2 Farm Hunt
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2 Farm Hunt
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Topic: 2 Farm Hunt (Read 4632 times))
longislandhunter
GTA Senior Contributor
Posts: 16547
The 3rd GTA Musketeer (per Gene Curtis)
Real Name: Jeff
2 Farm Hunt
«
on:
July 28, 2010, 01:08:28 PM »
The weather was nice yesterday afternoon so I decided to do a 2 farm hunt. My plan was to hunt the vegetable farm first and try to nail this one old, smart g-hog and then head over to the duck farm and see what targets presented themselves there. I was going to take the .22 condor with me but when I opened the gun safe I saw my .20 cal RWS 48 standing there and I decided to take her instead. The 48 is a real hammer and I just recently sighted her in with Kodiaks and JSB domes so I knew she was up to the task.
I arrived at the vegetable farm late in the afternoon and quickly made my way to the crop field located back in the middle of the woods. The old, fat g-hog I was after lived back here and he's been wreaking havoc on the crops in one corner of the field so it was time for him to go. I've tried to nail him before and failed, but each time I hunted him I learned a little more about him and I was convinced I had a chance to get him today.
This g-hog always feeds late in the afternoon and while he did have a couple of places where he exited the thick bushes and wood line to enter the crops I had narrowed him down pretty good and felt confident as to where he was going to enter the field. I found a good "hide" 30 yards from his expected entry point and set up my folding backpack seat just inside the wood line nestled in among some real thick bushes and underneath a small wild cherry tree that would give me some shade. I got comfortable and began my wait.
45 minutes into the hunt I suddenly noticed some movement to my right. I looked over and saw the old g-hog stick his furry face out of the bushes and begin to give the field a good looking over. Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, he felt confident all was safe and he slowly emerged from the bushes and slowly made his way out into the crops. He waddled over to a young cucumber plant and quickly devoured the entire plant, starting with the tender young leaves. As he waddled over to the next plant in the row I got the 48 ready and waited for a shot to present itself. As he fed on the second cucumber plant he was facing away from me but as he paused and stood up to take a look around I had a clean shot at the back of his head. I put the crosshairs on his head and fired. The Kodiak slammed home with a "POP" and the g-hog flopped forward onto his belly and started going into convulsions. I quickly reloaded and approached the downed g-hog but when I reached him he had expired and was just laying there with a cucumber leaf sticking out of his mouth. The distance had been 30 yards and the Kodiak had entered his head just below the left ear, traveled completely through his head and exited through his forehead just below the eyes. He was to big to put in the game pouch so I collected my gear, grabbed my harvest by the leg and headed back to the truck. When I reached the truck the farmer was in a nearby field doing some tilling. He came over and took a look at the g-hog and congratulated me. No more crop raiding for this bruiser. I hunted the vegetable farm for another hour, slowly walking the edges of the fields, but there was to much activity out in the fields as the workers picked crops so I decided to pack up and head over to the duck far.
Within a few minutes I was pulling into the duck farm and parking my truck. As I pulled up to my usual spot I noticed two young g-hogs racing across a nearby field heading for their burrows. Apparently they had seem me enter the farm and were headed for safety. This was a good sign
I loaded the 48 with a Kodiak and headed off to find a target. I hunted for about an hour and while I did see several g-hogs I couldn't get into a shooting position. I was going to head back to the truck and call it a day but I decided to take a short walk over to this one duck pen that was filled with waist high thick grass. This field was always good for a g-hog or 2 so I thought I'd give it a look before I called it a day. In order to reach this grassy field I had to cross a large, completely open duck pen. The pen I had to cross was completely barren of any kind of grass or bushes, it's truly just a large open field, so I never expected to see any g-hogs here but as I neared a cluster of 4 grain feeders in the middle of the field a large, fat g-hog suddenly emerged from the far side of the 4 grain feeders and started lumbering across the open field heading for the safety of the grassy field which was about 80 yards away. As soon as I saw him running I took off running myself. I had a better angle of approach to the grassy field than the g-hog did so I was able to get between the fleeing g-hog and the field. The running g-hog stopped dead in his tracks 25 yards away from me and hugged the ground as he thought about what to do next. Knowing I only had seconds to react before he was off and running again I shouldered the 48, put the crosshairs on his head and fired. The Kodiak him home and at the hit the g-hog just rolled over onto his back, feet in the air and began his death wiggle. I reloaded quickly but a second shot wasn't necessary. I collected my harvest and headed back to the truck to call it a day.
