CJ Pearson brought his family south for a fourth of July weekend get away. His wife and daughters made quite a crowd when you added my wife, daughter, and son. They raided the local beaches and had a blast.
Myself and CJ had other plans on Ft Stewart with our Apex Predator Sapelo longbows. The cooler weather was a blessing for sure! We hunted Sat morning, all day Sunday, and Monday morning. We had some other folks join us along the way. Ward Kaiser, Martin Hubbard, Robert Carter, and Chris Spikes were also able to enjoy part of the weekend in the woods.
The first day had myself, CJ, and Ward in the swamp. CJ and I both had close encounters, but no cigar. The morning started out at 65 degrees, and it only warmed to the low 80s. What a beautiful day!
The second day CJ and I tried an archery only area, figuring that it may have had less pressure. We split up and left the truck. After marking several great deer stand locations, I saw movement in the distance. The wind was cooperating, so I moved in fast. I had my eye on a big black sow, but a smaller red one kept getting in the way. Nineteen yards and slightly quartering was all I could stand. A CE heritage shaft with a 250 grain VPA head was on it's way! When the arrow thumped it in the ribs, hogs scattered every which way. I figure there were 15 in the sounder. My red one never ran, but just trotted off. I thought I saw it go down a short distance away. Several other hogs went to the downed hog and tried to get her up and away. The loud squeeling started then, but was over briefly. Just then someone says "heh"! I turn around and it was CJ, who was stalking the same sounder of pigs! He didn't see me, and couldn't figure out what that thump sound of my arrow striking home was until he saw my bow tip sticking out from behind a tree.
We walked up to where the pig was standing and found my arrow.
(http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o203/Apex-Predator/Hunting/July4th-Martysarrow.jpg)
The pig only made it 40 yards! She was larger than I thought, and probably weighed 100#.
(http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o203/Apex-Predator/Hunting/July4th-Martyspig2.jpg)
(http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o203/Apex-Predator/Hunting/July4th-Martyspig.jpg)
I insisted that CJ continue to hunt while I cleaned my pig. Good thing too, because within 30 minutes he got on another group of pigs! I'll let him tell his story.
(http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o203/Apex-Predator/Hunting/July4th-CJarrow.jpg)
(http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o203/Apex-Predator/Hunting/July4th-CJshog.jpg)
We were both shooting Apex Predator Sapelo longbows! Mine is a 68" hinged take-down drawing 50@28, and his is 66" and draws 57@28.
Looks like all kinda fun, nice bows, I check your web site every now and then hoping to find an "in stock" page, but havent found one yet!
Awesome shooting and stalking so far. :campfire:
cmon CJ lets hear your story
:thumbsup: Way to go guys!
Good shooting and congrats on the pigs!
Nice Shooting Apex!!
Nice shooting Apex.Fresh porkcops for the grill.Thanks for sharing. :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup:
Congrats and great shot!! :archer2:
Tracy
Looks like a great day. Nice pig.
:thumbsup: :clapper: Well done...
Great job Marty and CJ. Chris and I got into pigs 6 times and could not close the deal.It was a heap of fun and.....I did`nt see any snakes and only two gators.RC
Thanks for sharing Apex, looks like your bows were right on the money!!! What is the season in GA, I am visiting my son in the Atlanta area, how close will I be to good pig hunting? Also I am interested in your longbows? Thanks Jerry.
Awesome hunt! Thanks for sharing with story and pics.
With regard to the pigs that went over to stand near the downed sow....is there any chance that they were actually trying to nurse?? I have seen piglets take the opportunity to try to nurse on a downed sow.
Anyhow, congrats!
Way to go, CJ...do any slippin' and slidin'? CJ's a great shot on piggies.
We were hunting at my place in SC and couldn't believe the good luck we had with teh weather.
fishnhunt,
Take a look at that sow's belly- she's not wet.
Makin' bacon! Congrats! :thumbsup:
good stuff lads !
Longbows , hogs and mates ... doesn't get any better than that .
