A while back, Randy had written an article about "Practice how you Hunt". In his article, he emphasized the importance of visualizing and practicing real life hunting scenarios with your current set up.
Here's the link to Randy's article.
http://strictlysticks.com/2012/03/15/practice-how-you-hunt-by-r-burtis-ch1/
For the last couple months, I've been hunting an area that is really thick and the shots come quick. Personally, I've been "still hunting" the area. I'd be better off in a stand, but I just love to hunt from the ground. In the area, I try to walk very slowly, listen and glass under or though the open lanes. Once a pig is spotted, I'll only have seconds to get ready, look for an opening and release the arrow.
Listening to Randy's advice, I've been practicing shots that mimic the hunting area. Over the last few weeks, I've been setting up targets behind trees and brush. I've also practiced nocking up faster and executing quicker but still controlled shots.
Here's what the area looks like.
(http://i159.photobucket.com/albums/t142/rysanpei/IMG_2071.jpg)
more to come...
gettin the popcorn... brb
Kinda looks like hunting here in NZ :)
This should be good.
Ryan it is almost as thick as my hog places!
nice... waiting...
:archer2:
anxious to read this. youve got to watch that Randy!!
Can't wait for more, Ryan.
Thanks Gang!
Kawika,
I hope you got the kakimochi too! :biglaugh:
Since it reminds my friends of their hunting areas, I decided to put together a really quick video clip. Most of the hogs in the video aren't "shooters" but it should give you an idea of how thick the area is and how fast the pigs can just appear and disappear.
"In the Thick"
http://youtu.be/VHdUC3_lk_k
I need to find a few pics, I'll be back...
Wow, that looks like a blast!
:campfire:
One day I would love to try pig hunting like that
wow very cool.
Looking forward to the payoff! Hope you have video of it as your videos are awesome!
Here are some pics of "practicing how we hunt". Thanks to Randy, we incorporate real life scenarios into our practicing sessions. The scenarios just depend on where and what we are hunting.
(http://i159.photobucket.com/albums/t142/rysanpei/IMG_2504.jpg)
(http://i159.photobucket.com/albums/t142/rysanpei/IMG_2499.jpg)
(http://i159.photobucket.com/albums/t142/rysanpei/IMG_2492.jpg)
(http://i159.photobucket.com/albums/t142/rysanpei/IMG_2474.jpg)
(http://i159.photobucket.com/albums/t142/rysanpei/IMG_2487.jpg)
(http://i159.photobucket.com/albums/t142/rysanpei/IMG_2491.jpg)
I do this a lot also, at 3-D shoots.
Looking forward to this for sure.
Here's another quick video of "practicing".
:archer2:
http://youtu.be/PuU_3BnPDAQ
Ryan
That is some great practice right there. Practicing like that will really give you a good feel for what you can and cannot do with your set-up.
Bisch
I'm diggin that practice vid
Is there a bloopers version? :biglaugh:
I know if I was taking some of those shots the trees would be in mortal danger!
Now for the hunt...
Dave and I just passed on a small boar. Too small to shoot, we left it alone and progressed on. As I mentioned, the area is really thick, so taking our time was a must. We would take a few steps, look, listen, glass. On periodic stops, we would crouch and glass, trying to spot the legs of the elusive hogs.
Ten minutes later and in the lead, I heard a rustle in the brush ahead of me. I took a few steps in the direction and paused as I saw an opening between the trees and the bushes. I got a glimpse of the hog's hind. It was a shooter! But as fast as I nocked the arrow, it disappeared into the brush. Not moving a muscle, I stayed put hoping for it's return.
Out of the left, the motion of a small sow caught my attention, she was about 17 yards away and popped out from the brush. My heart started to pound. It wasn't the bigger hog, but there was still hope! The small hog worked her way around a tree and through some bushes, disappearing as fast as she appeared. In hopes that it was their trail, I positioned myself just in case the mature hog followed her footsteps.
This doesn't always happen, but my prediction was right. The bigger hog snuck out from the left and followed the same trail. "I'm going to have I crack at this hog!" I thought to myself. As soon as the hog stepped behind the tree, I readied my bow. There was a bush in front of me with a hole large enough to take a shot. It hid me from the hog, but it also made for a challenging shot. All I needed was for the sow to expose herself from behind the tree. Out she came and being only a few steps from the safety of the bushes, I had to act fast. My bow was drawn, the vitals were exposed and off the arrow went through the "tunnel of brush".
My fluorescent fletch disappeared behind the shoulder. Elated, I gave Dave the thumbs up and listened my best to try and track the direction of the hog with my hearing.
After replaying the event, Dave and I went in search of my arrow. Here is what we found.
(http://i159.photobucket.com/albums/t142/rysanpei/IMG_0375.jpg)
THANKS AGAIN GANG!
William, I need someone to film me, then I can show you the bloopers version. :D
After a quick blood trail...
(http://i159.photobucket.com/albums/t142/rysanpei/IMG_0753.jpg)
As Randy says, "Practice Pays Off". I had practiced the scenario till it became second nature. I didn't hesitate to take the shot. I didn't tell myself "you're going to hit the branch", and I knew how to position myself in order to pull off the shot.
Thanks again Randy for your help and guidance! :notworthy:
Here's the link to Randy's follow up story.
"Practice Pays Off"
http://strictlysticks.com/2012/03/15/practice-pays-off-by-r-burtis-randy-ch2/
Aloha!
Ryan
Great shooting! I dont think you could get better shot placement than that. I think confidence is everything in the trad game, and practicing like you have been certainly gives you an edge in a tricky situation like that. Well done.
Thats AWESOME Ryan. Great shot on the hog. Congrats buddy.
Great shooting Ryan! Congrats Buddy :thumbsup: mabey Randy needs to come west and give me some instruction :)
Nice shooying Ryan,looking forward to more of your hunts. :thumbsup:
Congrats!!
Nice hog :thumbsup: Great story,video,and pics::: THANKS for sharing :campfire:
Very cool!
Good stuff Ryan. Be careful though. Quick shooting at fish made me a snap shooter. I can shoot quick and hit stuff but my form is all whacked.
Sweet :thumbsup: Nice shooting. :clapper:
Awesome hunt and story. Thanks for sharing!
Way to go Ryan!
Ryan,
I'm hoping to get lesson on Elk next! ;)
Thanks TJ,
I totally agree with you. Thanks for the valued insight!
Thanks GANG!!!