Going on a boar hunt

[2Blade]

In June were going on a boar hunt I want to kill one with a traditional bow so I need some advice. I plan to shoot only 20 yards no further. With a trad bow and being my first boar hunt should I do a spot and stalk or stand hunt? To me anyway a stand if less room for error my reason in saying this is because if I hit a little high I can still get the lungs where on the ground if I hit to high I may wound the animal.

Im confident in my shooting but I know ill be pumped on a big Russian boar any tips from the hog hunters? BTW im going after something around 200-250lbs whats a good arrow weight for an animal like a hog? Will wood shafts do the trick? I plan on using a 125gr Magnus Buzzcut 2 blade.

[beachbowhunter]

Never used the Buzzcuts, but I'm sold on Stingers.  If you really expect to see hogs in that weight class, you need a heavy carbon arrow, at least 550 grains, especially if you are still shooting the 45lb bow. Try to bust through what looks like the shoulder and low. Broadside is best. Hunt from the ground and you will have a better experience.

[2Blade]

Im actully talking to a fella on here about getting his 55lb longbow off him should I still go with the 550gr arrow? Any other suggestions id be thankful.

[Robert Honaker]

Hogs were madew for spot and stalk.Get on some fresh sign and follow it till you get close.You may have to cover alot of ground,but once your on the sign you should have several days of good hunting if you need it.Low and tight on the shoulder,and really bear down on that spot till you see the fletching melt into it.Good luck.

[**DONOTDELETE**]

Go with the buzzcuts also. Great for hogs. Justin

[alligatordond]

Wood arrows will do just fine. As with all arrows just make sure you have ample weight and good flight. 550 sounds good. Study the anatomy of a hog and go for the heart shot. They seems to pile up quickly after that. They seem able to travel far on a double lung. I suggest a good 2 blade but have many friends who use 3 blades with success. Spot and stalk is best where I'm at but the terrain may dictate a stand hunt. Enjoy.

[2Blade]

What can I expect for this hunt should I be phsyically fit? Will I get charged once I put an arrow in the pig?

I was informed Easton arrows is going to sponsor our video so I cant shoot anything but their shafts what size Easton Legacy should I get? I know you guys said 550gr whats a decent size that has a thick durable shaft wall?

[Mike Byrge]

Being limited to Easton shafts isn't a bad thing IMO.  If you have the time and money you should experiment with carbon shafts.  By adding weight to the point can get a 500 grain arrow that will shoot good in your bow.

Unless you are running them with dogs or slogging through deep mud I wouldn't worry about getting in shape...If you do kill one they are a booger to drag out though. Much harder to pull through the woods than a whitetail.

I've shot quite a few pigs but only two that were over 200#'s.  One was shot with a 60# recurve and a 500 grain carbon and one with a 56# longbow and 490 grain carbon and I had exit wounds on both.

I've been close to a lot of pigs and have been charged one time and that was just a couple weeks ago.

[Mike Byrge]

I should also add that I killed a pile of pigs with a 480 grain 1916 aluminum and a 51# bow and never had penetration problems.  They were all small/medium size but that was enough bow and arrow.

A 2018 Legacy with a 150-175 broadheads would probably work out of your Hi-Speed.  That will get you close to 550 grains.

[2Blade]

I plan on useing a Byron Ferguson Woodsman longbow at 55lbs. I was thinking of going with a 400gr arrow with a 150gr Snuffer I know I was going to use a Buzzcut BUT they only go to 125gr heads. I want as much weight as I can get if my math is correct with the 400gr arrow and 150gr head ill have 550grs correct?  I know the Snuffers are good I know a few guys who have taken hogs with them and had 0 problems. Would this be a better outfit or could I use something better?

Sorry for all the questions but I want to put the hog down as quick as I can.

[TradAlaska]

Greetings 2 Blade -- I shoot a little heavier bow and like both the screw-in Wensel Woodsman and Montec G5.  Both did a good job on hogs when I was in Texas a couple of weeks ago.  I have also taken hogs with snuffers and razor-caps, but will be inclined to continue with the woodsman and G5.

Good Luck.

[2Blade]

Originally posted by TradAlaska:
Greetings 2 Blade -- I shoot a little heavier bow and like both the screw-in Wensel Woodsman and Montec G5.  Both did a good job on hogs when I was in Texas a couple of weeks ago.  I have also taken hogs with snuffers and razor-caps, but will be inclined to continue with the woodsman and G5.

Good Luck.

What kind of shaft are you shooting? I also have to stick with Magnus because they are sponsoring our video dont they make the Wensel Woodsmans?

[TradAlaska]

Good Morning 2Blade -- I shoot Easton XX78 2317 shafts.  While I am not sure, I do believe that Magnus manufactures the Woodsman blade for the Wensel Brothers.

Cheers from Alaska

[beachbowhunter]

Go with the Magnus I 135. They are a LOT easier to sharpen than a Snuffer and you won't miss the 15 grains. I had bad luck with a Snuffer on a hog, however, it was a huge hog with a thick shield. Like the Boy Scouts say, Be Prepared (for the worst case scenario).

[2Blade]

Originally posted by beachbowhunter:
Go with the Magnus I 135. They are a LOT easier to sharpen than a Snuffer and you won't miss the 15 grains. I had bad luck with a Snuffer on a hog, however, it was a huge hog with a thick shield. Like the Boy Scouts say, Be Prepared (for the worst case scenario).

What is the Magnus I 135? Ive never heard of these heads I have some Nugentblades at the moment I know they preform well I shot a nice doe on film with them but their only 100gr.

[Turpentine]

2blade,
I have been fortunate enough in the past 6 months to take 10 hogs in the 225+ class with either a 57# longbow of my own making, a 50# Red Wing Hunter and took the last 5 with a 53# widow ma II.  I used Wensel Woodsmans,Magnus II's, Zwickey Eskimo's, and Zwickey Eskilite's.  I also made up some snuffers for my brother to use out of his 65# compound.
Although I recovered the hogs, the Woodsman did not penetrate nearly as deep as the zwickeys or Magnus in similar shot presentations.  I can also say that the snuffer, although it cut a big hole, did not impress me with its penetration on larger hogs, even from the compound.  
I would recommend a strong 2 blade style head with or without the extra bleeders.  Hogs are notorious for closing up and leaving little or no blood.  Your Buzzcuts should be fine.
If limited to Easton shafts, you're still in great shape.  The majority of these hogs were taken with:  2016s with 175 grain head, 2018 with 145 or 150 grain head or 2117 with 150 or 160.  My last was taken with a cedar and 4 blade Eskimo (total wt. 535 grains).  I would not recommend an arrow below 500 grains.
The most important thing, as said before, is shot placement.  I would recommend broadside or slightly quartered away. My preference is slightly quaretered away.  Put the arrow below the halfway point and almost clip the back of the front leg.  Few animals go down quicker to a well placed shot but high or far back shots make for a long night.  Stay away from steep quartering away shots. Be patient, hogs are always moving around and will usually give you the shot you're looking for.
As for hogs being dangerous, a little common sense goes a long way.  Don't track a big hog into a thicket, when the hit is questionable, without a gun. Normally, you will see or hear the hog expire when hit well.
Most of my close encounters have been with sows with small pigs.  If a little one squeals, mommas coming to investigate. Standing my ground has worked for me, although having a tree in mind isn't a bad idea.
Either bow that you choose should be fine as long as the shot is well placed. With the 45# bow, I'd definitely opt for a 2 blade head. Owen Jeffrey, of Jeffrey Recurves, is the most accomplished hog hunter I know.  At 82 years old, he's deadly on hogs with his 42# recurve. Just think low and forward.
Sorry for the longwindedness,
I just like to talk about hog hunting,
Turpentine

[2Blade]

Turpetine I dont mind long post on hog hunting I love hearing about them id rather hunt them over any animal for some reason. #42 recurve is nuts I shoot great with mine so maybe that is what ill take the bow is just natural to me and I have that gut feeling I may not be shooting with my longbow as I am with my curve. If do decide to take my curve is 550grs still heavy enough? My dad is going to buy a hog too he said I can shoot it if I want so maybe ill shoot a hog with both. Is a 100gr Nugentblade good enough?

[Turpentine]

2Blade,
550 has always been my target weight.  Heavy enough to quiet the bow and do the job yet light enough to have a fairly flat trajectory.  Some would argue that heavier is better.  I won't disagree but I do believe there is a point of diminishing returns.  While 45 pounds is quite adequate, I don't believe you can be over bowed for hogs.  Shoot as much as you can shoot accurately.  My 50 pound Red Wing has a dacron string and is what most would consider slow.  It gets the job done with a 550 grain arrow.  Shot placement is critical and can not be stated enough.
Your Nugent blade should do fine.  It's actually a little wider cut than my 115 Zwickey Eskelite.
Turpentine

[deepshaft]

2 blade,

You say you are going in June.  I don't know where you are hunting but if it is in the South the temps will be high and the bigger boars will likely be nocturnal.  If it is possible I would suggest you hunt the days leading up to and including the full moon and stay out until at least midnight.  I arrowed a 225 pounder at 9:40pm a couple of weeks ago under a full moon.

Best of luck,
deepshaft

[2Blade]

Were going to Tioga PA to hunt them they said you can ususaly kill on the first day so we will see.