First Traditional Big Game Animal

[SGourley]

First off not many members on Tradgang know me because I have stayed relatively quiet. My name is Steve and I am a commercial fisherman on the central coast of California and I want start by thanking everyone on this site for their input and helping me acheive goals faster than I could have by myself. A couple weeks ago i flew to the Big Island of Hawaii with my brother to visit my mom and brought my longbow in hopes of hunting goats. I could go on forever with this story but ill spare you all and get to the point. The first day was a scouting mission (which means I didnt get close enough       ) and learned that we had our hands full with the terrain. You can forget about being sneaky on lava rock... besides not having much cover, it is louder than dry autumn leaves.
 
     We hiked south along the coastline about a mile reaching a small hill that would potentially  be a great spot to sit and glass the area. Eager to get up and see the area, I climbed the hill too fast. My heart sank as I watched a big herd of goats spring from there beds and tear off over a field of lava, up a mountainside and disappear. There beds were on the ocean side of what almost looked like a big crater in the hill. A truly amazing sight. (sorry no action shots this time, all were shot after the fact for the story)
 
We left for the morning and returned in the afternoon hoping to catch them before bedding down for the night. Halfway there my brother and I glassed over the hill only to find the goats were already there... and laying down on our side giving us no chance to stalk without being seen. We sat there for the rest of the evening watching humpback whales breaching not 200-300 yards off the beach and soaking in the sunset. A Beautiful day I was thankful to share with a brother.
 
   We got up early the next morning and hiked to the bedding ground before daylight. I circled wide to the other side of the hill and got into position behind some lava rock and waited for my brother to spook the goats over to me. As daylight came I waited anxiously for the goats. Minutes later I heard what sounded like thunder rolling my way. The Goats were coming! Trying to calm my nerves I got into shooting position. Goats started rolling over the hill at 15-20 paces. Picking a spot on the first goat that paused I let and arrow fly... and missed!!! My shot was low and sparks bursted from the rock as my arrow skipped away.
 

[SGourley]

The herd took off accross the field of lava but I was too determined to go home empty handed. I ran after the goats as fast as I could as they headed for the steep mountainside over a quarter mile away. They reached the hillside and began a slow ascent towards the top giving me enough time to catch up. Out of breath and steam I climbed (on hands and knees at some points) toward the herd.
 
   I finally leveled off with the herd (uphill shots clearly weren't working for me). Pausing to catch my breath I quickly picked out a nanny quartering hard right (I'm a meat hunter, trophy's aren't where my hearts at        , and especially my brother for helping me achieve this goal. Poor guy went through A LOT knowing his rifle was just sitting in the car...
Tomahawk woodland hunter bow 50lbs@28" (my pull is 31.5" so roughly 60lbs) Woodsman 3 blade on carbon express shafts. Thanks for reading. -Steven Gourley

[Margly]

Congratulations!
Nice story and pics, thanks for sharing  

Margly

[Wannabe1]

   

[OkKeith]

Sounds like a great hunt! A well earned trophy by any definition.

OkKeith

[Steve H.]

This doesn't help my Hawaii withdrawals, uggghhhhh.

[CavScoutArcher]

Pretty landscape. Good hunting tale. Looks like it was a blast!  Good Job!  

[Steelhead]

Aloha Steven

That goat sure has a beautiful coat.Very rich looking.Sounds like a great hunt.A very exciting and invigorating pursuit to close the deal for sure.

Most importantly you had fun with your brother and enjoyed a unique and and interesting envirement.

I hope mom was glad to see ya and you her!

Congrats on closing the deal on your 1st big game animal.You did it in style on the Island.

Goats head soup anyone?

[Benny Nganabbarru]

Well-done!

[YORNOC]

Great pictures, job very well done            

[gregg dudley]

Congratulations Steven!

[rastaman]

Way to go sir!      

[Apex Predator]

Nice!  Sounds like a great hunt.

[Izzy]

Awesome pal!!! Way to get it done.

[Bonebuster]

AWESOME story!

A job well done.

Thnaks for taking the time to share your pictures...many happy returns!  

[slivrslingr]

Good on ya!  Congrats!  

[Bud B.]

My sister used to live there but I never got to visit. You are fortunate to have a family member there. Very good reason to pack the LB on each visit. Nice story and photos.

Bud

[mmisciag]

WOW, what a great story. I'm glad that is turned out so well for you.

Martin

[Dave Thaxton]

Great story and pics. Congrats.

[Pandaros]

Congratulations!  Great pictures and story.