This morning I headed to the river to chase hogs with "Bloody Marsh", my straight profile Apex Predator longbow. I couldn't find anyone that could go with me, so I hit it solo. My wife doesn't like me taking the boat alone. I just have to remind her that I know the river, and I'm a Coast Guard certified boat captain. If my time is up, I can't think of a better way to go!
I got an early start so I could watch the sunrise. The river is quite large where I hunt.
(http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o203/Apex-Predator/4-27-09-4.jpg)
There aren't any rocks to speak of, but there are trees everywhere. It pays to know where they are!
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Here is a pretty flower that grows along the river bank.
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Almost!
(http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o203/Apex-Predator/4-27-09-5.jpg)
This long tree limb was dipping in and out of the water, and looked like a giant jigger pole!
(http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o203/Apex-Predator/4-27-09-6.jpg)
After a beautiful 30 minute boat ride, I pull up to my destination.
(http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o203/Apex-Predator/4-27-09-7.jpg)
I know there's some Southern BBQ at the end of this trail.
No one could name there Bow "Bloody Marsh" and not make bacon. :campfire:
I moored the boat at 0700. I was hunting shortly thereafter. I made my way pretty quickly to some fresh feeding sign.
I jumped a big gobbler, and then a deer. I figured I better slow down some. As I entered hunt mode, saw a large hog just 10 yards ahead in the palmettos! He had seen me though and was headed away with a huff! I froze for a few minutes to see if he would circle to get my wind. Lot's of times if you jump them they will circle and give you a shot opportunity.
I made my way around the thicket hoping to catch him on the other side. I stumbled into a nest of hogs. Two jumped up and trotted off. They weren't spooked real bad though, because they didn't smell me. I just stood there again waiting for something to present me with a shot. I heard a grunt, and then another. Just 10 yards in front of me where the two had been, were more hogs. Three more stood up and milled around. I was ready! One nice sow entered an opening, but was quartering to me pretty hard. I heard Robert Carter's words in my mind, "if they aren't too big, I'll shoot them head on". I picked a spot just in front of the point of the shoulder and let a Wensel Woodsman go! I heard it hit the shoulder blade and then hogs were running everywhere.
I stood my ground, and marked a landmark where I saw my hog run. At the shot location there was good lung blood. After about 20 minutes I figured to let this one lie a while. I figure best case would be one lung, top of heart, and liver/guts. Almost half my arrow was sticking out her chest as she ran off.
I slipped out of there and made a big circle around the killing zone. I hunted for a while, jumped another deer, and then made it back to the shot site two hours later. There was a good trail.
(http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o203/Apex-Predator/4-27-09-8.jpg)
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She only made it 50-60 yards! She will probably go 80#. Perfect!
(http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o203/Apex-Predator/4-27-09-11.jpg)
I carry a rope ratchet in my pack for hanging hogs. It doesn't have any mechanical advantage, so the largest thing I can hoist is around 125#. Works great for me though, because I would much rather hang them if possible.
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(http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o203/Apex-Predator/4-27-09-13.jpg)
I used my new favorite knife for the chore. A beautiful damascus steel with some kind of burl scales that my buddy John Johnston made for me.
(http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o203/Apex-Predator/4-27-09-14.jpg)
Awesome story with great pics! Gott'a feel good to arrow one with YOUR bow!?
:bigsmyl:
Well told story, Thats a nice pig, looks like "Bloody Marsh" is well named...
Very Nice, Thanks for sharing!
Good deal. Congrats.
Congratulations-
Great story and good fun. Thanks
:thumbsup:
Good deal Marty! I like that knife.
Good hunt Marty :clapper: How much load limit is that rope ratchet the ones I have seen don't seem strong enough.Kip
Kip, this one is rated to 500#. I don't plan to kill one that heavy. This one is special and you probably won't find one for sale. My uncle, by marriage was selling them, but I don't know if they are still available or not. I'll find out. The Home Depot variety comes in two sizes. I think 150# and 250#. My buddy uses the larger one ten or twelve times a year to hang all his deer and has good luck with those. I love this one!
Kip, this one is rated to 500#. I don't plan to kill one that heavy. This one is special and you probably won't find one for sale. My uncle, by marriage was selling them, but I don't know if they are still available or not. I'll find out. The Home Depot variety comes in two sizes. I think 150# and 250#. My buddy uses the larger one ten or twelve times a year to hang all his deer and has good luck with those. I love this one!
Good Job Marty!!!!!!! Congrats!
That rope ratchet is great for keeping the meat clean if you want to skin, quarter/de-bone in the field.
Wonder if I had one if I could keep up with it! :rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes:
Well done and nice pics.
thats a pretty big hog nice job buddy
great story and pics. Congrats!
Way to go Bro!! :thumbsup: :thumbsup:
Congrats :thumbsup:
Good job Marty. Ain`t nothing like a boat ride back in with pork in the sack.RC
good hog, Marty....nice pics too!
UUUUMMM Good!
Nice. Thanks for sharing it with us.