Anyone hunted Isla Mona, PR? I've got some family down there and I might need to squeeze a hunt in with a visit...
You might check with Jay Campbell, there is a story in "Longbow" about hunting Isla Mona.
Jay Campbell is the only one I have read about hunting down there. If I was in better shape I would be up for it!
Best of luck if you do get to go. Would love to hear how it goes.
As far as I know, my group is the only one from the mainland to ever hunt Isla Mona. Steve Hohensee, Rick McGowan, Jose Demoya, Dennis Harper, T. J. Conrads, Scott Van Arendonk and a few others. We made three excursions. it's a complicated trip, but was worth it, all three times. There are two Isla Mona stories in the book, Longbow. Jay Campbell www.campbellsquest.com (http://www.campbellsquest.com)
Ok, looks like I'll be reading your book real soon, Jay. Then I'll pick your brain apart for all the logistical stuff. From the little I've heard, it sounds like it's an unguided experience (which is just fine), but how much money should I be expecting to shell out?
Puerto Rico, Cuba,,, looks like 2013 may be an interesting year for Trad Gang. And just when you thought we'd run out of untapped adventures. Good luck to you, Id love to go as well and will follow your progress.
I was searching the net in early fall about Mona Island (I'm not bilingual) and I'm glad to see that Jay has been there because I didn't think anyone had. Guess I'll have to buy Jay's book now also.
Pic can you post a few pics of the Island please?
CJ
Well, Luke (Gringol), that's hard to say (by the way, we're both in tampa (jaycampbelljd@gmail.com). I live on the water near Westshore. Flight to San Juan ($350), Rental car to Bouqueron ($300), Three hotel nights minimum, one in San Juan waiting to get the permits in person, one coming off the boat in Boqueron, one more in San Juan before the flight home ($450), Boat from Boqueron to Isla Mona ($1600), Food/Water ($200 per person), Certificates, licenses ($100). So, that gives an idea you can add up and divide by 4, which is as many folks as you can cram in one hotel room and car. The boat can hold10 or so. It's camping on the beach. 4 days of actual hunting, probably 8-9 days total trip. It is one of the wildest, coolest places in the world, visited by Columbus, Captain Kidd, Taino Natives, Guano farmers, smugglers, Eiffel (built the now-crumbling lighthouse on the island). But it is one of the most dangerous places I have been - and I've been to a few. :-) www.campbellsquest.com (http://www.campbellsquest.com) the e-book is on Amazon as well. There are some folks trying to put together a trip for next fall. - Jay
Any hunting on the main island? I am heading down there for 2 weeks with my family in Feb. Jay- Why was it so dangerous on Isla Mona? And, yes I will get your book- it sounds great. Thanks, Brian
Killinstuff - I can try to post pics a bit later, but there is a gallery at www.campbellsquest.com (http://www.campbellsquest.com) with a few pics of Isla Mona, and also some pics at www.jaycampbellphotography.com, (http://www.jaycampbellphotography.com,) gallery 2, longbows, password "Buffalo" capital "B". There are also some color pictures of Mona in the e-book version of "Longbow: A Hunting Life" and some black and white pics in the paperback version. - Jay
Thanks for all the info, Jay.
Get the book Luke, great isla mobs stories. It was also in tbh magazine a while back.
Brian: Mona's lagoons are white sand, blue water, but slip outside those and its a long trip on swift currents to Costa Rica if the sharks don't carry you off. There are more biting insects and stinging plants than anywhere but Australia. The island is a cliff and cave system, and the climbing is tough in tropical heat, with NO water on the island. Get lost, and thirst is a real problem. About one person dies on the island each year from one thing or another. The caves open up through the high surfaces without warning: step into one of those holes and its a 10-20 yard trip down and broken bones. There is no real lifeline, its 50 miles off of the mainland. There is a small detachment of armed rangers who are a bit hostile, and the island is a busy waypoint for armed smugglers of cocaine and humans from south america. The cliffs are a 200 yard drop straight into the ocean. There is a centipede that will kill a dog with its bite, and one of those put our 6'4" minister, Scott Van Arendonk, on his back for a couple of days. The thorns are longer, stronger, and at every level more than anywhere I've been. They lance through any boot. Falls and split heads were frequent, and our surgeon, Dr. Demoya, sewed up our troops a few times and brought medicine that we needed. So it's this weight of so many things to watch for, all the time, without much backup. To get pigs and goats, you climb. To climb, you get hot, tired, and thirsty fast. And you carry 3 gallons of water (24 pounds alone) or risk the consequences. Truly, the Tiwi islands in Australia were more dangerous with Brown Snakes, Red spiders, green ants, buffalo, and salt water crocodiles, but there were camp guides there. On Mona, you're on your own. :-) - Jay www.campbellsquest.com (http://www.campbellsquest.com)
Anytime you have to take a Minister and Dr. with you to bowhunt a place.......
