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I heard the sharp crack of Ken’s rifle and the 200
grain Hunters Supply bullet impact a hog. Upon closer
inspection,
we found
that
Ken had
dropped
his porker
in its
tracks.
A well
designed
big bore
rifle
coupled
with
proper
ammo is
potent enough for any hog, regardless if it’s a 40 pound pig or
a 400 pound boar.
This hunt brought yet another hunter into the ranks
of those of us that have discovered the fun and effectiveness
of shooting and hunting with air powered big bore rifles. As
I’ve heard stated many times, “These ain’t the airguns your
grandpa used to shoot!” So true! If you have been teetering
on becoming a big bore airgun shooter/hunter, take it from a
fairly recent newcomer to the sport, ME! It’s fun!
the ranch. The hogs and other game had taken cover with
the approach of the summer storm. We did the same, seeking
shelter from rain and wind in one of the big enclosed elevated
hunting blinds on the property.
By the time the front passed, it was way past the
bedtime for this group of hunters. Balette suggested we head
back to the camp house, eat a little late supper, and get a
few hours sleep and head back for a daylight hunt the next
morning. “The corn feeders are set to go off at 7 am. We will
again cruise the trails and roads and this time, I bet we get
Ken a shot. We should see hogs at every feeder. They were
most definitely bedded last night; they’ll be hungry and up
moving in the morning.”
Right on schedule, we were on our ‘buggies’ and
silently cruising to the first area Mark expected to be holding
hogs. Through
my Sun Optics
USA binoculars,
I peeked at the
first feeder,
a twist of the
focus knob
brought the
scene into
crystal clear
focus. There was
a group of wary
hogs that must
have gotten our
scent. By the
time Ken was in position to shoot, the porkers slowly filtered
back into the brush along a nearby creek. Good binoculars are
a must on any hunt. By focusing through the brush, I could
see one of the bigger hogs walking away.
About a quarter mile through the woods, we came
to a sharp bend in the road
and Mark suggested that
he, Ken and Robert slip
downwind with him and
hopefully put the sneak on
hogs that were sill lingering
around the feeder. I followed
behind with binoculars to
watch the proceedings. Sure
enough, several hogs were
still at the feeder, including
what appeared to be a toothy
larger boar. By the time
the group got within about
fifty yards, there remained
several what we refer to
here in Texas as BBQ pigs.
We like to kid each other
about shooting smaller hogs
but we also know there is
absolutely no better eating
in the woods! I never pass up
the opportunity to put a tasty
pig in the cooler. Ken didn’t
either!
Ken Blackstock (Rt) and his brother Robert show off the rig they
will be hunting with, a 45 caliber Professional Big Bore air rifle
with the Nite Site 200.
Ken Blackstock shows off a very good eating pig he took with one well
placed shot from his 45 caliber Professional Big Bore Airgun. Photo by
Luke Clayton
Gear used on this hunt.
PLANO GOLF CARTS
Contact Ken Blackstock for
more information on his rugged off road electric vehicles.
B & C OUTFITTERS
Located in Trinity County of southeast Texas, owned by
Mark Balette. The ranch welcome air rifle hunters and offers hunts for a wide
variety of game including wild hogs and exotics. For more information,
call Balette at 936-544-0882.
NITE SITE
Visit the website for all the detail on hunting
with this affordable and highly effective system for night hunting.
RIFLE
For more information on Professional Big Bore Airguns, visit
BULLETS
For a wide selection of bullets designed for air guns, visit
.
BINOCULARS
Sun Optics USA 10X42 binoculars.
Good optics is a must on any hunt but
especially when hunting hogs. This spotting
scope from Sun Optics USA and Sun Optics
10 X 40 binoculars were extremely useful
on this hunt. The spotting scope is a must in
identifying distant hogs and, judging their
size. The binoculars did a great job looking
‘through’ the brush and locating hogs.
Ken Blackstock (back left) and family enjoy the fruits of Ken’s harvest with the big
bore .45 caliber air rifle. Nothing quiet as tasty as pork taken from the wild with
an air rifle!
