Hog Hunting with Bigeye Dave

least 20 yards ahead.  The next thing I see is Dave shouldering his gun.  I looked up and there it was -- a big boar just about 25 yards away from Dave.  Kaboom.... down goes the hog.  With it's nose in the ground it tries to get up and starts plowing the ground towards us.  We jump out of the way and behind a tree.  Dave steps out an puts another shotgun slug through the top of the head.  We thought it was done for sure, then the next thing we see is the boar getting back up on all fours and starts to walk away staggering.   Dave finally finishes it off again with a 3rd round to the head.  Unbelieveably TOUGH HOG!!!!

Three rounds to the head? I don't know how much meat can be had from the head but, if you do try, how many pellets would you have to be removing?

Don't think shot was used,  I believe slugs were, so perhaps not pellets but chunk of lead.

We were shooting one ounce slugs.  The head was way too heavy so it stayed there to feed the coyotes and other critters.

Those 1 oz. slugs are a great way to make head cheese!  I'm on a .45-70 kick right now... another great way to make head cheese!

Dave, did you do anything with the skin, or just leave that for the critters?

Very cool report, would like to see a video of that!

hojoman,
We carry out only what we have to.  Pigs are heavy and that place is steep.  We leave as many bones, hide, head and guts up on the mountain for the critters.
Dave

Dave, did you do anything with the skin, or just leave that for the critters?

The skin around the shoulders of the "meat size" feral hogs can be pretty thick 1 1/2-2". It makes skinning real interesting because it doesn't want to bend much.

Dave, did you do anything with the skin, or just leave that for the critters?

The skin around the shoulders of the "meat size" feral hogs can be pretty thick 1 1/2-2". It makes skinning real interesting because it doesn't want to bend much.

I've heard many guys refer to it as "armor plating" and it's practically true.  The skin around the front shoulders feels like tough cartilage.  It's capable of stopping an arrow broadhead.  That's not normally were you want to shoot a boar.

Ben had a big job on his hands, trying to get that big hog out.  He offered to pay Dave and I to help him drag his hog down the hill, but we gladly volunteered to drag it down, at least to main fire trail.  I took Ben's picture and told Ben I would email him a photo.  I sure would like to know how he got that hog out on his kayak.

Here's pic of Ben with his hog:

Ben got in touch with me by email, Believe-it-or-not, he got the whole hog out on his Hobie Outback.  Here's what Ben said...

"Boat was a champ.  Got the weight as close to my back as possible and just kept moving.  It was wheelie-ing back to the launchsite.  No serious worries about sinking, although I did end up with a gallon of water inside the hull from somewhere.  Don’t think I’d want to try anything heavier.  Had to make another trip to get my gear."