As for Hohensee and McGowan, they're nuts enough, but how did you get someone as intellegent as Jose to go along?
Biggie, I'm a lawyer ... I lied. :-) - Jay
www.campbellsquest.com (http://www.campbellsquest.com)
I heard there are vampires on that island.
Funny, Killshot. OK, Here's the opening paragraph of "Isla Mona" from the book Longbow. And she was right!
ISLA MONA
"The stewardess smelled like sweet smoke and her eyes were the color of island coffee. When she leaned in her blouse strained against its buttons, and if I wasn't already going to Puerto Rico I would have changed my flight just to follow her home. She asked where I was going, but pushed me away when I told her: Isla Mona. "Vampires on that island," she snapped, and turned her considerable Latin heat toward the next man in line." Www.campbellsquest.com (http://www.campbellsquest.com) - Jay
QuoteOriginally posted by Jay Campbell JD:
Biggie, I'm a lawyer ... I lied. :-) - Jay
www.campbellsquest.com (http://www.campbellsquest.com)
:biglaugh: That made my day! You must be a superb lawyer at that!
Is it legal to take the chupacabra on Mona? How much bow do you think I need for that?
I downloaded Jay's book on my ipad and read half of it as soon as it downloaded. It is excellent! Thanks Jay! The story on Isla Mona is one of the best in the book and makes this ol man want to take an adventure hunt. It would be a great primer for anyone wanting to hunt that island. Check it out and I bet you'll agree.
Ralph...
Dr. Jose is planning on being at the ITBA shoot on Saturday... spoke to him through email today...
Also warned him he might need to come and defend himself on this thread ;)
Jonathan
I downloaded "Longbow" last night and started reading. Very cool book, Jay. I'm even more intrigued by Mona now. It many end up taking me a couple years to get a group together and pull it off, but I'm going to do it.
Jonathan, got the PM. It will be great to meet him and get his perspective on Isla Mona. Hunting Mona would be a real challenge!!
That sounds like a fun place to hunt. Gives new meaning to true adventure while hunting.
I got to hear about it first hand from Dennis Harper. It sounded like a cool hunt but dangerous like Jay said. I dind't know any body was still going there.
My wife won't give me permission to go with you guys.
Something about getting myself killed...? :dunno:
I tried the old, "Where's your sense of adventure?" line, but it didn't get me anywhere.
Biggie, would you believe I volunteered for it?
When the first trip was being planned I read about it and offered my services as a translator. True story.
No regrets. :scared:
God bless,
José
(http://i.imgur.com/45cgf.jpg)
So Glad to see Jose (Dr. DeMoya) here. He was our camp surgeon. The Chupacabra was also thought of as a vampire, but in truth "Chupacabra" means "Goatsucker" in Spanish, and is a term latin folks like to use for lawyers. I kept a low profile with the whole law thing. :-)
The picture is Steve Hohensee, with one of his goats from Isla Mona. Jay Campbell www.campbellsquest.com (http://www.campbellsquest.com)
What a cool goat!
Archie: Steve is more of an old goat than a cool one, although he has his good moments. :-) Luke and Ralph - Thank you for the kind words about the Longbow book! I have found some other Isla Mona pics - will try to post. There is also another person trying to set up a trip - I'll try to add him in here. EVERYONE who has been has been stunned and humbled and excited by the experience. www.campbellsquest.com (http://www.campbellsquest.com) - Jay
Great Thread..Looking forward to the pics.
