Monster Pig -- Did you see this one?

[Dave McClung]

When I look for a place to hike in West Texas, I am often warned to look out for the wild hogs. Until now, I have joked about the wild hogs. In the future, I think I will pay more attention.

[Joel Merrill]

You're joking, right?

Joel

[Barbara Moulton]

I spent five seconds on the "monsterpig" website and felt sick.

The boy shot the animal eight times with a .50-calibre revolver and chased it for three hours through hilly woods before finishing it off with a point-blank shot.

Disgusting.

I will never understand the hunting mentality. I can't fathom taking a gun and shooting any wild creature simply for sport. I know we have hunters on NazNet and I don't want to offend anyone....just saying how I feel.

And I definitely wouldn't brag about a three hour torture of an animal.

[Terri Knoll]

I spent five seconds on the "monsterpig" website and felt sick.

The boy shot the animal eight times with a .50-calibre revolver and chased it for three hours through hilly woods before finishing it off with a point-blank shot.

Disgusting.

I will never understand the hunting mentality. I can't fathom taking a gun and shooting any wild creature simply for sport. I know we have hunters on NazNet and I don't want to offend anyone....just saying how I feel.

And I definitely wouldn't brag about a three hour torture of an animal.

in some places it's called food. my father and husband both hunted for food. sometimes a shot didn't take the animal down, and it was less than humane, but believe me, they didn't want to see the animal suffer. just dressed and on the plate :basic05

seriously tho, for the sport of it, I am not a huge fan, nor am I a fan of zoos.

[Glenn Messer]

Barbara,
I'm a hunter . . . and I think you are right about this one. There were adults with the youngster who should have insured a clean,quick kill. Apparently, they were more interested in establishing bragging rights for the youngster. Most hunters I know would not have done this in the manner they used.

[Mark Doble]

I spent five seconds on the "monsterpig" website and felt sick.

The boy shot the animal eight times with a .50-calibre revolver and chased it for three hours through hilly woods before finishing it off with a point-blank shot.

Disgusting.

I will never understand the hunting mentality. I can't fathom taking a gun and shooting any wild creature simply for sport. I know we have hunters on NazNet and I don't want to offend anyone....just saying how I feel.

And I definitely wouldn't brag about a three hour torture of an animal.

I imagine that this boar might have been a little bothersome in the community? We don't know the whole story. But for a kid to even fire a .50 caliber hand gun is quite a feat of bravery.
I use to hunt with my Dad when he had a permit to hunt with his S&W .44 cal. You have to be point blank to not miss with those. The recoil with a hunting round is quite amazing.

I once used it to scare off a pack of 15 Timber wolves attacking our downed Moose! I fired it into the air while sitting Indian style out the front of out pup tent. We had packed 7 miles in the bush and 60 miles from any town... I will never forget that adventure! Way cool time of my life... It was the only time I was ever scared to the point of shaking uncontrollably. It is one thing to hear the howl of the wolf a long way off, BUT totally another to hear them 20' away!
Wholey cow! hahahahhahaha! The greens of their eyes, and the shadow in the moon light of their silhouette outlined bodies! Their teeth drawn out and face to face! Right on eh! hahahhahahah! I still shiver thinking about it!
That was at 1am. in the morning. The fire out the end of the barrel was like a foot long! They followed us for like 3 days as we packed the moose out. That two weeks was all about survival. That is real hunting Barbara.... That year because of many challenges we almost did not make it out alive! Way cool...

I wonder why God created animals and gave us dominion over them. Hunting for food is permissible. Hunting for the sport of seeing an animal die is not morally right in my eyes.
Every bit of meat we eat has to be killed somehow. Because we do not know how each animal is killed, does that make it better for us to be able to eat?
I don't like to see an animal suffer either.

[Jen Blackburn]

I'm not gonna get into the debate of whether this was right or wrong, but oh my GOODNESS that is a big pig!!! I read the news story a day or two ago but the picture wasn't attached at that point.

Mark, actually this hunt was done on a hunting preserve in Eastern Alabama. Here's a story about the "big pig"... http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20070526/monster_pig_070526/20070526

[Mark Doble]

I'm not gonna get into the debate of whether this was right or wrong, but oh my GOODNESS that is a big pig!!! I read the news story a day or two ago but the picture wasn't attached at that point.

