Trad Gang
Main Boards => Dangerous Game => Topic started by: wakemstakemdave on July 04, 2006, 09:28:00 AM
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Please give sound experienced advice on what you've experienced and not heard on shooting hogs with traditional equipment on the ground. I want to do it in Pine Log WMA in Georgia and I have heard so much nonsense and "spooky Legends" about this. What should I expect? How do I do it safe?
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I have been hunting hogs on the ground for a while. They are more scared of you then you are of them. The only hogs I have had turn were ones that were wounded and cornered, with the exception of the sow that almost ate me up as a kid (I was asking for that one). I shoot them all the time from the ground. Your biggest problem is going to be getting in range, not being attacked. Just make sure they are dead before you approach!
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I PREFER to hunt them from the ground, if you are in a treestand and they aren't close enough, you are out of luck, if you are on the ground, just sneak a bit closer. Its VERY rare to have a hog attack. I've only ever seen one full blown charge and that was on wounded and cornered boar. I did THINK I might get charged by a big boar in north GA, it was my own fault, I was calling to him and he thought another pig was challenging him.
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DO IT ALL THE TIME. WHAT DESARGE SAID GETTING CLOSE ENUFF IS THE PROBLEM.
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I went hunting this morning for hogs. I walked through some really thick brush for about 20 minutes. When I found a nice clear spot, with a few game trails intersecting, I sat down. About 2 minutes later, out of the corner of my eye, I saw the face and side of a hog, through the brush. I sat still hoping he would take a path near me. He didnt, he must have turned and walked away from the clearing. It was the first time I had ever seen a hog since I started trad bowhunting, 3 weeks ago. It was awesome. He was silent. He was close enough for my trad abilities. Unfortunately, he was behind some brush and dissapeard as quickly as I saw him. I wouldnt be afraid or worried about hunting wild hogs. Ive hunted them with dogs and a knife in the past. You will be much safer with a bow, IMO, because you dont have to grab the animal while hes alive. He doesnt even need to know your there. Draw, release, listen, wait a little, go get your bacon. justin
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Its very intense and dangerous, much too dangerous for the likes of you!!! :eek: :scared:
Call me :knothead:
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I've killed a heck of a lot of hogs from the ground over the years. There is some Urban Legend mixed with real danger in taking big dominant boars and Sows with young. I'd say 90% of all hogs I've shot reacted no different than a deer when hit. The other 10% have knocked me down, run over me, and made me kick and swing to get away from them. Don't get all ate up with the danger issue. It is there but it's not such an issue that you should be concentrating on which way to run when you should be concerned with making a really good shot. Almost all the hogs that I've experienced that got aggressive were that way because they were shot and I trailed them too soon. Give em time to die then go recover them. CK
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Been close to hogs many times with gun and bow only one time did I feel in some danger and that time nothing happened.I would not consider them dangerous game.Kip
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Don't corner a wounded hog, if another hog is hanging around your dead or wonded hog (mate or a piglet's mama) shoot the hagner too. Finally, don't make hog calls with your pant's down, that's when they charge.
Say- where is the best shot placement? Hogs vitals are kind of forward, aren't they?
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Groundhunter- I'm not flaming, just interested why you are asking about shot placement if you have already been hunting them?
(http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e322/rayhammond123/feralhog1.jpg)
I don't consider hogs in GA dangerous game. Australia probably and when you chase them with dogs, yes...but not under spot/stalk conditions are they often a problem. Just don't pick up piglets or get between mama and baby and you will usually be just fine.
As stated above, they're going to run from YOU in most instances.
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Ray- great picture,where did you get it?I printed a copy,because it's always easier to show someone than to try and explain.
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i actually got it from here, Leland....someone posted it on another thread and I thought so much of it I captured it- I guess it was over a year ago.
It looks a lot like the stuff the NBEF uses..but I have no clue where it came from. I show this to every new hog hunter and it really seems to help with shot placement.
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OK, so How 'bout finding hogs on the ground? Any advice? Are hog calls usefull? bWhen do they go to water? I like hunting hogs, but most have been hogs I walked up, or at feeders moring and evening. I need a bit more hog knowledge to find 'em.