At home, while skinning and cleaning the g-hogs, I was amazed at the huge layers of thick white fat on both of these animals. They had both been eating well and the fat showed it. The duck farm g-hog was bigger than the first g-hog but both of them were full grown adult males that had some real weight to them. They'll both make some fine g-hog pot roast at a future date
Jeff
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Long Island, New York
If it was easy it wouldn't be hunting it would be shopping.
Atchman2
The Suburban Outdoorsman
GTA Senior Contributor
Posts: 3865
Knoxville, TN
Real Name: Randy Atchley
Re: 2 Farm Hunt
«
Reply #1 on:
July 28, 2010, 05:40:55 PM »
I've been wondering when I would see that 48! I was hoping I had convinced you to let me "store" it at my house.
Great shooting!! Really enjoyed the story and pictures! Exceptional!
Logged
Knoxville, TN
From my good friend Pastor Frank "Buzz" Trexler:
"Buzz Trexler There's a place for all of God's creatures -- right next to the potatoes and gravy."
longislandhunter
GTA Senior Contributor
Posts: 16547
The 3rd GTA Musketeer (per Gene Curtis)
Real Name: Jeff
Re: 2 Farm Hunt
«
Reply #2 on:
July 28, 2010, 06:06:40 PM »
Thanks Randall.... it was nice to bag some critters with the 48 . I absolutely love that rifle and in .20 cal it simply rocks !!
I don't take her out hunting enough but I'm going to start making sure she gets her fair share of field time....
Jeff
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Long Island, New York
If it was easy it wouldn't be hunting it would be shopping.
Squackerreaper
Shooter
Posts: 47
Real Name: Wes
Re: 2 Farm Hunt
«
Reply #3 on:
July 28, 2010, 07:54:50 PM »
Great shooting and great pics. And some mighty fine table fare!!!
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Glencoe, KY
I hunt, therefore I am...
2017 KY kills:
Squirrels
Rabbits
Starling(9)
Crows (2)
Groundhogs(3)
Chipmunks(15)
.177 Big Cat,.177 G1 Extreme,.22 Titan GP,.22 Benjamin Disco,.22 Gamo Bone Collector Hunter
a1Bogey
Guest
Re: 2 Farm Hunt
«
Reply #4 on:
July 28, 2010, 08:03:25 PM »
LIH = interesting report with excellent Pics. Very good shooting boss. Wish I was there.
Bogey
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jonnnyboy
GTA Senior Contributor
Posts: 4758
Real Name: joe
Re: 2 Farm Hunt
«
Reply #5 on:
July 28, 2010, 08:12:56 PM »
Jeff, that is a great hunt and great pics. Thanks for taking the time to write it up and share it with us. You mentioned pot roast g-hog which is a recipe I don't think I have ever seen. Would you mind doing a write-up on cleaning and cooking a g-hog?
Also, I wonder if Gene would be willing to allow us a library for our favorite recipes? I'm sure there's a bunch of great recipes floating around in the hunting gate!!!
blessings, joe
Logged
"Welcome to Tennessee, the patron state of shootin' stuff!" ex-Marine Gunnery Sgt. Bob Lee Swagger
"A strong body makes the mind strong. As to the species of exercises, I advise the gun. While this gives moderate exercise to the body, it gives boldness, enterprise and independence to the mind. Games played with the ball and others of that nature, are too violent for the body and stamp no character on the mind. Let your gun therefore be your constant companion of your walks." Thomas Jefferson
dk1677
Squirrel !
Moderator
GTA Senior Contributor
Posts: 47932
"Disco Dave"
Real Name: Dave
Re: 2 Farm Hunt
«
Reply #6 on:
July 28, 2010, 08:17:59 PM »
Great shooting and pictures Jeff!
