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Author Topic: First Traditional Big Game Animal  (Read 1251 times)

Offline SGourley

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First Traditional Big Game Animal
« on: February 16, 2011, 01:25:00 AM »
First off not many members on Tradgang know me because I have stayed relatively quiet. My name is Steve and I am a commercial fisherman on the central coast of California and I want start by thanking everyone on this site for their input and helping me acheive goals faster than I could have by myself. A couple weeks ago i flew to the Big Island of Hawaii with my brother to visit my mom and brought my longbow in hopes of hunting goats. I could go on forever with this story but ill spare you all and get to the point. The first day was a scouting mission (which means I didnt get close enough    :biglaugh:   ) and learned that we had our hands full with the terrain. You can forget about being sneaky on lava rock... besides not having much cover, it is louder than dry autumn leaves.
   
      We hiked south along the coastline about a mile reaching a small hill that would potentially  be a great spot to sit and glass the area. Eager to get up and see the area, I climbed the hill too fast. My heart sank as I watched a big herd of goats spring from there beds and tear off over a field of lava, up a mountainside and disappear. There beds were on the ocean side of what almost looked like a big crater in the hill. A truly amazing sight. (sorry no action shots this time, all were shot after the fact for the story)
 
 We left for the morning and returned in the afternoon hoping to catch them before bedding down for the night. Halfway there my brother and I glassed over the hill only to find the goats were already there... and laying down on our side giving us no chance to stalk without being seen. We sat there for the rest of the evening watching humpback whales breaching not 200-300 yards off the beach and soaking in the sunset. A Beautiful day I was thankful to share with a brother.
 
    We got up early the next morning and hiked to the bedding ground before daylight. I circled wide to the other side of the hill and got into position behind some lava rock and waited for my brother to spook the goats over to me. As daylight came I waited anxiously for the goats. Minutes later I heard what sounded like thunder rolling my way. The Goats were coming! Trying to calm my nerves I got into shooting position. Goats started rolling over the hill at 15-20 paces. Picking a spot on the first goat that paused I let and arrow fly... and missed!!! My shot was low and sparks bursted from the rock as my arrow skipped away.
 

Offline SGourley

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Re: First Traditional Big Game Animal
« Reply #1 on: February 16, 2011, 01:26:00 AM »
The herd took off accross the field of lava but I was too determined to go home empty handed. I ran after the goats as fast as I could as they headed for the steep mountainside over a quarter mile away. They reached the hillside and began a slow ascent towards the top giving me enough time to catch up. Out of breath and steam I climbed (on hands and knees at some points) toward the herd.
   
    I finally leveled off with the herd (uphill shots clearly weren't working for me). Pausing to catch my breath I quickly picked out a nanny quartering hard right (I'm a meat hunter, trophy's aren't where my hearts at    :goldtooth:    , and especially my brother for helping me achieve this goal. Poor guy went through A LOT knowing his rifle was just sitting in the car...
Tomahawk woodland hunter bow 50lbs@28" (my pull is 31.5" so roughly 60lbs) Woodsman 3 blade on carbon express shafts. Thanks for reading. -Steven Gourley

Offline Margly

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Re: First Traditional Big Game Animal
« Reply #2 on: February 16, 2011, 01:32:00 AM »
Congratulations!
Nice story and pics, thanks for sharing  :)

Margly
With a healthy dose of madness and bad memory, life`s a wonderful journey      :thumbsup:    

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Offline Wannabe1

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Re: First Traditional Big Game Animal
« Reply #3 on: February 16, 2011, 01:42:00 AM »
:thumbsup:     :clapper:
Desert Shield/Storm, Somalia and IOF Veteran
"The Mountains are calling and, I must go!" John Muir

Offline OkKeith

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Re: First Traditional Big Game Animal
« Reply #4 on: February 16, 2011, 01:44:00 AM »
Sounds like a great hunt! A well earned trophy by any definition.

OkKeith
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Offline Steve H.

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Re: First Traditional Big Game Animal
« Reply #5 on: February 16, 2011, 01:50:00 AM »
This doesn't help my Hawaii withdrawals, uggghhhhh.

Offline CavScoutArcher

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Re: First Traditional Big Game Animal
« Reply #6 on: February 16, 2011, 01:54:00 AM »
Pretty landscape. Good hunting tale. Looks like it was a blast!  Good Job!   :thumbsup:
United States Army 2007-Current

"The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing" -Edmund Burke

Online Steelhead

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Re: First Traditional Big Game Animal
« Reply #7 on: February 16, 2011, 03:27:00 AM »
Aloha Steven

That goat sure has a beautiful coat.Very rich looking.Sounds like a great hunt.A very exciting and invigorating pursuit to close the deal for sure.

Most importantly you had fun with your brother and enjoyed a unique and and interesting envirement.

I hope mom was glad to see ya and you her!

Congrats on closing the deal on your 1st big game animal.You did it in style on the Island.

Goats head soup anyone?

Offline Benny Nganabbarru

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Re: First Traditional Big Game Animal
« Reply #8 on: February 16, 2011, 05:54:00 AM »
Well-done!
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Offline YORNOC

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Re: First Traditional Big Game Animal
« Reply #9 on: February 16, 2011, 05:57:00 AM »
Great pictures, job very well done     :thumbsup:    :thumbsup:    :thumbsup:
David M. Conroy

Offline gregg dudley

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Re: First Traditional Big Game Animal
« Reply #10 on: February 16, 2011, 05:58:00 AM »
Congratulations Steven!
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Offline rastaman

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Re: First Traditional Big Game Animal
« Reply #11 on: February 16, 2011, 06:00:00 AM »
Way to go sir!   :thumbsup:    :thumbsup:
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Offline Apex Predator

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Re: First Traditional Big Game Animal
« Reply #12 on: February 16, 2011, 06:20:00 AM »
Nice!  Sounds like a great hunt.
I didn't claw my way to the top of the food chain to eat vegetables!

Offline Izzy

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Re: First Traditional Big Game Animal
« Reply #13 on: February 16, 2011, 06:23:00 AM »
Awesome pal!!! Way to get it done.

Offline Bonebuster

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Re: First Traditional Big Game Animal
« Reply #14 on: February 16, 2011, 06:53:00 AM »
AWESOME story!

A job well done.

Thnaks for taking the time to share your pictures...many happy returns!  :thumbsup:

Offline slivrslingr

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Re: First Traditional Big Game Animal
« Reply #15 on: February 16, 2011, 07:07:00 AM »
Good on ya!  Congrats!   :thumbsup:

Offline Bud B.

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Re: First Traditional Big Game Animal
« Reply #16 on: February 16, 2011, 07:08:00 AM »
My sister used to live there but I never got to visit. You are fortunate to have a family member there. Very good reason to pack the LB on each visit. Nice story and photos.

Bud
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Offline mmisciag

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Re: First Traditional Big Game Animal
« Reply #17 on: February 16, 2011, 07:44:00 AM »
WOW, what a great story. I'm glad that is turned out so well for you.

Martin
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Offline Dave Thaxton

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Re: First Traditional Big Game Animal
« Reply #18 on: February 16, 2011, 08:14:00 AM »
Great story and pics. Congrats.
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Offline Pandaros

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Re: First Traditional Big Game Animal
« Reply #19 on: February 16, 2011, 08:25:00 AM »
Congratulations!  Great pictures and story.

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