Stan is absolutely correct about big hogs in the south, and especially regarding wild swine in GA and AL. Every year someone in one of these states will bag a hog in the 750-1000 lb range; with GA currently having the heaviest wild hog actually recorded (1100 lbs. and more than 8 feet long from the snout to the base of the tail); but the truth is that most of these monsters are never weighed. But they don't have to be that large to reek fear and havoc. Several years ago my brother in law, who is an extremely powerful and naturally strong individual, shot a boar that stepped into an opening in the swamp trail to his deer stand. He shot the pig in the shoulder, broadside at less than 25 feet with the 30/06 bolt gun; the pig dropped like he had been pole-axed. At the shot, pigs exploded from the surrounding cane brake so out of concern for his safety, he hiked back to his truck and returned with a 12-bore double; making sure both barrels were plugged with OO buck. Back in the swamp, he found that the other pigs had moved on; and feeling safe, kicked his "dead" pig in the ribs to be sure. Getting no response, and convinced the pig was dead; he found a dry spot to rest his gun and grabbed the pig's hind leg only to have the beast instantly come to life! Afraid to let go for fear the pig would turn and rip him legs with its tusks, he hung on; but the pig was so strong he finally had to turn loose of the leg, and grabbed its tail. Fortunately, his shot had broken the pig's left front leg at the shoulder; rendering the pig unable to spin, so it instead made a bee-line for the river dragging my 235 lb BIL like a tin can. But my BIL, who had determined that he was not turning loose, was subsequently dragged thru the mud, canes, and briers. After about 75 yards, my BIL was able to kick the hog's hind leg, causing the pig to stumble and fall over. At that point my BIL, who is a huge wrestling fan, jumped on the pig's back and got the old boar in a combination scissors/choke hold. At that point he hung on for dear life till the hog got winded; then managed to find his pocket knife whereby he and carved an ear to ear grin across it's throat. This was an old boar that had a live weight estimated around 300lbs. He and I skinned the hog that night; and at the autopsy, learned that the 150 grain Core-lok bullet had penetrated the shoulder plate (1 1/4" thick at that point), shattered the shoulder joint, and subsequently flattened against the spine knocking the pig out cold for about 20 minutes. My BIL was foolish and lucky that he avoided injury; but my old man always said that the Good Lord had a soft spot for fools.
