We took a family adventure this weekend to a place in East TX that my brother in law frequents. It was to be my first hog hunt, so I was excited and nervous all the same. I grew up hunting birds and small game with shotguns, so this was honestly my first real world hunting experience with a rifle and scope. I brought my Marlin lever action 30-30 with a 3x9 to get the job done.

We hunted Friday afternoon, Saturday and Sunday morning. We were in the thick east TX woods, so clear shots weren't going to come easy. We sat in stands for a period each day, but had no luck, so we ended up stalking most of the time. I'll tell you what, the first time I heard the snort while being fully exposed in the woods was quite an experience. I definitely suffered from a racing heart and puckered b-hole, but I was excited to feel it.

I saw a lot of pigs Friday afternoon and Saturday morning, but wasn't in a position to take a good shot until Sunday morning. I found a section of the pine forest with an open lane of about 40-yards, so I hunkered down at the base of a pine tree and started the waiting game. About an hour in, I heard a shot a ways away and got ready in case the action came my way. A few minutes later, I heard the stampede coming and turned myself down the lane to prepare for a shot. The hogs slowed down and one stopped in my lane. My heart was racing, but I picked her out, pulled the rifle up, put the cross hairs on her and pulled the trigger. Unfortunately, the sow I had picked out took off running, so I scoured the area for a blood trail, which I never found. I was nervous/excited as can be and on a knee (first time I've ever taken a shot like that), so I don't believe I steadied the rifle enough to make a good shot. I was very frustrated after the shot, as I knew it was probably my one and only chance for a clear shot that weekend. I never saw another pig and the weekend ended with me going home empty handed.

As a 31 year old, I haven't felt like that in a long time, but it was enough for me to realize my mistake and figure out how I wouldn't make it the next time I'm in the woods. I have some time to spend with my rifle before I go back, so I'll be prepared next time around. What a feeling though, the biggest rush I've had in a long time. I'm excited to go back and come home with some piggies next time!

It happens. I'd be a heck of a liar if I said I never missed a hog. Good luck on your next hunt man!

it has happened to me too, even after killing a bunch of em. You will get another chance

Yes, I'm excited to get back out there and give it another go. I learned a ton over the weekend and definitely have some room to improve. It was a rush I don't think I can walk away from, so I'm eagerly anticipating my next trip out there. I won't be going home empty handed next time around!

Good luck next time.

often times they dont bleed externally due to thick hide and coarse hair. You can usually tell if they are hit. If you get both lungs there is no squeal.

Best thing is to learn from mistakes and avoid em next time. Good luck in the future buddy.

I've got to tell you that I've spilled some blood in my lifetime but the first time I killed a hog it was a completely different experience. I had just walked up to my blind and layed my rifle down so I could go set up my feeder light, when about 25 yards from my rifle I heard a hog grunting and approching through the bushes. At first I felt like I had no choice but to draw my sidearm (subcompact 9mm), but I made a now-or-never decision to qickly tiptoe back to my rifle. I had just enough time to get my rifle, climb the ladder, open the scope covers and disengage the safety just as a group of hogs came into view. Man I was shaking like a paint mixer, LOL. But when the moment came to pull the trigger all that went away in one deep breath, long enough to make the shot. What an awesome experience. I guess the excitement was because that was the first time that I actually really wanted to kill something... at that time I had already made a few unsucessfull trips with NO sightings.

Congradulations on the great time & probably new love. Hunting is the BEST there is. Won't be long & you'll want a Bow now. Ha Ha.