Djones you nailed it 100 percent. Especially bow hunting you see it all the time. I swear some shooters will talk themselves out of the shot for fear they will miss.

Somewhat newbie but DNS and Charlie TX are GTG. Here's my take on your photo. I have a vid posted here on this board if you scroll back a way shows some shot placement. Everything in my red shi**y wannabe polygon of death has been an instant drop, even quartering to me. Any further back is risky for recovery. Low front chest will kill them but not after they've run off.

Here's a couple with a Winchester Model 94 Trapper 30/30. Iron sights and dark, not the best shot. High on the middle of the back, through and through. Dropped and made dirt angels. After a few dozen vultures and coyotes you can see the bullet damage around the spine. I don't remember it hitting the spine but CNS death was quick.

The other also with a 30/30 (proud of this one - 110 yards standing, iron sights) - dropped and never moved. Placement behind the ear and about even with the eye. Prolly my preferred location.

A side shot through the shoulder will normally put them down. This one was shot with a fmj .223 and as you can see, very little entry wound damage, but he went down immediately. This is normally the case when hit in this area.

^^^^ Agreed.

I have no problem with folks not taking a shot that they personally are not comfortable with. Experience levels vary and in the OP's case...it will be his first outing, so I applaud him for soliciting information.

As a person gains experience (learning the habits of his quarry and actually shooting some of them) they also gain confidence. At some point you will be able to 'recognize' WHEN the 'first good available' shot is being presented. My advice (unless you are looking for video footage) is always take the first good available shot. This holds true for Hogs, Whitetail Bucks and Coyotes.

As concerns the 'Perfect Shot' it might be well to define that. Typically, it is thought of as a broadside shot or slightly quartering shot angle.

Simply because the shooter is offered the largest target area and afforded the most 'choices' for shot placement. Hard to argue that..that position is the most fortunate for the hunter with respect to total target area being offered. But you will have to let a LOT of hogs walk if you always wait for this to happen.

The 'perfect' shot IMO, is the FIRST opportunity the animal presents that:

1. Is an angle/position likely to allow the bullet to reach the vitals (or produce a CNS hit).
2. Is a angle/position in which the shooter is confident he/she can precisely place the bullet/arrow/other.

IF you wait longer than this...you should have a good reason for doing so. And often times there are good reasons. The dynamics of hog hunting are many.

So...to me, a broadside shot is the most 'fortuitous' shot you will encounter, but the 'perfect' shot is the FIRST lethal shot presented (you are confident you can make). Things can change quickly if you choose to wait.

One last thing I feel is important: Use enough gun! (a whole 'nother subject).

He was full of quit Old Stony, good job!

Are ear shots effective? Yes. But the target is very small. Especially for a new hunter, I would aim where you have a little bit of margin for error. Middle shoulder. If you hit right where you aim, you will break shoulders, hit lung, and most likely affect the CNS. If you miss a little low, you still get lung, and maybe heart. If you miss a little back, you get lung. If you miss a little high, you get CNS.
Another thing to think about. Especially with you first hunt, you will have Adrenalin pumping. You may be physically tired from walking or stalking. You will probably be sweaty and have bugs buzzing your ear. You will NOT shoot as well under these circumstances as you do sitting at a bench at the range. IMO, go for the shoulder shot. Have fun, and post pics!

best shot to take is the one the pig gives you.

There is a wealth of good info above from some of the best. My only advise would be to practice shooting your targets with the same set of conditions you will be hunting in, i.e. standing with shooting sticks or sitting in a blind. I've even put someone in the safari seat of my mule to replicate what it will feel like to shoot from that scenario. Walk to check your target to get your heart beating and possibly winded breath if you are stalking by foot.

Somewhere in between the tail and the snout

Hah, there ya go. Just keep it simple.

Tomorrow is his hunt, I hope he's successful.

I'm pulling for him. Can't wait to see the after pic of him with his hog.

Go get 'em Goodo Texas Boy!

Me too.

Put my Nephew on this Black and White Boar this evening.

Late to the party but:

Don't sweat the small [censored] but do aim.
Shoot every one you see - unless you pay "per pig"....
Shoot them twice if in doubt.
Have fun doing the environment a favor.

Goodo, where y'at?

Agreed. I always try to take a quartering or broadside shot on a hog, but if a sounder is running away I’ll take a Texas heart shot. If I put a hog down and it’s only winded I finish them with a follow up shot as quickly as possible.

I like aiming where the jaw bone meets the neck, assuming they are standing still or moving slowly. It's a large target and incredibly effective.

I just shoot as many as I can. Anywhere is fine as long as they are hit.

Thank you so much Old Stony,

So you shot in shoulder and went down? Good shot.

One shot kills from 200 yards.


https://youtu.be/syHGSy5IKMY

https://youtu.be/syHGSy5IKMY

https://youtu.be/C0DH8goYvMU

https://youtu.be/NC9W4koHYek

Right between the eye and the ear. If I don't have that angle, I just aim for center of the breadbasket.

Goodo got the deed done. Congrats!

https://texashuntingforum.com/forum.../1/thank-you-my-first-hog-harvest#UNREAD

^^^^^

Indeed he did. Got a good one too.

Very happy for him and proud of his accomplishment.

Flint.