Decided to check out the pigs on my property behind the house here on Guam. Eased into the jungle with the wind in my face and it was not long before I heard the sounds of pigs feeding. Snuck in to about 20 yards and a nice big sow, brown with black spots offered me an unobstructed shot broadside. I watched the chartruse fletch zip into her tight behind the shoulder and she let out a squeel and all heck broke loose, pigs running everywhere, bout got nocked over by a herd of footballs,LOL.
Sat down under a coconut tree and waited 20 or so minutes and took up the trail. Never did find my arrow dang it. But the razor cap did its job, good blood coming out both sides.
Followed the trail through the thick nasty jungle and it was no problem for the first 3 or 4 hundred yards. I then started to worry. As much blood as I was seeing this pig had to be dead.
Like I said good blood. Last blood was a pool about 4 inches in diameter, then nothing, not even specs where before I could have followed it at a trot. I searched and searched from last blood, making circles, stayed in the jungle until noon searching but had to give it up as I had to get ready for work. Even took the dog in and tried to get him to follow but he was not interested.
I have played the shot over and over in my mind and I can clearly see the charturse fletch entering right were I wanted it to, only thing is she may have turned more facing me at the shot. So may not have got both lungs. I will go back in in the morning and do some more searching eventhough the meat will be lost if I find her. never lost an animal before in over 40 years of bowhunting and the feeling is not good.
Only consolation is if I did not get both lungs she may survive, they are amazingly tough animals.
Just wanted to share my story with my family here.
Danny
Well that just sucks! I feel for you I have lost animals and it doesn't feel good. But like my buddy once said to me "even the cougar doesn't kill everything that it catches some of them get away. Rest assured though nothing will be wasted, nature has a lot of mouths to feed"
You did your best, respected the animal, used equipment that was up to the job....nothing else you could do. It happens. Heck if it hasn't happened in 40 years you were hunting on borrowed time. I hope you get another 40. Don't lose any sleep
Allan
Good luck finding her. It is a sick feeling not finding an animal that's been shot, but you did everything right.
They are very tough animals, she may survive the hit.
Can't really say anything to change your feelings Danny but know you are not alone. You can feel bad but don't beat yourself up over it - sounds like it was a good shot and you were true to your good hunting form. Thanks for sharing the story, sorry it didn't turn out as well as it usually does.
I think she will be ok. I`ve never seen a double lunged pig go over 75 yards.RC
Dang the luck Danny.
Hope it changes for you in the morning.
Sorry to hear your misfortune Danny, keep your chin up though brother. If she went that far she may be alright. Amazing critters!
Good Luck my Navy Bro..............
She will probably live Bro, remember the big one I shot. I can not believe how those suckers can survive like they do. Though buggers. If she went over 75 yards I would say she is alive.
Great story, thanks for sharing.
Thanks for all the kind words. I really wanted this pig, been a year since I got one. I will look some more, if I don't find her I am sure I will see her again. She lives in my patch of jungle and I have seen her numerous times before, but did not try for her as she had sucklings. No sucklings this time so tried for her. She will probably go 200#, good sized pig for here.
Danny
Well what do ya know. She is still alive. Went back in the jungle this morning to see if I could find her and heard pigs feeding in the same area, snuck in and sure enough she was with them. I watched for a good bit and noticed that my hit was a touch back from where I thought it went and angled back. Both entrance and exit holes were closed but I could tell where they were. None of them ever offered me a shot. But it is good to know she is still around, I will get her eventually. Most times it is just too thick to chance a shot so you have to wait until they are in a bit of an opening to take your shot. I feel much better.
Danny
Good deal Danny and better luck with her next time.
Good for you Danny! Your 40 year streak is still alive!!!!!
Those are amazingly tough critters!
Better luck on your next shot at her.
Dennis
Best of luck on your next "rumble in the jungle".
Follow up is what can seperate "bowhunters" from someone hunting with a bow.
Thanks for sharing your story.
Closure.
Heartfelt congrats on forty years of 100%.
I will be in there every other morning this next week to try and get her or another,LOL. Figure hunt a day and rest it a day. Lots of pigs in there so hopefully I can put some pics with this story.
Danny
Wish you would have got her Danny...but at least she is live and you a chance to hunt her another day.
Danny, straight up the leg bone 4-8 inches ABOVE where it joins the line of the belly and you will be cooking shoulders on the grill, buddy.
Go back in there and get her buddy!
Bad Luck Dan. Your genuine concern is a hard lesson. Respect for the animal is priority before and after the shot. Prior posts and association here will prove your unflappable hunting ethics. My hat's in your corner.
Great News! My bad. Didn't notice page two. Sentiments are the same.