Hogzilla or Bacon for Life

Texas Ranger · July 26, 2006, 10:02:27 PM

You were worried about just gators in Florida!

Now that I have your attention.

The fellow in the pictures is Larry Earley. He lives about 30 miles from Orlando, in the very rural community of Okahumpka, just off the Florida turnpike in Lake County, Florida. He has 20 acres of land and on it, a few cows and horses. Mostly it's pasture land that is fenced with woods surrounding him.

He is neighbored by a larger cattle ranch. His neighbor has complained for several years that wild hogs had been raiding his cattle feeders and salt licks.

Last month he saw what he thought was a cow in his pond and went to see if it was stuck in the mud and would have to be pulled out. When he got close enough to realize it was a hog, the thing made a charge at him. He had driven his truck down to the pond and carries a pistol in it (as any Florida redneck would, and I say that with genuine affection). He got his handgun and when it came at him again, he shot it twice and killed it.

Wild hogs in Florida usually run from 100-400 pounds with a 400 pounder being a monster. Because this one had been feasting on grain for several years it had grown to mammoth size. When Larry took it to the processor it weighed in at over 1100 pounds! The meat has no wild taste, as it was grain fed; and Larry is quite the hero. He has fed many fireman and provided the homeless shelter in downtown Orlando with a couple of meals. You were worried about just gators in Florida!

Here's to Bacon for Life!

sprucebunny · July 26, 2006, 10:23:37 PM

That's HUGE

Is it a record ?

Mooseherder · July 26, 2006, 10:33:28 PM

Holy Hog!
That that thing could cause another Pig Roaster dilema.

Texas Ranger · July 26, 2006, 10:36:03 PM

Sprucebunny, don't know about a record, but it would give me nightmares.

ellmoe · July 26, 2006, 10:49:09 PM

Nice piggie! Okahumka's about twenty miles from my house and I didn't hear a thing about this!

Our " wild " hogs, usually black, with long snouts, don't get that big, actually 350lbs. is the largest I've caught or seen. However, it is not unusual for a domestic hog to become feral and a whopper like that will show up now and again. Last year I shot a sow in the back of the mill property that had alot of domestic in her. She weighed about 400 lbs. and looked very much like a Duroc breed. I had been seeing a big track back there and thought it was her. Checked her feet, nope not her. Too small, a bigger one is out there still.

Mark

Woodwalker · July 26, 2006, 10:55:59 PM

Shoat?

http://www.snopes.com/photos/animals/bighog.asp
More info on the same hog.

sawguy21 · July 27, 2006, 12:00:40 AM

Quote from: Mooseherder on July 26, 2006, 10:33:28 PM
Holy Hog!
That that thing could cause another Pig Roaster dilema.

The current roaster under construction would have a problem with that one. WOW, I cant imagine an 1100 lb hog.

Corley5 · July 27, 2006, 05:01:42 PM

I wouldn't be real comfortable with it chasing me

;D

Kevin_H. · July 27, 2006, 05:08:44 PM

MMMM Bacon...

thats all I got to say about that.

asy · July 27, 2006, 06:07:57 PM

Crikey!!!

THat's SCARY!

Sure does bring new meaning to the phrase "Everything's bigger in Texas".

How in daylights did he EVER get that thing onto his TRUCK???

I reckon, with the right roaster of course, you could feed the WHOLE FF For a WEEK with that critter.

I wonder how many siblings he's got!!!

asy :D

Tom · July 27, 2006, 06:45:59 PM

That wasnt' a Texas hog, Asy. That was just a Florida hog. They have big hogs in Texas. :P

asy · July 27, 2006, 07:26:46 PM

* asy makes a note. NEVER VISIT TEXAS.

Well, not without apple sauce, anyway.

asy :D

Texas Ranger · July 27, 2006, 10:59:34 PM

Asy, in the north, they put an apple in the pigs mouth when they roast it. In florida they use a watermelon. Here in Texas we use a calf for extra flavor.