I am very lucky in that my brother is a member of a hunting lease down by Lake Okeechobee Florida. He invited me down to try my luck with stick and string on some of the local creatures.
Knowing a trip was planned I hit the bowyers bench and built a bow for Marty, one of the guys on the lease, who has helped me numerous times to find downed pigs with his dog Peanut. The first bit of the fun was doing a Bow Build on The Trad Gang Bowyers Bench called "The Peanut Master bow Build." Needless to say, Marty never saw the thread. I knew this would happen. When I got down to FL I handed the bow to Marty and said thanks for all the help. Yea he was surprised.
anyway...
One morning found me sitting on a raised platform that was nestled in to the palmettos. This may have been what I looked like to the herd of 8 pigs that came in to visit.
(http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc105/longbowpete/2009%20fl%20deer%20pig/DSCN0337.jpg)
after my bow silently sent its message to a large sow I saw my arrow piled up next to a tree covered with blood.
(http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc105/longbowpete/2009%20fl%20deer%20pig/DSCN0333.jpg)
About 75 yards in to the woods...
(http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc105/longbowpete/2009%20fl%20deer%20pig/DSCN4634.jpg)
(http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc105/longbowpete/2009%20fl%20deer%20pig/DSCN4635.jpg)
and at last a chance to share the glory story with Marty back at camp.
(http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc105/longbowpete/2009%20fl%20deer%20pig/DSCN0344.jpg)
Very nice pig and a great looking bow! Congrats!! :thumbsup:
Very nice hog. That should be good eating! Congrats!
congrats on a nice big piggy.
Nice pig! Nice shot!
Like the idea of an elevated platform in the palmettos. Been trying to figure out how to use the palmettos as blinds and was thinking of cutting out blinds into them but I'm kinda liking the idea of buidling up something juust enough to stick up over them enough to shoot a bow. I've got some on my property 8-10 feet high. hmmmmmm
way to go, Pennsyltuckey. Nice hog. Hey Mar-TAAAY!
Excellent.
:archer:
I love to hunt with a guy that makes me look small!
Can't wait to get back out there and give that new bow a try! Thanks Pete!
Great story, thanks for sharing! Nice hog too!
Now we know why you hunt with Chief two seats Marty and Swampdummer a big Yea on the platform. I have hunted those pigs from above and the platform is my favorite. Fact is I am trying to convince my brother to install some more. Set them right on top of the palmettos by the edge and you have an instant blind. The thing that is really nice is it puts you just above normal shooting height and the shot is way better than out of a tree. I killed this pig at about 10 yards.
Fact is I am so confident in the platform I would bet Marty could even kill a pig with the bow that I built for him. :bigsmyl:
pete
Nice job. Like the pictures
Congrats! I'm headed down to Okeechobee the week of Thanksgiving.....unfortunately, not to hunt though.
Chad
Pete,
I like the idea of a low platform for hogs. How high do you make it, wide, etc.? I've killed some hogs from very low stands and really like the idea.
Here is a photo of the platform from a nearby treestand. The platform is about 3' high. THe 2x2 risers on the back were in case we needed to add back cover. It wasn't needed. The fact is this platform was originally built as a scene prop for a school show. Les found a better use for it if you ask me.
(http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc105/longbowpete/2009%20fl%20deer%20pig/DSCN4622.jpg)
pete
Nice sow, alright! Well-done!
Great job Pete! Love the palmetto platform!
:thumbsup: :thumbsup:
Nice, very cool looking bow also.
Nice story Pete. But I think the hogs view had would have been more like this.
(http://i261.photobucket.com/albums/ii45/heilakka/2010/DSCN4628-1.jpg)
I have a new swivel seat for you to try the next time. I am going to warm it up for you next weekend. I have also found a bow holder for the platform that should work well.
(http://i261.photobucket.com/albums/ii45/heilakka/2010/DSCN4663.jpg)
Now a question only your brother can ask. Should I roll the video tape of the first hunt.
Cool....and congrats!!!!!
Brother by all means show the video of our learning experience. Please make sure you point out the improper positioning of my leg! And why the new seat has been acquired.
pete
:biglaugh:
It was a new setup and Pete being the more accomplished Trad hunter decided to show his brother just how the platform should be hunted. Dawn has yet to break when we get in. Pete makes it onto the platform and settles onto the the little tri fold seat. Me I climb the ladder stand and settle in at 15' above. Great view and very few mosquitoes.
I can hear the mosquitoes buzzing around Petes head. He is a natural magnet for them. I can sit in a double with him wearing and bug suit and thrmecell going. He will be swarmed and just sit there in my shirt.
Anyway back to the video. notice how he is seated at beginning vs prior to shot. Also look at his left leg in relation to the bottom limb of the bow just before the shot.
Pete I want to thank you for doing the teaching. I am a visual learner and you certainly showed me.
The slow mo portions capture how hogs react and Pete's bow is very quiet.
"Learning curve for hunting palmetto platform"
hunter Pennsyltuckey Pete.. Video by Les
(http://i261.photobucket.com/albums/ii45/heilakka/2010/th_peteplatform.jpg) (http://s261.photobucket.com/albums/ii45/heilakka/2010/?action=view¤t=peteplatform.flv)