Went to the range yesterday and today just to check the sighting on a number of different guns. Afterwards, with the guns all cleaned, it was time to mow the lawn. Dinner early, then out to hunt at ten of six. Fifteen minute drive.
Went to the farm (it's not actually a working farm, but headquarters for a high end landscaper on a beautiful piece of property) where I knew there were at least three ghogs I'd seen previously. But the last several times I sat waiting for something to show, I'd been skunked.
After being outdoors all day, cutting the grass and an early dinner, I was tired. I'm sure that glass of wine with my meal had something to do with that. I knew there was a pretty good chance I'd be snoozing at some point.
Pulled the truck into position overlooking the berm where there are several holes. Here's the view from the front seat. You can just make out the berm below the trees with landscaping debris behind it.
Since I didn't see anything the last few times, I left the gun in the case in the back seat. Glassed the berm at 117 yds and sat back to relax. Sure enough the snoozing started. Woke myself up a couple of time with a snort or two. Each time I looked up, glassed and went back to snoozing.
The last time I woke and checked the berm I thought I saw something. Checked with the binos and sure enough, there was a ghog making its way down the face of the berm. I uncased the gun, loaded the clip, chambered a round, lowered the bipod, opened the door, stepped out, and using the door as cover, I steadied the 17 HMR using the hood as a rest. Found the ghog in the scope and set the crosshairs on its head, flicked off the safety and let go the 20 gr XTP. Smack! The victim rolled down the berm to the edge of the interior road, ended up on its back and started kicking like it was trying to swim upstream. Ten second later, off to ghog heaven. 6:45. Timing is everything.
Here's a telephoto shot from the truck of the ghog as it lay after the cold bore shot.
And here is the up close and personal (a good size male, 8 lbs. 3 oz.) and a shot of the smoke pole per the ghog's request.
Story not over. After the pictures, with the empty gun laying on the case in the back seat, I cruised the interior road headed for the back exit. As I was creeping along I was glassing on either side of the road as far ahead as possible. Sure enough I spotted another ghog feeding along the edge of the road. 135 yds. Longest shot so far.
I stopped the truck, got the gun, loaded it up and went to the back of the truck. Opened the cap window, lowered the tailgate, closed the cap window, stood up on the tailgate, and using the roof of the cap, lowered the bipod, chambered the round, flicked off the safety and found the ghog. I placed the crosshairs so the horizontal line lay right across the top of its head and verticle line was in the middle of its head and pulled the trigger. Another loud smack and then the surrender. Wow, that was cool. Five yards longer than my best to date.
Here are the DRT and close ups. I think the shot went in his left ear. You can just make out the buldging eyeball.
A very good day all around!!!
