We spent the rest of the day B.S.ing the butcher and taxidermist. Both pretty good friends of Matt’s. We took the next couple of days off from bow hunting.
A few days later we were back after it.
I set in different stands for a couple of hunts, and while seeing hogs every time, I wasn’t able to close the deal on any one of them. One morning while on the way to a different ladder stand we passed the same oat patch that had that rooting beast in it that I almost tried a stalk on. Every time we passed this patch, I would make Matt stop the truck so we could spend enough time to look for new sign and see if we couldn’t find the wary beast again. It took a few days, but one morning while glassing I instantly spied the rooter rooting. By now, I had convinced Matt that this was definitely a worthy adversary.
I got out of the truck, tried to put the wind in my face and began the stalk. I figured the best method to close the distance would be to act like a rooter my self. I got down on all fours and tried “feeding” my way closer. Before long I was about 40 yards from him when all of the sudden he blew out of there like a popped balloon and was gone in an instant. Busted once again.
After setting a stand the next morning, I decided to have a stump shooting session and to take Gauge the (bow hunting) Gun Dog Sr. for a walk. He isn’t allowed to spend much time in the hog woods, so we just walked oat patches shooting leaves, stumps, clumps of grass and such while looking for hog sign.
I was in the middle of a big pasture, mid-day, when movement just ahead catches my eye. It didn’t take long to put together a stalk. I signed Gauge to stay. I slowly worked closer and before long I had stalked to about 20 yards. The critter looked up a couple of times, but I guess he never figured me for a threat. Best I could figure, he was digging and eating insects.
I eased the string back and sent another razor sharp Woodsman on its way. The shot was on its mark and the high FOC gave my arrow a complete pass-through. The shot dropped him in his tracks, but I couldn’t tell if he was actually dead or just playing dead. I put another one in him at extreme close range to make sure if Gauge got his nose too close or if I got my fingers to close all would remain in tact. I always heard these critters were nocturnal.
It made for a great day. I love small game and varmint hunting.
Thanks for all of your wonderful comments.
Charlie, the bow is awesome!
More in just a bit,
Todd
Topic: For love of the game 2009... Utah, Here we came.. (Pg. 6) (Read 3326 times)
