I posted the other day asking peoples experience with aluminum 2020's. Stated that if it snowed I would go chase some hogs.  

Well it snowed........
 

Tell tale sign of hogs, fresh, as it snowed last night.

 

looking good so far!

Called a friend of mine to see if he wanted to go find some hogs. Told him we would be taking our bows and he took my offer.

As we made our way to the property I hunt I just wasn't sure what kinda luck we would have. Been huntin pigs for many years, but never in the snow since we don't get it often here.

I always wanted to see a big winter coated boar walking thru the snow and I was anxious to see what my 2020's would do to him.

In the top pic is an over all of a ridge coming down to a big woods mountain saddle. Towards the top of the hill is the edge of a logged area. Oaks were loaded this year and tree's were felled with the tops full of acorns.

About a hundred yards from here we found our first fresh track. A lone, large animal...sure to be a big boar, but we decided to go to the top in the saddle. A loan boar can travel great distances in a short time.   We wanted some feeding sign.

let's see some more!!

And then? How about...The rest of the story. You've got my attention.

mmmm snow hogs !

We made it to the  saddle and I moved ahead of my buddy to peer over the other side of the mountain. Hoping to see fresh turned leaves on the facing slopes I hear a psssss behind me.  My bud points up the hill to our right and I can read his lips...and his eyes... PIGS!

I look in that direction and can't find them. Then I notice one of the downed tree tops moving. WOW!  Looks like at least ten young pigs rooting in the branches of the top. I peer above and beyond and the entire hillside comes alive with hogs. All sizes and one very large boar.  All feeding down towards us. I'm kinda stunned as hog hunting this time of year is very hard and here we are with at least twenty black pigs   contrasted against the snow covered ground.


I thought we would hit some sign and have to catch up to them, so my glove was velcroed to by bow. I struggle to get my glove free as they move closer at a good pace.  I glance over to my bud, he's about ten yards to my right, and he is at ready.

I love that pig.  black and white how cool is that.  Way to go Thomas.  

FYI before I continue. The pigs I hunt are an isolated pocket of a strain that may very well be a true strain of European boar.  

Some guys that had a lease next to me had trapped them near the Smokey mtns about 20 years ago and released them here. Our state agency recognises Smokey mtn pigs as wild boar, not feral pigs as the rest of the state has. I have never seen an off colored hog here. Always black with the typical high shouldered boars and lower[smaller] hindquarters.

The rest of the story coming. Promise.

  Another cliff hanger.

ohhh the tease is on. ive always wanted to chase hogs in the snow too!

**********************  

God bless,Mudd  

This just ain't right now!!!!!!

 
Nice hunt, .....so far  

I manage to get my glove on and nock an arrow. When I look up there are hogs everwhere about 25 yds out. I'm about to have a shot at a medium sow when the big boar comes into an opening, but is quartering to me. He freezes with his head cocked. I know we are running out of time..something has to happen right now!

With no shot on the boar I shift my eyes to the right. An eating size sow is open and feeding broadside. I really want my bud to have a shot, but by now I don't think we have more than a few seconds till we get busted.

The shot looked like it was going to be low till I heard the whack and saw the 2020 bury in the center of her shoulder. It looked to far forward for my liking and penetration wasn't what I wanted. She turned and ran into the treetops where I heard her crash. Down in bout fifty yards.



The shot was 20 yds. I did hit forward of where I wanted and centered her shoulder with about eight inches of pentration.

Nice job.  Just the primer I need, as I'm going back after hogs down here tomorrow.