GTA
All Springer/NP/PCP Air Gun Discussion General => Hunting Gate => Topic started by: Nomadic Pirate on March 05, 2019, 01:59:51 PM
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Couple months back while hunting this quite thick area with plenty crossing well worn trails and even a wallow I found this perfectly shaped Formosa Koa that looks like was born to be a blind ;D
facing the perfect North East direction which is the prevailing trades and has the sun setting at the back, on a ridge so the winds are more steady then down in the valley bottoms and no moquitoes ;D ;D
the Tree has a comfortable seat and the perfect V where to rest the rifle, also 3 huge limbs grow horizontally going backwards,
so I cut a lane into the Guava patch in front and placed a feeder in there.
Also there's a few thick Lilikoi ( passion fruit ) vines growing up into that Guava patch.
I spent the past month to build it up.
(http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d124/NorthShoreLB/DSCF1397_zpsrapj8lpy.jpg) (http://s34.photobucket.com/user/NorthShoreLB/media/DSCF1397_zpsrapj8lpy.jpg.html)
I placed some planks on the horizontal branches so to make 2 platforms where I can stand up, stretch my legs and watch from a bit further back
(http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d124/NorthShoreLB/DSCF1399_zps9rzq3qz0.jpg) (http://s34.photobucket.com/user/NorthShoreLB/media/DSCF1399_zps9rzq3qz0.jpg.html)
(http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d124/NorthShoreLB/DSCF1400_zpssdjnhwsd.jpg) (http://s34.photobucket.com/user/NorthShoreLB/media/DSCF1400_zpssdjnhwsd.jpg.html)
(http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d124/NorthShoreLB/DSCF1393_zpsw6olq20g.jpg) (http://s34.photobucket.com/user/NorthShoreLB/media/DSCF1393_zpsw6olq20g.jpg.html)
(http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d124/NorthShoreLB/DSCF1381_zpsqopoxomv.jpg) (http://s34.photobucket.com/user/NorthShoreLB/media/DSCF1381_zpsqopoxomv.jpg.html)
(http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d124/NorthShoreLB/DSCF1380_zpsljitgxp3.jpg) (http://s34.photobucket.com/user/NorthShoreLB/media/DSCF1380_zpsljitgxp3.jpg.html)
I then made a little roof for those rainy days ;D ;D
(http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d124/NorthShoreLB/DSCF1394_zps02dab7jz.jpg) (http://s34.photobucket.com/user/NorthShoreLB/media/DSCF1394_zps02dab7jz.jpg.html)
(http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d124/NorthShoreLB/DSCF1396_zpskcy3bmba.jpg) (http://s34.photobucket.com/user/NorthShoreLB/media/DSCF1396_zpskcy3bmba.jpg.html)
(http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d124/NorthShoreLB/DSCF1395_zpsouc1xmvw.jpg) (http://s34.photobucket.com/user/NorthShoreLB/media/DSCF1395_zpsouc1xmvw.jpg.html)
This is an extremely comfortable blind and quite low to the ground so if I need I can always get down in case I want to stalk a porker
(http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d124/NorthShoreLB/DSCF1398_zpspxzx9tve.jpg) (http://s34.photobucket.com/user/NorthShoreLB/media/DSCF1398_zpspxzx9tve.jpg.html)
(http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d124/NorthShoreLB/DSCF1392_zpseffeezzd.jpg) (http://s34.photobucket.com/user/NorthShoreLB/media/DSCF1392_zpseffeezzd.jpg.html)
(http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d124/NorthShoreLB/DSCF1391_zpstqxz7tho.jpg) (http://s34.photobucket.com/user/NorthShoreLB/media/DSCF1391_zpstqxz7tho.jpg.html)
Yesterday was the 3rd time I sat in my new blind and every time this family came in 3 little boars and a mama, yesterday like the previous times I gave them a pass, mama is still nursing,.........but might not be the case in a few weeks :)
(http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d124/NorthShoreLB/DSCF1385_zps5j60k3sq.jpg) (http://s34.photobucket.com/user/NorthShoreLB/media/DSCF1385_zps5j60k3sq.jpg.html)
(http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d124/NorthShoreLB/DSCF1387_zpsb1yt2obo.jpg) (http://s34.photobucket.com/user/NorthShoreLB/media/DSCF1387_zpsb1yt2obo.jpg.html)
(http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d124/NorthShoreLB/DSCF1388_zpsjp9qxozc.jpg) (http://s34.photobucket.com/user/NorthShoreLB/media/DSCF1388_zpsjp9qxozc.jpg.html)
(http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d124/NorthShoreLB/DSCF1390_zpsvyidibdk.jpg) (http://s34.photobucket.com/user/NorthShoreLB/media/DSCF1390_zpsvyidibdk.jpg.html)
Sometimes you just get lucky and find incredible spots and this seems tailor made for the task,.....lets see how productive it turns out to be in the months to come.
