This little piggy... got dead

[mtdawg169]

I have the privilege to hunt on a farm in middle GA. Over the last 10 years, we have been over run by feral hogs and coyotes. The have impacted everything from the deer population, to small game, turkeys, quail and even small predators like bobcats & fox. As a result, my friend, the landowner, has a strict shoot-on-sight rule for either species. That rule, in addition to being a Conservative and a Life Member of the NRA are the only dues I have ever been asked to pay in 17 years.

I was out at the farm a couple of weeks ago when I crossed paths with a wild boar after a morning bowhunt. I had already stowed my bow in the truck, so I grabbed the closest thing I could get my hands on, my M&P9 FS loaded with 115 gr. fmj.

Shot #1 - trotting broadside at 20 yards - The boar jumped straight up when he was hit and bolted. Hit on the left side and the bullet passed through to break his right leg.

The boar ran approx. 20 yards, then made a hard left turn and headed straight in my direction. I took aim as he ran headlong into the next round.

Shot #2 - the second shot hit him in the chest and he stumbled as he continued straight at me.

Shot #3 - at about 10 yards, I fired again, hitting him again in the chest. He finally nosedived into a kicking pile of dead pork.

While not ideal at all, I was pleased with the outcome considering the caliber & load that I had immediately available at the time. Most interesting is just how tough these critters are. This one had heavy gristle armor to protect him from other boars. The armor can be felt over the shoulder blade and extending back over the ribcage.

A few pics...

[SteyrAUG]

I certainly think you need a better round than 115 gr. FMJ.

That was a lot of needless suffering.

[J-Dub]

I certainly think you need a better round than 115 gr. FMJ.

That was a lot of needless suffering.

Needless suffering?........ok......

Load up with hydrashocks and drop him with the first two.


Also more proof that pigs arent super human or bullet proof if a 9mm can pass almost all the way through.

[FromMyColdDeadHand]

Anyone else notice that the pig has similar coloration to the M&P? It was meant to be.

[A-Bear680]

Anyone else notice that the pig has similar coloration to the M&P? It was meant to be.

In terms of color the hog looks like one of the old Hampshires , some people might call them a legacy breed today.

[mtdawg169]

I certainly think you need a better round than 115 gr. FMJ.

That was a lot of needless suffering.

Actually it wasn't. As I stated, it was all I had immediately available and FMJ isn't ideal. But it got the job done quickly and shot placement was key. I had been carrying the pistol all day in an OWB holster. Without an alternative readily available and my pistol being quickly accessible, that's what was used. The entire encounter lasted less than 10 seconds and all three rounds were solid hits. He expired quickly and didn't suffer. The animal was in range and all three rounds were good hits. IMHO, it was a perfectly humane & ethical kill. In fact, I'm not 100% certain that a typical defensive round would have been any more effective on the animal due to it's natural armor, a hard, thick plate of gristle covering most of his vitals.

[SteyrAUG]

He expired quickly and didn't suffer.

If he had opportunity to turn and charge that simply isn't the case. Any animal that is charging with a broken leg isn't having fun. He is fighting for his life.

And if you didn't bring the right tool for the job, don't do it. There is nothing wrong with removing problem animals, it should simply be done more responsibly.

[Belmont31R]

If he had opportunity to turn and charge that simply isn't the case. Any animal that is charging with a broken leg isn't having fun. He is fighting for his life.

And if you didn't bring the right tool for the job, don't do it. There is nothing wrong with removing problem animals, it should simply be done more responsibly.

They allow aerial gunning here now for hogs. I doubt they would be any more humane since it would be quite hard for accurate shot placement shooting from a moving aircraft at a running target.


At any rate the thing only ran 20 yards or so. Lots of them run much further than that hit by much more 'suitable' calibers.

[Grizzly16]

They allow aerial gunning here now for hogs. I doubt they would be any more humane since it would be quite hard for accurate shot placement shooting from a moving aircraft at a running target.


At any rate the thing only ran 20 yards or so. Lots of them run much further than that hit by much more 'suitable' calibers.

Just because it is legal and some else does it doesn't mean it is humane.

If the hog was charging or causing problems I can see gunning it down with whatever is on hand. If it is just trotting by I'd let it be.

[Belmont31R]

Just because it is legal and some else does it doesn't mean it is humane.

If the hog was charging or causing problems I can see gunning it down with whatever is on hand. If it is just trotting by I'd let it be.

I wouldn't calling running 20 yards before dying inhumane. Inhumane would be intentionally wounding it or wounding accidentally and not trying to put it down immediately.



They are a real nuisance to people, and are non native. They should be shot on sight. Thats why states are taking measures to allow people to kill them in just about any manner possible.