Hey all,
I'm heading to Oklahoma next month for a hog hunt. Due to some injuries I'm limited to a 42# recurve (Morrison ILF mini riser with Dryad limbs). My arrows will be Easton Axis with our 150 grain Razorhawks up front. Here's a pic of the head
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v215/missstanna/Razor%20Hawk/150Razorhawk.jpg)
I don't care much about the size of the hog and would pass on a large one if my set up isn't up to it. I have very little experience with hogs and could use some advice on what to look for as far as the size of pig that this set up will handle. Would rather go empty handed than shoot a large one and not get the penetration necessary.
I've done a search for hogs and believe I'm well versed on where the pocket is for boars with thick shields but I'll be honest, I don't know for sure that I'm able to hit what seems like a fairly small targe to me. I'd rather be able to aim for the middle of the lungs and know that I've got enough umph to penetrate a double lung shot. What size piggy am I look for?
Thanks.
Rod Jenkins has killed more than one big hog with bows of that poundage. If you hit them in the right spot, you will kill them.
Stan, Cherokee Scout is right...too a point. I would not hesitste to shoot any hog with that set-up up to 100# or even 150# for a sow. On a boar though with a shield I would stick to the under 100#'ers. You could kill a BIG boar with that if you hit him "just right". Any miss at all of the soft spot and a big boar will probably not be recovered. Just remember to keep your shot low and a little forward and you will be just fine.
The smaller pigs are way better eating anyway. I won't shoot at a big boar unless he has some chompers for me to keep as a trophy.
Bisch
Two years ago My friend killed a 400# boar that had a 2 1/2" shield w/ 42 pounds. I took a 375# on the same hunt . Mine had a similar shield. I got complete penetration w/ 44#. I have been in on several hundred kills on hogs, you'll do fine as long as you hit him right.
Not all 42# are alike and not all 28" are equal either-but if you have a good bow and you are pulling 28" you should be good with hogs up to 150lb. Accuracy is trump and there is a lot more to killing Mr. Piggy than bow# anyway. Really good advice above BTW.
Prairie Drifter Sir,
Could you please tell us more about that 400lb boar with 2 1/2" shield killed with a 42lb trad-bow, what arrow, draw length, etc, also what you where shooting to get a complete pass through with 44lb on a 350lb boar, I may want to get your set-up, do you have any pictures?
I would love to see a pic and know what arrow, draw length, broadhead etc...
Thank you
I personally have a problem with " might be able to" shots I have too much respect for the animals I shoot at. Learn both the limits of your equipment and your shooting and stick with them.
I've taken 150# boars with a 38# all natural bow with double lung hits 2" above the leg knuckle with no problems. This was when I had my neck problems and just couldn't shoot more weight.
One thing to remember is that the performance of your setup will be the same as most 60# selfbows.
Use a heavy arrow and your good.
100# pigs will be no trouble. I would pass on a real big boar though.
Mike
QuoteOriginally posted by truefreedom:
Prairie Drifter Sir,
Could you please tell us more about that 400lb boar with 2 1/2" shield killed with a 42lb trad-bow, what arrow, draw length, etc, also what you where shooting to get a complete pass through with 44lb on a 350lb boar, I may want to get your set-up, do you have any pictures?
I would love to see a pic and know what arrow, draw length, broadhead etc...
Thank you
My friend was using a 2016 w/ 250 up front. I think his arrow weighed about 570grs. He used a 4blade steel force head. He was drawing about 25".He had double lung penetration. I was using a 44lb Maddog longbow. My draw is 26". My arrow was a GT 35/55 w/ 300grains up front. arrow weighed 575grs w/ an foc of 25%. Broadhead was a single bevel tusker.Shot was 15yds.I didn't get a complete pass thru, I got complete pentration. Arrow was buried to the fletch,arrow was hanging out the other side.
I am now a believer in Ashby's work.
Do you have any pictures of the 400lb or 350lb boar? Those are true monsters and I love seeing pictures of big boars..
These #400 and #350 boars don't sound like free-range, wild hogs...
If these are "game farm", "preserve" type hogs, and it sounds like they are, please refrain from posting the pix....thanx for understanding....
how much do your arrows weight with the point installed? If its at least 450 -500 grains, and the animal is quartering away and you put it where it needs to go, Id take that shot every time. You prolly wont have much blood but hopefully it wont go far. Good luck
Get yorself a nice 100-150#....
If for eating get a female....
Any pig with a bow is trophy....
The issue isnt the weight of the hog, it's the shield. Some hogs have it, some dont. If they do (and they're in bow range) you'll probably be able to make it out....looks hard and matted and calloused. If they dont, you'll have no trouble shooting thru one.
This is just my experience, but of all the hogs i've shot (a bunch in the 15-200# range) none have had a significant shield, and i'd have killed any of them with any bow i've ever shot...including my 45# longbow
The issue isnt the weight of the hog, it's the shiled. Some hogs have it, some dont. If they do (and they're in bow range) you'll probably be able to make it out....looks hard and matted and calloused. If they dont, you'll have no trouble shooting thru one.
