Trad Gang

Can anyone tell me why???


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Musta gone through somethin'...

Fell outta the quiver while stalking through the brush?    :biglaugh:

You shot a tourist?

Broke it on those roots?

Limit is only two of what ever you are hunting and with a bow like that and your attention to performance, you don't need extra arrows?

:campfire:    :coffee:

You shot into the air to signal help ?

Your wife took it from you for not washing the dishes.RC

well congrats anyways bud...even though you misplaced your arrow and trying to get us guys to believe you actually shot something..LOL   :)

I know why :-)

Perhaps you had to use it in self defense from the attack of a island creature!

LOL!  Lov'n the comments Gang   ;)   and by the way Happy Thanksgiving!

QuoteOriginally posted by RC:
Your wife took it from you for not washing the dishes.RC

Bwahahahahaha!!!!!!!!!

I bet there is a dead pig or goat on one of the islands (either that or the dishes are not done)!

Bisch

Well, as many of you know, this adventure started with a trip to Stalker Stickbows.  Here's the link for those who haven't seen it.

http://tradgang.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=121303;p=1

As many of you know, it's very exciting to be able to hunt with a brand new bow.  To say I was excited would've been an understatement.  Every free time from when the bow came in, I tried to squeeze in a hunt.

On my first few trips, I only returned with fruits.  Guava on one day and Jabong on the other.

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The next few trips were a little more promising as I started to find signs of fresh activity.

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This is gonna be good! We want to hear more.   :campfire:

Finally I found a few hogs, but they weren't shooters.

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Getting good !

I felt as if it was only going to be a matter of time...
It was last week, when I had my first encounter.  I was still hunting through some thick stuff and stopped to listen for rummaging.  For some reason I decided to keep still for a little longer than normal.  Something caught my attention behind me.  It was a nice sow, headed directly for me.  Immediately, I nocked an arrow and dropped to my knees.  Slowly she closed the distance between us. At about fifteen yards, she turned broadside behind a tree and started to rummage.  I thought to myself "oh boy this is going to happen"!  Her head slowly peeked from behind the tree and I was at full draw, but she decided to turn around.  I let down and she began to move in the opposite direction.   She stopped to root, and her vitals showed through a small tunnel through the brush.  I drew back, hit my anchor, and the shot went off.  Everything looked great.  I sent a text to my wife to let her know that I was going to be home late.

After waiting awhile, I started to pick up the trail.  The signs looked good, but blood trailing in this area is slow because of the thick vegetation.  At times, you're crawling on your hands and knees through grass and vine tunnels.

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After a few minutes of trailing, the clouds started to roll in.  Uh oh, I thought to myself and sure enough it started to rain.  Bad enough I was trailing through a "jungle", but the rain was only going to make matters worse.  The trail started to get bad.  I tried to follow tracks, but that only made my trailing much slower.  I continued to trail for the rest of the day.  Depressed as heck, I had to call it a day.  I replayed everything in my mind over and over.  
That night I couldn't sleep and got up early to search again.  Unfortunately, it was pouring once again.  Soaking wet I searched high and low for that sow.  It finally reached a point where I couldn't find any signs at all.  Talk about an emotional roller coaster.  From thinking that I've just got one to realizing that my search had ended.
The next few days were rough.  Many things were replaying in my head and the worse part is that I started to second guess my decisions...

A few days later I decided that I did everything that I could and it was time for me to get back out.  
On this trip, I encountered a few hogs right "out of the gate".  It seemed as if I found out where they were hanging out.  I slowly stalked up to one of the hogs.  At twenty yards, the shot presented itself and I took the shot.  The arrow sailed clear over it's back!  It's been awhile since I've done that.  My nerves had gotten the best of me!!!
This bow is so sentimental for me.  South had taken the time to teach me and show me what went into building a stickbow.  It was as "custom" as it could get. I was adding too much pressure to my hunts and wanted everything to be perfect.   But with the way things were going, I was now in the dumps.

Outstanding tale so far. Look forward to more.RCHappy Thanksgiving Guys.RC

Thanks RC, although I think the story would've been better if my wife did hide my arrows!!!   :D
I'm just glad that she's supportive because I haven't been getting anything done since this bow has showed up at my doorstep!

Aloha!
Ryan

yeah boy!

Sometimes I can be a real "head case".  Fortunately, I have a stable wife to talk me through things.  She's also a bowhunter and understands all the dynamics of the sport.  So after a great discussion with her, my confidence was restored and I headed for the hills the very next day.

The morning was slow.  I didn't see or hear a single thing.  At about 2:30, I started to contemplate.  Do I stay where I've been seeing the hogs, or do I take a chance and head to another area.  On previous hunts, I came across an "intersection" that looked super promising.  My gut feeling was head to that "intersection", so I did. For myself, I'd say 9 out of 10 times, making a hasty decision to move just doesn't pan out.  