Mark, actually this hunt was done on a hunting preserve in Eastern Alabama. Here's a story about the "big pig"... http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews//monster_pig_/

Thanks for posting that link Jen. What a hunt eh... That boy will never forget that day if he lives to be 300! :eek:

[Jim Franklin]

A wild boar that size needs be taken down just for the safety of the surrounding community no matter who does it or where. Any wild hog that size would not be contained by any fencing so I deem it a threat to the community and surrounding area. Wished I had been there to witness the boy's achievement.

[DA Weaver]

I spent five seconds on the "monsterpig" website and felt sick.

The boy shot the animal eight times with a .50-calibre revolver and chased it for three hours through hilly woods before finishing it off with a point-blank shot.

Disgusting.

I will never understand the hunting mentality. I can't fathom taking a gun and shooting any wild creature simply for sport. I know we have hunters on NazNet and I don't want to offend anyone....just saying how I feel.

And I definitely wouldn't brag about a three hour torture of an animal.

Barb,

I'm not sure how educated you are on hunting. Although I'm not too educated on it myself, I do know a little about the sport itself. If you reread the statement "He said he shot the huge animal eight times with a .50-caliber revolver and chased it for three hours through hilly woods before finishing it off with a point-blank shot." Chances are he didn't shoot it 8 times and then chase it for 3 hours. More like he probably chased it for a total of 3 hours while shooting at it, there's a big difference between the two.

My husband comes from a family of hunters, who had invited many people over the years to hunt along with them on their family farm, some preachers, some D.S.'s. It is not unusual for someone to hunt / stalk / chase an animal all day, or even all week long. Often, they'll go out on the first day of the hunt and see the animal they're looking for, but because they can't get off a clean shot, they end up going home empty handed. I've seen weeks where they've gone out several days only to come home empty handed. Sometimes they finally catch their prize on the last day of the hunt, sometimes they come home empty handed. Now given an example where they hunted the same deer for five days, a person could report that they had spent 60 hours chasing this same deer, etc... So a "3 hour chase" to me seems to be a short chase.

As for the amount of shots it took to finish the hog off. I'm not suprised considering the thickness of a hog's skin, the difficulties in getting the bullet to go through that amount of flesh, the difficulties one faces to get their shot right, and not miss their target by a couple of inches, etc... Remember, we're talking about an 11 year old boy shooting here, not a man who's been experienced at hunting for years. This is a child who is learning a skilled task. I've seen deer need 3 shots just to finish them off, and that was for 90-110 lb animal, by experienced hunters. Sometimes, it's nothing for it to take two shots even when an experienced butcher is shooting at point blank range.

Also, short of mounting the head for a trophy, this family will be utalizing the meat for sausage. 500-700 lbs of sausage will feed a lot of families for quite some time. The liklihood of this family keeping all of that sausage and consuming it theirselves is very unlikely. Most families don't like to keep meet frozen in their freezer longer than a year. Chances are, this will feed 12 families a pound of sausage for a year.

I personally have family members who hunt for the "sport of it". One of the best hunters I know hunts annually and normally kills a deer every year. Depending on the laws, if he's permitted two, he'll get two, but does not consume the meat from his deer. However, even though he's doing it for "sport", he is still responsible with what he does with the remains of the animal and he gives them away to someone he knows will consume the meat.

There have been pleanty of times within my life that God has used his gift to bless my own family. Several years ago, when I was so seriously sick, my husband left his job to take care of our family. Finances were tight, and things weren't easy, funds for food were limited, but God blessed us with meat from someone who only hunted for "sport". For five weeks my family ate meals that were a product of meat that came from someone else's sporting entertainment. In the process, his gift assisted in keeping our family of six from depending on welfare.

Hunting for "sport" isn't necessarily a bad thing. It's what the individual chooses to do with their product after the hunt is over that determines if the hunt was for good or not. Most hunters I know of don't waste the meat from their hunt. Most hunters, who hunt legally, are very responsible individuals who make sure someone is benefiting from their hunting experience. In the process, there are families like ours who will forever be greatful for the kindness and generosity of the hunter that hunts for "sport".

Remember, it wasn't necessarily a 3 hour torture of an animal. It was a 3 hour chase. Often someone can chase an animal for the whole 3 hour period w/o getting one shot off.

Hunting can be a blessing and even a ministry. Want to reach a family spiritually? Feed their children in one of their greatest times of need. I was already a christian when this happened in my life. However, I can tell you from personal experience that it has been through feeding families in their time of need that I have seen churches reach out, make a difference in the lives of the family, and eventually win a soul over to Christ because of their ministry in feeding a family when they needed it the most.

[Barbara Moulton]

One post to respond to various points raised :-)

1. The animal wasn't threatening a community. As I understand it, it was in some sort of preserve designed for sport hunting.

