This morning I headed to the river to chase hogs with "Bloody Marsh", my straight profile Apex Predator longbow.  I couldn't find anyone that could go with me, so I hit it solo.  My wife doesn't like me taking the boat alone.  I just have to remind her that I know the river, and I'm a Coast Guard certified boat captain.  If my time is up, I can't think of a better way to go!

I got an early start so I could watch the sunrise.  The river is quite large where I hunt.



There aren't any rocks to speak of, but there are trees everywhere.  It pays to know where they are!  





Here is a pretty flower that grows along the river bank.



Almost!



This long tree limb was dipping in and out of the water, and looked like a giant jigger pole!



After a beautiful 30 minute boat ride, I pull up to my destination.

I know there's some Southern BBQ at the end of this trail.

No one could name there Bow "Bloody Marsh" and not make bacon.    

I moored the boat at 0700.  I was hunting shortly thereafter.  I made my way pretty quickly to some fresh feeding sign.  

I jumped a big gobbler, and then a deer.  I figured I better slow down some.  As I entered hunt mode, saw a large hog just 10 yards ahead in the palmettos!  He had seen me though and was headed away with a huff!  I froze for a few minutes to see if he would circle to get my wind.  Lot's of times if you jump them they will circle and give you a shot opportunity.  

I made my way around the thicket hoping to catch him on the other side.  I stumbled into a nest of hogs.  Two jumped up and trotted off.  They weren't spooked real bad though, because they didn't smell me.  I just stood there again waiting for something to present me with a shot.  I heard a grunt, and then another.  Just 10 yards in front of me where the two had been, were more hogs.  Three more stood up and milled around.  I was ready!  One nice sow entered an opening, but was quartering to me pretty hard.  I heard Robert Carter's words in my mind, "if they aren't too big, I'll shoot them head on".  I picked a spot just in front of the point of the shoulder and let a Wensel Woodsman go!  I heard it hit the shoulder blade and then hogs were running everywhere.

I stood my ground, and marked a landmark where I saw my hog run.  At the shot location there was good lung blood.  After about 20 minutes I figured to let this one lie a while.  I figure best case would be one lung, top of heart, and liver/guts.  Almost half my arrow was sticking out her chest as she ran off.

I slipped out of there and made a big circle around the killing zone.  I hunted for a while, jumped another deer, and then made it back to the shot site two hours later.  There was a good trail.







She only made it 50-60 yards!  She will probably go 80#.  Perfect!



I carry a rope ratchet in my pack for hanging hogs.  It doesn't have any mechanical advantage, so the largest thing I can hoist is around 125#.  Works great for me though, because I would much rather hang them if possible.





I used my new favorite knife for the chore.  A beautiful damascus steel with some kind of burl scales that my buddy John Johnston made for me.

Awesome story with great pics!  Gott'a feel good to arrow one with YOUR bow!?

Well told story, Thats a nice pig, looks like "Bloody Marsh" is well named...

Very Nice, Thanks for sharing!

Good deal. Congrats.

Congratulations-

Great story and good fun.  Thanks

Good deal Marty!  I like that knife.

Good hunt Marty    How much load limit is that rope ratchet the ones I have seen don't seem strong enough.Kip

Kip, this one is rated to 500#.  I don't plan to kill one that heavy.  This one is special and you probably won't find one for sale.  My uncle, by marriage was selling them, but I don't know if they are still available or not.  I'll find out.  The Home Depot variety comes in two sizes.  I think 150# and 250#.  My buddy uses the larger one ten or twelve times a year to hang all his deer and has good luck with those.  I love this one!

Kip, this one is rated to 500#.  I don't plan to kill one that heavy.  This one is special and you probably won't find one for sale.  My uncle, by marriage was selling them, but I don't know if they are still available or not.  I'll find out.  The Home Depot variety comes in two sizes.  I think 150# and 250#.  My buddy uses the larger one ten or twelve times a year to hang all his deer and has good luck with those.  I love this one!

Good Job Marty!!!!!!! Congrats!

That rope ratchet is great for keeping the meat clean if you want to skin, quarter/de-bone in the field.  

Wonder if I had one if I could keep up with it!    :rolleyes:    :rolleyes:    :rolleyes:

Well done and nice pics.

thats a pretty big hog nice job buddy

great story and pics. Congrats!

Way to go Bro!!