You may have heard that feral hog populations in Texas have reached infestation levels and landowners and outfitters alike want to cull large numbers of them. Subscriber Larry Seidler reports this month on a unique opportunity he experienced doing just that. He hunted at night, which is legal is Texas. While the techniques he describes certainly aren't for everyone and clearly are not appropriate for other game species, they may be highly useful in culling overpopulated feral animals and can provide an exciting experience. In the interest of space, following is a condensed version of Seidler's report. You can read the entire thing on our website under Website Updates. "There is a unique hunting experience using the most advanced military-grade night vision and thermal imaging technology available today. The outfitter is Tactical Hog Control, based in Madisonville, 100 miles north of Houston. Hunters stalk at night like commandos on a covert operation. The outfitters furnish all the equipment, rifles and ammunition.
"I was fitted with a helmet with night vision binoculars that amplify light 40,000 times. The riflescopes are also night vision enabled. We rode in a quad for 10 minutes when the spotter used his thermal imaging scope to find a coyote feeding on a dead cow 600 yards away. We started the stalk and then stopped to use a coyote call. Through my rifle scope I saw the coyote lift its head, turn in the direction of the call and go back to the cow, apparently preferring it to the possibility of a distressed rabbit. We stalked to 230 yards from the coyote, and I shot it.
"We returned to our Polaris and found a large boar feeding in the dark. I took aim from 130 yards and shot the pig just behind the heart. It squealed and took off running. The spotter with the thermal imaging scope said, Don't worry, I see blood running out of its nose, and it looks like white smoke.' The pig ran 20 yards, dropped and expired.
"The thermal spotting scope has a powerful infrared laser........(continued)