Jay, just finished Longbow and thoughly enjoyed it! I hope there is more to come. Great photos on your site. Looking forward to more pics on Mona!!
I can not say enough good things about the book. The book was so well written it held my attention for a day and a 1/2 until I finished it. I've never read a whole book that quick in my life! Thank you Jay and Karen for such a great book.
I made the mistake about telling my bride of 24 years about the the dangers of hunting the island instead of the benefits. Well needless to say I'll be reading other peoples stories about the adventures of hunting the island. :(
I too will be following this thread. Thanks for your input to all who have been before.
(http://i.imgur.com/ztcRg.jpg)
OK, Folks: I dug up some old, really not very good photos of Isla Mona. I'll post them in a series here. Then I have a few good ones, and Steve and Rick and Jose may have some as well. The island from the Orca Too. Best, Jay www.campbellsquest.com (http://www.campbellsquest.com)
(http://i.imgur.com/j1U0D.jpg)
Unloading on the old WWII dock - Jay Campbell www.campbellsquest.com (http://www.campbellsquest.com)
(http://i.imgur.com/cNF4Q.jpg)
Isla Mona Shipwreck - Jay Campbell www.campbellsquest.com (http://www.campbellsquest.com)
(http://i.imgur.com/uvNGW.jpg)
Dr. Jose Demoya on the highlands. Jay Campbell www.campbellsquest.com (http://www.campbellsquest.com)
(http://i.imgur.com/zTuJ5.jpg)
Jose eating the cactus fruit (sweet, juicy, and gave us the runs something powerful!) - Jay www.campbellsquest.com (http://www.campbellsquest.com)
(http://i.imgur.com/Ah1VD.jpg)
Jose and two of the armed rangers in a smugglers cave - Jay Campbell www.campbellsquest.com (http://www.campbellsquest.com)
(http://i.imgur.com/WW0vZ.jpg)
Map of Puerto Rico with Isla Mona shown in an inset - Jay Campbell www.campbellsquest.com (http://www.campbellsquest.com)
(http://i.imgur.com/56RPX.jpg)
This sailboat came into the cove under full sail, anchored, and a woman came on deck, stripped to her suit, dove in the cove and swam ashore. She was alone, and quite taken with Clayton, as I recall. :-) - Jay Campbell www.campbellsquest.com (http://www.campbellsquest.com)
(http://i.imgur.com/SPbFt.jpg)
The Isla Mona lighthouse, me on top, looking out. This was designed by Eiffel, of Eiffel Tower and Statue of Liberty fame. I really wanted the "arrow" weather vane. - Jay Campbell www.campbellsquest.com (http://www.campbellsquest.com)
(http://i.imgur.com/kVlAa.jpg)
Tools of the island hunting trade. Randall knife, osage bow with stingray handle, river cane arrows, cactus fruit - Jay Campbell www.campbellsquest.com (http://www.campbellsquest.com)
Great pics Jay!!!
I also agree that Jay's book is a must read, one of the best written trad books that I have read.
(http://i.imgur.com/Z3Wsq.jpg)
Last photo tonight! Dr. Demoya stitching up Rick McGowan's head. Rick later claimed this injury as the reason for missing a pig, and I believe him! Clayton also needed stitches as I recall. :-) - Jay Campbell www.campbellsquest.com. (http://www.campbellsquest.com.)
I'm in, when do we leave!
Jay, looking at that picture reminds me of the glass from the reflector that you were thinking about having someone knap heads out of the pieces we took from the tower. Did you ever do it? I still have a few pieces of that glass.
The best place on the island is the spot under the trees behind the metal house next to the lighthouse: a constant breeze, a nice view of the Mona passage and cool temperatures with no humidity. Mona has a semiarid climate. All the moisture drops as rain on the mountains of PR and very little makes it to Mona as the weather fronts travel west. Plenty of cacti on the island. There is an area called the Valley of the Cacti on the way to the lighthouse. Those are of the tall variety. There are several other species throughout the island that are short and round, only a few inches tall. Very dangerous because you can hardly see them in areas where there is grass. I almost sat on one of them on one occasion. Jikes! :scared:
All in all is very peaceful there. :D
God bless,
José
Great pictures! A hunting trip of a lifetime, I'm sure. The island looks wild and inviting. Thanks for the pictures.