Logged
NY
22 Disco, Hammerli 850 22, Beeman RS3 22 ,Gamo viper express,Crosman 180 22 . One of many Dave's
Forum Rules-
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longislandhunter
GTA Senior Contributor
Posts: 16547
The 3rd GTA Musketeer (per Gene Curtis)
Real Name: Jeff
Re: 2 Farm Hunt
«
Reply #7 on:
July 28, 2010, 08:37:01 PM »
Thanks fellow hunters
glad you enjoyed the hunt and pics.
Joe.... I'll work on making a post about cleaning and making g-hog pot roast. Next one I bag I'll take pics during the cleaning process so I can add them to the post. Pot roast is one of my favorite ways to prepare g-hog, especially the older ones and it's also extremely easy. For those on the fence about trying g-hog for dinner I think pot roast would be a great way to give it a try. The meat comes out so tender it literally falls off the bone and the meats flavor is greatly enhanced by the vegetables and juices involved in the cooking process. I'll work on the post and next one I harvest I'll take those pics so readers can see how to skin and clean them.
Jeff
Logged
Long Island, New York
If it was easy it wouldn't be hunting it would be shopping.
jonnnyboy
GTA Senior Contributor
Posts: 4758
Real Name: joe
Re: 2 Farm Hunt
«
Reply #8 on:
July 28, 2010, 10:17:01 PM »
Thanks, bro. I'll be watching for it! My mouths already watering in anticipation!!
blessings
joe
Logged
"Welcome to Tennessee, the patron state of shootin' stuff!" ex-Marine Gunnery Sgt. Bob Lee Swagger
"A strong body makes the mind strong. As to the species of exercises, I advise the gun. While this gives moderate exercise to the body, it gives boldness, enterprise and independence to the mind. Games played with the ball and others of that nature, are too violent for the body and stamp no character on the mind. Let your gun therefore be your constant companion of your walks." Thomas Jefferson
only1harry
One of the original 3 GTA Musketeers (per Gene Curtis)
Moderator
GTA Senior Contributor
Posts: 21645
ΜΟΛΩΝ ΛΑΒΕ! (come and get them)
Real Name: Harry
Re: 2 Farm Hunt
«
Reply #9 on:
July 28, 2010, 11:11:07 PM »
Awesome shooting, story and pics buddy! Those are some chubby chucks
I love your 48!! Ok I love most Diana rifles, but I always wanted a .20cal. I looked for a 48 .20 for about 6mos after you got yours a couple of years ago but couldn't find one. I think I am now spoiled with the "quiet" shrouded Condors.. I believe the 48 .20 with a sling is one of the best guns to go hunting with in the field. It is not as long as the 350 (although just as heavy) so it's a little easier to manage through the brush, and it shoulders well. It's also a Magnum Springer so there is not much you will run into that you can't take out with it. I only have experience with the BAM 30 which is a 48 clone and I really liked it for field use in the woods we were hunting in. I actually asked the guy if we can swap guns and he refused my Condor .22! I don't blame him. He got a lot more squirrels than I did that day. Don't you find the 48 easier to shoot off-hand than the Condor? I think I find all my Springers easier to shoot off hand than the Condors. I feel a lot more comfortable shooting the Condor from a rest.
«
Last Edit: July 28, 2010, 11:12:46 PM by only1harry
»
Logged
Hudson Valley, NY
Pro-tuned guns:
AF Condor .25 #1, Condor .25 #2
Condor .22, Marauder .25, Disco .22 camo
RWS Diana 350 .22, RWS Diana 48 .22,
RWS 34K .20 Premium #17 of 30 custom built by Diana
RWS Diana 36 .177 (Gene & Bob tuned)
Factory stock & home tuned:
Benji Akela .22 bullpup
Gauntlet .22, Disco .22 #2,
Fortitude .22, Prod .22
RWS 350 .177, RWS 5G .177
Hammerli 850 .22, Crosman 2240KT
Remington NPSS .22, Umarex M&P 45
Crosman 66, Crosman 760, Beeman P17
Crosman Air17, Crosman 38T
Several other Umarex & Crosman CO2 pistols
Alan
Guest
Re: 2 Farm Hunt
«
Reply #10 on:
July 28, 2010, 11:34:45 PM »
That's one lean mean shootin' machine. Oh, and the gun is nice too. lol
Seriously, great shootin', pics & storytime. g-hogs beware!
