HUNTING ARTICLES Bow Hunting Boars: You Have To Start Sometime By Matt Adcock Everyone in their life has to make decisions. Some decisions are good ones, others aren't so good. But as hunters, the decisions we make don't seem as critical as the decisions we make in our daily lives. I made a decision several years ago while hog hunting that has affected my entire bow hunting career. The funny part about this bow hunting decision, I was rifle hunting at the time. This rifle hunting experience not only changed my outlook on who is the dominant predator in the woods, it changed the way I hunted altogether. This happened almost 10 years ago, but I remember it like it was yesterday. I had planted two acres of corn on our farm in central Georgia and as luck would have it, the wild hogs found it. I got off work early one afternoon and stopped by after brief rain to see if there was any fresh hog sign. To my surprise, I found fresh tracks everywhere. Not having a gun with me, I borrowed my father-in-law's .243 and the only three bullets I could find. Three bullets was enough for me, I only needed one if I could stalk up close enough. I slowly made my way to the isolated cornfield. As I carefully approached the edge of the field, I saw two wild hogs out in the middle of the field. I slowly closed the distance to 75 yards and was standing just along the inside edge of the field when I decided I could get no closer without making too much noise. I slowly raised the rifle and placed the crosshairs just behind the biggest hog's ear and slowly squeezed the trigger. The rifle erupted and to my amazement, the hog did not even move. I completely missed! I chambered another round when the confused hog ran about 10 yards and stopped. I quickly aimed again and shot, dropping the small boar in his tracks. Just after the second shot, the world opened up and started raining hogs. Sows, pigs, and boars starting coming out from everywhere trying to get away from those strange noises. I chambered my last round as several pigs ran past me. I was just about to take my final shot when a large, black boar stepped out of the woods across the field. When he looked over and saw me in His field, he grunted aggressively and began to charge. Not only was this hog not scared, he was mad. He closed the 80 yard distance rapidly as I braced for the shot. I only had one bullet left and this was the only chance I was going to get. I would either make a good shot, or hope I could climb the closest tree. I squeezed the trigger as the boar approached within my comfort zone and prayed my aim was true. When the gun fired, the hog went down. I stood there for a minute or so while I gathered my thoughts. I realized that the adrenaline rush I felt not only came from the thrill of the hunt but also came from the fear of being so close to a wild, dangerous animal. Having no more bullets and two hogs on the ground, I decided to go for help. When I returned, we found the first hog with no problem, but the big boar was gone. No blood trail, no hair, we didn't find anything. Thank goodness I didn't walk over and try to retrieve him immediately. Several weeks later, we brought in several hog dogs to see what we could catch. We caught four wild hogs that night, one of them being the big boar I had shot. My bullet had hit him high in the ham, only stunning him with a flesh wound. He was as mean as ever. This encounter changed me as a hunter. The feeling I felt of being that close to a dangerous animal is indescribable. I realized that being close to your quarry is what hunting is all about for me. Yes, I could continue to rifle hunt for hogs, but I just like the feeling of getting up close and personal. If you see me chasing wild hogs anywhere, I'll have my PSE in my hand and a back-up pistol on my hip. But ever since that day, I am Bow Only! Originally published in Boar Hunter Magazine, Sept.-Oct. 2003. | |
|
Copyright 2007 Bow Only Outdoors. | |