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very nice setup indeed.
curisity question .. IF the boars/hogs/pigs are invasive (are they ?) why not take the mama or the babies ?
I understand sustaining hunting stock, just wondering if they are invasive .... ie KOS
thanks
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very nice setup indeed.
curisity question .. IF the boars/hogs/pigs are invasive (are they ?) why not take the mama or the babies ?
I understand sustaining hunting stock, just wondering if they are invasive .... ie KOS
thanks
Great question,
It makes perfect sense, but I just find it hard to shoot Pregnant mamas and nursing mamas just me,
also I don't like shoot porkers if the have a curly tail or very sparse/thin body hair, those are restrictions that I place upon myself.
Then you have the practical reason, the mama and young ones constantly frequenting a spot will eventually draw in the dominant boars, is good to let a spot develop for a few weeks before taking the gloves off :) :)
Also I kinda like to sit and watch what they do at times, just sit there and watch them porkers do their thing :)
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cool beans, i understand those reasons. thank you
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That looks like an Excellent Hambush spot Manny,
I'm sure you will have many productive harvests from it.
Great job.
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We let the little ones get to good eater size, but then they don't get any more passes. ;D
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Nice looking hide & tree stand!
It shouldn't be long before you get a nice pig from that spot.
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We let the little ones get to good eater size, but then they don't get any more passes. ;D
Those 3 little boars are delicious eating size, I was tempted to take one but really wanted to let the spot develop a little longer before the disruption begins :) :) :)
Just go a new permission and just about to go out the door for initial scouting,
.....I get more excited going scouting a new spot then any hunting :)
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Nice spot Manny!!!
In a couple weeks the suitors will be hot on her tail. Let them come in a couple times and get comfy! ;D
Taso
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Great pictures and write up. Looking forward to some more. Thx
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pigs out here are also a major pest. I'm kinda like Manny where mama will get a pass if she's pregnant. Buuuut......I'm not as reserved if a nice small boar or sow presents the opportunity. There really is no shortage of them here...and they can really tear it up. I'll take a shot at a 20 pounder...they're so soft and juicy.
But sometimes, they also get a pass. I dunno why...I just opt not to shoot them. It's happened a couple of times already; they'll be in my crosshairs, but I won't pull the trigger. I just kinda watch them and smile.
The last one I came across on the weekend got the lucky treatment. And so did that big spotted white one (domestic/wild mix) last week.
It was their lucky days. ;)
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And Manny...that looks like one heck of a hambush spot! It does look like a perfect set up! 8)
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Manny:
Wow....That is Great Blind.....it looks like it should be...A Magic Spot for you ! :) Good Job & Smart Thinking !
I used to do the same thing when I built Tree Stand Blinds for Whitetail Deer Hunting. I'd look for a good spot where the terrain would channel deer and also had a large Black Spruce or White Pine, close by, to build the tree stand in. I would build the tree stand entirely out of material that I could find growing out in the woods, about 18 to 20 feet off of the ground. I usually would use Iron Wood saplings for the framework and I would weave Willows in and out for the seating & shooting platform. It had very good cover & concealment while providing shelter from wind and snow. Once every thing dried out it was rock solid and quiet. I used screw-in tree steps for access and egress & removed the steps when I left the area.
I used the same type of set-up for hunting Black Bear.
Best Wishes - Tom
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I love when I walk into a natural set up where a tree just grew in a way that it makes it perfect.
You guys wait for the pictures of the place I found yesterday,
I didn't get as far as I wanted ( going explore more ) it was tough, super thick could not keep my bearings kept getting turned around and lose my way back, a lot of work, ....but, I also found a glorious spot
A huge Banyan tree that grew a natural platform ( Banyan tree don't let any grass grow under them ) on the upwind side an other Banyan that will be perfect to hung a feeder, the area in dotted with Date palms and there's a huge Lilikoi vine as thick as my wrist going up on the platform tree.
