I have enjoyed the thread re snakes and cougars, both of which I have encountered while fishing. With between one and two million feral hogs in Texas alone ( I don't know pop. figures for other states) I'm betting some of you have had encounters with feral hogs. Here's mine from last spring:

Can't blame the wild sow as she was protecting her piglets. Dog went nosing off in the brush near the CO. River above Bastrop, TX. Hog chased the dog and dog ran directly to me. I had not time to unholster the .38.

Instinct kicked in--I yelled a primal scream and swung my walking stick at the charging beast. She swerved off at the last second and ran back to her brood. Dog and I ambled on, unscathed. Others have been less fortunate or so I have been told.