(http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h101/tradtusker/cape_york_l.jpg)
well certainly a long round trip to hunt pigs but worth every second.
the motley crew consisted of Dave (Huntit), Mel (Irish), Allan (colorado kid), Nige (leopard), Roger, Neil, myself and Mick (mad max) our host
plans where set to meet in Townsville QLD Australia for a couple weeks in the bush hunting pigs.
Quite an eventful Hunt unfolded after the long drive north up the Cape to our hunting area.
Most of the guys are back now but we all have some catching up to do with family and business so bare with us as the guys download pics and start to chime in.
plenty of pics to follow ....
(http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h101/tradtusker/IVY_20090913_1090.jpg)
tired and weary from our travels we arrived at camp not to bulldust but to the thin penetration sight and smell of Bushfire smoke, something that would be with us for the remainder of the our hunt as it clawed its way through the bush leaving only ash and smoldering termite mounds in its wake.
(http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h101/tradtusker/IVY_20090920_1192.jpg)
Always enjoy your posts Andy. Looking forward to watching this one unfold. Joe
there where 5 Ivys on the trip a family hunt together that has been long overdue, be it maybe somewhat less then perfect timing for some of us. that is if a perfect time even exists.
It was great to catch up with everyone and hunt together again nothing better than being out in the bush with our bows, Would be the first Trad hunting trip for Roger and Neil so they where pretty excited about what lay ahead of them.
we had the pleasure of having Dave and Mel join us on the trip, two better blokes you will not find and it was great hunting alongside them once again.
the first afternoon of the hunt we went out for a look around to get our bearings of the area, take a few important waypoints on the GPS, and meet some of the locals
(http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h101/tradtusker/IVY_20090915_1111.jpg)
fingers where getting itchy in the shooting gloves as we awaited the hunting to come
Great stuff! I'm glad this story's started! Carry-on, please!
Ahhh, here we go!!! Been waiting for this one.
Carry on gents! :thumbsup: :thumbsup:
first of many a flat tire
(http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h101/tradtusker/IVY_20090910_9761.jpg)
we hunted a range of different areas swamps, flats, sand ridges, water holes, river beds
the range made the pigs hard to find as they had so much to move between with really no need to go back to the same places twice, apart from a bull carcass here and there.
(http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h101/tradtusker/IVY_20090913_0277.jpg)
the pigs where pretty good at getting themselves tucked away in some of the hardest places for a shot or even to see... caves, undercuts, under logs, inside root thickets getting away from the heat of the day
spot the 4 pigs in this thicket...
(http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h101/tradtusker/IVY_20090911_0227.jpg)
:D just kidding but it was not unlikely to find one tucked up in a mess like that.
always have enjoyed hunting river beds
something mystical about them
(http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h101/tradtusker/IVY_20090911_0203.jpg)
Dang! You had me lookin'!
I was looking too!!! Really nice looking country.
Welcome back. We have been waiting for your return and anticipating a good story.
cool...
TTT
Can't hardly wait for the rest Andy!
Looking forward to the rest of this.
The pile on my desk is waist deep so it will take a few days to get caught up. A fantastic trip it was and I sure enjoyed sharing camp with The Ivy Clan and Mel. Our host Mic Baker aka Mad Max the road warrior showed us the outback in true Ozzy style. A ride down the outback roads with Mic left you feeling like you had shaken baby syndrome and dire need for kidney dialysis. Two and a half days of flying and two days of four wheeling to get to camp was quiet a haul. Northern Queensland is one isolated, desolate and dusty place but it has inner beauty to discover. As you will see in many of Alan's and Andy's pictures above it is a magnificent place once you get out and discover it on foot. It's not a place for someone that is not used to map and GPS navigation. With only one main dirt track down the middle of the 1.3 million acre ranch and the neighbouring ranch 60 miles away your a long way from everywhere. Nowhere is close by all the time. Most of us carried between 100 and 200 onces of water in packs and relied on water dropped off at locations to top us off each day. Temperatures were hovering around the 100 mark every day and we would average 10 miles or better per day on foot. Everyone relies on their GPS to get them back to the road each day. If you ever got lost and ran out of water your days were numbered (about 2). 24hrs after bitting the dust the hawgs would clean you up and they'd be dam lucky to find your boots or your Morrison!
Yep, all in all it was a very successful trip! The company was great, and there was challenging animals to hunt!
It was great to hunt with family again, and meeting Dave and Mel was an absolute pleasure!
We all arrived in Townsville on the 10th, and were picked up by Mick.
We started off at Mick's place in Townsville, packing and preparing for the 12 hour drive up to the north...
(http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t98/nigelivy/2009/20090925_australia/IVY_20090909_2651.jpg)
(http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t98/nigelivy/2009/20090925_australia/IVY_20090910_7320.jpg)
After a great first meal together as a group, on the way up to the station, we retired in our swags on the side of the road....many battling the dreaded jet lag!
(http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t98/nigelivy/2009/20090925_australia/IVY_20090910_7325.jpg)
Here's a pic of the group on the second day of travel, from left to right - Allan, Nigel, Mick, Roger, Dave, Andy, Mel, and Neil.
