First Trad Kill! Finally made it happen.

Msturm · February 17, 2015, 02:58:00 AM

After hunting three bow seasons with a recurve I finally made it happen on the day after Valentines day. (gotta love a girlfriend who lets you and your buddy spend the evening getting ready to hit the mountains.)

My Friend Ray and I (also an Alaska transplant) spent a total of 13 hours on the ridges and mountain in West Oahu. We saw at least a 100 goats. We stalked in on several only to be busted or have them move out of range before we could get there.

Example of the terrain we were dealing with... Much of it is STRAIT up and down. can you spot the goats?

Exhausted and running out of water in the 80 degree sun, me and Ray decided to head down. It was 4:30 pm. walking down the ridge I spotted a small herd lower on the ridge near a rock outcropping that I thought would give me enough cover to get close.... Real close.

The goats, 7 of them were on the right hand side of the ridge. I dropped down on the left hand side and with the wind in my favor moved quietly to the outcropping. I peeked around. The majority of the herd had moved. I thought that they had heard me coming, but after a minute a few were hanging around. We needed to get off the mountain soon. It was decision time.

There were three small goats left. 15 yards away. I sat down. breathed until my heart rate was as close to normal as it was going to get. I knocked an arrow. Slowly I sat up, took a knee and leaned around the boulder between me and the goats.

Kneeling on the rock at full draw I was spotted by one of the goats. It took off leaving two other small ones. One was facing me and the other broadside but with the vitals behind a rock. I took aim for the head... I let it fly and the arrow hit its mark. (well pretty close to it anyway.)

It was awesome. The goat did not move. just reared up and fell over. It was not the largest goat I have taken from this area, Nor the prettiest. But I am most proud of this one. I finally made a good shot with the recurve. (I have missed several). I literally put a broad head through its ear.

So here it is. Shot placement.

And the final "must have" shot

Equipment: Samick Sage 55# 3RiversTrad only 400spine arrows. 610 grains total weight including the 100grain G5 Montec broadhead.

Yeah its small. But it was damn good eating. it was pit roasted on presidents day. All comments about size welcome. I got my fair share from Ray (who got nothing but swollen knees by the way) on the way down.

Jakeemt · February 17, 2015, 03:17:00 AM

Great shooting!

frassettor · February 17, 2015, 04:49:00 AM

Great job!

Bow man · February 17, 2015, 05:18:00 AM

Congratulations!!!!!!!!

KyStickbow · February 17, 2015, 05:35:00 AM

Congrats brother!

Steiger3208 · February 17, 2015, 05:52:00 AM

Well done, besides after an exhausting day like that, packing out a small goat would be a welcomed chore. Congrats

T-Bowhunter · February 17, 2015, 06:38:00 AM

Great job!

Alexander Traditional · February 17, 2015, 06:43:00 AM

Great job congratulations! There's nothing like your first.

nineworlds9 · February 17, 2015, 06:46:00 AM

Congrats

keng · February 17, 2015, 07:09:00 AM

Heck, any one can hit the big ones. good job

Alexander Traditional · February 17, 2015, 07:16:00 AM

Just noticed you were from Hawaii. You know Ryan Sanpei? He's a teacher and over there from your neck of the woods.

Cyclic-Rivers · February 17, 2015, 07:23:00 AM

Congrats, That pit roasting sounds Awesome!

jt85 · February 17, 2015, 07:58:00 AM

That's awesome

Homey88 · February 17, 2015, 08:15:00 AM

Congrats to you! Great shot!

February 17, 2015, 09:08:00 AM

Glad it worked out for you, and congrats on your first!

Bisch

KentuckyTJ · February 17, 2015, 09:22:00 AM

Congrats Brother! I'd love to do that hunt one day.

KSdan · February 17, 2015, 09:34:00 AM

That is nasty/steep country. .. not for the faint of heart. . .nor out of shape for sure. Hit where you were looking. Congrats

snakebit40 · February 17, 2015, 09:36:00 AM

That's awesome! Great shot and congrats on your first!

bogeyrider63 · February 17, 2015, 09:38:00 AM

Congrats.

Birdbow · February 17, 2015, 09:49:00 AM

Very cool. Got my first trad animal, a boar, along the Pali Hwy, Oahu, many years ago. Fond memories. Aloha