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Hogs here, GH, are a good bit different than they are where you live. I would correspond with CK - Littlefeather- because he is the TX expert at it.
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Yeah, that vitals picture explians why so many hogd run off after what looks like a good hit, even with a rifle. Looks like it's righ above the leg, rather than back of the shoulder.
I find practicing for hogs is an adjustment on the instictive sight picture, as I have to overcome shying away from the ground. Especially on the little good-eating pigs (30-50#). Texas hill-country feral hogs are pretty tough chewing for the bigger ones.
Humting those little eaters is a challenge 'cause they move around so much.
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Gday all,
I have been huntin hogs for many years now in australia's northern territory where I live. I would have to agree with ray that the most likely hog that will charge is a wounded boar but is rare, with a sow that has young being the most likely to stand their ground or charge. in my experience I am more worried about a water buff or croc than a hog charge :scared: The swamps that we hunt often hold large numbers of hogs often seeing 100+ pigs for a day in the field and I havn't been charged for a few years now :) but that could change when I go huntin tomorrow :D
BEAR
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I like that tag line, Bear. " If its Feral, It's in Peril!!!!!
I have to go to Australia - sounds like a blast.
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Hog vitals are indeed forward and the best way to address that problem is to hold out for a shot that's slightly quartering away. nothing goes down faaster than a double-lunged hog but anything less can be a disaster. I've killed hogs in Australia, HI, CA, GA and FL and the only one that ever charged was a Hawaiian boar that wasn't quite dead yet. (He was soon thereafter.) Like bears, their danger is over-rated. Get in as close as you can, but treat them with respect. Don
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There is more room forward than you might think....this hog I shot was just a few degrees off broadside, and if it would have been broadside it still would have died in the same 30 yards....
This shot took out the top of the heart and both lungs.....quatering is great, but don't pass up broadside...
Look how forward the exit wound is.....
(http://www.tradgang.com/upload/terry/sc20.jpg)
This might be a great opportunity to show some shot placement photos. Ray and I discussed this on the way back, and by showing these pics someone may save themselves some grief. It shows just how forward you can shoot a hog because of the front end bone structure.
Remember, this 300#er only ran 30 yards, and this shot did get both lungs and the heart......
This pic reveals that 'Bride of Horse Tail' was slightly quartering away. It also shows how far forward it exited without hitting any bone. This picture however is deceiving on how low on the body the shot placement was.
(http://www.tradgang.com/upload/terry/hogshotplacement2.jpg)
This pic shows the true elevation on the body...and makes the shot 'low and tight'.
(http://www.tradgang.com/upload/terry/hogshotplacement3.jpg)
(http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e322/rayhammond123/feralhog1.jpg)
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Those are some great pics Terry!!!
We used to butcher our own hogs when I was a kid, so I know where everything is on a hog. Now you know why a "pig-sticker" does'nt really need a long blade.
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Ray H, put a good photo up. Hogs were made for spot -n- stalk hunting. Ground hunting is the only way to get a shot low and tight behind the shoulder and a pass through. I'll shot two dozen in the last couple years ranging from 60-200# and have not had one NOT run away squealing like a stuck pig. Russian boars are s bit different than feral hogs, have not experience with them. But I have never stuck one in the butt either.
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Terry, What pound bow are you shooting these hogs with?? GREAT PHOTOS MAN!!!
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"Ray- great picture,where did you get it?I printed a copy,because it's always easier to show someone than to try and explain."
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The hog photo as depicted with the skeleton superimposed appears to come directly from a reference book, (page 213) I often go to called "the Perfect Shot" by Craig Bodington, available through the Safari Press. These books are available for both African and North American Big Game. Best source of settling shot placement disputes that I know of. I highly recommend this book be in each Hunter's library. Religiously before a hunt targeting a specific speicies I will alway return to this book just to get a last minute refresher about where the boiler works are located nad more importantly, where the bone structure exists.