(http://i.imgur.com/3LcMo.jpg)
Jose, I think I did have some made. I'll look, and If so I'll give/send you one. Here's a shot of Jose near the lighthouse. It is also a nice spot because of the cistern. Not clean, sometimes dry, but water is water! - Jay Campbell www.campbellsquest.com (http://www.campbellsquest.com)
(http://i.imgur.com/CzrCS.jpg)
Here's another shot, of Clayton and a small goat he packed off the top of the island for dinner. I think tradgang member Karl Kortemier (hope I spelled that right) is putting an Isla Mona trip together. Maybe he will drop in. - Jay www.campbellsquest.com (http://www.campbellsquest.com)
I just heard about this thread. I have a good cross section of photos scanned from all three trips; we went pre-digital camera days. I'll try and see if I can knock the rust off photo bucket this weekend.
Important note: EVERYone from all three trips returned home alive! (not to say blood wasn't shed pulling that feat off!)
I also had a story I think it was called "Underwater Bowhunting" on Isla Mona in TBM about 2006.
Hey guys,
Jay let me know about this thread. Somehow I missed it :confused:Anyway, I'm trying to put together a trip for next hunting season. I have a few guys here in Ga that are interested. Only two firm commitments. I will keep everyone posted as to how the planning is coming along. Thanks for the pictures. Great thread!
(http://i.imgur.com/0e58R.jpg)
Sounds like Karl is trying to get the band back together again! Dr. Demoya seems to be game, heck with a little encouragement I might even get Karen Campbell to come along. Maybe. I've been in a lot of wild places, and this is one of the most desolate and beautiful. And it has lobsters, free for the catching. :-) Picture, to keep us occupied until Steve and Rick post a few, of me with an Isla Mona Spanish goat, nicknamed the "Altimeter Goat". If you've read the chapter "A Goat Too Far" in "Longbow" you'll understand why. :biglaugh: www.campbellsquest.com (http://www.campbellsquest.com)
If I could pull it off in 5 days I would be ya'lls translator but I cant stand to be away from my younguns much longer than that. Maybe when theyre a bit older.
A translator is important, Izzy - you would be Da Man! The rangers are armed and a bit jumpy, and do not speak much english. One thing not spoken off here is the blue lagoons, coconut trees everywhere, abundant fish, octopus, and lobster, and warm water swimming and snorkeling. It is really stunning, as are the caves and exploring for pictographs from the Taino natives 500+ years ago. On the islands top are rail car tracks that lead deep into the caves, where miners used to dig out bat guano to be boiled into nitrates. The huge boilers are still in place on the beaches. History nudges you from every angle on Isla Mona. - Jay www.campbellsquest.com (http://www.campbellsquest.com)
TTT - Jay Campbell www.campbellsquest.com (http://www.campbellsquest.com)
Ok, I actually found something I did on here a few years back. Hopefully the photos are all still in the same place! Four installments coming up!
Mona Island, Puerto Rico, Jan. 1999
Back in the late 90's Jay Campbell was traveling to Puerto Rico for some lawyering work like he does. He inquired about hunting opportunities and the seed was planted about this rogue island named Mona. Without too much of the events that led into the first trip there, let's just say the logistics were immense but we pulled it off.
(http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a137/SteveHohensee/IM1_rmcsea.jpg)
Rick "RicMic" McGowan silently contemplates what he may have gotten himself into this time......
(http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a137/SteveHohensee/IM1_campmona.jpg)
Camp on Isla de Mona. Palm trees, a coral beach, and knowing that I left a snowstorm behind. Not that I don't like snow I do. Maybe it's just knowing that I left behind those poor folks that don't like snow was good enough this time!
(http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a137/SteveHohensee/IM1_iguana.jpg)
The ever-present "endangered" Mona iguana.
(http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a137/SteveHohensee/IM1_blpfish.jpg)
A MUCH younger and skinnier Benny Pinney with an odd looking "Cowfish".
(http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a137/SteveHohensee/IM1_blplook.jpg)
Benny looks out over the thick entangled jungle below at the sea from the cliffs above.
