Whodunnit?

[steve white]

We are perplexed: my brother stuck an arrow in a feral pig while deer hunting, so did not come down from the tree stand for a while (still waiting on deer). When we tracked the blood trail we came upon the pig laying under pine trees on the usual bed of pine needles--so no observable tracks around. The question is, what ate a perfect circle of flesh from one ham--it was dished out in shape and as clean cut at if a knife had been used. Just a plate sized, 2 inch shallow portion of missing flesh, with the hide and hair gone, just so cleanly removed, and any blood apparently licked away.
The question is, what did it? What could cut it out so smoothly? It was east Texas, so maybe the infamous puma? Anyone ever seen this happen? Sorry, didn't think to take pictures at the time.

 

[Bullthrower338]

Definitely a Chupacabra that migrated from South Texas.
Was the spot at an arrow entry or exit?

 

[RLL]

We are perplexed: my brother stuck an arrow in a feral pig while deer hunting, so did not come down from the tree stand for a while (still waiting on deer). When we tracked the blood trail we came upon the pig laying under pine trees on the usual bed of pine needles--so no observable tracks around. The question is, what ate a perfect circle of flesh from one ham--it was dished out in shape and as clean cut at if a knife had been used. Just a plate sized, 2 inch shallow portion of missing flesh, with the hide and hair gone, just so cleanly removed, and any blood apparently licked away.
The question is, what did it? What could cut it out so smoothly? It was east Texas, so maybe the infamous puma? Anyone ever seen this happen? Sorry, didn't think to take pictures at the time.

Need pics to assess and postulate what creature forensics might be at play.

 

[R.M.C.]

I've seen sows with chunks of hide bitten out of their backs from boars breeding them. Never seen a wound like that on a ham though. Interesting. Could a hawk or owl been digging at it maybe? I've seen deer chewed on a little by owls when I've shot them and waited a few hours after dark to retrieve them. I'm genuinely curious.

 

[Berettaco]

I’m with @Bullthrower338 - definitely a chupacabra

 

[Brod]

Cookie Cutter Shark. Seen it on TV once.

 

[jimmywallstreet]

Going out on a limb here… Other hogs, buzzards, maybe a bobcat.

 

[375 Ruger Fan]

Did the hunt take place around Roswell, New Mexico by any chance?

 

[jimmywallstreet]

Maybe even a coyote. That should narrow down the list of predators in the state.

 

[R.M.C.]

Was your brother able to see the side that has the wound when he shot it? Could it have been wounded some time before he got arrowed?

 

[Sourdough]

East Texas so not likely a chupacabra. More likely a rougarou.

 

[steve white]

Definitely a Chupacabra that migrated from South Texas.
Was the spot at an arrow entry or exit?

No, shot was to heart/lungs, this was to one of the hams.

 

[steve white]

I've seen sows with chunks of hide bitten out of their backs from boars breeding them. Never seen a wound like that on a ham though. Interesting. Could a hawk or owl been digging at it maybe? I've seen deer chewed on a little by owls when I've shot them and waited a few hours after dark to retrieve them. I'm genuinely curious.

It was still daylight, circle looked clean as though cut away, no pecks or digs, very smooth indeed.

 

[steve white]

Was your brother able to see the side that has the wound when he shot it? Could it have been wounded some time before he got arrowed?

Well, it was clean of any blood, but fresh, no scabbing or attempted healing.

 

[steve white]

Going out on a limb here… Other hogs, buzzards, maybe a bobcat.

Do cats start eating at the rump? Do they make clean excisions? I think Hunter Habib said tigers would always start to eat there. Hadn't thought bobcat, hmmm.

 

[CBH Australia]

Photos would help. The way you describe it, it's quite unusual.
Anything out of the ordinary deserves a photo anyway

 

[Marc Ret]

 

[ACM]

East TX? Was there possibly copper wire under the pigs skin lol

 

[Ridge Runner]

Definitely a Chupacabra that migrated from South Texas.
Was the spot at an arrow entry or exit

I’m with @Bullthrower338 - definitely a chupacabra

I’m with @Bullthrower338 - definitely a chupacabra

East Texas so not likely a chupacabra. More likely a rougarou.

Let's get serious it wasn't a chupacsbra, nor a rougarou. It was a eastern sasquatch. Seeing the dead hog and only looking for a snack, this eastern sasquatch, using their knapped stone knife, just cut a "snack size" piece of the better meat from the hog.

Seriously, it would be nice if the OP could provide us with a picture so we could try to make a serious theoretical assumption of what removed a good piece of ham.

 

[AimSmall]

The Incisors a pig has can be razor sharp - did he chew on himself chasing that arrow?