Well, all the time, corn, gas and gear paid off last night. I got set up by 7pm in my ground blind. I had my Texas Boars Sendero light elevated about 7' high to provide a nice game friendly light to be able to see 40 yards into my shooting lane with enough light to clearly see my crosshairs on my intended target after dark. I was sweating like a pig (pun intended) to the point my shirt was soaked. Forutnately the wind was in my favor. I occaisionally got a light momentary breeze right in the face. Trail cameras showed the group of 3 pigs coming in at around 9:15 every night there was corn on the ground. Last night was no different. The smallest of the 3 pigs came in first and never left the feeder pipe that I planted on Sunday. She was very focused on dinner. The big spotted boar came out a few minutes later, but stayed close to the edge of the woods. I had more than one opportunity to take the behind the ear shot or heart shot. I wanted to wait and see what happened. Eventually the big sow appeared behind some brush, but not out in the clear. I eventually saw her poke her head out in the open, but suspect she may have been leary of the light. Since they generally stayed for about 2 hours, according to trail camera pics, I decided to watch. Someone made the suggestion to try to line up a shot for a double, so I watched for the opportunity. A few minutes later, the big boar came back out and lined up behind the feeding smaller sow. I drew a bead to spine the sow, with hopes it would get a heart shot on the boar. I squeezed off a round from the Marlin 336 in .35 Remington. BLACK HOG DOWN! I quickly chambered another round and assessed the situation. In the past I thought I made a solid head shot on a hog, only to have him stop flopping and take off running. I had this hog down and didn't want a repeat, so rather than trying to get on the spotted hog taking off for cover, I chose to put another round in the downed hog.
I jumped out of the blind with my head light on and went to finish the still flopping sow. There was no ground shrinkage for sure. As I got to her, she was still squealing and flopping. The first shot was a solid spine shot. She was not going to make it back to her feet. I put a "flying ashtray" through her neck with my Glock 31 in .357 SIG and she got some much needed rest. With heart pounding I looked for blood that might have been left by the big boar if I got a good pass through from the sow. She had a golf ball sized hole out the back side, so I know it went through. I didn't find a single drop of blood beyond where she was hit. I scanned the trail and surrounding woods for about 20 yards - nothing.
I loaded up my gear and got a couple of pictures. I have killed deer lighter than this hog... for what it's worth. I had a chance to try my new Havalon Piranta knife. WOW! Unzipped that belly with ease. I had to use my CRKT half serrated knife to get through the rib cage, then my machete to get through the pelvis bone. As I hefter her up into the back of the truck, I thought to myself, "hey, you've lost weight". ;D
I dropped her off this morning at the processor with directions to make "medium" sausage. I can almost taste it now...
(http://www.hunt101.com/data/500/medium/P101000921.JPG)
Nice. Man I can't wait for season to get here. Looking forward to those fresh chops.
Congrats on the nice pig.
I like the Marlin.
We got plenty of them here in the MS delta for sure.
Glad you could put one down :fud:
Quote from: guesswho on August 08, 2012, 01:03:20 PM
I like the Marlin.
Thanks! It sure likes the Hornady Leverevolution rounds.
This is only the second animal I have taken with it since I bought it last summer. It was made in the 70's, but very well taken care of. I would say the metal is at least 95% with only very faint normal usage wear. It carries like a dream.
Quote from: lightsoutcalls on August 08, 2012, 01:21:41 PM
Quote from: guesswho on August 08, 2012, 01:03:20 PM
I like the Marlin.
Thanks! It sure likes the Hornady Leverevolution rounds.
This is only the second animal I have taken with it since I bought it last summer. It was made in the 70's, but very well taken care of. I would say the metal is at least 95% with only very faint normal usage wear. It carries like a dream.
Perfect gun for the job.
Sounds like a lot of fun . :z-guntootsmiley:
love that 35, it's one of my favorite guns
Quote from: guesswho on August 08, 2012, 01:03:20 PM
I like the Marlin.
Me too. Killed my first deer with a Marlin .30-.30
Congrats on the hog!
I was sure you were gonna shoot that big boar so you could make that diaphragm pouch. :)
Great pics and story!! As others have said==love the Marlin 35. I have one as well albeit it is much more time and use weathered. I have killed many a buck with it. I shoot Remington 200 grain Core-Locs---deadly.
WTG! congrats. :icon_thumright: I gotta do that one time.
Quote from: barry on August 08, 2012, 04:49:34 PM
Quote from: guesswho on August 08, 2012, 01:03:20 PM
I like the Marlin.
Me too. Killed my first deer with a Marlin .30-.30
x-2. Great accurate gun!
Glad to see ya got one.