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Here's a link to the Safari Press and specifically to the book I referenced above:
http://www.safaripress.com/product.php?productid=6060&cat=328&page=1
Safari Press is a rather unique publisher tht caters predominantly to the gun toting crowd, but some excellent reading there. My opinion, Safari Press is a real gift to the hunting crowd.
:archer:
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G'day All!
This is my first post here...those great photos caught my attention, being new to pig hunting with bow and arrow. In the last two months, I've been lucky to kill five pigs with my longbow. I haven't shot any monsters yet, but I'll try to put in a picture of my best:
(http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l164/b_kleinig/pig3.jpg)
I just bumblingly pressed the image button, and we'll see if a picture comes up...
Anyway, hunting pigs is good fun!
Cheers, Ben Kleinig (Katherine, NT, Australia)
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Here, hopefully, is another piggy recently shot whilst fast asleep in a sandy creek bed:
(http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l164/b_kleinig/pig4.jpg)
Cheers, Ben
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nice piggies, Ben. Great photos as well. :thumbsup:
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Nice Ben. What are you using for a bow?
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Hey, Ben! Nice to see you are having fun. Looks like you're prefering your black widow over the Howard Hill Redman, traitor!
Just kidding, I'm also shoot HH and black widows.
Btw, when are you going to hunt camels? ;)
Good luck.
José.
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Thanks, fellows! The set-up I've been using is a 64" Black Widow PLX "Bocote", 78#@29", with a Selway slide-on quiver and Carbon Express Heritage 350s wearing Magnus II 2-bladers, 704 grains total. José, pigs have been a five-year bowhunting nemesis for me, never quite closing the deal, so I was greatly lacking in confidence with them. I made a decision to hunt these ones using the bow that I was most confident with, and had been using for the longest period of time. I also need to keep the practice up with the BW because I hope to take a camel with it in January. I'll ease myself into using the HH Redman with cedars on close goats. Cheers, Ben
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Well, congratulations! I love the bocote black widows. I have a bocote recurve. I have some questions: How do you like the carbon express heritage arrows? I considered them but instead I decided for traditional goldtips. About the pigs, did you get complete penetration with 78 pounds?
Let me know in January about camels!
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Out of the five pigs I've knocked over thus far, they all went down to one arrow. The first was a pass-through with a 877 grain Grizzlystik, the second was a drop-on-the-spot spine-shot, again with the Grizzlystik. For the third, I'd switched to the lighter 704 grain CX arrows, and that was a pass-through. The fourth would've been a pass-through, but the angle of the shot caused it to bury into the sand on the other side of the sleeping pig - still complete penetration. Last week, on the smallest pig I've yet shot (only about 25 to 30kgs), the arrow buried up to the fletching, but pulled through the far-side as she did her dash. I'm new to carbon arrows too, and I chose the CX over the GT because of a small increase in weight. I like them alot, and hope to put them to good use.
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Good to see you here Ben. Good pics too mate. I'll call Sat Nite if your not out hunting?
al
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Ben, good to see you finally made it over here from the wall.
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Yeah, Al, that'd be good - I'll be around (heading out Sunday at 0330).
Thanks for the welcome, Jason!
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Proceed with caution, but above all, proceed. Ain't nuthin' much funner... :bigsmyl:
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Keep the wind in your face and move in slow. A wounded hog is a dangerous hog when cornered.
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A wounded hog will not hurt you if you carry a bottle of Vanilla extract in your pocket but you gotta carry it really fast.
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LOL, that's funny :biglaugh:
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Hope to hunt hogs myself in 2007.
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Hogs are a blast on the ground......once you experience it.....you'll be hooked.
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I have hunted them at night on a full moon. What a blast. Corn a road or trail and sit down an wait. You will hear them coming.
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Mr Hammond's picture of a hog is great. I spot/stalk hogs more so than stand hunt. I just like to cover allot of ground. Hit them low and tight behind the front shoulder and they run of squealing like a stuck pig. Move slow and keep the wind in your face and you'll be fine. I would not advise shooting any piglets traveling with a big sow. 60-100# are great eating. If you come across a sounder of hogs pick out the 100-175# boars they taste great when marinated is spicks and seassoning for about two hours. I'm getting hungry.
