Pig Hunting in FL!

12 Jan 10

Pig Hunting in FL:

Just completed a wild-pig hunting adventure in FL. The ranch where I hunted is huge, and this is the wettest, coolest hunt in this area I've ever participated in. Water levels are high, and temperatures struggled to get into the 50s, even in the afternoon.

Today, in the late afternoon, after seeing no pigs all day, I finally got a shot at one as we rounded a bushy area (called a "hammock" locally). We saw three, all already running flat-out. I used my RA/XCR in 7.62x39, and, as always, I was shooting Cor-Bon DPX. My XCR is equipped with a forward-mounted Aimpoint T1, a Blue-Force Gear Vickers two-point sling, a co-axial Laser Devices flashlight and mount, and a green Laxermax, also forward-mounted, under the barrel

I picked the one to my left and tried to get my Aimpoint on him. Range was fifteen meters. We were still moving in our jeep. As my red-dot bounced around on the running pig, I pressed off my first shot. It hit him just behind the shoulder (did not exit), and the DPX bullet, as always, went about it's deadly work.

I knew my first round had connected, but the pig turned and ran directly away, so, as the jeep finally came to a stop, I stood up and fired three more shots. All three hit, and he kept moving, albeit slower. We headed him off a few seconds later, and I finally anchored him with two more broadside shots. Wild pigs are tough!

He was a seventy-pound male. When we examined him, we discovered both rear legs were broken, as was one front leg. However, my first hit had been the fatal one. Of the three broadside shots, none exited.

My guide and I, as light faded rapidly, went on, and, five minutes later, spotted a heard of five pigs rooting in the open at a range of three-hundred meters. It took us the next fifteen minutes to sneak up on them on foot.

I finally got within fifty meters, using a hammock for concealment. It was obvious I would not be able to get closer. My guide, armed with a DSA/FAL ("Spartan" Model), also using DPX, was on the other side of the hammock and instructed me to take the first shot.

It was nearly dark, and I picked a big one in the center of the herd that was presented broadside. I was standing, there was nothing to rest the rifle on, and going to a braced/kneeling position would put me below the top of the grass and obscure the target. So, I put the dot on the center of the shoulder and held as steady as I could. The red-dot was too bright, so I dialed it back two clicks.

When the shot broke, I heard a solid impact, and knew I had connected! I caught the link immediately and delivered a second shot. I heard it hit too, and the pig went down. My guide fired two shots at another pig, connecting with the second. I caught my link again and hit that pig also, and he went down!

A third pig was on the run laterally, and I fired at him once, just before he disappeared into heavy cover. My red-dot was on his middle, but I believe I hit just behind him, as I did not hear the shot impact.

Once again, hunting elusive, tough, wily, dangerous game with military rifles is a wonderful, exciting experience as well as great training.

It is similar to playing poker. Opportunities are sudden and always fleeting. You have to instantly size-up the situation, calculate hit-probability, and make your decision.

Do I take this shot, or wait for a better opportunity?

It's your call!

/John

Enforced Unreadiness

14 Jan 10

I just received a note from one of my students, an Army Officer, currently serving deep within enemy territory ("Indian Country," as we called it in Vietnam). Because he is enlightened, he is disgusted with the Army's attitude about personal readiness, as any enlightened person would be.

This note was written just before a recent attack where a number of CIA agents were murdered.

In paraphrase:

"Our Base is well inside hostile territory. All serious attacks here have been within a few hundred meters of us, including a successful attack on a UN 'Safe House.'

Everyone here is, however, completely unarmed! This is what they say to us, and I am quoting directly:

'... all personnel will have their weapons GREEN (we call it "Storage Mode ") at all times. All weapons will be cleared immediately upon entering the compound... at no time are weapons to be loaded, nor is any weapon to have a magazine inserted'

When attacked, we've been directed to run and hide in bunkers, but still not load our weapons!

I've tried, unsuccessfully, to get our allowable weapons status upgraded. I'm told, 'We'll have NDs, and that will generate too much paperwork,' another direct quotation! I've even confronted star-wearers, saying 'Why do we have soldiers in an overseas combat zone, including officers and staff NCOs, under arms, who are apparently so poorly discipline and trained that they can't be trusted with loaded small arms?'

With a sneer, the general replied, '... it's just too dangerous having people walking around with loaded guns.'

After years of continuous lethal contact with an implacable enemy, most reasonable people would think we would have long-since weeded out such emasculate fools, sheep, and attaboys.

No such luck. In fact, we've promoted them!

As for me, and a number of others, we've long ago decided to ignore stupid rules that endanger our lives, about which no one apparently cares, except us. My pistol is always in "Carry Mode" (called "Red" here), no matter where I am.

When stopped by someone who points out that I have a magazine inserted in my pistol. My response is as follows, depending upon the rank of the person who noticed:

(1) 'Go find something else do to, Sonny!'

(2) 'I've never been able to understand violence in any form. Have you? Actually Bud, that is not a magazine. It's a dust-cover. It renders the pistol completely useless. You should get one!"

(3) 'Sir, that regulation negates my ability to defend myself, which is my inalienable right, a right I claim, fearlessly and unapologetically. If you think you want to charge me, go for it!'

Most of the time, my pistols are concealed, and the issue never rears its ugly head.

Like so many other capable and dedicated officers and NCOs, I'm getting out, leaving in disgust!"

Comment: Although we've made some progress, particularly with the Marines, the foregoing nauseating catastrophe is still all too typical.

Cowards never triumph!

"I'd rather see a sermon than hear one, any day I'd rather you walk with me than merely 'tell the way' The eye is a better student, and more willing, than the ear I find your council confusing, but your example is always clear!"

Anon

/John