Great hunt, pictures say it all. I have been in Grovetown GA.since June 5th and been near Ft. Gordon babysitting 2yr. old grand daughter and awaiting new twins in mid July
I did bring my longbow with a few arrows, so @ 0615
every morning I walk down to the pond and shoot a few arrows and again in the evening after grand daughter goes to bed,
should be ready to hunt when i get home around mid august if I can part with these grand baby's
The pigs were all weaned. They are very social critters. I have had a not so nicely hit pig be pushed forever by a sounder of hogs. Instead of bedding up nearby and dying, they can travel rediculous distances when with a sounder.
What a good way to spend the weekend , hunting with your own bows with friends that shoot your creations.
Wish we had pigs.
Pete
Awesome stuff!
:bigsmyl: :thumbsup:
Excellent! :clapper:
Nice pig Marty.
Well we finally made it back home from our trip. I see Marty has been busy telling the story of this wonderful hunt. It certainly will be a July 4th I will remember. I'm not to good at telling stories but I'll give it a whirl.
After we had decided in which direction we were going to hunt on the morning of the 4th, we split up and started hunting. I had probably gone in about a 1/4 of a mile when I saw a nice size red sow up rooting around. After checking the wind and looking around to determine just how many hogs were with her "nothing like getting busted by one you didn't see" I started to ease on in to get within shooting distance. There was about eight hogs in this group and they were tearing the ground up. I had one that looked to be about 30 to 40lbs. at about 12 yds broad side. I hate to admit it but greed had taken over and I wanted the red sow that was about 20 yds away since she appeard to be well over 100lbs. Instead of taking what was almost a sure shot, I took the shot at the red sow and missed her. Once I picked up my "clean" arrow it occured to me that I got what I deserved for being greedy.
I moved about another 200 yds into the woods asking/begging the good Lord to PLEASE give me another chance. As I eased on up the path I noticed another sounder feeding. This was the same bunch that Marty was stalking about 30 yds away from me. There was a rather large black sow as Marty mentioned and I just knew this was going to be payday. I had the wind right and once again saw how many were in this group, so I made my way within 30 yds of her. I found a tree that I was going to ease up behind about 15yds away. As I was stepping out I heard this thump as if one had been shot. They all broke loose running and I thought what it in the world just happened? I stepped on up a few more yards and started looking around. I caught movement to my right. It turned out to be the end of another "Apex Sapelo". After getting his attention we shared a good laugh and found his hog that had gone just a few yds . Marty suggested that I keep hunting while he cleaned his hog and got it on ice.
I eased on up about another 400yds and noticed it was getting time to head back to the truck and hookup with Marty, and grab a bite for lunch. As I was heading back I heard pigs off in the brush rooting around. I eased up thinking this was going to be another chance and man I hope I don't blow it. I got within 10 yds of them eating when I felt the wind on the back of my neck. A nice little sow about 50lbs had just stuck her head behind a pine, and hit the brakes quickly, as they all stopped and raised their heads. I knew I was pegged for sure. I also knew in that split sec. I had a clear 10 yd shot at her vitals so I took the shot. After connecting she went about 15 yds in the brush and fell over.
Marty informed me when I got back to the truck after cleaning the hog that we were going to meet up with Robert and Chris. It was an honor to meet these two fine gentlemen and share a few mins. with them. It's always good to get to finally meet someone that I have talked with via email or phone.
As I stated at the begining, this is one for the memory bank. With that being said. I would also like to say Thanks to our Vet's and Soldiers for keeping this great country of ours free. A place where we can still celebrate our country's independence and our freedom to enjoy this great sport that we all love. God Bless!
You just gotta love shooting some bacon!!
Ray, no slippin' and slidin' this time. Well maybe a little. I was knockin a huge spider web out of the way and took a step only to have a black racer take off like a bullet from under my foot. Needless to say I quickly slid out of there! After my heart rate slowed down and I made sure everything was still intact, I made my way on back to the truck.
Great job! :thumbsup:
:thumbsup: :thumbsup:
Looks like a great time was had by all.
:thumbsup: