I have wanted to do a bow hog for a while but, never really put much thought into it due to only knowing a few people that have done one. I do not know anyone that has bow hunted hogs. This past weekend a friend of mine informed me that one of his buddies owns a hog hunting outfit in SC. He also informed me that it wouldn't cost is anything to go. Sounds like a good deal to me. All I have to buy is my license and for hog I believe it is a $40.00 weekend type license. I am not sure when I am going to do it but, does anyone have any advise for a first time hog hunt?? I do know that it will more than likely be a stand hunt but, thats about all I know right now.
Make sure you use a razor sharp fixed blade broadhead such as and of the G5's, aim about 2-3 inches behind the shoulder, carry a handgun if possible,and make sure your broadheads are on really tight.
Me and 2 of my buddies are goin on a hog hunt here in Cali, its $450 with a guarranteed shot, they even do all the after work too.
other than the license I wont have to pay anything. I will be doing all the shooting cleaning and everything. Since I have never hunted them, the first one will be somewhat guided. Basically he will takes us to the stand and leave us till we are done and it will be up to us to do the rest. Thats where the "somewhat" comes in. I wanted to get all the info I could before I go.
You really don't need anything special for hogs, I use the same gear to deer hunt with. I shoot a heavier arrow for both and it has been my experience that heavier is better. If you are stuck to stand hunting it is kind of tough, hogs move around a lot and can be there one day and gone the next. I have found that fixed blades work better and if they are on a heavy arrow say 420grs minimum you should be good to go. If you have one on the ground make sure it is down hard before you approach it, they can and will get ya. I never carry anything with me but my bow, some carry a revolver but I don't. I always carry some duct tape, rubbing alcohol, trash bags, latex gloves and a sharp knife. The duct tape and alcohol are to be used on yourself if the need arises.
I've killed several hogs in TN, we ran them with dogs. (The redneck X-games... ) I went hunting for them down in Laredo, TX but the darn things were more skittish than a coyote. I used three blade muzzy heads. Even with KE in the 30's I can kill hogs in seconds...if I hit them in the right spot. Aim right above the elbow. You want the shot to be low and tight to the shoulder. Hogs have small lungs and are amazingly tough. (I won't print some of the stuff I saw... but a very determined hog can keep going when physiologically it should have been impossible) If hogs weren't so far away, I'd go after them a lot more.
Hogs and goats are the only thing we have to hunt here on my island. Hog hunting is about a lot of patience rotten fruit and either sour corn or sour milk. if it is a stand hunt if they don't have a bait they use and you want to use one a easy bait to pack in and out is soured milk. You don't want to spill it on yourself and the smellier the better so id say leave it in the sun for about half a day before you go. As far as shooting them aim a little farther back on them than you would a deer and a bit lower to. they have a shield that comes off their shoulder blade that can be really thick and gets bigger the older they get. Like someone said packing a hand gun also isn't a bad idea just in case. also scent control is crazy important with hogs they are very skittish at least out here and leaving the bait to work its magic for a bout a day before you go isn't a bad idea.
it's a lot leaner meat and here it is a lot sweeter because of the mangoes and other sweet fruits that make up there diets. I have heard of people complaining about the way it tastes but i have never had an issue. there's a way the Hawaiians smoke them here that makes it extra tender and very delicious. they're smart though they hide way back in the jungle here so they can here you coming to make it that much harder.
Christine is dead on, I've taken three hogs and shot placement is very important. If you revert to insticts and aim for a deer vitals plan on one angry hog. The first hog I took was over 600 pounds and I placed my shot right where a deers lungs are wrong he just ran off after a complete pass through. It took a second shot lower and 3 inches back and the brute was down. If at all possible quatering away is the best shot since their shoulder is like a tank.
