Helicopter Hog Hunting

Am Shooting Journal ^ | 4/6/20 | N Perna

[M1903A1]

This is actually a full-time business in Australia and (to some degree) New Zealand...though I get the impression .30 caliber is the round of choice in those parts.

In Australia, being involved full-time in feral culling is about the only way one can acquire a Class D license to own a centerfire semiautomatic rifle.

[2banana]

Cool family vacation idea.

[Bonemaker]

Hmmm, that gives me an idea!😎

[lizma2]

Make your reservations now!!! ...for later.

https://www.tednugent.com/sunrize-safaris-hog-hunts/

[Zhang Fei]

[In Australia, being involved full-time in feral culling is about the only way one can acquire a Class D license to own a centerfire semiautomatic rifle.]

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Given how arid the country is, I’m surprised there’s enough foliage to it to have a feral hog problem.

[Candor7]

This is the nearest thing to when pigs fly.

You do the flying for them.

[JimRed]

The cost per hour for a chopper makes this a rich man’s sport.

[DIRTYSECRET]

Sounds expensive. Leave them lay? Guess you have to from a hellicopter. What about an ATV? What’s the best caliber?

[katana]

Sorry, but can't help but think of Full Metal Jacket.

Any hog who runs is a target. Any hog who doesn't run is a well disciplined target. Get some!

[Pelham]

It can get pretty moist in the Northern Territory around Darwin. Average annual rainfall over 72 inches. Close to double the annual US average. Seasonal though, they have a distinct dry season during their winter.

[real saxophonist]

That actor was originally cast to play the Drill Instructor, but when Lee Ermey showed up as a technical advisor and demonstrated how it was done, some changes were made.

[know.your.why]

I paid for an hour flight in a Schweitzer 3-place once. The pilot owned a flight training outfit and was a very skilled rotorwing jockey. He showed me how he would chase down coyotes so that a shooter in the right seat could kill them. The coyotes that he scared up had zero chance of getting away. I could have shot them with a bb gun...it was that close.

[bobby.223]

“You guys should do a story about me sometime!”

[Candor7]

What’s the best caliber?>

Depends on the shooter.

For me it would be .223, flat trajectory and fast.

Others might use a 45-70. Slow with huge kinetic energy.

[DIRTYSECRET]

I would think .30-06.

[Charles Martel]

The range is pretty close on those helicopter hunts (there are videos showing 12 gauge shotguns with buckshot loads being used); a .300 Blackout has more than adequate thump. I think I’d stick with .223, though I’d use a good sporting load with an expanding bullet. You definitely want a rifle/cartridge combo that allows a decent magazine size. You don’t get that much time aloft; better to be shooting than loading.

[M1903A1]

Not just feral hogs either—deer, donkeys, camels, goats/sheep, kangaroos...big continent with a small population, lots of open space for farm escapees to become feral populations, and herds to protect from disease vectors.

[Old Yeller]

I would think .30-06.

.30-06, .30-07, whatever it takes.

[sgt_lau]

“Why should we do a story about you?”
“Because I’m so damn good!”