Hogs with shields and penetration!

[rastaman]

One of the distinguishing characteristics of both males and females are their large modified canine teeth called "tusks" by many. The true term for the lower modified canines is "tushes" while the upper modified canines are called "whetters." The action of the lower tushes rubbing against the upper whetters is called "whetting." It’s this process that keeps the tushes razor sharp. These modified canines are primarily used as weapons against other wild hogs and predators. To help defend themselves against attacks from other boars, males will develop a "shield" on their shoulders that helps to protect them from their opponent's tushes. These shields can be a couple of inches thick and have been known to stop a hunter's bullet or arrow
The Wild Hog in Mississippi
by Daniel Coggin

[Terry Green]

Somehow I missed the finish of this informative thread....good info for the up coming off season hog hunts.

I think this is some real good info posted by many experienced large boar killers.

All and all, big boar hogs are really built like tanks as some folks say....they have a low center of gravity, lots of power, can roll and mow over stuff with easy, and do have an 'armor' plating as they say, but its not real armor, but does burn energy getting through.  

However, they will die quickly with the right equipment and shot placement.  The soft pocket is easy to get through with any whitetail set up, but that pocket is a small target and can be missed.  So, keep in mind, that a 45# bow with a 450 arrow will blow through a 200# whitetail with ease, but not so if you miss the soft pocket on a 200# boar.

It does take a bit more energy to get through a 200# boar than it does a 200# whitetail given the hide tuffness and thickness, the shield, and the shield supporting the ribs a bit more if impacted, and if mud is caked up in the hair.

Just all to consider when you expect to encounter a large shielded boar.

Also, when shooting them from a treestand, remember, they are more 'barrel shaped' than deer, and if you aim half way down, your are really aiming 1/3rd of the way down their body at times, depending on the height of the stand and the distance they are from the tree you are in....so, there's more body lower than you can see than like a deer.  So keep that in mind also.

Best hunting to all......    

[wv lungbuster]

I must have missed this one. Lots of good info, thanks for bringing this one up Terry.

[Bjorn]

This has been a great thread and lots of hog hunting experience shown here.

Terry,
Glad you bumped this into view...dang good for me.  LOTS of good info in just a short read...

[Terry Green]

Here's from another thread....

 

Originally posted by Terry Green:
I've seen this posted for years on web sites...

"I like to shoot them quartering away to avoid the shield".

I've tried to explain that this is not the case on a shielded boar....So at Solana I got pics of Michael's boar to add to the shot placements thread sticked at the top, so they can do the talking.  

This is a pic of a shielded boar and the location of just how far back the shield goes and that you are not going to avoid the shield by shooting quartering away unless you shoot behind the rib cage, and that is a dicey shot.

     

   

     

Also, if you do shoot quartering away, your are actually increasing the thickness of the shield you have to pass through because you are making the shield thicker by the quartering away angle.

I am not condemning a quartering away shot with this post, I've shot plenty that way.  I'm  just making folks aware that you are not going to avoid the shield.....unless of course you shoot that little soft pocked in the clip posted on the shot placement thread...and that soft spot can be shot broadside as well.

[Terry Green]

I have more examples that I will try and post later if I have time.

This was Michael Langahand's boar from Solana, and a PRIME example of ALL that you might  encounter.

     

The yellow outline is the shielded area...YES, it went that far back on that hog.  The red circle is 'the soft pocket'...and as you can see it is not that large.  So, you are bound to hit shield if you are off your mark just a tad, or the hog takes a step like they often do while the arrow is in mid flight....AND!, Note the mud cakes in several areas that you might also hit.

[Bjorn]

'Quartering away shot on Hogs' is one of those archery myths that won't die. Maybe it is because folks bowhunted deer before getting into hogs.

[Terry Green]

Bjorn....nothing wrong with shooting them quartering away, want to make that clear that's not what I'm saying.  Just that passing on a broadside shot while waiting for a quartering shot isn't going to stop you from getting 'behind the shield' on a big boar....AND, if you think about it, you  just made the 'pocket' smaller by the quartering angle.

[Terry Green]

This is the biggest boar I've killed and it was shot through the shield, heart, and did get an exit....from a tree stand and with a Zwickey 4 blade.....67# ACS prototype.  Slight quartering away.....maybe we should call that 'Eighthing away'.      


  Click Here for Story  


       

         

         

         


Entrance......(sorry so blurry, camera was too close)

       


Exit......
         

     
  Click Here for Story....

[wapiti792]

Going on my first hog hunt in 4 days...shooting a 55# longbow at 30 inches with a 640 gr arrow and a scarry sharp Aboyer head. This thread was just what I needed    But that pocket looks awful small and that shield looks awful tough. Can't wait  

[Terry Green]

Mike...that's like [email protected] a good hog weight arrow....you will do fine.  I'll be waiting on the story.    

[wapiti792]

Thanks Terry! I am so pumped about getting this cabin fever cured...maybe some cured bacon or ham will help    

Re-read your story about that giant hog just now. What a whopper!!!

[Terry Green]

Mike.....where are you going?

[Biggie Hoffman]

Originally posted by Bjorn:
'Quartering away shot on Hogs' is one of those archery myths that won't die. Maybe it is because folks bowhunted deer before getting into hogs.

Most sensible post on this thread

[wapiti792]

Terry, going to Arkansas near a town called Chidester. Not really an outfitter and kind of on a whim, but it's only a 7 hour drive.

We will be the first spot/stalk/stand bowhunters he has ever had as guests. Most have been hunted with dogs, and it'll either be a bust or not, but how bad can it be with 2 other trad guys...will share the hunt with everyone here whether it be good, bad, or ugly    

This site is awesome! Without some of these posts and pics my shot placement would have been marginal at best! Thanks fellas.

[ArkyBob]

Mike, I know all about Chidester.  My dad was born and raised there, it's where I grew up hunting, and I own some land 6 miles out of town.  We just started seeing hogs there in the last few years.  We havn't really hunted them yet, but we need to.  They are getting to be a real problem in Arkansas, very invasive.  Only one request..... kill all of them.  Good luck.  BTW there's not much there at Chidester, only a couple of convienance stores.  Camden is the closest town of any size if you need supplies, 15 or so miles.

BOB

[wapiti792]

Thanks Bob! Appreciate it...I will do my best  

[Terry Green]

This hog was really heavily shielded.  The 1st time I saw him he was 75 yards away and I could plainly see the 'saddle bags'.  These photos are not doctored...look close and you can see the outline of the shield.  You can especially see the front shoulder shield, but you can make out the shield covering the entire rib cage.

     

   

   

   

   

       
 
     

 

[Pepper]

"I guess the arrow weighed ca 420-425 grains."
That arrow wgt is marginaly greater than min arrow wgt for a #70 bow, penetration would have to be minimal.
Boost that up to 800-850 grains, and then look at the penetration, should see a significant difference.