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Bowdaddy;
I've heard raspberry jello powder in your pockets provides the same protection from exraged, wounded hogs. And it's easier to run fast than with a bottle in your pocket.
:biglaugh:
Also, Nikes are preferred over heavy Vibram soled shoes.
<")))>< Michael >>------->
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Are you talking about ferals or pure Russians? Don't know if rasberry jello powder is strong enough for the Russians.
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I have hunted hogs on the ground for several years with traditional blackpowder guns and with my compound bow. This is the exact reason I got a recurve. I love spot and stalk hog hunting and can't wait to try it with my recurve. I will have to become a better shot than I am at present. I would have a better chance of wounding a hog than killing one right now but just give me a little more time! In the time I have been hog hunting I have never been charged even when close to piglets and momma or going after a bowshot hog a bit too soon.
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Ray, would really like a copy of pig pic.
Cant make copy from TG. [email protected]
Thanks,
Rhett
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Rhett;
Try right mouse click and save to my pictures on your computer.
CA; Wow, I guess the hogs I'm around are hunted too hard to want to be in the same county as a hunter. One wiff and its curly tials flopping in the breeze. Wind direction is key though to any hog spot-n-stalk.
Bowdaddy;
Raspberry jello on the ground will really get hogs worked up. I've heard blood dripping on the ground does the same thing for Russians, but don't care to test that out.
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Me either Wudstix. Will find out in Oct.
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Never hunted pure Russian boars. My buddy did and he said the .44 Magnum on his hip made it easier to concentrate on a good shot with his bow.
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My favorite way of hunting hogs is on the ground. I have been charged twice in about fifteen sucessful hunts. In each of those cases, the hog was mortally wounded and I was way too close.
Due to the fact that hogs vitals are so far forward, much like game on the "Dark Continent", one of the best arrow angles will be from the ground. Far too many people shoot hogs like they do deer, resulting in long blood trails with no hog at the end. They are tough as nails, and can take a lot of punishment. Leave your wimpy broadheads at home. Cut on contact, large cutting diameters are the wise choices, the fat and that course hair will soak up a lot of blood.
I have found that the Wensel Woodsman is my choice as big hog medicine. The two hogs I have shot with them, died within ten yards of being shot. Prior, I used Zwickey and Magnus, both fine choices.
Hogs in hot weather can be found along creeks and near swamps. They will also get high on ridges during hot weather to catch the breeze. Moving slowly along these types of cover in the right weather conditions, playing the wind, glassing the hiding spots can pay big dividens.
In extremely cold weather, you will find them on the lee side of bluffs, cut banks, dead falls, and depressions. I have found them in deep depressions ten to twenty bunched up for heat.
I love to get on a point, the higher the better, early or late in the day, where I can glass for them. Hogs when actively feeding, will move in a fairly predictable path, other factors, that determine their feeding and travel paths are the lay of the land. When I locate them, and determine their path, I dope out the wind, and run like hell to get to a point in front of the feeding pig , or pigs. I say run like hell because the darn things cover a lot of ground pretty quickly, use caution, running in the woods can cause falls, no arrow on the string until you have sighted game and in the process of moving in for a shot.
Once they feed into range, I try to shoot as they move past, slightly quartering away shot. On broadside shots, I shoot for the crease just behind the shoulder.
You have to be careful, because you can fool their eyes, if you use cover and don't move, but their hearing is better than any hoofed animal I have ever seen. Their sense of smell is the best in the animal world, and their intelligence has no equal in the wild.
Hogs are not like deer, if something is not to their liking, they will get the heck out of Dodge, quick and in a hurry.
While I am a northern boy, living in Texas, I hate the Texas heat, but love being able to chase these pigs all year long.
If you can score on a regular basis on pigs, you should have no trouble with deer or most any other critter.
