NP's surprise harvest

[shadow]

but this critter was out at the wrong time no doubt. The night patrols have been slow other then the usual skunk appearance so I've been working on getting the NP's first G-hog. I was out in the hide by 9:00am and was set for a whole day of hunting for G-hog's and it is a beautiful day with the temp's headed for the mid 70's. I had spotted a very large G-hog around 11:00am but he was at the far edge of the field past 50yrds but I did take note of where he appeared from and will set up a sniping location to take him in the future. Several Squirrel's had passed through and within range but they were just lil young one's and we'll let them fatten up for the fall hunt. From my hide I have a full view of the field out in front of me and the wood's to my back with a game trail that runs about 20yrds behind my hide and I take a glance back there now and then to check for critter's. Well I did just that and spotted something that surprised me so I slowly got myself turnaround to put some glass on the critter. There it was wondering back and forth on the trail as if it was lost and for it to be out during the afternoon is is usually not a good sign. :0 I rested the glass on it and watched as it swayed back and forth as if drunk but as I've seen before it was a sick critter. I'm doing this for the sake of the other critters as I slipped off the safety and waited for it to give me a fusebox shot. It turned and gave me a perfect frontal shot so I locked the cross hairs right between it's eye's and sent a FTS. a loud "POP" echoed back at me and the Country Rat dropped flat on it's belly but this one didn't thrash about after a moment but just curled up the tail and expired on the spot. I reloaded and made my way out of the hide and then through the brush that hasn't filled in yet all the while keeping a eye on it. It was bleeding out quickly and I knew that it was down but still approached slowly then gave it several pokes with the barrel. I laid the shooter down then gloved up to inspect him closer. This fella had a yellow foam around his mouth and nose he was a sick critter no doubt so I pulled out a garbage bag that I carry if I don't want to stow sick critter in my game bag and slid him in then hauled him up to the rig and placed him in the bed. I arrived home in minutes slid him out of the bag and shot some quick pic's with the NP then back into the bag and down to my burn barrel. After the critter and bag were soaked with some BBQ fluid I threw a match to it then added some firewood to get a ultra hot cremation going. I would rather burn them down then bury it since I don't want any chance of other critters sniffing it out and they will and digging it up only to spread any sickness further. I didn't get my G-hog yet but add a Country Rat to the NP's harvest list, wish it could have been a healthy one that was just late getting back home, it would be in the icebox instead of the burn barrel. :0 It was a 17yrd shot from the hide to the Country Rat's dirt nap. Ed

[airiscool]

Good job of getting rid of the sick one, Ed.  Hopefully it didn't get a chance to spread before you popped 'em !!!

Paul.

[shadow]

Thanks bro and I hope so too since it's one of my main private hunting grounds right now. Ed

[wahoowad]

I had one of those fugly beasts knocking on my sliding glass door last night. Thought it was my cat then it gave me a start when I saw that skelator head! I only see them at night, never during the day. I think I know what to do if I see them during the day.

[longislandhunter]

You did all the other critters a service buddy...   good shootin and pics too....  

Jeff

[1377x]

nice shooting

[TheKnot]

plowed, you did him a favor nice shot

[dk1677]

Nice shot Ed! Great idea about the cremation!

[shadow]

Thanks Guys and it's a darn shame to see any critter like that :0 but better it's put down then spreading the bug. Ed

[Checco]

Another down with the NP
great shooting Ed.

[shadow]

Thanks Matthew. Ed

[Gene_SC]

Great hunting for you buddy.. Nothing like good common sense... Goes a long ways.. Nice head shot with that NP.... I am looking forward to when the new NP black lam stocks are avaiable.. Gonna buy one and lock her up.. Greataccount of your day hunting bud..

[shadow]

Thank you brother Gene and those Black Laminate stocks are nice...like a perfect night camo.   Ed

[djmyers]

Great shooting and good pics!  Man do I like the way that NP looks. My bday just aint coming fast enough!

[shadow]

Thanks Dj and I'm very pleased with the NP but the critters will grow to hate her though lol. Ed