(http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t98/nigelivy/2009/20090925_australia/IVY_20090911_7331.jpg)
(http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t98/nigelivy/2009/20090925_australia/IVY_20090910_2669.jpg)
Great to have you guys along for the ride. I'm off tomorrow for a month in the Cape so I will look forward to the story when I get back. Good to see all the guys getting home safe and sound.
Cheers
Mick
the boars....where's the boars? :readit:
Hold your horses Clint, they're coming... ;)
:campfire:
Lookin forward to this thread... keep it coming lads.
ak.
(http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g56/huntit/OZ003.jpg)
On my arrival, I overnighted in Sydney, awaiting the arrival of Mel in the am. While taking in the sights I came across this statue of Dianna the Hunting Godess. It was good to see that she shot a Morrison Dakota as well - good taste that gal!
(http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g56/huntit/OZ022.jpg)
The next morning Mel and I headed north to Townsville to meet up with Mic. The Ivey clan where not do in untill the next morning. Here is a few pictures of the beach area of Townsville in front of our hotel.
(http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g56/huntit/OZ033.jpg)
Lots of sand sharks!
(http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g56/huntit/OZ020.jpg)
Sunrise on our day of departure to the outback.
That is funny stuff Dave :D
I had no idea you where on Bob's Pro Staff :biglaugh: Cause ya still pay for your bows (http://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l101/GUNSMITHAMMO/Smileys/RollingSmiley.gif)
(http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g56/huntit/OZ042.jpg)
Here we are on the road North, 13 hours of road ahead of us.
(http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g56/huntit/OZ044.jpg)
Australian fast food stop!
(http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g56/huntit/OZ045.jpg)
Here is Mel and Alan enjoying their fast food. Nothing like fresh fruit. Mel's hungry!
(http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g56/huntit/OZ051.jpg)
We had a nice supper at the Lakeland watering Hole(see Andy's picture above) and then drove a short while before retiring at a picnic area. Here the guys are unpacking our swags for a quick sleep on the ashphalt matress.
(http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g56/huntit/OZ052.jpg)
Sunrise could not have come soon enough the next morning. My clock was still on Canadian time and I slept about 15 minutes total that night. We got Mic's A$$ outa bed a little earlier that he preffered and off we where to Hahn Station for breakfast and gas up. Four or five hours to go after breakfast. See Andy's picture of flat tire above, this happened just prior to arriving at Hahn station. The group shot Andy posted is in front of the map at Hahn station.
Sorry to have missed your call last night Dave. I'll give you a ring tonight from the home phone.
I can't wait for the pig pics! :thumbsup:
(http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g56/huntit/OZ065.jpg)
Last stop for fuel, Dixie Station -cattle ranch. We are now about 60 miles out. That last 60 miles is mighty rough country and two track - 2 hours to go 60 miles.
(http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g56/huntit/OZ068.jpg)
At Dixie Station we got our first look at the brush fire that would burn arounds us for our entire stay.
(http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g56/huntit/OZ070.jpg)
Here is Mel eyeing up the mango tree at Dixie. Not ripe until November, dang! We had one in camp as well. The grapefruit tree was the only one that had an edible bounty.
Mel is always eying up something to eat. Ten miles per day and only fruit to eat probably was good for him as it would be for most of us. Mel a half mile walk across a corn field won't bother you anymore. Sounds like your in shape to give curtis a call and finish the score with those goats and sheep.
Oh Yeah John. Mel has been training for the Tour De Outback all summer. He's 6/8th the Mel he used to be. In good shape and doing well. I said we drank alot of water which is true during the day. Once back at camp we drank alot of cold beer!
Just a shadow of myself! Down about 40 lbs.
Dave atop the Deluxe
(http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h101/tradtusker/IVY_20090918_1143.jpg)
Dave's Grunter hunter arrows ready to go
(http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h101/tradtusker/IVY_20090919_0383.jpg)
plenty of these smiling flat dogs and all the water holes
(http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h101/tradtusker/IVY_20090920_1187.jpg)
tough crowd here on the gang we did do some hunting i promise
the trip had a couple first's trad bow kills for Roger and Neil and they where pretty excited about them
the first thing to meet one of my 700gr arrows with a Magnus 1 4 blade on the front left the kind of blood trail i like to follow
(http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h101/tradtusker/IVY_20090912_1079.jpg)
Nice.....keep 'em coming!!!!
she did'nt go far after that!
now let me tell you that the wind in Australia is the most unpredictable i have ever hunted in, it is just all over the place, i would guess that the wind probably bust about 80% of all our stalks.
I was hunting with my dad, and after a long walk down a dry river bed we hit a couple water holes a quick lift of the bino's revealed pigs all over, a quick decision on which side to approach from, before the wind changed put us in the right spot, i was in front there where pigs in the water, pigs feeding by and some big fella's across the water laying beside a big log.
i stopped where i thought i would get a 20yard shot at some pigs feeding past us but as luck would have it i had a pig come strait towards me at about 10 yards he lifted his head trying to make out what i was, i decided i had to draw now so i came slowly back but decide that a front on shot was not going to work under the current circumstances so i held at full draw and held and held for about 10 seconds which felt like forever the pig was not sure what i was and started to turn, when he hit broadside the arrow was gone, right behind the shoulder clean though.
