Hi all, We had a horrible experience this weekend butchering pigs. It can be called "the pigs that would not die". A friend shot the first pig four times with a .22 in the head before he went down, and then he didn't die until after he was stuck and mostly bled out. With the second pig, we decided to go with a higher caliber, and it took 5 shots with a .38 to kill it. What are we doing wrong? We don't want to cause unneccesary suffering of an animal this way. They made every attempt to shoot the pigs just to the left of the middle of it's forehead, as it said to do in our butchering book. Mary

-- Mary Fraley (kmfraley@orwell.net), January 09, 2001

Answers

Mary! It sure is disturbing to witness what you did, isn't it? We've encountered the very same problem on different occasions. Problem? You bet! Called a "double skull". Actually it is a two layered skull and the bullet will only penetrate the first skull lodging somewhere within or between both of'm. Usually a larger caliber bullet will do the trick but even then I've witnessed times when it didn't. I recall on one such occasion when the hog couldn't be killed with a .22 rifle. A QUICK trip to the house and a 12 guage shotgun with a SLUG finally done the deed. It's so stressful to the animal for this to happen. Better luck next time. Matt. 24:44

-- hoot (hoot@pcinetwork.com), January 09, 2001.

Wow, a double skull. Never knew that. I knew they were stubborn and strong willed, so the thick skull fits right in! We thought of the shotgun, but worried about messing up the meat. We'll try it next time to avoid suffering. Actually, I don't think the pig was suffering, just stunned. Mary

-- Mary Fraley (kmfraley@orwell.net), January 09, 2001.

I'm glad you asked this question. I was kind of wondering if that would be a problem myself. I plan on getting my first pigs in about a month. I've gone wild hog hunting and we always used high caliber rifles with a heck of a heavy duty load on the ammo(hubby loads his own). Those things are so tough that sometimes that won't take one down. I'll be sure and take hoots advice and use a slug. I'm of the same mind as you.... I don't mind butchering my own stock or hunting but I want to make sure the critter doesn't suffer. My son can't understand why I won't let him go hunting yet. He's old enough but he isn't a good enough shot..I want to make sure he can deliver a killing shot.

-- Amanda in Mo (aseley@townsqr.com), January 09, 2001.

Doesn't even need to be a slug - at point blank range a shot shell will be at least as effective - maybe more so. They actually are making some exotic pistol bullets now that contain shot, because it imparts the energy of the projectile so rapidly.

Just a point - if you're shooting an animal to slaughter it, animals with or whose ancestors had horns should be shot from behind the head, rather than in front. In front has been build strong, to withstand butting. Pigs, on the other hand, should be shot as you did, from in front. They're built to root around, and they have massive neck muscles, and more to the point massive bone attachments for those muscles, on the back of the neck and head. However, I guess I'd suggest that if you were just using a .22, I'd go with two quick shots - one as you did, which should at least stun the animal briefly; followed up with another immediately through the eye (and associated hole in the skull) angled into the brain.

-- Don Armstrong (darmst@yahoo.com.au), January 09, 2001.

Probably everybody already knows this but just in case,goats should be shot just behind the ear and not from in front. At least thats what I was told by an experienced (goat lady). I know they die instantly when shot correctly behind the ear,never tried from the front. Just be careful where you're shooting as the bullet goes right on through the head.

-- Darren in Idaho (darrencindy2000@yahoo.com), January 09, 2001.

I have only seen this done a couple of times. My understanding was an imaginary X was made between the ears and eyes and the shot went at the point where the lines meet. Have only seen a .22 used. I believe the objective is to stun them, not kill them outright, so when they are hung and the throat cut, the heart will help pump out the blood.

Back before the local processing plant implemented their 'they have to walk in on their own' policy, I would occasionally get a call from someone asking if I could carry a downer cow (normally one which couldn't stand again after birthing) with my truck, since I have hydraulic arms on the back for moving round bales of hay.

Got a call from a woman saying one of her pets cows was down and she would give it to anyone who wanted it. However, she made me just about taken on oath it would be a quick and humane death. I said, yep, no problem, the cow would be dead before it knew it.

Called around and found someone willing to pay the processing fee and my haul bill. Then took my .223, found the cow, put the muzzle against the middle of her forehead, blam, then nothing. The cow just shook her head and looked at me. Hummm. Grubbed around in the truck and found only one more shell. Second attempt, same results. At this point I'm no longer sure the cow had a brain. Now what? It would be ackward to have to come back home for more ammo.

Finally wrestled with her to get her throat cut so she bled to death. Since she wasn't too fond of the idea, and her front half worked fine, you can image the scene. May have been more fun to watch than the WWF.

-- Ken S. in WC TN (scharabo@aol.com), January 10, 2001.

Mary, with that much trouble you must have been shooting the wrong spot. You should not need a high caliber. Check other books or ask someone with experience. The object is to stun, not to kill; then immediately you cut one of the arteries in the throat and the heart pumps the blood out. Sorry you had that experience - I know how you felt.

-- Sam in W.Va. (turnip55a@yahoo.com), January 13, 2001.

Mary and all.....Shooting an animal and not having it die is a very frusterating and gut wrenching experience.You have my sympathy.The biggest problem of using a gun for humane slaughter is poor shot placment.That means don't close your eyes just as you pull the trigger.and don't just shoot it some where in the head.Thinking that all head shots are killing shots.I'll let you in on a little rule of thumb that works on most animals from mice to elephants(i'm sure someone out there will disaggree.) When looking at the animals head face on.Imagine an X drawn from the ear holes to the eyes.Aim off center of the upper axis of the X.You will hit the brain.To shoot dead center of the forehead is to try to put a shot in the thickest part of most mammels skulls.Think of how thick your own forhead is.Most farm animals are built heavier.I generaly use a .22lr cartridge in a cheap marlin rifle kept around for just that purpose.I have used this method to kill goats,deer,pigs,horses and cows.I dislike the use of pistols for slaughter because it is easier to miss and hit an assistant nearby.Don't use full metal jacket bullets thinking that if the military uses them then they should knock old bossy down right quick.They don't!Jacketed bullets make a little hole going in and a little hole going out.(a humane measure for shooting people in wars)It's the going out part that you need to worry about. (hitting the dog the kids etc.)Not to meantion the recently badly lobotomized farm animal that will likly die eventualy but right now has a bad head ache and a brand new personality and wants to get away from you by an means possible.The short of it is to use a soft point bullet of low to medium power.All you want to do is penetrate the skull and scramble the brains a little.A bullet that stays in the skull will do this much more effectively than one the just sails on through and imparts little energy to the surrounding tissue.If you are a powerfull person and can wield a hammer.It can work as well as a gun.I'm not talking about the kind of hammer for frameing houses but a large machinists or blacksmiths hammer.For pigs and cows you need a 5lb or larger sledge(long handle)You must not be timid but strike the critter with all your might.If you think for a moment that you might hesitate use a gun instead.I hope this info was some help. send an e-mail if you need more clarification.This is a very touchy subject and I hope that I won't be harrased for providing my 2cents.I don't like killing and I don't like to see anything suffer needlessly. Good luck all, Greg

-- Greg (gsmith@tricountyi.net), January 14, 2001.

Greg...so glad you answered Mary's missive! Pigs have been butchered on this (my husband's family farm) for 118 years and still are....they have all been slaughtered very humanely using the same method as yours (with a 22 caliber single shot). Thanks for the enlightenment!

-- Deb in WI (laroux@discover-net.net), January 14, 2001.