I already did some clearing of Hale Koa trees to open up shooting lanes and used some to place crossbeams on the platform tree.
I have 2 shooting directions, one dead upwind where I will put the feeder ( dang, now I have to buy a new feeder :) )
and one to my right where I'm thinking I might put a mongoose bait station, or just spread corn when I am on the tree.
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Awesome thread as always!
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Daing Manny! Just reading and looking at the pictures puts a huge smile on my face! Living the hunting life bradah! Right on! Looks like a "killer" spot for sure to send lead down range! Will be watching this thread, because it's only a matter of time now until the first porky takes a dirt nap!
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"..or just spread corn when I am on the tree."
Would you think that sour corn would be more effective to speed up and/or bring them from farther..?
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"..or just spread corn when I am on the tree."
Would you think that sour corn would be more effective to speed up and/or bring them from farther..?
Well, the Idea is that once the feeder is established there's gonna be traffic so the corn spread on that location is more to stop a possible passing porker then actually attracting any.
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Looks like a great location to get some porkers.
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Manny:
This is a really great post and you have "Excellent Set-Ups" for your Wild Hog hunting. Just Absolutely Amazing !
I look forward to ALL of your hunting posts. I like how you go about things when you are hunting.
I wish you the Best Of luck ..no... in your case...it is actually.. SKILL . Happy Hunting !
We don't have Wild Hogs up where I live YET.. but a very few are in the southern part of Minnesota.
Now days...for small game hunting....I pile up branches from wind blown deadfall trees and make brush-blinds that I can hunt out of or I will cut up hard-pac snow blocks and make a snow-blind. ;D
My Best Wishes - Tom
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"..or just spread corn when I am on the tree."
Would you think that sour corn would be more effective to speed up and/or bring them from farther..?
Well, the Idea is that once the feeder is established there's gonna be traffic so the corn spread on that location is more to stop a possible passing porker then actually attracting any.
I was thinking when their timing to pass by is not the same as yours..
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Manny:
This is a really great post and you have "Excellent Set-Ups" for your Wild Hog hunting. Just Absolutely Amazing !
I look forward to ALL of your hunting posts. I like how you go about things when you are hunting.
I wish you the Best Of luck ..no... in your case...it is actually.. SKILL . Happy Hunting !
We don't have Wild Hogs up where I live YET.. but a very few are in the southern part of Minnesota.
Now days...for small game hunting....I pile up branches from wind blown deadfall trees and make brush-blinds that I can hunt out of or I will cut up hard-pac snow blocks and make a snow-blind. ;D
My Best Wishes - Tom
Thanks Tom,
Hunting is an adventure that's why I like to show my preparations, location and even gun/pellets research,.......to just post the final product to me takes a lot away from the total experience.
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"..or just spread corn when I am on the tree."
Would you think that sour corn would be more effective to speed up and/or bring them from farther..?
Well, the Idea is that once the feeder is established there's gonna be traffic so the corn spread on that location is more to stop a possible passing porker then actually attracting any.
I was thinking when their timing to pass by is not the same as yours..
But,
if you have your feeders set for certain times there's a chance that they will traverse the area in those times to go check if there's food on the ground.
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Yup that feeder goes off it will be like ringing the dinner bell after awhile.
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So here is my New spot :
Approaching the Banyan tree that is my blind,......behind the date palm.