So after a short hike, I reached my destination.  Even though the decision was hasty, I felt good about the move.  Half an hour went by and nothing.  At that point, I was beginning to question my decision.  "Maybe all the pigs are now at the previous spot" I thought to myself.  "I need to stick it out", I told myself.   Just then, I heard some leaves rustling in the distance.  The noise started to get louder and louder.  I finally caught movement to the right of me.  This hog was coming in cautious.  Taking a few steps and stopping for a few seconds.  "This is a smart one", I thought.  I ever so slowly nocked my arrow while keeping my eyes fixed on the hog.  It was crazy, my knees were shaking as if this was the first hog that I've ever shot at.  The hog kept moving cautiously and it was just too thick to take a shot.  There were times when I wanted to squeeze the shot through some small holes in the brush, but I needed to stay disciplined.  If not my discussion with my wife would've been all for nothing.  The hog finally reached a point were he could turn right, down the hill never to be seen again or turn left, presenting me a broadside shot.  Amazingly, he turned left and stopped in the open.  Filled with adrenaline, I drew my bow back ever so slowly, focused intently on the spot and released the string.  The arrow flew clean but hit the hog with a "crack" and the hog took off.  "UH OH!", I thought to myself.  This was either going to be a really good shot, or a really bad one.   I was sure that I smacked the leg bone, I was just really hoping that it was the "offside" leg bone.

After calming down and waiting awhile, I decided to inspect the area.  I was just hoping that I wouldn't find an unscathed arrow lying in the ground.

Here's what the shot area looked like.  So far so good.

(http://i159.photobucket.com/albums/t142/rysanpei/IMG_0635-1.jpg)

I started to take the trail, this time with blue skies.  Slowly, I made my way.  The trail was decent, but he had gone on a mad dash through some thick grass.  The good news was the blood trail was getting better!

(http://i159.photobucket.com/albums/t142/rysanpei/IMG_1003-1.jpg)

I need to get ready for Thanksgiving lunch/dinner.  I'll be back tonight with the rest of the story.

:campfire:     :coffee:   Interesting so far.....

Hmmm...do I smell pork??

There should be a Tradgang law made that strictly prohibits eating meals during story telling!

I second that motion ^^^^^

Get on with it Ryan!!!!!

Ya. That was lame..... 3 pages in and you gotta get ready for dinner! What about the rest of us who don't eat!!!

I think Ryan took a nap after dinner...  :biglaugh:

:campfire:

LOL! Too funny Gang!  Now back to the trail...

Not wanting to lose this hog, I carefully took my time.  Step by step I spotted blood, stopped and scanned around.  I did this until....

 (http://i159.photobucket.com/albums/t142/rysanpei/IMG_1005-2.jpg)

:campfire:

Right then and there I had an adrenaline dump!  This harvest meant so much for me.  Some may say that it was only a pig, but for me it was much more than that.
All I could think of during that point and time was how thankful I was for everything that I have.  Without my family, friends and hunting, I wouldn't be  where I am today in life.  This harvest couldn't have happened at a better time.  What a great Thanksgiving this has been!

:clapper:    :clapper:    :clapper:

I must apologize for the harvest pics, they weren't the best.  I didn't eat all day and was feeling light-headed, it was starting to rain and the sun was going down.  I did manage to get a few self-timed photos though.

So here's the culmination of chapter 1 in the Adventure of my prototype Stalker Stickbow.  Hopefully we'll have many more adventures to come!


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Looking good, congrats  :thumbsup:

Pics are great S2....congrats on a beautiful hog.

WAY TO GO Ryan!

Gotta love those static tip bows!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Shoot straight, Shinken

 :archer2:

Congrats on the great pig and finishing the story  ;)

Thanks Tracy and Ken!

Happy Thanksgiving David and yes static tips rock!

Anytime William!    :)    

There is also one thing that I wanted to share in terms of hunting.  I carry my iphone on me at all times since there are times that I hunt alone.  In the past, I've always taken mental notes, but now, I use the notes feature to type down hog activity.  I jot down the date, time, size of animal, weather, moon phase, location, fresh signs, etc.  For me it's a quick simple way to study and remember their habits.  I use the information to increase my odds of encounters in a very thick area where I can't glass.

Aloha!
Ryan

Way to go brudda!!! Awesome read and what a hunt. Thanks so much for sharing...now eat some of that pork and let us know how good it is  :)

CONTRAT'S BRAHDAH RYAN!!!!! Dem Piggies/Goats/Sheep are in trouble in 2013!!!!!! Great Hunt, Great Story!!!!

