A river hunt with "Bloody Marsh"!

[Apex Predator]

This morning I headed to the river to chase hogs with "Bloody Marsh", my straight profile Apex Predator longbow.  I couldn't find anyone that could go with me, so I hit it solo.  My wife doesn't like me taking the boat alone.  I just have to remind her that I know the river, and I'm a Coast Guard certified boat captain.  If my time is up, I can't think of a better way to go!

I got an early start so I could watch the sunrise.  The river is quite large where I hunt.

 

There aren't any rocks to speak of, but there are trees everywhere.  It pays to know where they are!  

 

 

Here is a pretty flower that grows along the river bank.

 

Almost!

 

This long tree limb was dipping in and out of the water, and looked like a giant jigger pole!

 

After a beautiful 30 minute boat ride, I pull up to my destination.

 

[Kingwouldbe]

I know there's some Southern BBQ at the end of this trail.

No one could name there Bow "Bloody Marsh" and not make bacon.    

[Apex Predator]

I moored the boat at 0700.  I was hunting shortly thereafter.  I made my way pretty quickly to some fresh feeding sign.  

I jumped a big gobbler, and then a deer.  I figured I better slow down some.  As I entered hunt mode, saw a large hog just 10 yards ahead in the palmettos!  He had seen me though and was headed away with a huff!  I froze for a few minutes to see if he would circle to get my wind.  Lot's of times if you jump them they will circle and give you a shot opportunity.  

I made my way around the thicket hoping to catch him on the other side.  I stumbled into a nest of hogs.  Two jumped up and trotted off.  They weren't spooked real bad though, because they didn't smell me.  I just stood there again waiting for something to present me with a shot.  I heard a grunt, and then another.  Just 10 yards in front of me where the two had been, were more hogs.  Three more stood up and milled around.  I was ready!  One nice sow entered an opening, but was quartering to me pretty hard.  I heard Robert Carter's words in my mind, "if they aren't too big, I'll shoot them head on".  I picked a spot just in front of the point of the shoulder and let a Wensel Woodsman go!  I heard it hit the shoulder blade and then hogs were running everywhere.

I stood my ground, and marked a landmark where I saw my hog run.  At the shot location there was good lung blood.  After about 20 minutes I figured to let this one lie a while.  I figure best case would be one lung, top of heart, and liver/guts.  Almost half my arrow was sticking out her chest as she ran off.

I slipped out of there and made a big circle around the killing zone.  I hunted for a while, jumped another deer, and then made it back to the shot site two hours later.  There was a good trail.

 

 

 

She only made it 50-60 yards!  She will probably go 80#.  Perfect!

 

I carry a rope ratchet in my pack for hanging hogs.  It doesn't have any mechanical advantage, so the largest thing I can hoist is around 125#.  Works great for me though, because I would much rather hang them if possible.

 

 

I used my new favorite knife for the chore.  A beautiful damascus steel with some kind of burl scales that my buddy John Johnston made for me.

 

[BRONZ]

Awesome story with great pics!  Gott'a feel good to arrow one with YOUR bow!?

[Chris Surtees]

[ron w]

Well told story, Thats a nice pig, looks like "Bloody Marsh" is well named...

[mancole5]

Very Nice, Thanks for sharing!

[Irish Archer]

Good deal. Congrats.

[Hardhed]

Congratulations-

[metsastaja]

Great story and good fun.  Thanks

[TNstickn]

[Landshark160]

Good deal Marty!  I like that knife.

[Kip]

Good hunt Marty    How much load limit is that rope ratchet the ones I have seen don't seem strong enough.Kip

[Apex Predator]

Kip, this one is rated to 500#.  I don't plan to kill one that heavy.  This one is special and you probably won't find one for sale.  My uncle, by marriage was selling them, but I don't know if they are still available or not.  I'll find out.  The Home Depot variety comes in two sizes.  I think 150# and 250#.  My buddy uses the larger one ten or twelve times a year to hang all his deer and has good luck with those.  I love this one!

[Apex Predator]

Kip, this one is rated to 500#.  I don't plan to kill one that heavy.  This one is special and you probably won't find one for sale.  My uncle, by marriage was selling them, but I don't know if they are still available or not.  I'll find out.  The Home Depot variety comes in two sizes.  I think 150# and 250#.  My buddy uses the larger one ten or twelve times a year to hang all his deer and has good luck with those.  I love this one!

[Terry Green]

Good Job Marty!!!!!!! Congrats!

That rope ratchet is great for keeping the meat clean if you want to skin, quarter/de-bone in the field.  

Wonder if I had one if I could keep up with it!    :rolleyes:    :rolleyes:    :rolleyes:

[vermonster13]

Well done and nice pics.

[phatty363]

thats a pretty big hog nice job buddy

[Chris O]

great story and pics. Congrats!

[kennym]

Way to go Bro!!