(http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d124/NorthShoreLB/DSCF1412_zpspfnksjbb.jpg) (http://s34.photobucket.com/user/NorthShoreLB/media/DSCF1412_zpspfnksjbb.jpg.html)
Closer
(http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d124/NorthShoreLB/DSCF1413_zpsumsyceyy.jpg) (http://s34.photobucket.com/user/NorthShoreLB/media/DSCF1413_zpsumsyceyy.jpg.html)
The tree has a natural platform
(http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d124/NorthShoreLB/DSCF1418_zpsp89bpvzj.jpg) (http://s34.photobucket.com/user/NorthShoreLB/media/DSCF1418_zpsp89bpvzj.jpg.html)
The side set up for Mongoose hunting
(http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d124/NorthShoreLB/DSCF1414_zpsm6rxmvk5.jpg) (http://s34.photobucket.com/user/NorthShoreLB/media/DSCF1414_zpsm6rxmvk5.jpg.html)
(http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d124/NorthShoreLB/DSCF1415_zps2q9lsxx7.jpg) (http://s34.photobucket.com/user/NorthShoreLB/media/DSCF1415_zps2q9lsxx7.jpg.html)
Put up a Mongoose baiting station with cat food
(http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d124/NorthShoreLB/DSCF1419_zpsls8kln9d.jpg) (http://s34.photobucket.com/user/NorthShoreLB/media/DSCF1419_zpsls8kln9d.jpg.html)
Looking back at the tree from the Mongoose baiting station
(http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d124/NorthShoreLB/DSCF1420_zpsfoauvubs.jpg) (http://s34.photobucket.com/user/NorthShoreLB/media/DSCF1420_zpsfoauvubs.jpg.html)
Hog hunting set up
(http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d124/NorthShoreLB/DSCF1416_zpso164imdh.jpg) (http://s34.photobucket.com/user/NorthShoreLB/media/DSCF1416_zpso164imdh.jpg.html)
(http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d124/NorthShoreLB/DSCF1417_zps01iuwn8m.jpg) (http://s34.photobucket.com/user/NorthShoreLB/media/DSCF1417_zps01iuwn8m.jpg.html)
Threw some white truffle oil laced corn in the area where the feeder would go
(http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d124/NorthShoreLB/DSCF1421_zpslaavgn4r.jpg) (http://s34.photobucket.com/user/NorthShoreLB/media/DSCF1421_zpslaavgn4r.jpg.html)
(http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d124/NorthShoreLB/DSCF1422_zps1kqdpi5x.jpg) (http://s34.photobucket.com/user/NorthShoreLB/media/DSCF1422_zps1kqdpi5x.jpg.html)
Looking back at the tree from the possible feeder position
(http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d124/NorthShoreLB/DSCF1423_zps5prvyaz6.jpg) (http://s34.photobucket.com/user/NorthShoreLB/media/DSCF1423_zps5prvyaz6.jpg.html)
Will go back in 3 days to see what kind of activity there was, and see if it's worth continuing.
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Hope the effort was worth it.
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Many :
Excellent preparation and concealment on your 1st class blind. ;) I like it ! I think I can smell the BACON Cooking....Real Soon ! ;D
Best Wishes - Tom
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Great post Manny. Reminds me of when I was a kid building forts only difference now we are older and do it to kill bigger critters. My grand daughter and me just started one behind my house for calling coyotes what a hoot. Again great job as usual. Mike
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That looks like a "killer" spot Manny. I'm sure in no time you'll put a nice porker down from the Hambush!
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I love the terrain you are set up in and yes your preparation is also a huge part of your success. I can't wait to see your next successful hunt
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Yeah, I'm pretty happy with my 2 new Hambush locations,
.......lest see how they develop ;D
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Went today to check my 2nd spot,
Corn got wiped out, cat food got wiped out and actually looks like porkers got to the cat food too since there's some chipped out paint like if they hit the feeder with the tusks.
So yes this spot is gonna be great,
Monday I will put some money in the bank so I'll be able to order a new feeder.
also what I'm hoping for is that eventually hogs coming in will make some good trails because I want to explore the area more but it's incredibly thick, so hopefully they will make some highways for me :)
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LOL yes let the hogs do the "grunt" work ;)
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Manny, yes they are an invasive species but I applaud you as an ethical hunter. It’s not the killing but the sportsmanship in the taking of a life. Honor is respect and vice versa.
I have a wonderful life and never wish for anything than to continue living my own. But if I did have to trade yours looks like the kind I would be content and happy with. Wishing you continued contentment, joy and appreciation for a good life!
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So I heard the other day that my 1st spot will be frozen for 5 months starting April 1st.
I will probably going to go sit on the blind tomorrow and probably will shoot that Saw ( the property manager loves pork so I have to feed him :) )
I was going to buy a second feeder but now I will just transfer the one to my second spot.
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Gee Whiz Manny...I thought things only got... Frozen ...where I live. ;D ;D ;D ;D
Best Wishes - Tom
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Gee Whiz Manny...I thought things only got... Frozen ...where I live. ;D ;D ;D ;D
Best Wishes - Tom
;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ...Well the property will be off limit until August
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One more great day without a kill.
So since from April 1st I will lose my main spot ( not just the blind, but this is my main hunting area where I do most of my walking hunting )
I don't have the luxury to wait for porkers to make trails around my 2nd blind, so today I went bushwacking, after a lot of work I made my way up the mountain, I blasted my way to an area I used to hunt many years ago and know well.