Ryan excellence story and appreciate your respect for the game even if it is just a "hog"   :thumbsup:

Thanks Mike!!!  Time to smoke meat!    ;)  

Mahalo Mark!  Hoping to join you next year bruddah!!!

Thanks John,  yeah hunting is such a huge part of my life.  I've learned so much about myself and life through hunting.

Hah! I was right. One of those island pigs did meet his maker.

Congrats Ryan!

Bisch

Congrats Ryan. You made my thanksgiving that's fo sho

You were right Bisch, but I got to admit some of those other answers were really creative!  Thank you!

Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours Art!

Smoked pig is DEE-LISH-US!

Great shot!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Shoot straight, Shinken

 :archer2:

I'm glad that you are able to couple your hunting with the thanksgiving for everything in your life. Hunting is part of us and a product of how we were created. Our very survival throughout history has depended upon our abilities to take the lives of other animals in order to perpetuate our own, and those of the people who have depended on our hunting skills. It is a harsh reality that is often misunderstood in our modern society where meat is considered by many as originating in a package at the supermarket. I'm thankful too, Ryan, that you and many additional TradGangers have preserved our hunting tradition and can appreciate the value of the animals we harvest. Good shot, by the way, and good skills in observing the hogs and their habits so you could successfully harvest them.

Allan

Very delish David!!!   ;)

Thanks for the very kind words Allan.  It is very much appreciated. I totally agree with everything that you have to say. For myself hunting is not just a sport, it's part of who I am.  I can't even imagine what I'd do if I wasn't able to hunt/fish anymore.

Aloha!
Ryan

Congrats!  :thumbsup:

Nice job Ryan!
Happy Thanksgiving

Thanks Guy!

Happy Thanksgiving Brent!

Congrats

:thumbsup:

Congrats Ryan,another good story shared with us.

Congrats bro!! The Stalkers are getting it done. I hope to add a story or two and some pics after Cali!! Good shooting  :thumbsup:

Thanks Jesse and Juan!

Thank you Felix!  Hope all is well my friend!

Steadman,
Am I triplet worthy yet?  Can't wait bro, I'll have two weeks of editing time at the end of December.

I am so fortunate that this guy wasn't waiting for me at the end of the trail.  Makes me think twice about crawling on my hands and knees through those hog tunnels!!!


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Man, that's some scary dental work.
Good recovery, Ryan. Not only on the 2nd hog, but from the first one. You're a lucky man to have a wife to help with the many parts of this thing.
And you know it.

Awesome!!!!

Great story Ryan!! Congrats on the pig..  :clapper:

Thanks Tom!  Yeah my wife is the best!

Thanks Fred and Ed!!!

Aloha,
Ryan

That is a great pic of some cutters right there!

Shoot straight, Shinken

 :archer2:

Nice job on working through the "downs" that sometines are a part of the pursuit that nourishes our souls.  You pulled out of it and followed your instincts.  Nice job on the shot and follow up!!  Congrats!!

Good job and a great story thanks for sharing.  :thumbsup:

Hey Ryan! Way to go sir!

Michael,
Thank you.  You're right,  the "downs" are rough but it does nourish the soul.

Thanks Richie!

Hey Randy, good to hear from you!

Congrats Ryan. Some fine cutters on that pig.RC

Congrates Ryan. Great story telling,sweet bow, and an awesome pig with some nasty choppers.  :thumbsup:

Thanks RC!  Can't wait to see your field pics with your Stalker!   :thumbsup:

Mahalo Mark!  Thank you for reading the story!

Ryan

You Shoot An Arrrow In The Air And Did Not Know Where It Land Where?  :confused:

What a pig Ryan!!!!!

Well done!

Great job on working thru the ups and downs Ryan.Awsome bow and hog. Congrats!   :thumbsup:

Ryan Great Hog, thanks for taking us along on your adventure.  You need to come up with a name for your bow because Prototype Hybrid Stalker is wayyy too long.  

Congrats Sir!!!

Is PHS taken? Pro-Hawaiian Staff? PHSSS? Pro Hawaiian Stalker Stickbows Staff? I wonder too, did you ever find that arrow? I mean c'mon, your on an island, how hard could it be to find?  :p

Congrats on a fine hog!

Nice Job Ryan.  Enjoyed the Stalker thread and it is great to see the bow take its first trophy.

AWESOME Pig Ryan...the Stalker is putting them down  :)

Thank you for all the kind words Gang!  I really appreciate it!  :thumbsup:  

A name for my bow, that's a cool idea! I've never named a bow before and I'm definitely not selling this one.  Now to think of one....

Aloha!
Ryan

if you pick a name then Sanpei Slayer would fit you bud as you do lay them down  :)

Mahalo Art!    ;)

Congrats!