This is just my experience, but of all the hogs i've shot (a bunch in the 15-200# range) none have had a significant shield, and i'd have killed any of them with any bow i've ever shot...including my 45# longbow
In my admittedly limited experience with hogs, it is more about arrow placement than power. I guess that really goes for all game... I have seen a few lung shots with bows in the 60-70# range that produced no blood (on the arrow or the ground) and the animals went unrecovered. A handful of times the hog was found a day or so later plenty dead. In contrast a well placed arrow shot from a light bow striking the hog in the heart will drop it in a few tens of yards. I would think your setup is plenty strong enough, just keep practicing the shot.
I agree with mike g, any hog with a bow is a trophy. heck, any animal with a bow is a trophy.
QuoteOriginally posted by Guru:
These #400 and #350 boars don't sound like free-range, wild hogs...
If these are "game farm", "preserve" type hogs, and it sounds like they are, please refrain from posting the pix....thanx for understanding....
PM'd you sir...be blessed.
:archer:
Pick a spot and shoot!
I think you will be fine on hogs up to around 150 pounds. I killed my first hog (which only weighed about 70 pounds) with a 48# longbow and wooden arrows tipped with woodsmans.
QuoteOriginally posted by Guru:
These #400 and #350 boars don't sound like free-range, wild hogs...
If these are "game farm", "preserve" type hogs, and it sounds like they are, please refrain from posting the pix....thanx for understanding....
Curt,
yes they were,and no I won't. I know the rules. :D Doesn't change the performance though. They were very large hogs with thick, tough shields
I think that your set up is perfect for hogs up to 137 pounds, however anything above 137 probably should be turned down.
BTW As I recall, Barry W. uses quite a bit more bow than that and due to difficulties he faced, was run up a tree twice in one day down in Texas, the last time culminating in a broken wrist, cactus spines in half or more of his hand and a near problem (his kicking the hog while he (Barry) was down saved himself from "problems").
We need to be careful with advice asked for. Yes, a 30 lb bow can and has done the job, on occasion, and 65 pound bows have not, on occasion.
ChuckC :banghead:
QuoteOriginally posted by Prairie Drifter:
QuoteOriginally posted by truefreedom:
Prairie Drifter Sir,
Could you please tell us more about that 400lb boar with 2 1/2" shield killed with a 42lb trad-bow, what arrow, draw length, etc, also what you where shooting to get a complete pass through with 44lb on a 350lb boar, I may want to get your set-up, do you have any pictures?
I would love to see a pic and know what arrow, draw length, broadhead etc...
Thank you
My friend was using a 2016 w/ 250 up front. I think his arrow weighed about 570grs. He used a 4blade steel force head. He was drawing about 25".He had double lung penetration. I was using a 44lb Maddog longbow. My draw is 26". My arrow was a GT 35/55 w/ 300grains up front. arrow weighed 575grs w/ an foc of 25%. Broadhead was a single bevel tusker.Shot was 15yds.I didn't get a complete pass thru, I got complete pentration. Arrow was buried to the fletch,arrow was hanging out the other side.
I am now a believer in Ashby's work. [/b]
Thank you for your reply.
You are having outstanding results with your setup, also with such a short draw and light bow on huge hogs :notworthy:
Thanks for the replies. Looks like it's 137# and under ;)
TxAg, appreciate your feedback. I'm aware of the "pocket" on bigger hogs with shields, but I don't want to take the chance of not hitting it. This hunt will be a spot and stalk type of hunt, not one over feeders. In my limited experience with hogs they don't stand still for long and although I'll try to heart shoot, I can't rely on the arrow ending up there.
I was thinking more of a smaller hog without the shield to be certain of good penetration if I hit higher up, mid-body.
BTW, I draw just a pinch over 28"'s and am working up my arrows at around 500 grains.
Yea and if you can guess a hogs weight with in 50lbs of 137 during a hunting situation you are a better man than most. Shoot the hog you feel comfortable shooting. Your equipment will perform as it should.
QuoteOriginally posted by StanM:
Thanks for the replies. Looks like it's 137# and under ;)
TxAg, appreciate your feedback. I'm aware of the "pocket" on bigger hogs with shields, but I don't want to take the chance of not hitting it. This hunt will be a spot and stalk type of hunt, not one over feeders. In my limited experience with hogs they don't stand still for long and although I'll try to heart shoot, I can't rely on the arrow ending up there.
I was thinking more of a smaller hog without the shield to be certain of good penetration if I hit higher up, mid-body.
BTW, I draw just a pinch over 28"'s and am working up my arrows at around 500 grains.
Sounds like you'll do just fine. Hogs aren't the tanks we sometimes make them out to be. Good luck!
IMO you will do OK with 44 lb, but I would go with a longer broadhead and shoot as heavy a well tuned arrow as you can stand to shoot. A broadhead with a higher MA will go a long ways toward helping penetration.
yep. that 500 grain arrow will have a lot of driving force. good luck and enjoy. just in case though, make sure your boots grip bark. LOL :D