After that awesome part of the day on my way back i got to the 2nd blind and put down some cat food on the mongoose feeder and spread white truffle oil laced corn in the area where i plan putting the feeder up and sat down in my blind to relax a bit, rest and watch if any action would happen.
I was watching the mongoose bait because I figured it would be the most likely to get quick action,
as expected a critter came out the bush and hit the little feeder within a short amount of time,....But it was a porker !!!!!!!!
a very nice charcoal grey perfect size ( 60-80 # ) young boar went straight for the cat food and started grinding,...What ?!?!?!
that was a bit unexpected :)
after raiding the cat food the porker moved to the corn, didn't have a watch but he spent some considerable time there, as he was at the corn a mongoose hit the bait,
eventually the young boar left, and left quite a bit of corn on the ground so hopefully more porkers with come to the area.
Great day !!! :) :) :)
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That sounds very promising ...Manny. I think things will work out well for your Wild Pig hunting ..despite having to adjust for unforeseen problems. Adapt and Succeed ! I've had to adapt and work around logging operations, while out hunting. It can really blow a hole in your future hunting plans when a logging operation cuts down your favorite blind-tree or favorite stand of crop trees.
Best Wishes - Tom
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Yeah, a little bummed to lose my main hunting area for 5 months, so much land there where I can walk for days :)
but this new spot is really promising, pretty vast and real thick so porkers really like it there because they feel safe and now that I bushwacked a trail to the open area I used to hunt over a decade ago and know well I have a vast land were I can do my walking :)
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great find manny good looking setup too. Definitely will give you a great place to sit and observe and hunt.I love that finding the perfect natural hidey hole. Like an uprooted tree with a perfect dry basin under it you can sit in and watch squirell from or the perfect split tree. the joys of nature.
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The other day I was sitting in the Banyan and was watching a boar eating the corn in the front and mongoose doing rounds on the bait on the side, I made a seat and can watch both spots at the same time :)
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Do you ever set up game cams near the bait stations Manny?
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Do you ever set up game cams near the bait stations Manny?
I did, but then you get so cought up checking it and spent way to much time looking at pictures :)
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I bought a cheap trail cam, knowing I would rarely use it, I prefer to look for natural signs of wildlife.
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Evan though I have a whole duffle bag full of trail cams, I still am old school looking for sigh and tracks. I feel one has to keep his natteral ability sharp instead of looking at trail cam pics Just my opinion. Mkke
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Been cutting trails in the area a bunch, everytime on my way back I drop a mix of corn and cat food ( looks like hogs are really liking that mix :) )
usually I sit in the tree and sometimes I see pigs come in.
Today I went for a bush hunt up the mountain then on my way back i dropped some of the mix and sat to finish the hunt, I was carrying my Storm .30 Mini-Carbine
(https://oi34.photobucket.com/albums/d124/NorthShoreLB/DSCF1438_zpsyz0p76mw.jpg) (https://s34.photobucket.com/user/NorthShoreLB/media/DSCF1438_zpsyz0p76mw.jpg.html)
2 Hogs shortly came in, the Charcoal boar I've seen a bunch, the Silverback boar I've seen a couple times, also once I've seen a bigger Black boar but it never came in today.