(http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a137/SteveHohensee/IM1_IMGOAT.jpg)
Steve gets lucky with a quick shot(s) on the cliffs. This goat headed for one of the numerous caves in the island. Notice the stalactite and stalagmite in the background that have "dissolved" together.
(http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a137/SteveHohensee/IM1_monagrp.jpg)
The Mona Castaways. Left to right, Clayton Smith (kneeling), Benny Pinney, Steve H., Jay Campbell (standing) Jose' "Chaquito" DeMoya', Rick "RicMic" McGowan, Crystal and Dennis Harper.
Isla Mona 2--Caribbean Bowhunt, Dec. 1999
Castaways on Mona 2 are Jay Campbell, T.J. Conrads, Jose' "Chaquito" DeMoya, Steve H., Rick "RicMic" McGowan, Clayton Smith, and Dana Ravenberg.
On our second trip to Isla Mona the one thing I really wanted to do was trek to the most remote part of the island and bivouac in a cave, and be able to hunt the best spots late in the evening and early the following morning.
(http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a137/SteveHohensee/IM2_Monacave.jpg)
I found this cave on my scouting run and hunted my way towards it on the first day. I hoped to find the booby colonies or nesting sites that I heard existed this time of year, in the northeast corner of the island. I hoped that they might attract some wild pigs looking for a poultry dinner. I made it to the cave by the heat of the afternoon and took shelter for a while from the harsh Caribbean sun. Late in the afternoon I glassed from the cave entrance and spotted two goats, the stalk was on. Unfortunately they got too close while I was in too little cover and the game was over.
(http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a137/SteveHohensee/IM2_Sky_Boobies.jpg)
A few boobies that I had seen on my way to the cave increased to birds filling the sky, their shrieks fought against the waves, crashing 300 feet below against the cliff face, for dominance. I slipped through the brush and every so often I would get too close to a nesting bird and it would retreat to the safety of the sky.
A black object moved through the grass. I strained to find a clear shot as the pig looked up at me and bolted from 12 yards. I retreated to my cave for the evening and started a fire to ward off the spirit of Captain William Kidd, least he believe I was in search of his 60,000 pound of hidden silver that night. The following morning, after a fitful sleep and a midnight fight with a hermit crab for my sock and my lucky Jolly Rodger skull cap that Clayton Smith had given me on Mona I, I was awakened by the racket of a million boobies.
I quickly gathered my gear and slipped back into the noisy colony in search of pigs. I found none.
(http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a137/SteveHohensee/IM2_Booby.jpg)
Boobies once again filled the sky and at times I felt like I was being watched and would refocus my attention closer and find a booby only feet away. I hunted my way back to camp before the second Caribbean sun sucked all of my water away. It was time for a dive.
On Mona I, we had a great time spear fishing with Hawaiian slings. I thought back to how Howard Hill had bowfished with diving gear in "Hunting the Hard Way" and thought that I could rig up a short, low poundage longbow to shoot under water and bowfish using snorkel gear. Let's just say that I learned a lot and it took extreme persistence before I took my first fish, a Black Durgon or Triggerfish.
(http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a137/SteveHohensee/IM2_uwbfish.jpg)
I eventually took a few more including a parrotfish. I attempted a 4' Southern Stingray but my arrow bounced harmlessly off its thick hide. Maybe that was best as it would probably still be towing my corpse around the Caribbean had my arrow penetrated it. I passed on the infamous Yellow-tailed Stingray for reasons that not everyone knows........along with many fish I guessed to be inedible. Life on the coral reef almost defies description. I am enthralled by what I see on the reef. I rate it as a second only to hunting, longbow in hand.
Camp life is very relaxing on Mona. We eat what the sea will give to us including fish, spiny lobster, and conch plus coconuts as fresh as they can be.
(http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a137/SteveHohensee/IM2_tjcnut.jpg)
T.J. Conrads opening a camp snack.
Step one foot off the beach and Mona becomes the harshest vixen you have ever been up against. Rock so sharp that it will shred boots and skin, vegitation so caustic that it will burn your skin in second degree, and brush so thick it earn the designation of impenetrable. And of course with one errant step you can fall hundred of feet into the seemingly bottomless pit of one of Mona's numerous caves.
