In October 2004 I traveled to the Northern Territory to hunt feral boar on one of the Tiwi islands, off the mainland coast north of Darwin. This hunt was guided by David Gold of Australian Hunting Safaris.  I hunted for 5 days in heat which never fell below about 75 and would run in the high 90s at its peak each day. Our day usually started around 3:30 am and would finish around 7:30pm or later, though we usually managed a nap in the middle of the day (which I sure needed!). Due to the thick cover and swamp on the island, the most productive method was to hunt with dogs. This was my first experience hunting over dogs and I found it quite enjoyable. I also made some long range shots over the open swamps - though this was only effective when the grass on the swamp was short enough to expose the pig. All short range shots were made with my 9.3x62 using 286gn Woodligh Weldcore bullets. All long range shots were made with my 308 Baer hunting rifle loaded with 180gn Nosler Accubond bullets. The local aboriginal population love to eat feral pig and all carcasses from my hunt were recovered for their consumption. This trip was hard work, but good fun.
 
 

 
 

Ducks overfly a swamp early one morning as I started to glass for boar.
 

 
 

This was one of the more productive areas for boar. All the earth in the foreground has been turned over by pigs rooting for food. The countryside supported a well fed pig population.
 

 

This little boar was the first of the trip. He was out rooting in the mud and never knew what hit him.

 

These two boars were feeding with the one above. After the shot they ran, but were bailed by the dogs.

 

This boar was bailed by the dogs in thick cover. He was estimated to weigh around 260 pounds.

 

This boar was taken at 275 yards, across the swamp in the background.

 

This boar was taken after the most physically draining hunt of the trip. He may not be a monster, but he was well earned!

 

This boar was taken at 400 yards across the swamp in the background.

 

The boar (back pig) was taken on the run as he tried to avoid the dog we had with us. The sow (front pig) was bailed by the dog.

 

 

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