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longislandhunter
GTA Senior Contributor
Posts: 16547
The 3rd GTA Musketeer (per Gene Curtis)
Real Name: Jeff
Re: 2 Farm Hunt
«
Reply #11 on:
July 28, 2010, 11:49:10 PM »
Thanks Harry, thanks Alan, glad you liked the pics.
Harry,,, I have to agree with you, I find the 48 to be one of my favorite guns to take into the woods hunting. Yes it's heavy, but the comfortable sling I have on mine takes care of the weight factor and besides, the weight of the 48 is actually one of the things that makes me like the rifle so much. When I pick up my 48 and feel the super solid build of that rifle it just feels so right. The 48 shoulders exceptionally well and with it's shorter build and nicely balanced weight it just seems to point directly at the target almost on it's own. I do in fact find my 48 to be one of the easiest rifles to shoot accurately offhand. I'm good shooting offhand with my condors and my other springers, but the solid weight, short length and balance of the 48 just makes it a dream to point and shoot quickly and like you said, it is in fact a real magnum springer with some serious power so it's more than a match for any game I'm going to be running into. I'm so glad that I jumped on this rifle when it came up for sale, having it in .20 caliber is like a dream come true for me. I haven't seen any other .20 cal 48's up for sale since I bought this one but there's got to be a few lurking around out there somewhere. I plan on doing a lot of hunting with my 48 this year, especially looking forward to squirrel and rabbit season opening.
Jeff
Logged
Long Island, New York
If it was easy it wouldn't be hunting it would be shopping.
JimH
Marksman
Posts: 498
Re: 2 Farm Hunt
«
Reply #12 on:
July 29, 2010, 12:36:56 AM »
Them is some fat hogs! Great hunt!
Logged
"You'll put your eye out!"
_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_
.22 Benjamin Marauder
.22 Browning 800 Mag
.17 Gamo Whisper VH
Atchman2
The Suburban Outdoorsman
GTA Senior Contributor
Posts: 3865
Knoxville, TN
Real Name: Randy Atchley
Re: 2 Farm Hunt
«
Reply #13 on:
July 29, 2010, 12:58:14 AM »
I wonder if they'll ever make a .25 48? I think it could handle that caliber.
I'm stoked because I just bought a clone from a forum mate. It is only .177 but that is okay as I have PLENTY of nice .22 guns for hunting and plinking.
I can't wait to shoot it! I've never owned a side lever air gun before. For prone shooting, like for prairie dogs, it would be hard to beat! The nice thing is you can sling it. That way I can bring a powder burner for say coyotes, and the 48 clone for small game.
Not sure how hard it is to change out the barrel on one, but I could probably order a .22 barrel.....
«
Last Edit: July 29, 2010, 01:00:12 AM by Atchman2
»
Logged
Knoxville, TN
From my good friend Pastor Frank "Buzz" Trexler:
"Buzz Trexler There's a place for all of God's creatures -- right next to the potatoes and gravy."
VINNY
Expert
Posts: 1722
Re: 2 Farm Hunt
«
Reply #14 on:
July 29, 2010, 02:07:36 AM »
You kick butt!! Great story and great shooting.
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Gamo Big Cat 1200, Viper Express, Varmint Hunter, CFX-.177, CFX-.22, Bone Collector.22
Crosman Quest 1000, Quest 800X, 1077 AS, 760 Pumpmaster, 66 Powermaster, 761XL, 2200 Magnum, 2100 Classic, Phantom 1000, M4-177,1377
Daisy Red Ryder,2-15XT Pistols, Powerline 1200 Pistol
4 b-3's
Walther Falcon Hunter .22, Force 1000
Baretta 92FS Pistol, Elite II Pistol
Hammerli X2, 490 Express
Baikal MP512-.22
Wincester 1000SB, 800X, 1100XSU
Benjamin '71 132
Beeman RS2
Ruger Airhawk
only1harry
One of the original 3 GTA Musketeers (per Gene Curtis)
Moderator
GTA Senior Contributor
Posts: 21645
ΜΟΛΩΝ ΛΑΒΕ! (come and get them)
Real Name: Harry
Re: 2 Farm Hunt
«
Reply #15 on:
July 29, 2010, 08:24:57 AM »
Randy,
They did make the 48 in .25 a few years ago, and as a matter of fact they still make it in Europe. Umarex can also special order them for you anytime, but they usually have to order a minimum #, so you may have to wait 6mos or more. They asked us about 3yrs on the Dianawerk forum if we wanted 48 & 52 models in .25 but they had to order at least 20 I think it was and wanted at least 15 orders from us. It was like a "groupbuy". Less than 1/2 dozen people came forward and said they wanted one, so they never placed the order. I think it was mainly because the price was about 30% higher than a regular .177/.22 48. Umarex got greedy and they didn't get hardly any orders.
