Hog and Another Goat Horn

[boarhog]

Well, we don't know what is going on in our hunting territory, but this is the 2nd goat horn spike Aaron has killed this year. When he pulled the trigger, he thought he was shooting at a doe, both times. In addition to the ones he's killed, we have at least 10 more in trail camera pics, and have seen several others at places where we have no cams. On top of the ones we have seen, 3 or 4 others have been killed by club members. These are not the typical nubbin, or button bucks, but are full grown 1.5-2.5 year old deer. In years past, we have seen a few, but nothing close to the numbers seen this year. We are guessing that it may have something to do with nutrition, and the very dry summer we had this year, but don't know for certain.

The hog I shot was one of some 25, or so, we saw this past weekend. All the others were either too far away for a shot, or went across the shooting lane too fast. I was on our planted Big Power Line, about 4 sets of poles uphill from the Saline River. I hadn't seen a deer all weekend, and it wasn't long before dark, on the last day of our Modern Gun Season. When the hog came out about 250 yards from my stand, I didn't hesitate. Got the hog in the crosshairs, and squeezed the trigger. At the shot, the hog fell over, DRT, and a herd of about 10 more tore across the line with their tails on fire!

So far, this has been an unusual year. We've been generally seeing lots of deer, but only glimpses or trail cam pix of Legal Bucks. (3 points on 1 side) Bucks with less than 2" horns on either side are also legal, but we prefer not to shoot them. If Aaron had known they were bucks, he wouldn't have shot. He was disgusted, and I was happy to get a shot at anything!
Boarhog

[deadon]

Robert, it may be that what you are calling a goat horn is what we call a cow horn. When a spike gets over 12 inches ,in the area I hunt, it will never be worth a C@#$ as far as what the horn hunters are looking for. Now ---------- ROBERT, WHAT A HOG!!!!!!!!!!! I would give my left nut to kill a hog like that. H@#$ at my age I would give boff of um. WOW Man. Rusty

[boarhog]

I don't really know an official name to call these deer. They have hardened bone antlers, that barely stick up out of the hair. Like I said before, not the typical fawn of the year button/nubbin buck.
BH