So this past weekend was the Western States Shoot held this year in Petaluma, CA. It was a pretty good shoot, but had a fairly low turn out. I loved it because I have several friends in CA I don't get to see very often. And it was great to get to visit and shoot with them.
I also was et up right next to South Cox of Stalker Recurves. Let me tell you guys, South is the real deal. His bows are amazing and he is a great guy to talk to and shoot with.
So after Sun my oldest son and I headed up to Northern CA to a very close friends house to stay a couple days. Now if you remember, Smity gave me a bow this past spring and I was hoping to return the favor some way. I had been invited to hunt a ranch in Upper CA to hunt hogs and after meeting the land owner, he graciously offered to take Smity along as well.
Needless to say he was excited! This would be his 4th hunt for big game. So Mon night rolls around and we head out to the ranch.
(http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h160/steadman_2006/ranch2.jpg)
We glassed several hogs throughout the evening, including a very large boar. But nothing was working its way to where we were waiting. Then about 30 minutes before dark, the guy we were with says there are some on the move! We get set up and wait. Smity is the designated hitter since he has never taken anything with archery gear. We had the wind and as the hogs started feeding out in front of us the wind swirled. A few grunts and the pigs started heading back up into the hills, but they must not have gotten a good enough wiff, because they stopped. A very nice sow looked to be broadside. Smity drew his Mohawk that was his 16th birthday gift and sent the arrow on it's way. A thud and a short squeel from the resulting hit and hogs were going everywhere. We watched the stricken hog go 80 yards and tip over. To say he was excited was an over statement.
(http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h160/steadman_2006/hogwithus.jpg)
A very fine 150#+ sow down with a heart shot. And only his second shot ever at big game. I am one excited Dad, that's for sure!
Congrats again Bud!!! :clapper: :clapper:
(http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h160/steadman_2006/Smityandi.jpg)
How cool is that !! Congrats on the first game taken :clapper: :jumper: :jumper:
Now that is a trip to remember. Nice story.
Congrats! :jumper: :jumper: :jumper:
Way to go!
Awesome guys!!!
A huge :clapper: to Smity!
Thats an awesome hog to have as your first trad kill. Congrats, young man.
That is as perfect an end to a shoot, as I've heard. Congratulations
Congradulations!
Hap
Congrates Smity! Was very nice meeting you guys at western States.
AWESOME!!! Congrats guys!!! :clapper: :clapper: :clapper:
Awesome!!!!!!
Awesome. It reminded me when my son took his first deer with a bow. He was so excited and so was I.
I am glad for both of you!Congrats fine shot.
:thumbsup: :clapper: :clapper:
Sweet! :thumbsup:
Apple's right next to the tree...fantastic stuff Ryan!
That's cool for sure.
Awesome job Smitty and way to go dad :notworthy:
:clapper: :clapper: :clapper: :clapper:
Nice shooting :archer2: :archer2:
Congrats on a fine hog, Smity! Can't wait to meet you!
Congrats! :clapper: :clapper: :clapper:
Nicely done and what fine table fare you'll be eating.
Awesome! Congrats!! :thumbsup: :thumbsup:
Very cool! Congrats!!!
Good Stuff Right There...Congrats!
Awesome stuff Guys, Congrats to you both for a great adventure!!! J :thumbsup:
Dosen't get much better then that guys! :bigsmyl:
Congrats Smitty and dad! I was waiting all weekend to hear how the shoot and hunt went but it was well worth waiting for.
Tracy
So you guys still smiling?!!! Pretty cool stuff.
David
Thanks for all the nice comments guys. The drive home was about 10 hours and I couldn't get him to shut up about the hog or his shot or the hunt. It was great :) Thanks again!!
Sweet Cali porker!!! Congrats :)
Good deal. Gotta love the first ones for sure.Your a lucky man. RC
Great job guys! Great looking pics.
Chris
Great job fellas. Very nice pictures! :)
A big Congrats. I hope he still hasn't shut up a bout it. A great hunt and perfect shot.
AWESOME!!! :campfire:
Congrats on the Hog..!... :thumbsup:
Man that is awesome! I could almost hear your excitement! Thanks for sharing!
MOST-EXCELLENT Ryan!
Congratulations to Smity!
Enjoy the feast!
Shoot straight, Shinken
:archer2:
Good stuff, congrats!
Good stuff, congrats!
That is fantastic all the way around :thumbsup:
Awsome! i wish i knew about this petaluma is pretty close to me, o well theres always next year...
Ryan,at least you didnt have to worry about falling asleep driving on your way home.At sixteen that awesome ,your a great step daddy!
Congrats to both of you! It was fun hanging out and poking those foam targets full of holes. Good to see all of the practice paid off. You need to post the other pic that Brad sent over. There were a lot of carnitas on the hoof tipped over in that field! I hope there's still some left for my visit. ;)
That smile says it all, congrats. :clapper:
Nice hog and great shot too!!!
Very cool! Congrats. :clapper:
:thumbsup: :thumbsup: COOL!
Congrats to both of you. I know watching my son shoot his first critter with a bow was one of the most exciting hunting things I have ever done and I did not even have a weapon at all.
Bisch