Western States shoot turned hog hunt and a first!

[steadman]

So this past weekend was the Western States Shoot held this year in Petaluma, CA. It was a pretty good shoot, but had a fairly low turn out. I loved it because I have several friends in CA I don't get to see very often. And it was great to get to visit and shoot with them.

I also was et up right next to South Cox of Stalker Recurves. Let me tell you guys, South is the real deal. His bows are amazing and he is a great guy to talk to and shoot with.

So after Sun my oldest son and I headed up to Northern CA to a very close friends house to stay a couple days. Now if you remember, Smity gave me a bow this past spring and I was hoping to return the favor some way. I had been invited to hunt a ranch in Upper CA to hunt hogs and after meeting the land owner, he graciously offered to take Smity along as well.

Needless to say he was excited! This would be his 4th hunt for big game. So Mon night rolls around and we head out to the ranch.

 

We glassed several hogs throughout the evening, including a very large boar. But nothing was working its way to where we were waiting. Then about 30 minutes before dark, the guy we were with says there are some on the move! We get set up and wait. Smity is the designated hitter since he has never taken anything with archery gear. We had the wind and as the hogs started feeding out in front of us the wind swirled. A few grunts and the pigs started heading back up into the hills, but they must not have gotten a good enough wiff, because they stopped. A very nice sow looked to be broadside. Smity drew his Mohawk that was his 16th birthday gift and sent the arrow on it's way. A thud and a short squeel from the resulting hit and hogs were going everywhere. We watched the stricken hog go 80 yards and tip over. To say he was excited was an over statement.

 

A very fine 150#+ sow down with a heart shot. And only his second shot ever at big game. I am one excited Dad, that's for sure!

Congrats again Bud!!!            

 

[elkken]

How cool is that !!  Congrats on the first game taken            

[Mike Vines]

Now that is a trip to remember.  Nice story.

[twitchstick]

Congrats!          

[curlis]

Way to go!

[Over&Under]

Awesome guys!!!

A huge      to Smity!

[pdk25]

Thats an awesome hog to have as your first trad kill.  Congrats, young man.

[Hud]

That is as perfect an end to a shoot, as I've heard. Congratulations

[Hot Hap]

Congradulations!

Hap

[legends1]

Congrates Smity! Was very nice meeting you guys at western States.

[Ryan Sanpei]

AWESOME!!!  Congrats guys!!!                

[Bow man]

Awesome!!!!!!

[Rick Richard]

Awesome.  It reminded me when my son took his first deer with a bow.  He was so excited and so was I.

[cacciatore]

I am glad for both of you!Congrats fine shot.

[hayslope]

       

[Shedrock]

Sweet!  

[KentuckyTJ]

Apple's right next to the tree...fantastic stuff Ryan!

[Oregon Okie]

That's cool for sure.

[wapiti792]

Awesome job Smitty and way to go dad  

[awbowman]