The pig let out a quick squeal and took off away from the others i did not even look where he went i turned to my dad and said "he's dead lets get another" we quickly worked our way to big tree overlooking the water it would not be long before the others that had fed by would wind us so my dad decided to shoot the closest one in the water.
it was a fair ol poke out there at about 30yards i watched as the red fletch disappeared. Great shot!
In the commotion that followed i tried a shot at one of the big boars on the far bank but deflected off a small branch right in front of me.
i took off around the water and ended up shooting another small pig around a tree at about 2 meters
when i got back my Dad was on the bloodtrail of my first big and it was not long before we found him.
(http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h101/tradtusker/IVY_20090917_1122.jpg)
(http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h101/tradtusker/IVY_20090916_0347.jpg)
now across on to my dads blood trail, it was a bit thinner than we like it but with my dads tracking skills we were on him, i circled ahead trying to jump the spoor a technique we often use and i found the pig but he was not dead i did not want to shoot as it was not my bird, but it was kind of tricky getting someones attention when they'r in full tracking mode. when i did my he moved in and finished the job
(http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h101/tradtusker/IVY_20090916_0348.jpg)
i nice warm up for the Big guys i thought
Sweet...........
I am a little jealous of your hunting but alot more jealous over the sweet Toyotas you guys get over there.
thanks for sharing
Fantastic stuff! Congratulations on those two! Now, what about the rest?
arhh........gettin' my pig fix. :thumbsup:
father, son hunt. that would have been good andy?
(http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g56/huntit/OZ076.jpg)
Our home in the outback.
(http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g56/huntit/OZ077.jpg)
Our shower and water supply.
(http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g56/huntit/OZ079.jpg)
Mels and my bunks.
(http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g56/huntit/OZ080.jpg)
The Ivy Flat.
(http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g56/huntit/OZ157.jpg)
Here is one of our two trusty camp watch lizards - Guanas. These guys will hiss and snap at ya but because they eat snakes we like em!
(http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g56/huntit/OZ089.jpg)
The big one was well over three feet feet long.
(http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g56/huntit/OZ084.jpg)
Here is picture of Mel and Mic stalking a scrub bull first morning out. Just prior to this I had arrowed a hog that made a fast escape. Catching up to it I got a second arrow in and we pursued the hog into heavy cover. We kept the hog insight for several hundred yards berfore it eluded us.
(http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g56/huntit/OZ092.jpg)
Not long after the above events Mel arrowed his first hog of the trip. I'll let him tell some of the stories, he has a good one about the hog that attacked him and he used his widow to beat it over the head.
Mel just can't resist going mano e mano. He had a heck of a stand off with that large javie under the tin in Crane a while back.
Great adventure guys , keep it up
(http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g56/huntit/OZ095.jpg)
Later that same day, Mel and I stalked in on this one and he made Mel and that gave me the perfect opportunity to put the arrow right where I wanted it. We sat down on a log and watched the hog go down 75yrds out.
(http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g56/huntit/OZ085.jpg)
Here is a look at a typical swamp in the outback. If you were real lucky you find a big old hog sleeping in the mud at waters edge and slip in and pay him a visit. I did not have any such luck but many of the guys did.
(http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g56/huntit/OZ122.jpg)
These next few are for Vance - lets see how his sense of smell is working. Talk, sight or smell of food and he shows up quick. These are big crayfish 12" or better that are caught in the waterhole with crab traps. They call them red quill in OZ.
Thanks for sharing your adventure guys and all the great pics.Keep it coming.
(http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g56/huntit/OZ099.jpg)
Boiled quickly then simmered in garlic and butter you can't get any better.
(http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g56/huntit/OZ124.jpg)
Roger is busy here fixing some of the best camp vittles ever tasted. We had the pleasure of dining on these fellows two nights during our stay. Boy are they good and when you have a 5 gallon bucket full it's hard to beat.
TTT...
Keep 'em coming, lads! You've had a hoot, for sure!
Great stuff. I wish I could have joined you all looks like you had a great time.
you'l have to come along next time Randy, need to keep you away from killing all the big elk :D
Hi folks
First time on TradGang so hello to everyone. Dave, Mel, Nigel, Allan and Andy have assured me that this is the place to be.
First time I've hunted with a trad bow too. Done plenty with rifle and some with compound, but trad bow looks like the right way to hunt for me.
I've got this idea that bringing a single animal down with a trad bow over two weeks gives more satisfaction than a dozen with a rifle.
It was great to hunt with my brother (Allan) again, brought back childhood memories. Also great to hunt with my younger son who got two pigs with his bow, and my older son who also got quite a few (Nigel ... Leopard).
The pic is of my first trad kill. I would have to say I was pretty lucky to actually bring him down, I NEVER expected to have to take my first shot at about 3-4 yds. Threw me right off it did! We were walking through tall grass knowing the pig was somewhere. When I saw him it was so close, but difficult to make out what was what through the grass. I thought I knew where the engine room was, and as it turns out I was wrong but lucky - shot him through the kidney. I was so excited I don't think I drew completely either.
Mel & Dave, glad you guys got back home safely, and it was great to be with you. I aready miss the evening chats. We leave for home this Saturday ... can't wait (I miss my girls).