2. If an animal that big was threatening a community, then I hope it would be dispatched by professionals. I assume it is not the policy of municipalities to turn that responsiblity over to children.

3. I know that many people in this world have to hunt to eat. I don't have issues with that.

4. Hunting as sport....dead animals as "trophies". This is hard for me to understand. I understand (but regret) the need for "culls" at times. I know that hunting keeps some animal populations from over running a specific area. I am not saying it is not necessary but I don't understand why hunting, as a sport, is enjoyed by so many people. I was upset when a bird flew into my windshield in Tennessee. I can't fathom aiming a rifle, shooting and actually seeing a living creature fall to the ground at my hand.

5. I would hope that all hunters would try to kill their prey quickly and humanely.

[Cindi Hammons]

I understand (but regret) the need for "culls" at times. I know that hunting keeps some animal populations from over running a specific area.

I am not a big fan of hunting for sport. However...living in a rural area where there are more deer than humans, I do understand hunting to limit the population. I was told that the deer population in our area has exploded partially due to all the soybean farms in the area. This individual called soybeans, "deer vitamins." I don't know if that is true or not, but it makes sense around here. One park near Columbus had been so overrun by deer that they had to start shooting the doe's with birthcontrol darts. Then they allowed limited hunting in the park. I don't know about other places, but the exploding deer population in Southern Ohio has become dangerous.

Having hit deer with my car, I'm glad to see all the hunters out in force during deer season. But, for me, having never shot a gun in my life, I'd rather hunt with my camera than a gun.

[DA Weaver]

One post to respond to various points raised :-)

4. Hunting as sport....dead animals as "trophies". This is hard for me to understand. I understand (but regret) the need for "culls" at times. I know that hunting keeps some animal populations from over running a specific area. I am not saying it is not necessary but I don't understand why hunting, as a sport, is enjoyed by so many people...

5. I would hope that all hunters would try to kill their prey quickly and humanely.

Often, the part of the dead animial that is used as a "trophy" is a part of the animal that isn't consumed by humans (skull, and skin). Most individuals I know of who are even hunters don't even eat the brains of an animal knowingly. My f-i-l is one of only two people I have come across in my life that I've ever seen eat brains, and those were from a squirell.

6. I do believe it is the goal of most respectable hunters to kill their prey quickly. If they do not, it causes damage to the meat, and will lead to portions of the product being wasted if the kill is not made quickly.

Since this 11 year old child was escorted by his father, and a guide, I would tend to say this was a learning experience for this child. I seriously doubt he was encouraged to get a bad shot off, or that a guide would misdirect him in where he should shoot. That wouldn't be good for business, and word would spread quickly not to hunt someplace where one was encouraged to misdirect their shot causing less meat left to consume.

Although I know individuals who have problems with hunting reservations, one positive aspect is the fact that the hunt was controlled, assisting with the safety of the child involved. The guide knew the hunting grounds, and knew how many other hunters were out on that property. Unfortunately, had they been hunting somewhere else, they wouldn't have known if there were another hunter shooting in their direction, not knowing they were there.

[Cindi Hammons]

I thought the pig photo was along the lines of these photos. The cat is fake. I'm pretty sure the catfish is real.

[Wanda Van Winkle]

I thought the pig photo was along the lines of these photos. The cat is fake. I'm pretty sure the catfish is real.

Catfish really do get that big! I thought the pig picture was fake...

[Dave McClung]

When I look for a place to hike in West Texas, I am often warned to look out for the wild hogs. Until now, I have joked about the wild hogs. In the future, I think I will pay more attention.

I find it interesting how each of us see the same picture and react from our own perspective. My reaction was that of a hiker who enjoys hiking in remote areas. I have difficulty imagining how I would react if I came around the corner of a trail and saw that hog in the trail.

Of all of the animals feared by hikers, ferrell pigs are near the top of the list. Truly wild animals rarely bother humans but ferrell pigs aren't truly wild. They have descended from domestic pigs that have escaped or were turned loose. They often run in groups and their behavior is unpredictable. They are particularly dangerous when they believe they are protecting their baby pigs.

Only a grizzly bear, a moose with a calf or a hungry mountain lion are more dangerous than a ferrel pig.

[Joel Merrill]

I spent five seconds on the "monsterpig" website and felt sick.

The boy shot the animal eight times with a .50-calibre revolver and chased it for three hours through hilly woods before finishing it off with a point-blank shot.

Disgusting.

