I always like to support friends who get off their bums and try stuff, so when I found out a mate was importing VPA heads to NZ I contacted him and ordered a bunch. Of course it helped that he had 2 blades in heavier weights that would suit a long bow. When the package arrived I found he'd chucked in one of his blunts for me to try as well.
The blunt has had much use as its the same weight as the BHs. I carry it on each walk and shoot stumps and such to keep my eye in on my hunts.
This winter has been a bit of a bust as far as pigs go though to test the BH's. I got a couple at the start of winter, then they just disappeared.
Anyway last week I also took on a new dog that a contact needed to find a home for. Shes a 2.5 year old GSP Lab cross With a lot of promise on ducks and pheasant as well as as an indicator dog on big game. I've spent the last few nights out searching for game as Im hoping I can use Sika along side my bow. That takes some control on the dogs part, the closeness needed, so I really wanted to know if she had it in her.
6.30 tonight saw the two of us strolling across country heading for a clearing on the back of the farm. On the way I stopped to glass and as I did looked over a small rise to see a hare about 20 meters away. I slipped back out of sight and nocked the blunt, drew back and raised up again just enough for the arrow to clear the rise and released. The blunt caught it mid spine and knocked it backwards with a broken back. It was going nowhere and I quickly finished it well pleased with the shot.
We carried on and finally reached a small hill overlooking the clearing. Three small piglets fed around. I thought it would be good practice for the two of us to sneak in on them. We had covered half the distance when I looked across to see an 80lb boar come out of the bush and start rooting around. Weeell thats a turn up for the books. I changed course and tryed to push the little ones away from the boar as they will see us and I dont want them spooking back past him. Sika is doing really well and a few whispered words keeps her at my side even though her attention is firmly on the piglets. My plan works and they shuffle reasonably quietly off in a safe direction.
As we come around a patch of scrub the wind suddenly brings the boars scent to Sika. She turns immediately and takes a couple of quick steps in his direction then stops. I cut around further and then realise Ive made a mistake and separated myself from her. Im just too far to hold her attention and cant whistle. The pig is 40 meters away. Quickly I try move up. She sees me move and takes steps further forward, I'm 30 meters now, Sika Is 15. The boar raises its head and walks toward her. I draw back the bow, but too late. Its too much for her and she breaks and trys to grab him. I let down and yell for her to heel, which she shortly does. Bugger i think. My fault, got some learning to do. Ive never used indicator dogs before.
We head back to the farm and sit on a hill watching an amazing sunset. I have one of the highest hills in the district, and it looks out over a large earthquake rift valley and on to the Tasman ocean 20 k away. West coast, setting sun, A magic place to be on a warm clear night. At dusk I decide its time to head home. As we leave the paddock I look back and see some shapes where we came from in the gloom. Quickly I turn back and make my way around and get the wind on my side again. On a large hill feed 6-8 reasonable size pigs. Having learnt a bit from earlier I keep Sika in tight and we creep up the hill. I think they should be moving to my left as I face up hill, Sika is on high alert. I look over the side to my left. Nothing there. We move forward and just As I go to take a further step up, I see 3 pig backs coming over the rise straight above me. I crouch and whisper to Sika to stay. Then rise again and draw looking at the biggest black shape as it moves towards and right of us. I release and am rewarded by the sound of a good strike and a squeal. Pigs break everywhere.
I watch, looking for sign one is hit, and soon spot the lowest one running a strange gait. Sure enough as it trys to go up hill it starts to leap in an uncoordinated way and then falls backward to cartwell and roll down the hill past us. I keep Sika sitting until it stops then let her go to find it.
The Vpa has entered low, cut the heart from the lungs, and come out just below the spine. So far i'm impressed with these heads. Also pleased with the dog, she definitely has the goods as long as Im good enough to keep her on track.
Topic: A nice night on the Hill. (Read 311 times)