Rog
(http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u258/RogerIvy/RogBoar1.jpg)
A fine trophy for the first Rog Congrats again :clapper: :clapper: , hopefully many more to come
Great stories guys. Love the pics. Congrats to all and welcome Roger :campfire:
Great stuff fellas...congrats all around :clapper:
Roger welcome to the gang.Mel and Dave are two great guys to share camp with.Miss those days when I was able to keep up with those two. Dave probably walked the entire ranch before the week was over. No stone unturned for him,has to see and hunt it all.Congrats on your first trad kill.
:clapper: :clapper: ...... (http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d171/IronBull_/Smileys/74695.gif)
Andy, thanks for sharing.
Joe
Great thread guys!! Well done to all! Thanks for sharing.
This is some great stuff! What a trip you boys all had! I'm ready for more :readit:
here's Rog putting the finishing touches of lemon on the Bush Prawns mmm they where good!!
(http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h101/tradtusker/IVY_20090915_0321.jpg)
Now i spent a lot of time hunting with my Cuz Nige this Trip,
(http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h101/tradtusker/IVY_20090918_1141.jpg)
we started out bowhunting together back in South Africa and there in not much that tops hunting together, nothing that tops looking over your best buddy's shoulder time and time again as the arrow finds it mark.
As usual we had plenty of fun this trip, Nige has a Charge story to tell... :readit:
cooling off after and keeping the Crocs on their toes
(http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h101/tradtusker/IVY_20090914_1094.jpg)
pigs did not take long to eat though one of these
(http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h101/tradtusker/IVY_20090914_1095.jpg)
Believe me, some of the best is yet to come.
Did you know that the weight of a Widow recurve comes in real handy when you need something to bean a boar in the head before he uses his cutters on your legs??
gotta keep on your toes with the navigation of this place, not the place to get lost
(http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h101/tradtusker/IVY_20090915_0332.jpg)
bowerbird nest
(http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h101/tradtusker/IVY_20090915_0334.jpg)
the road to nowhere...
(http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h101/tradtusker/IVY_20090913_0294.jpg)
ya we where giving Mel trouble about his Widow so he demonstrated one of its many useful features ... "the widow bat" executing a well timed Slog over mid wicket on a fast moving razorback
besides he was having to much fan anyway
hows this for a trophy Photo cant beat that smile
Mel with a Chopper of a Hog :archer:
(http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h101/tradtusker/IVY_20090921_1211.jpg)
and this is not even the one that charged him...
Dave on the look out
(http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h101/tradtusker/IVY_20090919_0388.jpg)
for some of these
(http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h101/tradtusker/IVY_20090919_0384.jpg)
plenty of Bulls on the place but we never managed to get any on the ground...pigs where hard enough work
here's a mean ol fella
(http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h101/tradtusker/IVY_20090918_1152.jpg)
dont forget the fire...its getting closer
(http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h101/tradtusker/IVY_20090920_0410_PS.jpg)
A few of us took a day off for a spot of fishing, and came away pretty successfully. We ate well that night! ;)
(http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t98/nigelivy/2009/20090925_australia/IVY_20090915_1558.jpg)
(http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t98/nigelivy/2009/20090925_australia/IVY_20090915_1563.jpg)
(http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t98/nigelivy/2009/20090925_australia/IVY_20090915_1564.jpg)
(http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t98/nigelivy/2009/20090925_australia/IVY_20090915_1110.jpg)
I was the last person in the group to get something on the ground this trip, but I ended pretty well dropping 3 pigs in the last 2 days. Here's the story of my first pig of the trip...
Andy and I were hunting together, walking along one of the bigger creeks on the station. Andy was in front of me while we were walking on the edge of this rock cliff over-hanging the river when he suddenly froze head still having just seen a big boar lying in the water facing him. The pig hadn't seen him yet, but Andy didn't want to risk moving and spooking the pig. I was a couple of meters behind Andy and he signaled for me to stay low and move back and around slowly.
The wind was right, and I moved in very slowly and quietly. I hadn't seen the pig yet, only the back of Andy so was going in blind. I knew that if I got a shot opportunity, it would be close range i.e. under 8 meters. So I knew I had to be very quiet. I stalked in quietly and slowly, when I found myself on the top of a bank above the pig. He was about 5 meters away from me when I drew my 68# Wolverine longbow. I anchored, aimed and let loose watching my arrow penetrate to the fletch just to the side of the pigs spine, between the shoulders into the engine room.
The pig exploded out of the water, stumbling straight up the bank towards me snapping his jaws. I am pretty sure he was very angry with me and wanted to eat me, so I didn't want to wait around to find out. I proceeded to knock another arrow and wacked the pig again, at a quartering towards angle, as he was coming up the bank - this time at about 3 yards... After seeing that this second shot hit him good through the shoulder and right into the engine room again, I turned and high tailed it for some trees leaving him time to die, shouting to Andy to shoot if he got a shot! I turned after running about 30 meters and watched the pig collapse and fall down the bank. He rolled back down the bank until he hit a tree, where he stopped dead. It was an incredibly thrilling hunt, and it was an absolute pleasure to share this with my long time hunting partner/ cousin - Andy!
