First shot at a hog!

RecurveRookie · July 20, 2014, 02:01:00 PM

I was hunting Lake Aquilla Corps. land this morning, and found a nice hog wallow by the lake. I'm standing there wondering just how old it was when I hear "Reeeee!" about 80 yds. to my left. Ok, it's probably a fresh wallow, cause there they are! lol

I sneak that way and see a 85 lb. sow foraging around 25 yds away....heading right for me! I kneel down to hide and lay down my spear, but the grass is high that now I can't see her. So I stand up and she's 18 yds away looking right at me!

I'm in my light ghillie suit and orange vest, thinking she's gonna take off. My heart is going 100 mph and I'm trying to be still. After about 20 seconds, she goes back to foraging, still coming on. I'm wondering what to do now, she's head on and getting closer!

At 14 yds. she turns to my right a little and I let it go, my shot went left and almost hit her right hind foot! I was too excited to get my anchor right, pick a spot, get my elbow back, or remember anything about archery!! Wow, she was close!
She only spooked when my arrow went into the dirt. The other four ran before I could get close, the shot didn't spook them, and they were 30 yds from the sow I missed. That was so exciting! Thanks for listening y'all.

nineworlds9 · July 20, 2014, 02:22:00 PM

Awesome!! If you weren't addicted before, NOW you are!!

:D

Crittergetter · July 20, 2014, 02:40:00 PM

It only took me about 4-5 misses to calm down enough to do everything right! Lol. Keep at em. It gets easier! Good luck, maybe the next one is the one!!

T Lail · July 20, 2014, 03:41:00 PM

huntin' pigs is like cracker jacks....it is VERY addictive !!!!!!

KenH · July 20, 2014, 03:53:00 PM

"I'm in my light ghillie suit and orange vest..."

That is the silliest mental image I've had in a LONG time.

"Hey Harve -- There's a big mound of grass with an orange tarp on it!"

The purpose of camoflage is to blend in with the background, not stand out from it!

If the law mandates the orange, there's no real good reason to wear anything but common street clothes (except for neon green leisure suit slacks, which we know deer are particularly sensitive to).

RecurveRookie · July 20, 2014, 04:15:00 PM

KenH, Yeah lol! But she still didn't see me, weird. The suit still hides my outline (head, shoulders, arms), even with the vest on. I guess they can't see very good. She probably thought I was just another tree with trash in it.

Crittergetter · July 20, 2014, 04:54:00 PM

Hey RR, it's my understanding ( which very well could be wrong) that pigs only see red, green, and blue color phases. Other colors are seen as solid netural images. So if your required to wear the orange or just prefer to because of public land I would keep wearing the ghillie to break up your out line and you should be good to go! Good luck!!!!
P.s. Where is McLennan Co.?

Jerry Russell · July 20, 2014, 05:22:00 PM

You will get one next time. Keep at it!

July 20, 2014, 05:48:00 PM

Pig hunting is a hoot!

Good luck next time out!

Bisch

RecurveRookie · July 20, 2014, 09:28:00 PM

Thanks guys for the encouragement! I'm still grinning. That was an awesome experience.

Crittergetter, She didn't mind orange! Waco is the county seat for McLennan Co.

dragonheart · July 20, 2014, 10:03:00 PM

I have hunted Aquilla. Cool place. My brother used to live in Gholson. Stay at it, you will connect.

JEFF B · July 20, 2014, 10:09:00 PM

next time keep calm LOL!!!

mike g · July 20, 2014, 10:39:00 PM

Lay down my Spear..?

beaunaro · July 21, 2014, 08:50:00 AM

This is why I always say "hogs are the best archery animal out there".

I'm sure there will be many more attempts and you will get one next time. There isn't a shortage.

Sometimes it's so easy, you can't believe it... and the next time, as hard as you try to do everything right, it amazes you just how tough they are.

All part of what keeps bringing us back.

Thanks for sharing your story and Good Luck.