Trail XL Bags a G-hog :)

[longislandhunter]

It was a really hot, sunny day here today with the temperature reaching 80 degrees. I knew the g-hogs would be out and about so I planned a late afternoon hunt.  Around 4 pm I loaded the Trail NP XL .22 into the truck and headed for the farm.  As soon as I got to the farm I loaded the XL and headed off to find a g-hog.  

Since the grass and foliage really hasn't grown up enough to give me good stalking cover I decided to concentrate on  the woods that border the  farm.  I figured if I stayed just inside the tree line I would have plenty of cover to move about and hopefully I'd get within range of one of the many g-hogs that have dug their burrows right where the woods meet the duck pens.  

I had been on the hunt for about an hour, slowly working my way through the wood line, when I finally saw what I was looking for.  About 40 yards ahead of me there was a g-hog standing just inside the tree line next to a tree stump.  He was looking out into the duck pens and hadn't seen me so I decided to make a stalk.  Using the trees for cover I slowly closed the distance until I was 20 yards away.  The g-hog still hadn't seen me and he was still just standing there looking out into the duck pens.  No doubt he was trying to decide if it was safe to climb over the small chicken wire duck pen fence in front of him and make a dash for one of the grain feeders.  

I was standing behind a very large oak tree so I shouldered the XL and using the tree trunk as a rest put the crosshairs on his head.  Just as the crosshairs went on his noggin the g-hog must've finally realized he was being watched because he suddenly turned his head to the left and looked in my general area.  I put the crosshairs just behind his right eye and pulled the gold trigger.  The CPHP slammed home with a loud "POP" and the g-hog slumped forward and fell onto his stomach.  I quickly loaded another pellet and put the scope on him but he wasn't moving a muscle, except for his tail which was straight up and quivering wildly.  I approached with the rifle on target, but he was down for the count.  The XL had done it right with her first shot a g-hog,,, a nice clean kill  

I hunted for another hour or so and while I did see 2 more g-hogs I never got a shot at them.  I did nail a nice yellow beak with an offhand 40 yards shot, but the bird did a death glide into a swampy bog by the stream so I didn't get to collect him for pics.   2 shot and 2 kills,, not a bad day  

I took the required pics of the XL and her very first G-hog so I could show her off to all my GTA hunting buddies  

Jeff

[Gene_SC]

Absolutly fantastic shooting Jeff and the layout of that farm is perfect. Great shootin buddy and keep up the hard work...

[dk1677]

Congrats Jeff! Knew you'd get one soon!

[longislandhunter]

Thanks guys  

Jeff

[shadow]

Outstanding shot Jeff and that's a nice sized G-hog. The shooter is looking great and proud posing with her harvest, super pic's bro. Now brother you said that you were going to give the G-hog's a break this year but I was telling brother Gene that the call of the G-hog will be to much for you lol. I've been hoping to spot on down here in Genes wildlife farm but no luck yet. I know their moving in MI. since I spotted on before I headed down south. Ed

[airiscool]

Good shooting Jeff.  Congrats on the Trail's first Chuck. And, as much as I love Chuck hunting, a yellow beak off hand at 40 - even better yet.

Nice sized Chuck. With that gray muzzle looks like it's got a few years on it too. Guess that one's going to be "pot roast" huh?  

Great day, great gun and a great hunt - glad it all finally came together for ya.

Paul.

[longislandhunter]

Thanks Ed.  This one was the perfect frying size    , , just the way I like em.....

I did say I was going to cut back on the number of g-hogs I shoot this year but you're right,,,, the "call of the g-hog" is getting to be to much  

Sneaking around in the woods this afternoon stalking g-hogs got me all pumped up and made me realize how much I missed  g-hog hunting this winter        So,,,,, I think what I may do is instead of cutting back   I'll just be more selective in my harvesting and take more of the younger ones and leave the older breeders alone to replenish the herd .  Besides,,, the younger ones taste better anyway  

Paul,,, this one was actually fairly young, I'd say probably born last year, he did have some weight to him though.  

