Settling in the Double Bull Matrix, my expectation was running high. The stand was in an extremely thick portion of the property and adjacent to an enormous creek. There was buck sign all over the place and I had a game camera picture of a 160 class monster that had been frequenting the area.
Thirty minutes had gone by when a group of hogs made their way within 20 yards. I picked out a large black boar. I got the BowTech 82nd to full draw and sent the Carbon Express Maxima Hunter to its destination. The hog ran 50 yards and piled up. I wanted to get a few pictures so I trucked back to camp to get my wife so she could take a couple of snapshots.
She asked “what are you doing back so early”? I told her what happened and she agreed to be the photographer.
The first hog I shot on this hunt with the BowTech.
After she took some pictures, I wanted to go ahead and get the hog field dressed. Cathy decided she did not want to watch. She said she was going to go over and wait by the Double Bull until I finished.
This is where the story gets funny.
Starting the field dressing chores, I stopped for a second to check on Cathy and she was standing over by the Double Bull content as can be. All of a sudden, it sounded like a freight train coming through the timber! Grunting, leaves crunching and teeth popping.
O MY GOSH, here came another group of hogs and they were on a direct path to where Cathy was standing. Not good. The hogs ran within 6 yards while she stood like a statue. The group stopped and went to feeding while she looked at me with a scary look on her face. I motioned for her to be still. I quickly dropped my knife and picked up my bow and slowly made my way to where she was standing.
Is Cathy with the second hog on her first hog hunt.
Getting to Cathy’s location I went to full draw and sent the 100 grain Spitfire Max in the boiler room of a medium sized spotted boar. The boar ran 30 yards and piled up.
When I asked if she was ok, she responded by saying she thought it was all over for her. Eight years ago, I was on a hog hunt with Robert Hoague when I had a boar try to chew me up. In fact I beat him off with my bow while he kept going for my legs. Cathy said all she thought about was that story. Anyway, we had a good laugh on our way back to camp.
Hog hunting is a blast. I have been chasing these critters for the last 25 years and I can tell you that I never get tired of bowhunting them. Do not under estimate a hogs intelligence. They are extremely smart and their number one defense is their nose. In my opinion I feel they have a better nose than a deer. I hope everyone has a chance to go on a hog hunt. They are challenging and fun critters to take after with the string and stick.
Safe Hunting,
Rick