(http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t98/nigelivy/2009/20090925_australia/IVY_20090918_1587.jpg)
(http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t98/nigelivy/2009/20090925_australia/IVY_20090918_1592.jpg)
Nice hole created by the Magnus I 2 blade!
(http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t98/nigelivy/2009/20090925_australia/IVY_20090918_1133.jpg)
(http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t98/nigelivy/2009/20090925_australia/IVY_20090918_1139.jpg)
(http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t98/nigelivy/2009/20090925_australia/IVY_20090918_1589.jpg)
(http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t98/nigelivy/2009/20090925_australia/IVY_20090920_1606.jpg)
Sunset
(http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t98/nigelivy/2009/20090925_australia/IVY_20090920_1603.jpg)
The infamous fire...
(http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t98/nigelivy/2009/20090925_australia/IVY_20090918_1593.jpg)
Typical picture of the bush up in that area - very flat and similar looking with few high land marks making navigation without GPS tricky.
(http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t98/nigelivy/2009/20090925_australia/IVY_20090918_1595.jpg)
Discussing the days hunting around the "Deluxe".
I am still in Australia. I fly back home tomorrow night so more pictures and stories to follow when I get home!
This is way to cool guys.......
Great read guys, sounds like you had a blast over here in Aussie land.
absolutegreat thread!
a dream hunt for sure
Very cool shooting under pressure, Nige! And an excellent adventure to have under your hat! Well-done!
Allen has a brother? :scared: :scared:
I can't be around Allen for long. I laugh till I can't breath. Allen's a wordsmith. :readit:
this thread is awesome! Good work you guys, and thanks for sharing the stories.
Dan
Good to hear from you Roger! Welcome to Trad Gang and congrats again on your first trad trophy! It was a pleasure to spend time with you and those fine boys of yours. Safe travels home.
(http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g56/huntit/OZ181.jpg)
More fire pictures. Mel and I sat watching this one real close for a few hours. We had stalked a monster boar on this water hole first thing that morning. He eluded us but headed off in direction of fire and we were hoping that once his tail started to smell like bacon he'd head back to water to cool off. No such luck, these fires burn slower than faster. We did have to drive through the fire to get back to camp.
(http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g56/huntit/OZ187.jpg)
The fire as we approached in truck.
(http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g56/huntit/OZ184.jpg)
Up close.
(http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g56/huntit/OZ133.jpg)
During our hunt a number of Dingo's where sighted. Much like trying to get a coyote after he has made you. One day Mel and I got lucky and stumbled upon a pack of them. The arrows flew in a few directions but Mel and I doubled up on this one. Not the biggest one in the bunch but a Dingo none the less.
(http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g56/huntit/OZ134.jpg)
Mel and the Dingo.
Man!!What an adventure!I have lost count of the total on skewered pork.Keep the pictures and stories coming.Im sure the evenings spent at camp were just as great as the hunting.
Great work!
Bill
Nigel,
Safe trip home. Great sharing camp with you and fantastic pics and story of your charging hog. The sparkle in your eye when you were telling us that day said it all. That's what we live for my friend! Looking forward to rest of your stories and pictures once you get back home.
Thanks Dave! It was an absolute pleasure meeting, hunting, and sharing camp with you!
(http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t98/nigelivy/2009/20090925_australia/IVY_20090915_1568.jpg)
Here's my dad cooking up some mean tasting fresh water prawns! ;)
And a few pics of the Cape York bush...
(http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t98/nigelivy/2009/20090925_australia/IVY_20090915_1567.jpg)
(http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t98/nigelivy/2009/20090925_australia/IVY_20090915_1565.jpg)
(http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t98/nigelivy/2009/20090925_australia/IVY_20090914_1552.jpg)
More stories and pics when I get home....
Safe trip back Bro :wavey:
(http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g56/huntit/OZ138.jpg)
Here is another one of my hogs. This was taken on yet another evenig hunt with Mel close to camp. Mel and I had spotted a group of 15 to 20 hogs feeding and moved in. We both tried to flank the group on opposite sides to see if we could both get shooting. The pigs moved in my direction and then in Mel's. As I tried to get closer they all turned and headed my way. As they fed by I spotted the biggest boar in the bunch and waited for him. When he presented his best angle the arrow was on it's way. The hit was a little further back than I liked but was angled forward slightly. The hog made a mad dash and then slowed up quickly. Mel made a wide circle and tried to cut the boar off as I followed up behind boar. Mel got another arrow into the hog followed quickly by my second arrow. This hog was dead but he did not and was not going to admit that. He took off with myself and Mel on his tail. As Mel got closer for another shot this boar got pissed and charged Mel! As Mel retreated, I shouted - head for tree as that boar was alot closer to Mel's heels than I liked. Mel realizing this took matters into his own hands and spun around and let the boar have it over the head with his widow!While Mel had him distracted I was able to get another arrow into the boar followed by another one of Mel's arrows. When the hog finally gave up Mel ran over and gave him a few boots in the head. That was enough fun for one day.
Awesome Hunt, guys!
Come on Mel, the suspense is really hurtin'!
LD
Holy... :scared:
I have GOT to rethink hunting these critters alone and in the brush. I've been really lucky thus far.
