Our feral hogs dont reproduce as advertised. I believe the coyotes are very hard on the young pigs. We see a lot of young litters with 8 or so pigs. When they get to forty lbs, those same litters will have three or four. In the county I live in, which does not have hogs everywhere - the USDA has trapped almost 2500 hogs in the past two years. Private trapper and hunters reported taking about 500 - and I know of no private trapper or hunter who has ever self reported - including myself.

Set the alarm for 0430 since the pigs had been showing up about that time and staying until almost daylight. Unfortunately a couple sows had shown up through the night and didn’t stay but about 10min. I decided I was up, couldn’t sleep anyways so I might as well ride out.
On the way I was thinking maybe they’re in the thick bottom behind the dove fields. I’d grabbed the e-caller before I left so I figured I’d run some pig in distress and see what happens.
I drive in with no lights and slowly crossed the pond dam scanning while driving. Nothing. I parked and got the gun, tripod, and sling the caller across my chest.
Our fields have rows of Pearl millet to provide cover for hunters and escape routes for quail. The first section had nothing. The second section, nothing. I got to the plowed third section and saw something laying against the far edge of the millet. I scanned across the field and hit the jackpot.
In the field were 4 coyote pups playing and digging. I could actually see dirt flying in the scope, lol. I deployed the tripod and settled in. First shot had one spinning. I followed it until it dropped. Second shot was on a coyote watching the hit one and it was a flat out miss! I knew it when I squeezed the trigger.
I scanned a little more and waited. I thought of deploying the e-caller but figured the others were long gone.
I eventually made my way down the row of millet to the West scanning as I went.
Call it luck or whatever, but as I’m scanning a coyote comes back out in the field checking out his downed brother. This was an easy 75 yard shot and it dropped on the spot.
Up at 0430 and by 0530 I had two coyotes on the deck.

WB,
This is making me want a thermal rig really badly!!!!¡

Best Christmas present I’ve probably ever received, lol. I liked it so much I wanted another (cheaper) thermal for my son to join me when he can. Went with the AGM TS35 640 and he likes it. In fact, he’s building a .300BO and is going to move it off the AR in .308 to that gun. I keep having to remind him he can also purchase his own and I’ll use that one as a scanner or put it on the 5.56 to try.

Swamp, it would do you fine since you’re retired. I’m making the most of my benefits time. I can hurt here or in the woods, lol. I was told I’d hate it on a bolt gun, but so far I haven’t. The AR the other scope is on weighs in right at 13# and my bolt gun fully loaded is a tad under 9#. Shot 3 piggies the other night at one stand. All I’d do with an AR is waste a lot of ammo and still kill the same amount.

nice lots of pork there, I've gone down south twice and took all the good pork home, and everyone likes it.

Great Kills WB, we have more than we need here . The big hogs will nock over the feeders and cause damage. I could use a setup like that.

What thermal scope are you using?

IRay Bolt TH50-C

Still at it. Got up this morning with the intention of heading back to the dove fields to try and call in coyotes. I drove in under moon and star light and parked. I checked the cameras on my phone (nothing but deer) and then started getting everything ready. I’d laid my phone on my seat as I got the rifle, tripod, and e-caller all situated.

As I went to pick up my phone it went off with a camera notification. I looked as I started walking and I had pigs!! I loaded everything back in the truck and drove to within a couple hundred yards and parked.

I made the 200 yards fairly quick and eased into the pines. With a good amount of rain during the Spring and Summer means we have a lot of brush. I moved three different times before finding a “clear” view and I was only 50-60yds away, lol.

I got the biggest in the thermal and dropped him.

I stayed in that spot and continued to scan. I heard grunting and saw two piglets. Not sure if that’s the appropriate name, but really small pigs, lol. I had to move a couple times and grunt and squeal to keep them around. I finally got a shot and dropped one and the other ran.

Again I stayed in place just scanning and heard some grunting to my left. I scanned left and could pick out heat in the plum thicket. I grunted a couple of times and it took a couple steps to give me the outline of a pig and squeezed the trigger for the third time.

It’s now real close to actual daylight and I realized it’s also opening day of archery season. I went and got the truck, took some pics, and sent them to the manager just incase people start calling telling him about the someone shooting deer with rifle during archery season, lol.

Sorry so long, just like to tell the story. Here’s this mornings take…





What’s really cool is I get home and get a text from the manager and he asked how many critters do I think I’ve taken over the last several weeks? I told him I started with a brand new box of bullets and have 2 left. I had 1 miss and shot 1 pig twice. So I figure about 13 pigs and 3 coyotes. He said good, I’m gonna pay you for your time and critters, I’ll add it to your September check. Heck, I have free access 24/7 to do as I please. I’ve killed the biggest deer of my life there. I turkey hunt there. I catch fish whenever I want in any of the ponds. What more could anyone ask for? I do get paid to trap and when I help with the quail hunts, but never even thought about getting paid to go shoot critters, lol.

Life is good to you!! Say thanks and keep shooting!!