Hog hunting set up

[citori]

I shot three hogs this past Feb. with a 51# at 30" BW longbow.  My arrows are 540gr and shoot 175fps.  I shoot Wenzel Woodsman three blade heads.  The broadhead went all the way trough on all three of my hogs.  One was a 3 yard shot and two were 8 yard shots.  The first 8 yard shot the arrow was on the ground at site of shot laying flat on a 100# hog. Second shot was 3 yards and arrow went trough hog top to bottom and hit ground and was still in hog on retreival of 15 yards(75# hog). Last hog was 8 yards and arrow was sticking out both sides when he ran and fell out 20 yards away and hog was 20 yards past there(100#hog). It is hard to get a good total passtrough on a hog from a stand at a sharp angle since they are so low to the ground and I shoot a 31.5" arrow plus a 3" broadhead!!!  

There were 11 hogs killed with trad gear on that hunt.  With anywhere from 41#-65#.  We all shot 3 blade heads (wenzels and other long cut on contact heads)and one guy shot a two blade with bleeders. This guy was shooting a 65# BW recurve and 2219 arrows with 145gr two blade with bleeders....and did not get total penatration with the arrow laying on the ground either. Nobody really had issues with penatration.  Our hogs ranged from 50#-160#.  The average hog was about 100-125#.  One guy shot a 250+# hog with a 62# compound with muzzy heads and the broadhead just BARELY broke the hide on the offside and DID NOT hit any bones other than ribs.

I would say that any gear suitable for deer is great for "normal" size hogs......normal being the 75-175# hogs.....larger than that and they get harder....ya better check what is "normal Size" where you are going to be hunting....LOL

Whatever you do just remember to shoot them FURTHER FORWARD than a deer.  In my opinion straight up 1/3 of the way from the center of the front leg is perfect!!!!!  That "perfect behind the shoulder shot" you are used to on a deer is NOT PERFECT on a hog!!!!......it is to far back.  

Keep in mind this is from a guy that has only been involved with the shooting/tracking of @ 45 hogs.....this is not a drop in the bucket compared to some of the guys on the board.

thanks
citori

[Curtiss Cardinal]

From my experience for a big hog I'd say minimum draw weight should be 50# and 600 grain arrow. I've never seen a better broadhead for pigs than the Wensel Woodsman. The quickest kills I've ever seen on fully charged up hogs from dogs fighting them. One arrow kills when every other hunter in the group had to put several arrows through their hogs. This is an opinion born of experience; but still just my opinion.

[Terry Green]

Originally posted by VinnieB:
I'm planning on going on a hog hunt this summer. I have a 50 pound longbow with about 380 grain arrows and a 45 pound recurve with about 500 grain arrows. Which set up do you guys think would do a better job on a hog.

The 500 grain arrow flying like a dart.

[outdoorman]

Hello Vinnie. I am thinking of hong hunting my self and I have a similar problem with arrows and BH's. I am shooting a fred bear patriot at 65 lbs. and I make assemble cedar shaft arrows that fly quite well out of it. I just have no idea what kind of BH to use? On another note, I was thinking of buying a fred bear montana in 50 lbs range...How do you like it? Fast? accurate? penetration? shootability? you know the usual questions...
Thank you for your time.
 Happy Hunting!

[Jaiverri]

Those of you that have had good experiences with your hog hunts in South Carolina and Georgia, can you share the places you went to? I am looking for any plantations that cater to archers and have a good archery hunting operation.
THanks for your comments.