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.45 Colt good pig medicin

Posted: 10 Mar 2018 22:08
by Moon Tree
“Sshhh!” Johnny Thompson, our guide, spoke softly with the authority of 20 plus years as a wild boar houndsman. “They’ve got one bayed!” With those words our hunt began on this snow clad, 20 degree, Feb. morning.

Our hunting party was nine. Four were long time friends. The four new friends were friends and family of the former, 3 of which had never boar hunted before. Without much thought it was decided the new guys should get the first chance at the pigs. Reflecting, it probably wasn’t the best plan. Not knowing what to expect, the newbies hesitated, giving the 300 pound boar the opportunity to break through the dogs. He charged at our group. Johnny swung around a large white oak to safety. Two newbies took similar protection.

I was the cameraman for this outing and was in the open. With a big boar headed straight at me, I released the camera to swing from its strap. My Ruger Blackhawk .45 Colt was out of my shoulder holster just as the big pig did a 90 degree turn at 12 yards out.

The boar separated himself from the dogs and the other 3 hogs in group. He didn’t get to be that big by being stupid. (But, he did make a mistake that afternoon. Brian put him down with one shot from his T/C .35 Remington.)

Adrenaline was pumping through out the group. As the organizer of this hunt, Tom took charged of coaching the newbies. “When the dogs bay a hog, follow Johnny and do as he says. And, always look for a tree to jump behind.” It was decided that Gene would take the first boar.

“They’ve bayed in Pennycuff (a section of the farm).” Johnny announce. We were off on a 1/2 mile march.

Gene broke the ice taking a 200 pound Russian sow. Jake followed with another 200 pound boar with his bow. All in all, the nine of us harvested 10 wild boar. Tom, is an over achiever. He took 2 pigs; one with Ruger .44 magnum rifle and one with a perfect shot from his .45 Colt Blackhawk. All the pigs were in the 200 pound range, except for Brian’s 300 pounder.

My Rossi 92 cambered in a .45 Colt was in my hand instead of a camera for our afternoon hunt. The dogs bayed in the same location were the big Russian had been that morning. No one else seemed to be moving up for a shot so I eased my way to the front of the pack. OK, I might have pushed a couple people into the mud to get there. It was a personal thing with that big fella. But, he was with this group of four.

The pigs where moving about in the tangle of Mountain Laurel. One turned left crossing a small shooting lane. The second one was the largest of the group. When he follow the first pig through the shooting lane, I was ready. It was a slightly quartering away shot. My crosshairs found a spot 4 inches behind it's shoulder. The 300 grain XTP magnum existed the far shoulder. The pig dropped.

We hike over 10 mile (by a step counter) up and down east Tennessee mountains. Man, was it fun! With nearly 1000 acre at Clarkrange Hunting Lodge, it is definitively not a “pen hunt.” For those interested in a less strenuous hunt, they offer stand hunts. Tom took his second pig from a ground blind that evening.

Here's the link for Clarkrange Hunting Lodge. They're good people.
http://www.clarkrangehuntinglodge.com/

Note the Weaver K4 on my Rossi. Thanks Ranch Dog for all your help with the scope project. I love it. :D

Re: .45 Colt good pig medicin

Posted: 10 Mar 2018 23:35
by 9x80Drilling
Moon Tree, thanks for another one of your excellent write-ups. That's a lot of action on one hunt!
I've been waiting to read how your 300 gr. 45 load performed.

Re: .45 Colt good pig medicin

Posted: 11 Mar 2018 06:10
by GRV01
Im turning green over every part of this -- hog hunt, levers in 45, revolvers, cool weather, and ofcourse lots of pork!

Ive a friend that lives in knoxville, may have to go out for a visit and convince him we need a hunt :D

After reading more about that place im convincedwe need to go, pics look amazing. @Moontree how is the lodge? Is it pretty decent on the inside or is it more spartan? I ask since my friend and i would likely bring the wives

And good writeupas always :)

Re: .45 Colt good pig medicin

Posted: 11 Mar 2018 08:09
by ksmoose
Another well written story Moon,thanks. Sounds as if some adrenalin was pumping. Good pics.

Re: .45 Colt good pig medicin

Posted: 11 Mar 2018 15:11
by Ranch Dog
Levers, Weavers, and dogs! It just doesn't get any better than this. Well done Moon!

Re: .45 Colt good pig medicin

Posted: 11 Mar 2018 16:11
by akuser47
Well done, and as always thank you for the well written and entertaining story. +guns

Re: .45 Colt good pig medicin

Posted: 11 Mar 2018 16:32
by Ohio3Wheels
Nice, all the way around. Good looking hounds.

Make smoke,

Re: .45 Colt good pig medicin

Posted: 11 Mar 2018 16:57
by Moon Tree
Thanks guys for your comments. It was a great hunt with a great bunch of guys.

GRV01, The lodge is pretty nice, it's not a 5 star resort by any stretch of the imagination. It's clean and cozy with huge fireplace. The bedrooms are small-ish. There's like 8 of them. They have 2 single beds in each. I think there's a full size bed or two in the open loft bedroom. I've never stayed upstairs. After climbing those mountains all day, stairs could be a challenge. haha The kitchen is modern and well stocked. There are two bathrooms. All in all, I think my wife would be fine staying there. They have a big screen tv with wi-fi. I've stayed in a lot worst hunting cabins and motels for that matter.

Message me if like my phone number to ask me more questions.
Dave