"Practice Pays Off" Thank You Randy (FerretWYO)-video added

[Ryan Sanpei]

Now for the hunt...

Dave and I just passed on a small boar.  Too small to shoot, we left it alone and progressed on.  As I mentioned, the area is really thick, so taking our time was a must.  We would take a few steps, look, listen, glass.  On periodic stops, we would crouch and glass, trying to spot the legs of the elusive hogs.

Ten minutes later and in the lead, I heard a rustle in the brush ahead of me. I took a few steps in the direction and paused as I saw an opening between the trees and the bushes.  I got a glimpse of the hog's hind.  It was a shooter!  But as fast as I nocked the arrow, it disappeared into the brush.  Not moving a muscle, I stayed put hoping for it's return.  

Out of the left, the motion of a small sow caught my attention, she was about 17 yards away and popped out from the brush.  My heart started to pound.  It wasn't the bigger hog, but there was still hope!  The small hog worked her way around a tree and through some bushes, disappearing as fast as she appeared. In hopes that it was their trail, I positioned myself just in case the mature hog followed her footsteps.

This doesn't always happen, but my prediction was right.  The bigger hog snuck out from the left and followed the same trail.  "I'm going to have I crack at this hog!" I thought to myself.  As soon as the hog stepped behind the tree, I readied my bow.  There was a bush in front of me with a hole large enough to take a shot.   It hid me from the hog, but it also made for a challenging shot.  All I needed was for the sow to expose herself from behind the tree.  Out she came and being only a few steps from the safety of the bushes, I had to act fast. My bow was drawn, the vitals were exposed and off the arrow went through the "tunnel of brush".

My fluorescent fletch disappeared behind the shoulder. Elated, I gave Dave the thumbs up and listened my best to try and track the direction of the hog with my hearing.

After replaying the event, Dave and I went in search of my arrow.  Here is what we found.

 

[Ryan Sanpei]

THANKS AGAIN GANG!

William, I need someone to film me, then I can show you the bloopers version.     :D  

After a quick blood trail...

 

As Randy says, "Practice Pays Off".  I had practiced the scenario till it became second nature.  I didn't hesitate to take the shot.  I didn't tell myself "you're going to hit the branch", and I knew how to position myself in order to pull off the shot.

Thanks again Randy for your help and guidance!      

Here's the link to Randy's follow up story.
"Practice Pays Off"
 http://strictlysticks.com/2012/03/15/practice-pays-off-by-r-burtis-randy-ch2/  

Aloha!
Ryan

[Dogboy900]

Great shooting! I dont think you could get better shot placement than that. I think confidence is everything in the trad game, and practicing like you have been certainly gives you an edge in a tricky situation like that. Well done.

[FerretWYO]

Thats AWESOME Ryan. Great shot on the hog. Congrats buddy.

[steadman]

Great shooting Ryan! Congrats Buddy    mabey Randy needs to come west and give me some instruction  

[GRINCH]

Nice shooying Ryan,looking forward to more of your hunts.  

[RM81]

Congrats!!

[Duker]

Nice hog    Great story,video,and pics::: THANKS for sharing  

[rushlush]

Very cool!

[KentuckyTJ]

Good stuff Ryan. Be careful though. Quick shooting at fish made me a snap shooter. I can shoot quick and hit stuff but my form is all whacked.

[redant 60/65]

Sweet    Nice shooting.  

[Cyclic-Rivers]

Awesome hunt and story. Thanks for sharing!

[rastaman]

Way to go Ryan!

[Ryan Sanpei]

Ryan,
I'm hoping to get lesson on Elk next!  

Thanks TJ,
I totally agree with you.  Thanks for the valued insight!

Thanks GANG!!!