Jeff

[shadow]

yup I know how that go's bro and I hope to have some good luck with them myself this year. Ed

[Furseeker]

Nice Jeff, very nice. I knew it would only be a matter of time. Great shot and good photos.

[only1harry]

That's awesome Jeff!  And you did it with a brand new gun!!  I had a feeling you 'd get the Trail NP

Great shot placement!  That's where I like to shoot the G-hogs when I can - right behind the eye.  It drops them on the spot every time and they don't move a muscle.  I 've been hearing good things about the accuracy of the gas piston Crosman Trail NP.  Not to mention it is more powerful than the 350 and B28.  

A couple of questions about the gun.  Do you eventually get used to its 10+lb weight (scoped) and the heavy cocking I 've been reading about?  How "quiet" would you say it is with that bull barrel?   I am guessing the sling helps.  I did a little shooting last Sunday with the 350 .177 that has a sling on it and it helped a lot when I moved around with it and walked back and forth to the target to adjust it or change paper.  

I know exactly what you mean about shooting "less G-hogs".  That's only a thought with me - an impossibility actually.  When I see one, all of a sudden I don't care if it's the last G-hog in the neighborhood or think that I may not see one for a while.  All that goes out the window.  Emotions overwhelm me instantly and I just want to shoot it dead  It is like a powerful drug and nothing or noone can change my mind and stop me from shooting it.  Last year I knew the next-door neighbor was watching but I just didn't care.  I was outside looking like a fool stalking it and hiding behind one of my cars and shot it dead on the side of the yard where I was very visible and while the neighbor was standing less than 45yds away watching me from his driveway.  It is the only critter that I cannot resist pulling the trigger on.  I have had coons, fox, squirrels, etc. in the crosshairs and held back (for various reasons, out of season, backstop no good, etc.).  But never hesitated with a G-hog.  I just cannot help myself at the sight of one.  I am probably worse than Ed in Gene's nutter factory when I see a G-hog  

[longislandhunter]

Thanks Harry....

The XL is heavy, but I don't find it to be a problem.  I actually really like the way the gun feels and with all the power that this shooter has I really feel that the weight of the gun helps to absorb the recoil very nicely.  The sling that comes with it is very nice, very comfortable and enables you to take a break from carrying the rifle anytime you want.  As for how quiet it is.....  I don't think it's the 70% quieter that they claim but I'll betcha it's at least 50% quieter than my quietest springer.  As for the cocking effort...... yes, I actually am getting used to it.  The key for me is to grab the very end of the barrel when I'm cocking it, this gives me added leverage and helps quite a bit.  I still have to use both arms to cock it but using this method I'm finding it much easier to cock.  Even though I've gotten my cocking technique down pat now I still wouldn't plink or target shoot with this rifle, it's just way to much work.  

I can't say enough about this rifle as a hunter.  The power is incredible and the accuracy is excellent.  The Weaver scope mounting system is fantastic and the rifle is very comfortable to shoulder, carry and shoot.  It's also nice not to have to deal with the torquing and vibration that you get with a spring powered rifle....    

This rifle is quick becoming my favorite hunting break barrel....

Jeff

[1377x]

congrats
nice shooting
great pics

[Perry50]

Nice shot Jeff and great pics.

Was there an exit wound or did the CPHP bounce around inside the skull?

[airiscool]

".......................I can't say enough about this rifle as a hunter. The power is incredible and the accuracy is excellent. The Weaver scope mounting system is fantastic and the rifle is very comfortable to shoulder, carry and shoot. It's also nice not to have to deal with the torquing and vibration that you get with a spring powered rifle....
.........................."

I agree 100% with that. As much as I like my gas Whisper, the knock-down power combined with the accuracy of my XL is like night and day.

Paul.

[djmyers]

Nice shot. That's a big ground hog. I didn't realize they were that big.