The resident manager has tried for three years to get that sucker, he told me "you don't want to know how many of your tax dollars went toward trying to kill him".
He was telling me that he shot at him using a 20ga with buckshot at 25 yards and apparently missed. The guy that killed him normally leaves a day early, he only gutted him and put him in the cooler. I told Peter (the manager) to give his phone number and have him call once he capes him out and to look for buckshot in the shield. Sure enough there was some there, healed over and no good penetration!
They are very concerned about having a (any) hog population on the island, due to the turtle nests and ground nesting birds. They have enough problems with the coons. Pete is very diligent about killing the hogs on other hammocks within the refuge. I think he said he has dispatched around 35 this year on one of the neighboring hammocks to stop their progress toward the main island.
Because this one has been eating good for so long on stuff other than marsh and snails, he should be edible. Any of the others away from the island shouldn't be fit to eat.
The hog sign I seen on this trip was about 1 1/2 miles from where I figure this guy shot him. Pete does not think there are any more but I find it hard to believe. They are like coyotes, if you see one there is usually at least 5 or 6 more.
Think about the hunt in December, hope the weather is as pleasant as this trip.
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'75 Cuddy with '00 Johnson Ocean Pro 150 horse
Benny
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