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I've killed hogs from 60 to 250 pounds from the ground and have never felt threatened. Course I've never cornered a wounded boar or for that matter got between a sow and her piglets. Their nose is second to none but their eyesight is limited. Hog hunting is a great adventure with stick and string. Some good eating too. :thumbsup:
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At what size would you recommend not eating them...I have heard many things about the bigger they are the tougher the meat...thoughts?
Also, because of the ticks...worms...and other goodies that can be found in hogs in the Texas heat...would you eat them if you shot them in the summer?
Are these urban legends or facts? :knothead:
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I have enjoyed boars up to 250 pounds. I like to keep my boar consumption to pigs in the 200 lbs and under.
Sows on the other hand, I will take them as big as I can get them. If I can haul her, I will shoot her.
However I have taken a nice boar for the wall, so I pefer to pass on anything to take a shoat.
75 pounds down to 18 pounds are the ones that will melt in your mouth.
Last season I shot one and my fiancee' laughed at me. She really got on my case for shooting such a little pig, that is until she tasted the it. She is now a believer in shooting smaller, more tender pork.....Ain't love grand!
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Never had a hog run away "squealing like a piglet" after a good hit, they usually make a short grunt and take of, or just don't realise they got hit and die on they feet in a few yards.
The only one that squealed was because I hit it in the spine, and was on the ground with the back legs paralised.
I got charged a couple of times but they couldn't get to me because of the thick bush, I had one big boar circling me for 5 minutes grunting after I show his saw, but stayed out of bow range :bigsmyl:
But yeah, they'll run away from you most of the time.
Yesterday I hit one with a 160gr snuffer (1st time) and I was amazed by the blood trail!!!
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The same goes for hogs here in Oklahoma; hit 'em low & give 'em time to die. I don't have any "good" hog stories, as all the hogs I have shot have ran off w/ my arrow and didn't want anything to do with me. A javelina I recently shot in south Texas came after me, but I had broken it's back and I believe that it knew it couldn't get away. Flight wasn't an option, so fight was the only alternative.
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Ive hunted hogs for twenty years and Ive been charged exactly once...by a 40 lb "monster" !!!
Go have some fun...and don't get between a sow and her litter and you should be fine.
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Benha, As long as you can run faster than yer buddy, you don't need vanilla or Jello.
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:campfire:
Hey gents, I love to hunt hawgs from the ground. I love to spot and stalk. Here's a few.
(http://i118.photobucket.com/albums/o96/hawgslayer/BITTHEDUST.jpg)
(http://i118.photobucket.com/albums/o96/hawgslayer/BIGRED.jpg)
(http://i118.photobucket.com/albums/o96/hawgslayer/TROPHYBOAR.jpg)
I hunt them any time. I just wish I had the time.
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Always keep a back up gun. I keep a 9mm holstered on my leg and never go without it. It might sound like cheating or wimpy to do that but after you have been cut by one of those teeth you will know what I mean. Good luck this season!
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Guns of any kind are illegal while bowhunting during archery deer season in MS. You can only "carry" while hunting hogs on private land while deer season is out, or while a modern gun deer season is open.
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I love hunting hogs on the ground, either from a blind or spot and stalk.I've shot several from tree stands as well.
I've been able to get follow up shots on hogs I shot from the ground(just be careful).
They are tough animals!They also may be the perfect animal to hunt with trad. archery gear.
(http://i301.photobucket.com/albums/nn66/tarponnut/hoghunt2008002.jpg)
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I have taken numerous hogs on the ground in Australia and the US. I have found that if you are still and camoflauged there really is no worry, barring a wounded cornered hog. Hunting them from the ground is bar none my favorite way to pursue a pig.
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The reason hogs usually charge after a shot is because they don't know where they are going. They are a compact ball of muscle with very thick skin and are use to running thru the tightest brush. I've shot a boar one time and he took off right thru a large prickley pear cactus. Even though he ripped the cactus to pieces he didn't have a single cactus spine in him when I found him.
What you need to watch out for after arrowing a hog that runs your direction is not the tusk. You need to watch for your own broadhead that might still be sticking out the other side of the hog. The same reason I would never hunt with dogs and bows together.