Before you even read the post, if your response is "in the gut" then don't bother posting. I'll have my own thread deleted if it turns into that...

I used to go for heart/lungs, but I finally realized that a lungshot pig can run a long way before it gives up the ghost. After reading about and watching video of several dangerous game hunts in Africa, I decided to start aiming for heavy bone (shoulder, hip, spine). I've been doing that for about two years now, and I haven't had a single pig run off yet...

You see, a pig cannot run if it cannot move all four (or at least three) of its legs. My favorite shot is one facing directly away. I aim for the base of the spine at the hip, and the downward angle usually sends the bullet into the chest cavity for good measure.

It almost always requires a follow up shot for the kill, but it keeps them from going any farther than to the ground...


So what do y'all do?

In tha Face!!

99% are in the head. Unless its a boar with really nice tusks then I neck shoot them. If I have the shot, then its the lungs. I have had a head shot & neck shot one get up thus me putting about 3 more in him. Have also has a high shoulder one drop & never get back up. They are TOUGH no matter the shot.

For most animals, I frown on head shots because of the low percentage of actually hitting the brain. However I have found myself more times than not, putting my projectile in the ears of pigs lately. I think it's because I find myself able to get into close proximity of them to make an easier shot to hit the brain. Most people don't know the anatomy of a hog well enough and actually aim to high to hit the vitals on a hog. But taking out the running gear is a very good strategy, I think that's a good idea too. In Africa, the big game hunters call that "Breaking down" an animal and it works.

All of the "Is a .17HMR enough for...." threads irritate me when someone says "Heck YEAH! just aim for the head". I wonder how many coyotes have suffered till starvation because they were missing their lower jaw because someone "aimed for the head" with their HUMMER.

I'm sure one day I will put one in the ear of a hog and miss enough to where he will run off and be un-recoverable, when that happens...I'll switch back to aiming low in the chest cavity.


Chupa

It all depends what i am using. If i am shoot a rifle then it is through the front shoulders as i was brought up by my stepfather to break bones when shooting any animal because like you already said they cant go to far without front legs. Now on the other hand if i am shooting archery then it is right behind the front leg.

Ear or shoulder usually.

Ear and shoulder

I second what Killer said, and add to it by saying that with archery gear try to wait til they are quartering slightly away slipping through the ribs and into the far shoulder. All has worked well *so far*!!

I try for the head most of the time.

Neck or head. BTW, my first thought was, "anywhere I can find them".

Far shot, aim for mass...close, then ear shots, or asses as they crest the horizon!

I think the argument for gut shots on hogs with a bow is valid. I've shot several too far back but they still only go a short distance. I think the quieter delivery freaks them out less, resulting in less adrenaline???
With that said, when I fire a rifle hogs are shagging [censored] in all directions.....
How many archery guys have had multiple shots on groups of hogs???

Ear with soft points, but if I'm hunting deer and one steps out, a Barnes through both shoulders seems to anchor even the big boys!

i have actually taken three hogs in one night out of a stand with my bow, but all came after the other

Rifle right behind the ear. Archery I was told to aim a little higher than normal and that's where you will find the lungs...did just that and my 175 lb sow crashed within 40 yards max

Anywhere I can get a bullet!

Ear holes and facial's

Bullet hole on the left side of his face!

Niiiice!

I need to slow down and take more pics...

Between the eyes.

Killer is hell on pigs, thats for sure.

I prefer the spot at the base of the neck, between the ear and the shoulder. Its DRT, and its a bigger target that a 200 yard shot works well for me. Up close, under a 100, then earhole em all the way

This thread makes me wanna go out tonight

What's keepin you? Weather's nice, ought to be a good night...

Keep on keeping on, I hate those hogs.

in the ear. behind the ear. shoulder shot, lung/heart shots. whatever pasture I see them in...who cares...just kill em, wound them, drop em....dont see any reason to worry where as long as they die. one less pest in my pastures.

Dang killer. It's a wonder there are hogs left in your area.