I had to work this weekend and thought I would get to hunt yesterday evening, but when I got to my stand there were already hogs by the feeder. I didn't know how long the would stick around, and I had to cross a large open field to close the gap. I opted to back out a try again today after work.
I got settled in around 5pm, and mostly had doves and squirrel to keep me company, although a couple of jakes showed up for a few minutes. Around 6 0'clock a few deer showed up and fed for awhile before moving on further into the oat field. Around 6:30 a sounder of hogs, with babies and maybe 5 hogs that ranged from around 90-140#, showed up. I took the first shot opportunity that I had, and it was just barely quartering away. I knew that it was hit good, and only gave it maybe 10 minutes before taking up the blood trail. It went the same direction as the 263# hog that I shot a little while ago went, but he went at least 90 yards, crossing over the drainage to my east, and back up onto the higher ground. I was using 1 1/4" short vpa 175 grain broadheads (same one I killed a javelina and a turkey with) and had a complete pass through. I could follow the bloodtrail walking at a normal pace without even bending down for 90% of the track. That says something because my bloodtrailing eyes leave something to be desired. I can't believe that he went that far. When I gutted him, there wasn't hardly any blood in his abdomen or chest. Exit wound is right by the nock. It isn't as high as it looks. Entrance was just a little further back and full of bubble lung blood.
(http://i.imgur.com/MgmbEhW.jpg)
Now the visit from a friend part. Back just after the beginning of the year, I got incredibly sick and was that way for a couple of weeks, taking me to the end of our bowseason. Just before it was over, I opted to make one more attempt. I had a nice buck coming in just at dusk and never giving me a shot. I figured my time off from hunting might make him come in earlier. I carried my clothes and a heater with me, and by the time that I got to the blind I was short of breath and shaking like a leaf. I sat there and tried to compose myself, and waited. A few small buck showed up, then some doe. Then a group of 4 longbeards and 2 jakes chased them out of the field. I had never seen that before. Eventually the birds moved off, and a few 2 1/2 year old buck came in, but nothing I wanted to shoot. All of sudden they scooted out of there when a nicer buck showed up. I had him broadside at maybe 12 yards. I got to full draw but was shaking so much I couldn't hold on target. I didn't have the strength to let the arrow down and somehow I released. Pretty sure I shot at least 10 feet over his back. I waited a couple of minutes and went to get my arrow. On the way back a large boar showed up and come close, but I never could get a shot, and I probably couldn't have hit him anyway. The best day that I had experienced on my property, and it was wasted with my illness.
Well, I shot that large boar later, and today that nice buck showed up just before I shot the hog. I bet I took 50 pictures of him, just so I wouldn't have my bow in my hands and be tempted to do something stupid. Here he is. 2nd biggest one I have seen on my property. He came as close as 10 yards away.
(http://i.imgur.com/X1K8O8n.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/t8Hixvl.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/uJfCvPW.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/yZaZjPh.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/A1H9Wd6.jpg)
Congrats on the hog! And that ol buck will only be bigger next season...great lookin deer!
Nice hog. You are surly blessed to have such productive land. As a city dweller I would have to do some real traveling to equal what you have.
Thanks. I am very thankful for what I have.
Nice hog and story,Pat.
:thumbsup:
GREATJOB! It looks like you got a great buck to look forward to this yr :thumbsup:
Nice Pat. Congrats
Nice hog and great shot Pat.
Great Deer, i hope you find his sheds...
Pigs and Pats don't mix. Thinking about changing my name to Pat. Congrats bud, your getting along real nice with that bow.
Nice man! I showed Julie that pic last night. You sent that text as we were sitting down to eat dinner
Nice shooting Pat!!
Good job. Keep that bow zeroed in. The Bears will be near in just a few weeks...
Good job!
LOL, Jerry. I justed ordered anothe string tracker for the bears. Can't wait.
Dang, Pat, you ar stacking the critters up!
Congrats on a nice hog!
Bisch
Gotta get em when you can. Never know when the next opportunity will come.
QuoteOriginally posted by pdk25:
Gotta get em when you can. Never know when the next opportunity will come.
That ain't no lie!!! I had a lease for 15yrs that was covered up with pigs. I went down there at least once a month for 3 or 4 days almost every month. Almost every time I was there, there was an opportunity at a hog. Now I dont have that place anymore (or any other lease yet) due to oilfield activity ruining the place, and I am in some serious kind of pig hunting withdrawls! Although I like to eat deer meat the most, I am really thinking that the pigs are the most important thing because of the ability to hunt them 365days a year!
Congrats again,
Bisch
I feel the same. They aren't always here, but I am always on the lookout for them. Being able to hunt year round is priceless.
Groovy pork! :thumbsup:
Great stuff Pat.
Awesome! Congrats on your hog, nice shot. I was out of commission all but the first two days of our bow season last fall with pneumonia myself. Coughing with every breath, and so weak I probably couldn't have shot either. Glad your feeling better, and I'm looking forward to seeing a picture of you kneeling next to that buck this year. Like the others said, he'll only be bigger. Thanks.
Bob
:clapper:
Nice hog Pat. That buck will only be bigger next yr.
Awesome!
Real nice Pat. I'm so happy that you are blessed like that. Stay well my friend.
Very nice Pat, did the buck still have his rack at this time of year, or were these older pics?
That was 10-15 minutes before I shot the hog. There was another smaller buck in the group that only had one antler. Can't remember seeing them hold on to their antlers this long in the past.
Pat you are da man! Proud of you my friend.
Well done pat!
Very nice on all accounts