My thoughts on the 48 is that it's not as powerful as it could be or as you think in .25. People that own 48 .25's reported average velocity mostly in the low 600's with the lightest pellets (20-21gr), mid-600's at best. Powerwise, the 350 would make a better .25 shooter since it has 2-3fpe more than the 48/52. I think the 48 .20 or .22 is perfect.
I went hunting with a guy in 30 wooded acres that wanted to clean up the area from squirrels so he can be in his deer stand without squirrels coming up to him or giving the alarm when he hunts. He used the BAM 30 in .22, a 48 clone, and I can tell you, he was killing squirrels and chipmunks with open sights at 30-35yds consistently. It wasn't until I held his rifle in my hands that I realized how balanced it was and how well it shouldered and quick to point to the target. This guy got 6-7 squirrels (the daily bag limit) and I only got 2 with my Condor. Of course he saw them first, shouldered the rifle and bang - he would drop them dead more than half the time with the 1st shot at distances from 30 to 37-38yds. By the time I found a tree to lean on, that would get me a clean shot at that squirrel, he had dropped it with the 1st or 2nd shot on open sights, from a standing position off-hand and no scope! As soon as he saw me he said you brought the wrong gun for hunting in these woods, and I had a feeling I did, which is why I had the 350 in the trunk, but stupid me decided to prove him wrong and decided to walk into the woods with the Condor. It so happened my Condor developed a problem with the trigger after the 2nd shot that day that got worse, and by the time I left the woods that day the trigger was not working. When I got home I found the top hat was very loose as well which contributed to large fluctuations in the velocities, but even if my Condor was in excellent shape that day, I still would not have been able to compete with the 48/Bam 30 in the field shooting off-hand. He was picking Chipmunks at 25-30yds and blowing them away off hand with that 30/48. I could barely see them (or not most of the time) with the naked eye..
Logged
Hudson Valley, NY
Pro-tuned guns:
AF Condor .25 #1, Condor .25 #2
Condor .22, Marauder .25, Disco .22 camo
RWS Diana 350 .22, RWS Diana 48 .22,
RWS 34K .20 Premium #17 of 30 custom built by Diana
RWS Diana 36 .177 (Gene & Bob tuned)
Factory stock & home tuned:
Benji Akela .22 bullpup
Gauntlet .22, Disco .22 #2,
Fortitude .22, Prod .22
RWS 350 .177, RWS 5G .177
Hammerli 850 .22, Crosman 2240KT
Remington NPSS .22, Umarex M&P 45
Crosman 66, Crosman 760, Beeman P17
Crosman Air17, Crosman 38T
Several other Umarex & Crosman CO2 pistols
shadow
Shadow...ole critter getter
GTA Senior Contributor
Posts: 19454
Real Name: Ed
Re: 2 Farm Hunt
«
Reply #16 on:
July 30, 2010, 05:28:08 PM »
Outstanding shooting and pic's brother Jeff and it's good to see you back in action and shooting a springer, they need love too lol. Ed
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Michigan
I Hunt... therefore I am
1377x
Born To Be A Star!
GTA Senior Contributor
Posts: 3683
closed mouths dont get fed!!!
Re: 2 Farm Hunt
«
Reply #17 on:
July 31, 2010, 02:04:20 PM »
great shooting!
nice pics
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short list
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2) survive!!
3)go to bed!!!
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2 Farm Hunt