That simplest of lessons.

shankspony · December 10, 2016, 07:18:00 PM

The one thing that gets me the most success, is also the one thing I continually have to relearn and remember. That one thing, or lack of it at times is the biggest factor when I fail or stuff up.
That one thing is patience and this little report is about the last few nights and success because I had patience.

Two to three weeks ago I was out for an evening stroll and saw a very nice boar. You could tell he was old by his shape, you could see his tusks from a distance, could see his scars and the bald spots on his shield where he had rubbed away the hair.
On that occasion he was alert, some birds had warned him something was not right, and I sat and watched as he made his way quickly to the forest.
A week later I watched from a hill as a friend of mine, Jethro, stalked him half a mile away. Jethro did really well, and the two came together and i was sure Jethro would loose and arrow. However he didnt and when we talked later he said "well, he was just at the distance where I knew I could hit him, but didnt know I could hit him just right." So he choose not to shoot, not to risk a mistake and not to scare the boar off knowing we might get another chance.
Friday night comes around And Im up the back and who should I see but the boar again. he is very cautious and its close to dark before Im getting close, but as I come close another 6 or 7 good pigs join him. There is only one I want, the old one, but in the gloom, even though Im only 7 yards from them, I can not be sure which one he is until its too dark to pick a spot with reliability. I know patience is needed, and slowly crawl may way away from them to try again another night.
Last night Jethro and I are back at the same spot. A large black and tan boar slowly emerges from the forest and carefully and slowly makes his way to the paddock to feed. We commence a stalk. Its Jethros shot and he sneaks in on the boar. I decide i cant help him and can only stuff it, so sneak off in the direction I think his pig might run in case it needs another arrow or something else happens. I watch jethro get to 5 meters of the boar and stand behind a bush waiting for it to turn side on. Stubbornly it doesn't!
Then out of nowhere the old boar appears and heads my way. I crouch and get ready. He makes his way along a trail until hes 25 yards from me, and pauses head in the air sniffing and listening, checking whats happening in front. He is perfectly silhouetted against the grass behind him. I feel no sense of unconfidence. I draw and release. There is a loud smack of arrow against shield and he spins and runs. i can tell from his run its fatal, but there is a rise ahead and I want to see where he gos over that so start running as well. I don't need to, 40 yards from the shot he lunges and crashes too the ground.

ChuckC · December 10, 2016, 07:27:00 PM

Very nice ! Good job there. Patience works !

robhunter · December 10, 2016, 07:34:00 PM

Congrats on a fine hog! Great story.

maxwell · December 10, 2016, 07:47:00 PM

Thanks for sharing, good story. Nice shot.

highlow · December 10, 2016, 07:52:00 PM

There are times when you just "know" you can make the shot. No question about it. Nice hog. Congratulations.
What bow are you shooting?

The Whittler · December 10, 2016, 08:29:00 PM

For me the simplest lesson is always to have fun and enjoy.

South MS Bowhunter · December 10, 2016, 09:27:00 PM

Congrats! Very well written story.

shankspony · December 10, 2016, 09:39:00 PM

Cheers guys. Highlow, its a Toelke Whip, 57@28

The whittler, I would have to agree with that as well. There are a number of simple lessons I guess that we should always remember.

ozy clint · December 10, 2016, 10:15:00 PM

nice job mate.

no whole pig backpack pic? i thought that was the cool thing to do in NZ?

Kopper1013 · December 10, 2016, 10:44:00 PM

Congrats!!

shankspony · December 10, 2016, 11:57:00 PM

QuoteOriginally posted by ozy clint:
nice job mate.

no whole pig backpack pic? i thought that was the cool thing to do in NZ?

Different cultures are funny things aye. A big part of hunting in NZ is the carrying the animal home, and it most often has to be done backpack style because of the nature of the country. So its looked on as a big part of the hunt and often you are judged/respected to some degree by how much you can carry and how far. But no, I have enough of those pics and I was more interested in getting it home and off my back than standing around for a photo..... I must be getting old.

ozy clint · December 11, 2016, 12:22:00 AM

Car54 · December 11, 2016, 12:25:00 AM

Thank you for the story. You and your partner have excellent patience. Nice looking hog.

dringge · December 11, 2016, 08:45:00 AM

I really enjoyed your story. When I read I can visualize it as told. I love that.

ChuckC · December 11, 2016, 08:54:00 AM

Wow.... good thing you guys don't have moose over there. A moose backpack would be an interesting sight indeed ! IF you did that, a beer would be on its way to you from me.... maybe two !

ChuckC

shankspony · December 11, 2016, 05:03:00 PM

QuoteOriginally posted by ChuckC:
Wow.... good thing you guys don't have moose over there. A moose backpack would be an interesting sight indeed ! IF you did that, a beer would be on its way to you from me.... maybe two !

ChuckC

Haha, A moose would be a bit too much i think. I did once try a Sambar stag in Aus because my Aussie mates were giving me stick about the kiwi method. In the end I had to cut him in half and that front end was almost too much.
Lets see if I can earn that beer anyway.... A few picks of kiwi backpacks, and for Clint :D

Might have posted this last one before, not sure, but he was about my limit before I have to think of making two trips.