing the tree before the first shot and then waiting out the insanity of the scrambling and any charging that might ensue. How do some of you experienced hog hunters think something like that might work?

Hogs are primarily nocturnal feeders. You can see them out foraging in the daylight on occasion, but the weather has to be just to their liking. A hog cannot sweat anywhere but the end of its nose, and they overheat easily. This makes them move at night, or in cloudy rainy weather. That being said, you can certainly hunt them from a tree stand but they are going to need a reason to come where you are.

Yeah, I've read a little bit about them. I just don't have any actual experience. I thought if I ever got the chance I would find them, then get up in a tree before taking the first shot. That way I would be out of the way for scattering or charging and might still be able to get 1-5 more depending on the craziness and direction of scatter.

[oljames3]

Have you tried artillery?

T.O.T?

Time On Target. My favorite mission, both from the Forward Observer's point of view and from the Fire Direction Center's. Most fun you can have with your boots on.

[Lynyrd]

I have not hunted hogs yet, but have considered this scenario often if I ever get to. I'm considering climbing the tree before the first shot and then waiting out the insanity of the scrambling and any charging that might ensue. How do some of you experienced hog hunters think something like that might work?

Hogs are primarily nocturnal feeders. You can see them out foraging in the daylight on occasion, but the weather has to be just to their liking. A hog cannot sweat anywhere but the end of its nose, and they overheat easily. This makes them move at night, or in cloudy rainy weather. That being said, you can certainly hunt them from a tree stand but they are going to need a reason to come where you are.

Yeah, I've read a little bit about them. I just don't have any actual experience. I thought if I ever got the chance I would find them, then get up in a tree before taking the first shot. That way I would be out of the way for scattering or charging and might still be able to get 1-5 more depending on the craziness and direction of scatter.

You won't have time to get up in a tree after you find them. They will be long gone before you get a chance to get them in your sights. They are perhaps the smartest animal in the woods. And they can smell food buried under the dirt.

[Iunnrais]

That's very close to the scenario that made me invest in a 6.8spc AR... Went out to the farm with my .45-70 to help my dad out and shoot a pig or two... Seeing several dozen come across the fence line when you've only 4+1 in the rifle and 6 .44 Mag in a revolver isn't a great feeling. It's much better with a 30 round mag in the rifle and another in a pouch.

On the plus side, both the .45-70 and the .44 Mag are confirmed do the job on hogs :)

[KLB]

You won't have time to get up in a tree after you find them. They will be long gone before you get a chance to get them in your sights. They are perhaps the smartest animal in the woods. And they can smell food buried under the dirt.

Beat me to it, but absolutely correct. I've never shot a hog when I was on the ground. I've always been in an elevated blind or stand. I would be reluctant to do it on ground level.