Whomp 'em and stomp 'em :thumbsup:
Juan these are the toughest pigs iv ever hunted!
not sure about your California boars but theses would make those Texas pigs cry
Makes a guy green with envey :thumbsup: Heck a long haul to shoot hogs, but looks like the trip of a lifetime :campfire:
You fellas have gone over the limit for fun to be had in a year, maybe even 2 years!!! Congradulations to all.Thats the way a hunt should be. :notworthy:
I did some very quick math, and realized at the hogs actual ground speed, less my potential ground speed was still a positive number. What that meant in a practical sense was that the hog was going to reach the back of my legs before I reached anything that resembled any kind of cover. I love my Widow bows, but at that time, I was willing to turn one into a Louisville Slugger.
Im sure Roger and Toby will understand!That is what I call a multipurpose tool.
Bill
Yeah, they make new bows everyday. A new pair of legs is a little more difficult!
:clapper:
Andy,I Aways check out your posts, but this one is the greatest. I have a younger brother who's been living in Sydney for about 5 years. Might just have to take a few months off and go visit him for a week and hunt the rest of the time. LOL . thanks for shareing. Don
Mel, love your math on the run. Way to whop em Irish! Dang Widow bows are just about unbreakable. Great hunt fellows.
Thanks Don, yip its defiantly a great place to hunt, let me know if you get over there i know a few guys across Australia that would be happy to help out, did i mention the fishing there is great too.
guess its time for some more hog pigs
AWESOME Thread Andy and Crew!!!! Great pics everyone and can't wait for more.
Time for a break at the water hole
(http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h101/tradtusker/IVY_20090921_1199.jpg)
hang on!
(http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h101/tradtusker/IVY_20090920_0448.jpg)
Neil and i got out for a days hunting and Neil put a great stalk on a monster of a Boar we found out in the flats but wind bust as right as he was about to step out for the shot
(http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h101/tradtusker/IVY_20090920_1189.jpg)
Neil hanging onto a Black head python at camp
(http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h101/tradtusker/IVY_20090921_1224.jpg)
Well is no secret i love to Hunt Pigs, used to love hunting them with a Rifle but they are the perfect quarry for the tradbow
Killed my first one when i was 7 years old and the fire still burns to hunt them today.
Well Mick and i took off one day in search of some hogs, after a bit of a dry spell we found a good boar on a water hole but i shot right under him :(
Mick was telling me that all the big boars would hang out by themselves in the middle of nowhere ... so to the middle of nowhere we went, first one Mick put me onto was this big ol Tusker
(http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h101/tradtusker/IVY_20090919_1170.jpg)
i was chuffed
well after a quick break, we decided to carry on
not 300 meters away walking up a sand gully we both spotted a huge Boar lying in the shade, the wind was not great.
i knocked an arrow and got in "as quickly as quietly possible" ( how i like to stalk pigs )
the leaves on the ground where sparse and i managed to get to 15meters, right then he lifted his head either hearing me or getting a wif of the swirling wind, He was lying facing almost away from me but i knew it was now or never.
The limbs on my trust shrew started to bend and then thud my arrow buried deep in his side, the shot was good he stood and spun around facing me head on before i knew it my shoulder muscles where gripping again and another arrow was on its way hitting the pig right in the nose deflecting it to the ground, the pig ran to about 30 meters i had 1 arrow left, i dropped to my knee i hit full draw again this time i held for an extra second, senses overloading, focus burning that hole .. THWACK arrow finds its mark breaking the front shoulder he took off as did i after him grabbing my arrow out of the dirt that had hit him in the nose as i ran but when i got to him it was all over.
A great tusker and Boar of the trip for me
(http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h101/tradtusker/IVY_20090919_1176.jpg)
(http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h101/tradtusker/IVY_20090919_1174.jpg)
How many arrows did you take, loose and use on a trip with so much shooting?
We had enough gear between us to start a small archery business Doc ...comfortably :biglaugh: :D No kidding
now where talking.........tusks!!! :archer:
Awesome boars, Andy!
Good pigs guys.
great thread, awesome hunts, great pics. well done guys.
Doc,
I took along 4 doz arrows and left 2 1/2 doz in the pigs of OZ! There were many arrows used more than once, some 3 or 4 times. There is no shortage of hogs and other critters to shoot at. Tough hunting though,Texas hogs got easy living compared to these critters. Long hot days with minimum of 10 miles per day of ground covered on foot. The ground is hard the grass and leaves as crunchy as it gets. Then there is the almost ever present wind that swirls every couple minutes or so. There was only one hog that I shot at that was laying down. I had a couple slow walkers and a few hundred moving out fast. All in all I estimate seeing over 400 hogs. The terrain and the temps are a big hindrance on recovery efforts. I arrowed 15 or 16 hogs total with 4 being recovered or found. A number of those hit I was able to get a second arrow into hog and they still lost us in the outback. So lots of shooting but picking a spot on a big black thing and many times 10 of them at once fleeing through waist high grass is no easy task. Having hunted hogs all over the world I would definatly say this is the place to fling lots of arrows and see lots of hogs. Like any other place it takes you a few days to learn the ropes. Having done it, I know the same group would stack em high next round.
No Buffs Dave?