(https://oi34.photobucket.com/albums/d124/NorthShoreLB/DSCF1432_zpsec0wx0wf.jpg) (https://s34.photobucket.com/user/NorthShoreLB/media/DSCF1432_zpsec0wx0wf.jpg.html)
(https://oi34.photobucket.com/albums/d124/NorthShoreLB/DSCF1433_zpstimtpz5h.jpg) (http://s34.photobucket.com/user/NorthShoreLB/media/DSCF1433_zpstimtpz5h.jpg.html)
(https://oi34.photobucket.com/albums/d124/NorthShoreLB/DSCF1434_zpsngxyidod.jpg) (http://s34.photobucket.com/user/NorthShoreLB/media/DSCF1434_zpsngxyidod.jpg.html)
(https://oi34.photobucket.com/albums/d124/NorthShoreLB/DSCF1435_zpst7wlikwq.jpg) (http://s34.photobucket.com/user/NorthShoreLB/media/DSCF1435_zpst7wlikwq.jpg.html)
As they always do they first hit the spot that was ment for mongoose baiting, eventually once they mopped all the food up they moved to the spot where hog bait and possibly a feeder will go up
(https://oi34.photobucket.com/albums/d124/NorthShoreLB/DSCF1436_zpshhxiao3m.jpg) (http://s34.photobucket.com/user/NorthShoreLB/media/DSCF1436_zpshhxiao3m.jpg.html)
(https://oi34.photobucket.com/albums/d124/NorthShoreLB/DSCF1437_zpsdr33zgo4.jpg) (http://s34.photobucket.com/user/NorthShoreLB/media/DSCF1437_zpsdr33zgo4.jpg.html)
once the 2 boars left the first spot a couple mongoose moved in
(https://oi34.photobucket.com/albums/d124/NorthShoreLB/DSCF1439_zpsdcc2qdlc.jpg) (http://s34.photobucket.com/user/NorthShoreLB/media/DSCF1439_zpsdcc2qdlc.jpg.html)
(https://oi34.photobucket.com/albums/d124/NorthShoreLB/DSCF1440_zpsl7huej1g.jpg) (http://s34.photobucket.com/user/NorthShoreLB/media/DSCF1440_zpsl7huej1g.jpg.html)
The 2 young boars where the perfect eating size and they gave me a ton of perfect shots but for some reason I didn't feel like making a kill,....maybe if the bigger Black boar came in he could have convinced me :)
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Manny, you have enormous patience and self control. 8)
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Hmm that "charcoal one sounds like it would be tasty ;)
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Holy Targets Of Opportunity....Manny ! What a great spot you have.
It is strange but I have passed on a few shots on small game too.
Last winter I sat and watched some cottontail rabbits feeding one day and did not take a shot either.
That's just the way it is sometimes..I guess. No real reason....just did not shoot that day.
I still had a great time though. I'll be staying tuned for your further posts.
Best Wishes - Tom
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;) My ex wife's brother goes White Tail hunting every year and in 40 years of hunting private and state lands up in the Catskills has never shot a deer. I watched him pass on a perfect under 50 yard shot on a nice spike buck. When I was back in camp that evening I asked him what happened he responded " I would rather walk in the woods and watch ". I couldn't take the shot since he was between me and the deer.
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For some reason if I watch a porker coming to feed a couple of times I find it extremely hard to make myself take the shot,...I'm sure if I run in the same porker while stalking I would do my best to take a shot :)
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I feel you Manny. Last couple of outings I've been letting them slide...I dunno why. I lined up a perfect shot, and they were super close...15 yards. They looked at me and started sniffing, then went back to chowing down. I actually got up and got within 10 yards before they snorted and backed off.
5 minutes later they were back chomp chomping away. I just looked through the scope, smiled, and watched them.
I still got some ribs and a couple of legs in the freezer anyways. 8)
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;) Paul that is what we call ethical hunting. There is no point in taking more than you can use. On the other hand they are an invasive species and qualify as a serious pest but large and tasty ;D ;D
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Ethical hunting it is. :) I could use a little bit more, though...truthfully told. My son loves it when I BBQ the ribs. That monster will eat a whole slab to himself. :o If I don't limit him, he'll go for a slab and a half. The rest of the family enjoys the fresh meat too, so the supply can get used up in a flash.
And yes, they are very invasive. Those rascals have done a good amount of damage to my tubers and they're keen on my mangos, avocados and breadfruits. Plus side to that is that they are well fed with minimal fat. Yum! ;D
But they still get a pass every now and again.
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;) Paul that is what we call ethical hunting. There is no point in taking more than you can use. On the other hand they are an invasive species and qualify as a serious pest but large and tasty ;D ;D
I need to interject something here, and is a personal bias regarding the "environmentalist" mentality. Here in Hawaii, words mean money to some people, loss of opportunity and resource for others. Pigs, sheep, goats, and deer are all called invasive. This is not true here, nor is it true in many other places as well. Everyone of our game animals (invasive) were introduced resource elements. That man can't, wouldn't, or won't manage them, like anything... a golf course can turn into a jungle, if not managed...
Words like critical habitat, endangered species, threatened species... all give rise to millions upon millions of dollars for here, fencing and eradication and essentially taking control of your land use policy. So Invasive??? No.... unmanaged.... seems like! The proper term for these animals that are introduced but wind up "wild" because of being escaped, or introduced, are rightfully called feral, and that too, creates or symbolizes in imparts a negative connotation. These are essentially, un-managed resources... with a bad name... ;D
Aloha.. 8)
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over here, they're invasive. they were introduced to the island at least a couple hundred years back. Along with deer, they were brought over to be an additional food supply.
