PatrickJr Report post Posted January 11, 2016 This hunt was the first time I've ever hunted with a bow in my hand. I am shooting a recurve mostly because it is so expensive to have a compound. I was shooting instinctive and all these are spot and stalk. On January 2nd, I missed a pig at 23 yards. I got so excited that I didn't even get my bow arm straight before I released 😂. The arrow landed at the pigs feet. On the 3rd, when it was awfully windy and cold, my buddy John and I were working the little cuts and draws to find them. We found them and started getting in. After quite a bit of crawling we were within 20 yards of a couple pigs. I soon realized that just to my left on the other side of a prickly pear, a pig was feeding. It steps out and as soon as I draw it turns and faces me. It walks even closer and is at 7 yards. As it turns to take off, I shoot over its back. Another approaches us and is at 10 yards, I shoot and hit right under its chest. I missed two other shots in the moments following. I had still yet to get a broadside standing shot but Im not making excuses I should have pounded one of those. On January 9th, John and I went out to a spot we liked that we knew was going to be covered in snow. We saw lots of deer but no pigs. Did a big loop and cut some pig tracks in the snow, followed them and ran into the herd. The herd was acting very funny and spooked so we figured there was no way we could get close. That evening we went to a spot I had been to, but never seen pigs, I always thought it looked amazing. John found a herd and the race was on. A little after 4:45, we found the herd again and were within 50 yards. One pig didn't like something and started walking up the hill, John said he was going to start calling. He started blowing on the call and we saw the single pig turn on a dime right to us and the rest of the herd we could see coming through the trees. It looked like a herd of buffalo was running right at us. The first shot I had was at a sow with a red but let that one go obviously. Then a half grown pig came and I was at full draw but John called me off. I was honestly gonna whack that pig. Then One runs right at me, it gets to two yards and I release in self defense. The arrow deflects off the right side of the pigs head! Then another one walks out perfectly broadside at 5 yards, I draw and release. I see my yellow fletch inch disappear behind the shoulder. The arrow couldn't have hit in a more perfect spot. Pig runs off revealing the blood soaked arrow sticking in a prickly pear on the other side of where the pig was. Perfect pass through. My pig runs 10 yards and expires. Never have I felt so satisfied in my life. I had my first archery kill. Practicing for months, missing shots on pigs and finally getting one with one of my best friends sitting next to me. Without John I never would have had any of the opportunities that I did. He is the best archer I know and is an awesome teacher. And my father put in a lot of work helping me get my arrows and bow set up. And without his coaching, I don't know if I would have ever been able to be proficient enough to hunt. We had quite the nasty packout but made it back to the truck at 730. Below is a pic of how I carried the pig out (gutted) 21 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CouesPursuit Report post Posted January 11, 2016 Great stuff, Patrick!! My hunting partner and I had a very similar experience opening weekend with wheel bows, we were surrounded. Great job on being persistent and using the recurve, congrats! 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jim Report post Posted January 11, 2016 Congrats that sounded like a really fun hunt. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Swivelhead Report post Posted January 11, 2016 Congrats on getting it done. Samick Sage? 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GreyGhost85 Report post Posted January 11, 2016 Well done. Hunting with a recurve is a blast 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
eagle#eyes Report post Posted January 11, 2016 Pretty impressive your first archery kill is with a recurve. Congrats. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PatrickJr Report post Posted January 11, 2016 Congrats on getting it done. Samick Sage? Yes it is a Samick Sage 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Heat Report post Posted January 11, 2016 That is fantastic! Big props for getting it done with a traditional bow for your first archery success! 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
QhunterAZ Report post Posted January 11, 2016 great work. There's nothing like trad gear and instinctive shooting. Awesome work. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Swivelhead Report post Posted January 11, 2016 Congrats on getting it done. Samick Sage? Yes it is a Samick Sage Samick makes a great bow. I've got 2 pricey Howatts and a Samick Red Stag. The Red Stag is my favorite. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
4Falls Report post Posted January 11, 2016 Amazing. Conngrats 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Viper Report post Posted January 11, 2016 Now that's some fun hunting! Just think of all the fun you would have missed if you whacked the first pig. Congrats! 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Couzer Report post Posted January 11, 2016 Great job!!!! Javelina still on my bucket list ha!!! 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PatrickJr Report post Posted January 11, 2016 Now that's some fun hunting! Just think of all the fun you would have missed if you whacked the first pig. Congrats! I told John after I missed the first one that if I had killed it, I truly wouldn't have worked for it, and the misses only make the final result so much sweeter 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
cramerhunts Report post Posted January 11, 2016 Pretty cool stuff right there. Congratulations on your success. Lots of fun for sure. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