(http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a137/SteveHohensee/IM2_sindtree.jpg)
Mona cactus
(http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a137/SteveHohensee/IM2_rmcdock.jpg)
RicMic loading the "Orca Too" for the long ride back to land. Most of us will be on the edge of vomiting for the next three hours while RicMic will drink beers with our Puerto Rican comrades and laugh at the less fortunate of us.......
Isla Mona 3--Bowhunting the Caribbean, Dec. 2000
Casataways for Mona-3 and their number of visits to Mona are: Jay Campbell, Rick "RicMic" McGowan, and myself (Steve H.), 3 trips each; Dana Ravenberg, 2 trips; and first timers, John Reid Campbell and Scott Van Arendonk; and divers Andy and Arthur.
We arrived in San Juan on Wednesday evening and by Friday afternoon we had the proper permits in hand. We sailed to Mona early on Saturday morning and enjoyed the rest of the day and Sunday snorkeling and being in camp.
Unfortunately the snorkeling was poor those two days due to strong winds and waves crashing onto the reef. We still managed to procure 4 spiny lobsters, a bar jack and numerous queen conchs for a wonderful seafood chowder.
The hunting season ran for four days, from Monday thru Thursday. Each of us devised a plan on where to hunt and some members of the group set off for distant parts of the island as early as 2:30 am on that first day! I set off for the Northeast corner of the island a bit after 3:30 am and made the 4 1/2 miles by 6:05 am, and located a band of goats, right at sunrise.
(http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a137/SteveHohensee/IM3_IMsrock.jpg)
As I have said on the previous Mona 1 and Mona 2 tales, the rock surface on most of the island is extremely jagged, and any fall will guarantee your blood shall be sacrificed to Mona.
[ (http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a137/SteveHohensee/IM2_sindtree.jpg)
Another hazard of Mona is the "Naked-Indian Tree". Its sap is so caustic that if it comes into contact with your skin, it will cause blistering similar to an extreme case of poison ivy.
After the first trip RicMic said "If Mona had just one more plant or animal that would stick, sting, or bite you, it wouldn't be worth going there". Well, on Mona 3 we found a few more things that fit that description! Early in the trip RicMic had a scorpion try and get into his gear and later John Reid had one crawl up his neck! To top it off, Scott had a 4" centipede bite his shoulder while he slept! Both Scott and I developed a rash from either the Naked-Indian tree or possibly from the powder of a small tree that will also load your skin with small, prickly filaments!
(http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a137/SteveHohensee/IM3_IMCliffs.jpg)
I searched along Mona's Northern cliffs all morning for that band of goats. I was excited to stillhunt through the Red-footed Booby colony once again and get some additional close-up photos of these interesting yet noisy birds (photo at left is a adult and chick). I had several close calls with goats and a couple close pig sightings in the booby colony but still no shots for the morning.
I continued on, to where I had seen a band of goats along the cliffs, and eventually heard the bleating of some goats in the thick brush. I quietly stillhunted into the midst of the bleating and waited.
(http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a137/SteveHohensee/IM3_IMNanny.jpg)
Eventually a couple goats came into view and an old nanny finally walked into an opening at about 14 yards and I connected.
(http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a137/SteveHohensee/IM3_IMbilly.jpg)
Three additional goats ran into an area in front of me and then ran single-file down a lane leading into the impenetrable brush. I drew a second arrow as the second goat passed and as the third one came into view I let loose of the arrow and made perhaps the best shot of my life, at close to 30 yards. I normally don't shoot that far, but this shot never seemed to be in doubt. The goats paid the price of my arrows as did my body on the NINE mile pack back to camp!
We all had close call with either goats and/or pigs during the remainder of the trip but the only other animal killed was Dana arrowing a 50# pig. Mona continued to take her toll on us all for the remainder of our stay but also provided us with some beautiful scenery and fantastic snorkeling at the end of our stay.
On the Mona-2 trip I decided I would attempt to underwater bowfish similar to what Howard Hill had done, only using snorkeling gear. I gave the underwater bowfishing another try on the Mona-3 trip with some success.