Fast forward to today and the destruction they cause is phenomenal. It's a good thing that there's a good amount of people that enjoy hunting them...otherwise, the damage would be even worse. The deer aren't as bad, thankfully. Major culprits for damage are those rascal pigs.
Me? I'm just glad I can get a return on my investment. I have avocados, mangos, breadfruit, star fruit and numerous tubers. I don't invest my time, gas, equipment and money just to give them a free buffet...so when the piper comes a' callin, it's gonna be time to collect. A juicy, delicious, fried, stewed or BBQ'd collection, to be precise. ;D
Although I will say that sometimes I just don't feel like pulling the trigger. A couple weeks back I let a HUUUUUGE booger walk. At the very least he was 230 pounds. Big, black monster. I was stalking through a small trail and he broke through the bush on my right about 20 yards in front of me. I froze immediately and shouldered my rifle. He meandered onto the trail and then stopped to look at me. He huffed a little and flapped his ears, then turned towards me and sniffed. He looked at me again and then proceeded to walk down the trail...with his rump facing me! I straightened up and started to chuckle to myself. He had absolutely no fear; just a huge jungle king that did not see me as a threat. All I was worth was half a grunt, a couple of ear flips and an inquisitive look.
I sat down on a stump, vaped for about 10 minutes and then called it a day. There was still plenty of light out, but I knew I was done. I had no regrets, and if I ran into him again, I'd probably do the same thing again. He's that big for a reason...and in some odd way I really respect that. He can have a place at my table. 8)
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So a few days back I put a feeder up,...you gotta look hard but you can see it behind them date palm fronts
(https://oi34.photobucket.com/albums/d124/NorthShoreLB/Harvests/DSCF1447_zpsazsspmrm.jpg) (http://s34.photobucket.com/user/NorthShoreLB/media/Harvests/DSCF1447_zpsazsspmrm.jpg.html)
Today I wanted to go sit there and check if the feeder was working right and see what kind of action was happening,
I took my .22 Air Speed just in case some mongoose happened to show up while I was checking the feeder out
(https://oi34.photobucket.com/albums/d124/NorthShoreLB/Harvests/DSCF1441_zpsmvbmudp0.jpg) (http://s34.photobucket.com/user/NorthShoreLB/media/Harvests/DSCF1441_zpsmvbmudp0.jpg.html)
The feeder is set to go off at 3:00 and 4:00 PM,
just after 2:00 the Charcoal boar showed up, he hung around in the area where the mongoose feeder is and shortly after plopped down and whent to sleep
(https://oi34.photobucket.com/albums/d124/NorthShoreLB/Harvests/DSCF1444_zpsuzaow0uq.jpg) (http://s34.photobucket.com/user/NorthShoreLB/media/Harvests/DSCF1444_zpsuzaow0uq.jpg.html)
How can I ever shoot this guy ? :)
When the feeder went off at 3:00 the silver boar showed up too
(https://oi34.photobucket.com/albums/d124/NorthShoreLB/Harvests/DSCF1446_zpscp6rucig.jpg) (http://s34.photobucket.com/user/NorthShoreLB/media/Harvests/DSCF1446_zpscp6rucig.jpg.html)
As the 2 boars where grinding the silver one become quite aggressive towards the Charcoal, .........what happened next was very unexpected ........
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I spotted your feeder.... Manny. This looks to me like a Very Good hunting spot.
I also caught your follow up post... in the Hunting Gate.
Excellent Shooting with your Air Speed.
Best Wishes - Tom
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Yesterday I went for a long hunt up the river bottom behind the feeder, I started noticing a lot more activity in the area around the feeder, well defined new trails and quite a bit of scat,
Anyway after 4 hours up the river on my way back I sat on the blind, 10 minutes before the feeder was to go off ( set for one drop at 3 PM and one at 4 PM )
10 minutes to 3:00 this big, thick Boar shows up - I got all exited, with only the confidence big boars have he walked up to the feeder, sniffed the air, checked the ground then after rubbing hard on a few trees he was gone.
Nothing showed up until 5:30 when a good sized young boar came in,.....by now I was tuned in on the Big boy so I just watched if he would come back and when he didn't I quietly sneaked away leaving the young boar to feast :)