CJ
(http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g56/huntit/OZ141.jpg)
Croc.
(http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g56/huntit/OZ151.jpg)
Mel and Mic taking a break from the action.
(http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g56/huntit/OZ161.jpg)
Andy and Mel play Steve Irwin!
(http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g56/huntit/OZ152.jpg)
Allan checking out his hat size.
(http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g56/huntit/OZ193.jpg)
Myself in the war wagon deluxe. Fire a burning in the background.
CJ,
No buffs in these parts, just the scrub bulls. We had a few goes at them but no trophy pics, I'm afraid. These scrub bulls are truly wild as can be and should they get any smell or sight of you, all you'll see is their south end headed north.
I have to say, awesome thread guys!
Took me a fair while to work-out how you fellows have that goanna arranged so as he's not tearing-into you!
Buffs or not those are some of the meanest looking pigs I've ever seen. Looks like another great hunt
INCREDIBLE THREAD THANK YOU
Oh I miss hunting pigs in Oz!!!! I learned more on that trip about stalking from Bill Baker, had more fun hunting than I did in South Africa, and met and became friends with one of the finest persons I have ever known and also his wonderful family, Al Kidner :bigsmyl: the trip of a lifetime that I hope to repeat several more times before I die!
this can't be all.....can it? :readit: :saywhat:
more to come
This great stuff lads .....
Most enjoyable stuff i've read on here in ages .....
beautiful photo's too ...
thanks
ben
Hi from Spain and thank you for the great read
We have one hunt booked with the same outfitter, which would be your the recomendations about bow and arrow setp?, tough critters?
Jorge
Well, I landed back at home on Saturday night after the grueling 20 hour flight back. Here's some more pics and stories...
I can't decide which hunt was the highlight for me this trip, they're both up there pretty equal. My first hunt was an absolutely thrilling hunt with my long time hunting partner, Andy, one that I will never forget - thanks bro!! The second was a very special hunt for me - it was the first time that my dad, younger brother and I had hunting together, and certainly the first time hunting together with trad bows!
We were out on the last morning of the hunt, sharing the little time of hunting we had left. We were walking down a creek that started with a spring. We were taking it in turns to lead, looking carefully under the banks of the creek and in the water of the creek. The surrounding of the creek had been burned by the fire, so there was little cover for any pigs. We carefully searched any cover left after the fire.
(http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t98/nigelivy/2009/20090925_australia/IVY_20090922_1619.jpg)
We busted a big boar, whilst my dad was leading, none of us seeing it before he ran. We stopped at several water holes, and watched the hole for a bit as we went along.
(http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t98/nigelivy/2009/20090925_australia/IVY_20090921_1616.jpg)
About 4 hours into the walk, I was leading when a pig jumped out from under the bank of the creek. I hadn't seen him yet because he was so well tucked under the creek bank, but he had smelt us because the wind was so bad! He ran from the edge of the creek for about 5 meters when he stopped to look at what was going on - which was a big mistake on his part! :p He stood about 15 meters away from me.
I already had an arrow knocked, so lifted my bow, drew, heard my clicker go, aimed and let the arrow go!!! I heard that incredible "THWA" as your arrow passes through an animal. I hit the boar a little high and back, but the shot was still good. He ran about 30 meters, turned back to look at us and his system shut down and he was out!!
It was a special moment for me, having just dropped a boar, walk and stalk, with my dad and brother!
(http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t98/nigelivy/2009/20090925_australia/IVY_20090922_7400.jpg)
(http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t98/nigelivy/2009/20090925_australia/IVY_20090922_7403.jpg)
(http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t98/nigelivy/2009/20090925_australia/IVY_20090922_7404.jpg)
It'll be a hunt that I will never forget, there is something incredibly special about sharing time hunting with your dad and brother!!! :D
On the last afternoon of the hunt, Andy and I headed out into the bush for one last hunt. I managed to drop one last boar in the last hour of hunting...
(http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t98/nigelivy/2009/20090925_australia/IVY_20090922_1634.jpg)
(http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t98/nigelivy/2009/20090925_australia/IVY_20090922_1628.jpg)
(http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t98/nigelivy/2009/20090925_australia/IVY_20090922_1640.jpg)
Our hunt was closed with a beautiful sunset...
(http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t98/nigelivy/2009/20090925_australia/IVY_20090922_1641.jpg)
The last morning, packing up...
(http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t98/nigelivy/2009/20090925_australia/IVY_20090922_2682.jpg)
My dad, Neil, and my trophy collection of the hunt
(http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t98/nigelivy/2009/20090925_australia/IVY_20091004_2935.jpg)
We made several stops on the 12 hour trip back to Townsville.
(http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t98/nigelivy/2009/20090925_australia/IVY_20090923_2718.jpg)
(http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t98/nigelivy/2009/20090925_australia/IVY_20090923_7408.jpg)
A beautiful sunset over the sugar cane plantations...
(http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t98/nigelivy/2009/20090925_australia/IVY_20090923_2730.jpg)
Good on ya, Nige!
Thanks Ben! ;)
Very nice! Bro
you need to send that pic of the last Boar for the "Australia's ugliest Boar competition"
still got dry mud all over his sides from wallowing, dulling the braodheads on the way in.