UNDERWATER BOWFISHING!!!
For the past three years myself and a small group of friends have traveled to Isla Mona, a small island off the coast of Puerto Rico, to bowhunt for wild pigs and goats. There are also fantastic snorkeling opportunities there as well, so after the first trip, I decided that I would attempt underwater bowhunting in a manor similar to what Howard Hill described in "Hunting the Hard Way".
The barrier reef that surrounds the island has a great diversity of fish and other aquatic animals including corals and sponges. The lagoon of the reef is from a few feet to maybe ten feet deep, but is from 6 to 8 feet deep in most places. I use standard snorkeling gear, a mask, snorkel, and fins.
The second trip to Mona I toyed with a small wrap-around reel but quickly determined that it was utterly un-necessary due to the ultra-close range nature of the shooting. I went to a six foot section of line tied to the arrow and then to the bow and left hanging to the side. I used a stiff, kiddy longbow (~40# @ 24") that was 48" in length and used a standard fiberglass fishing arrow and point.
I had a lot of problems with bounce offs and had to be extremely persistent to end up taking a few fish, mostly Black Durgon. I found that it was very difficult to pull much bow weight when your body is floating in the surf as it becomes all arms doing the pulling.
For the third trip to Isla Mona I had to try the underwater bowfishing thing again. For this trip I made a "cute" little underwater "longbow". It is 34" nock to nock so it will easily pack into a duffel bag, laminated glass, and around 41# @ 17" and meant to be shot at a short draw and at close range. It is only about 1/2" wide to eliminate a lot of drag that the limbs have in the water.
I bought a pair of 36", 1/4" steel rods to be used for arrows and cut self-nocks into the rod with a tile saw and hot-melted stainless frog-gig points on the front end. The whole arrow is extremely heavy, probably several thousand grains.
My goal was mostly to attempt to take smaller fish species such as the Black Durgon which I specifically designed my arrows to penetrate their armored sides. One of the most difficult facets of bowfishing underwater on a reef is that often times you are at the mercy of the surf crashing down on you. It is very frustrating to finally locate a decent sized fish and be within a few feet of shooting distance and have a wave break and blow you back several yards from your target.
I realize that there are more efficient ways of obtaining fish but that isn't the point of this exercise of "one step above futility". It is all about combining the adventure of hunting in the coral reefs with the allure of the bow and arrow.
(http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a137/SteveHohensee/IM3_MonaUW1.jpg)
Steve taking aim underwater.
(http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a137/SteveHohensee/IM3_WDurgon.jpg)
A Black Durgon in the lagoon below Mona's cliffs.
(http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a137/SteveHohensee/IM3_lobsters.jpg)
Two spiny lobsters taken by underwater "longbow" and arrow using snorkeling gear.
(http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a137/SteveHohensee/IM3_durgon1.jpg)
No I am not the guy in the band, "ANTHRAX".
Here is a small Black Durgon, a species of triggerfish taken with the underwater bowfishing equipment. Note the 3-pronged gig point. I used this point specifically to penetrate the armored scales of the durgon.
Species taken with underwater bowfishing gear are as follows: Black Durgon, Parrotfish, Spiny Lobster, and French Grunt. I also attempted to take a large Southern Stingray and a five foot barracuda, which in hind sight weren't very intelligent things to do, but then again no surprise to those that know me best.........
Steve, what a great Isla Mona photo essay! Here's a shot of Clayton with a backpack goat. For those who wish, you can find the mystery of the yellowtail stingray that Steve alludes to in one of the Isla Mona chapters in our book. :-) Jay and Karen www.campbellsquest.com (http://www.campbellsquest.com)
(http://i.imgur.com/g3YWx.jpg)
You do look like Scott Ian. Wow that takes me back. That hunt looks like a great adventure. Im pretty sure that Id get a rash from that Naked Indian Tree before landing ashore just from pollen in the air.
Great stuff fellas, got me motivated enough to head to work this morning.
What an adventure! Very cool thread!
DAMN!!!
My 16 year old son is reading "Longbow" now and I told him about this thread. Excitably he asked if we knew anyone that was planning on going to the island to hunt!
Great stories guys!