[H&Hhunter]

Not much to say because this is one of the few pigs I've shot off a feeder at night. I didn't even know how big he was until I walked up to him.

The shot was at 180 yards from a seated bench rest the hog was feeding under a lighted feeder. this was more of a shoot than a hunt. But I thought I'd share some news about a neat new rifle.

The rifle is a Hawkeye M-77 .358 win, I was shooting 225 gr Barnes TSX the bullet gave boringly good performance as they always do. One shot end on and Mr Hog was on the ground dead.

Of the hundreds and hundreds of head of game I've killed with Barnes X and TSX I've never had one do anything but what it was supposed to do. They are simply one of the most reliable performers on game of any bullet made.

I can tell you this about the new Ruger Hawkeye rifles. This is the first series of Ruger rifles that I can unconditionally recommend. Ruger got it right with these. They are accurate, stout and ready to go out of the box. The new trigger is fantastic. For the price I think they are the best bargain for a truly functional working rifle available today.

I rarely hunt over feeder. But with a new rifle in hand this was just to much of a temptation to turn down.;)

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y187/GTAllyn/hogapr2008.jpg

[pat86323]

i need to go somewhere where i can get into some of those. Ive only ever seen one and didnt get a shot.

[H&Hhunter]

They are sure fun to hunt. Don't you guys have some in Arizona?

[Gaiudo]

H&H,

In what state are you shooting these bruisers? Texas? And how much did that big guy weight?

[H&Hhunter]

Gaiudo,

Yes in Northwestern Texas. I don't know how much he weighed an educated guess somewhere around 200 to 250 lbs. He wasn't that big in body size but he had nice teeth.

[K3]

Nice hog, and because of reviews like yours on the TSX, I have some for most of my .30 cal stuff and larger.

Whereabouts in NW Texas? I hunt near Matador every few weeks.

[Gaiudo]

H&H,

Is most of the hog hunting in TX done over leases? Or, are farmers/ranchers there willing to allow open hog hunts?

[K3]

H&H,

Is most of the hog hunting in TX done over leases? Or, are farmers/ranchers there willing to allow open hog hunts?

I know this was directed elsewhere, but you can still hunt for free if you knock doors. It's not like it used to be, but it is still possible for things like hogs and 'yotes. I've got free access to 2K acres for that sort of thing. I just have to call the man and give him a heads up on when I'll be coming out.

The trend is towards leases though.

For deer hunting in TX, if you can knock doors and hunt for free these days, you'd be a fortunate individual.

[H&Hhunter]

K3 we are practically neighbors. I hunt in between Paducah and Crowell.

Gaiudo,

The picture is taken on a lease. I have been invited to hunt on a few places for free when the hogs get out of hand. But as K3 says most hunting in Texas is lease oriented.

[MCgunner]

We have rice farmers that PAY guys with dogs to go after hogs. I've been on a few free hunts and stuck a few hogs. Chasin' dogs in rice fields can be rather exhausting, though. Got lotsa pigs on my land, so I really don't need to beg. LOL Day leasing is good and affordable. That's the way to do it, find a good day lease operation.

[phantomak47]

H&H yet again another good hunting story, sure wish I could get into the field...........

[eliphalet]

Nice hog, good picture & story. He otta make a sandwich or two huh?

Thanks for the info on the Hawkeye, it's good to hear. They are making them in LH for guys like me too.

[john917v]

H&H, that's one fine-looking porker. Here, in Tx, thanks to southern hospitality, a lot of people are willing to let you hunt their lands for free, if they're friends, they'll even let you camp there a few days. I always offer to clear some brush, or to perform some other task to show my gratitude.

[sbk357]

that is a really nice hog congrats

[El Tejon]

H&H, if I can be so bold, what's the freight on a pig shoot? Did you pay per day, or per pig or what?

[H&Hhunter]

El Tejon,

This is a place that I've been leasing for years.