I will never understand the hunting mentality. I can't fathom taking a gun and shooting any wild creature simply for sport. I know we have hunters on NazNet and I don't want to offend anyone....just saying how I feel.

And I definitely wouldn't brag about a three hour torture of an animal.

Don't worry Barbara. Snopes hasn't been able to confirm it and it is almost certainly phony. Those animals are extremely dangerous and very aggressive. Even domestic hogs can be very dangerous. If a farmer had a heart attack in the hog lot, the pigs would eat him. Regular sized hogs are very hard to kill. It would be suicidal to go after one that size with a handgun no matter how big the handguns was. The first shot would just make him mad and you wouldn't live long enough to get another shot. It is so easy to manipulate photos, almost anyone can do it. If this really happened, it would be on the national news and there would be a lot of witnesses.

Joel

[Rick Morton]

I got but one thing to say being from Georgia.

Mustard Slaw

2 lb of slaw ( make sure you buy the packs with carrots)
1 large, green bell pepper, seeded, stemmed, and very finely minced.
1 medium onions, very finely minced (about 1 cups)
1 teaspoons salt (or more to taste)
1 teaspoons freshly ground black pepper (or more to taste)
1/4 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
12 ounces French's yellow mustard
3/4 cups granulated sugar
1/8 cup cider vinegar
Hot sauce1/8 cup of Louisiana Hot Sauce
Place slaw in large bowl and add the green pepper, onions, salt and black pepper, lemon juice.
Add the mustard to another bowl and blend in the sugar and the vinegar. Add the mustard mixture to the slaw mixture and mix well. Add hot sauce to taste. Serve it immediately or you can hold it in the refrigerator for as long as a week. Great with BBQ or Hot Dogs.

[Dave McClung]

,, If this really happened, it would be on the national news and there would be a lot of witnesses.

Joel

It was on national news and there were a lot of witnesses. Just Google "Monster Pig" and you will see the national coverage.

[Jeremy D. Scott]

It was on national news and there were a lot of witnesses. Just Google "Monster Pig" and you will see the national coverage.


I don't know. I googled it, but all the articles I found only had the pictures from the website and few details from anyone other than the kid or family.

I'm not usually a skeptic, but some of the "evidence" seems quite weird. In each photo (which the website has quite small), I can easily see how the people could be set back from the animal. The boy kind of looks like he's leaning on something else. The one with the backhoe especially seems to show the real size of the animal. You'd think they'd take more than four photos of it, call the local media, and use something that everyone can normally measure to show the size (this is what people do all the time with fish - put a dollar bill next to them).

The place where the animal was weighed didn't even have any regular workers there (none of them could comment). The website says "video coming soon", so hopefully that will clear it up.

I'm not denying that's a huge pig, but I think the pictures could be over-emphasized.

[Dave McClung]

I don't know. I googled it, but all the articles I found only had the pictures from the website and few details from anyone other than the kid or family.

I'm not usually a skeptic, but some of the "evidence" seems quite weird. In each photo (which the website has quite small), I can easily see how the people could be set back from the animal. The boy kind of looks like he's leaning on something else. The one with the backhoe especially seems to show the real size of the animal. You'd think they'd take more than four photos of it, call the local media, and use something that everyone can normally measure to show the size (this is what people do all the time with fish - put a dollar bill next to them).

The place where the animal was weighed didn't even have any regular workers there (none of them could comment). The website says "video coming soon", so hopefully that will clear it up.

I'm not denying that's a huge pig, but I think the pictures could be over-emphasized.

I realize that some of you wouldn't believe it even if you saw it yourself, but this one seems to be real. See this website for references:

http://en.wikinews.org/wiki/Monster_Pig_killed_by_eleven-year_old_boy

[Joel Merrill]

I realize that some of you wouldn't believe it even if you saw it yourself, but this one seems to be real. See this website for references:

http://en.wikinews.org/wiki/Monster_Pig_killed_by_eleven-year_old_boy

Okay, that is more convincing but I still wouldn't be surprised if there wasn't some exaggeration involved.

Joel

[Ryan Scott]

When I was eleven, there's no way I would have been able to shoot that thing. I would have been frozen in terror just seeing it. It's like something out of a movie. Is there a nuclear power plant nearby? How does a hog even get that big?

[Mark Doble]

When I was eleven, there's no way I would have been able to shoot that thing. I would have been frozen in terror just seeing it. It's like something out of a movie. Is there a nuclear power plant nearby? How does a hog even get that big?

McDonald's hamburgers... and steroids. A little cow's brain and spinal column never hurt anyone.