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Early this morning I took some time to sight in my slug gun for the upcoming season. . . . If I'd have been unrushed and on time I'd have grabbed my G21sf as well, as I usually carry the big .45 when I'm in the woods. I was trying to get back early enough so as not to miss too much work time, so I just pocketed the tiny Rohrbaugh R9 that I usually carry and put it in my front pocket in it's holster.

. . . A wide, winding, dirt track leads to the range, . . . I always just walk it for a bit of extra exercise and to save the wear and tear on the vehicle. I had the unloaded 870 over my strong shoulder, a few sheets of paper, for use as targets, in my strong hand, and the coffee mug in my weak hand.

. . .
Approaching the last bends in the trail before the range, I was startled by deep, viscious barking and heavy footfalls. A very large black and tan dog charged me, barking and with teeth bared. I had just come into view around the bend and the dog was probably 30 feet away and running at me flat out. My reactions were slow to say the least, but I managed to drop the coffee cup and papers and swing the shotgun at the dog as it leaped at me, catching it on the side of it's head with the shotgun with a very heavy "thunk".

The force of the swing and momentum of the animal carried the dog past me and swung me around, facing me back the way I'd come. The dog came right back at me as I drew the R9 with my strong hand and held the shotgun with my weak hand. I do not remember switching the shotgun to my weak hand. I thought I fired three times, but after later counting, I believe that I fired four while the dog was jumping for me the second time. The dog hit my weak arm and the weight knocked the shotgun from my hand. I took quick aim and fired once more, as the dog landed on the ground to my weak side. All but that last shot was fired strong hand only. The last was fired with two hands but with my body twisted about 90-degrees toward the weak side at the waist.

. . . .

I made a couple of phone calls, then I went back to the trail to get my mug, pick up thje scattered paper and check out the dog. No license tag but it had a collar.

It is a very heavy, muscular dog, with short hair. The color/markings were similar to a Doberman but the dog was much more muscular, maybe 80-90 pounds? Not sure of the breed as I'm not a dog person. It was hard to find the wounds because of the dark fur, but to my surprise the 147gr Golden Sabers had all hit the dog. Only one, that hit a front paw, had passed through. Two hit the chest, one hit a little lower in the belly, and the last shot had struck the back of it's head. The shotgun blow had also knocked out/broken some teeth. I counted my remaining rounds and, sure enough, I had fired a total of five times, not four.

Later I'll have to go out with a few friends and clean up the range and drag the carcass off the trail.