Nige was really getting into at the end killing 2 boars on the last day, or was it 3?
Jorge, you will have a good time! use a nice heavy arrow with solid two blades most of us used Magnus 1s and Magnus 1 4 blades(i realy like these)
Mel and Dave used a Stos
anything around 50lbs and up is plenty
i was using my 62Lb Super shrew deluxe with 700gr arrows and Magnus 1 4 blades and got mostly pass through's
shots can be anything from 3 meters to 35 meters
wild wild stuff!
clean feet after a days walking around
(http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h101/tradtusker/IVY_20090912_1084.jpg)
few more of my dads pigs
(http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h101/tradtusker/IVY_20090918_0369.jpg)
(http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h101/tradtusker/IVY_20090912_0254.jpg)
me telling Mel and Mick about my adventures
(http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h101/tradtusker/IVY_20090912_0244.jpg)
Here's a Sow i shot with the New woodsman Elite that Dean sent me..thanks man :thumbsup: pass through she went 30yards
(http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h101/tradtusker/IVY_20090919_1164.jpg)
another of my dads boars
(http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h101/tradtusker/IVY_20090920_0452.jpg)
this is a hot hunting spot
(http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h101/tradtusker/IVY_20090920_0417.jpg)
Dave (anyone spot his new Aus ASAT shorts)
(http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h101/tradtusker/IVY_20090921_1208.jpg)
Load up and back to camp we go, we would carry it but we where 10 kilometers from camp :rolleyes:
(http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h101/tradtusker/IVY_20090921_1221.jpg)
It looks like you guys had an amazing hunt. You must must have spent as much time skinning as hunting. I love it. I may have to stowaway in someones bag next time you go.
Awesome pigs, again! One thing the pictures can never show is how awfully hot it is out there! Well-done!
I'm sitting here in the southern most part of Australian mainland. Today we experienced rain and hail. Needless to say it was bloody cold.
Looking though the various posts and photos on this thread has taken me away to a warmer and far more interesting place, well for a while anyway.
Thanks very much guys for sharing your hunt with us. Now, I can't wait to head up north again myself to hunt pigs.
Mick Smith
Andy,
Great hunt! Wish I could've worked it out to go along, won't miss it next time!
Hi Everyone,
I've just joined Tradgang. My name is Neil Ivy, I'm 13 and I just went on my first bowhunting trip, to Cape York, Australia. I shot my first animal with the trad bow, so here's my story.
I was out hunting with my dad when I shot my pig. We had seen some pigs feeding towards us along the river that we were walking. The wind was perfect, so we just waited on the bank on the opposite side of the river that the pigs were on, waiting for them to feed toward us. Then one sow came right into the water, against the bank that we were on. I didn't have a shot at first, but we just waited quietly for her to walk out. After a bit, she walked out into sight. I took my time, drew and shot. My arrow passed clean through her and landed in the water. She had no idea where the shot had come from. We saw her run and stop and lie down. The shot was a little high and back, so we decided to leave her for a bit, not wanting to spook her. We sat down where we were, without moving and waited about half an hour before going to look. When we went to look for her she was dead.
This was my first trad kill, and was walk and stalk. It was an awesome feeling dropping a pig with a trad bow, and I was glad to experience it with my dad!
I was using a Great Plains Recruve, 54# @ 28". My arrows were Carbon Express Heritage 150s with 250g Magnus II 2-blade broadheads.
(http://i760.photobucket.com/albums/xx242/neilivy/IVY_20090921_7395.jpg)
(http://i760.photobucket.com/albums/xx242/neilivy/IVY_20090921_7389.jpg)
Here's how my arrow landed...
Congrats Neil on your first kill, and what a hunt!! Welcome to the Gang, hope to hear of more adventures in the future. :wavey: :thumbsup:
Congrats again Neil on your first trad kill. Pleasure to share camp and adventures with you. I want you to know, that at 13 your one lucky young man to get to go on such an adventure. Make sure your Mom and Dad know how much you appreciate gettting to go along. Take care and keep flingin arras!
Great stuff bro! ;)
That was one awesome stalk!
I think we waited for her to come out for a good few minutes.
Fantastic thread guys, thanks for taking us along!
Got to get there sometime soon.
many thanks for sharing your boar hunt. a great hunt, made better by your ability to place the reader on the scene.
Been waiting for your stories Neil
Congrats again Man we'r dam proud of you!
keep up the practice there's lots of hunting ahead :thumbsup:
glad the rest of the Ivy's have taken to the trad bug since Nige and i got into it, its a beautiful way to hunt
Great thread.
Neil, great job!!! I enjoyed hunting with you, hope to again someday.
that sounds like an awesome adventure! congrats to all! :)
What a great hunt for all you fellas. Thanks for taking us along and congrats on all the "firsts" you achieved. Way to go Neil!!
Congratulations to all of you! What a hunt.
To everyone here who doesn't know Mel, I can tell you and you can see from the photos that he is exactly what he seems- one great person to share a camp with!
He is always happy no matter what's happening- game or no game- he loves life.
And now he's a spritely 40 lbs lighter so he's fast on his feet too!! :bigsmyl:
What a hunt congrats to all of you
:campfire: