How big a hog with a 42# recurve???

[StanM]

Hey all,

I'm heading to Oklahoma next month for a hog hunt.  Due to some injuries I'm limited to a 42# recurve (Morrison ILF mini riser with Dryad limbs).  My arrows will be Easton Axis with our 150 grain Razorhawks up front.  Here's a pic of the head
 
 

I don't care much about the size of the hog and would pass on a large one if my set up isn't up to it.  I have very little experience with hogs and could use some advice on what to look for as far as the size of pig that this set up will handle.  Would rather go empty handed than shoot a large one and not get the penetration necessary.

I've done a search for hogs and believe I'm well versed on where the pocket is for boars with thick shields but I'll be honest, I don't know for sure that I'm able to hit what seems like a fairly small targe to me.  I'd rather be able to aim for the middle of the lungs and know that I've got enough umph to penetrate a double lung shot.  What size piggy am I look for?

Thanks.

[Cherokee Scout]

Rod Jenkins has killed more than one big hog with bows of that poundage. If you hit them in the right spot, you will kill them.

Stan, Cherokee Scout is right...too a point. I would not hesitste to shoot any hog with that set-up up to 100# or even 150# for a sow. On a boar though with a shield I would stick to the under 100#'ers. You could kill a BIG boar with that if you hit him "just right". Any miss at all of the soft spot and a big boar will probably not be recovered. Just remember to keep your shot low and a little forward and you will be just fine.

The smaller pigs are way better eating anyway. I won't shoot at a big boar unless he has some chompers for me to keep as a trophy.
Bisch

[Prairie Drifter]

Two years ago My friend killed a 400# boar that had a 2 1/2" shield w/ 42 pounds. I took a 375# on the same hunt . Mine had a similar shield. I got complete penetration w/ 44#. I have been in on several hundred kills on hogs, you'll do fine as long as you hit him right.

[Bjorn]

Not  all 42# are alike and not all 28" are equal either-but if you have a good bow and you are pulling 28" you should be good with hogs up to 150lb. Accuracy is trump and there is a lot more to killing Mr. Piggy than bow# anyway. Really good advice above BTW.

[truefreedom]

Prairie Drifter Sir,
Could you please tell us more about that 400lb boar with 2 1/2" shield killed with a 42lb trad-bow, what arrow, draw length, etc, also what you where shooting to get a complete pass through with 44lb on a 350lb boar, I may want to get your set-up, do you have any pictures?
I would love to see a pic and know what arrow, draw length, broadhead etc...

Thank you

[Uncle Buck]

I personally have a problem with " might be able to" shots I have too much respect for the animals I shoot at. Learn both the limits of your equipment and your shooting and stick with them.

[wingnut]

I've taken 150# boars with a 38# all natural bow with double lung hits 2" above the leg knuckle with no problems.  This was when I had my neck problems and just couldn't shoot more weight.

One thing to remember is that the performance of your setup will be the same as most 60# selfbows.

Use a heavy arrow and your good.

100# pigs will be no trouble.  I would pass on a real big boar though.


Mike

[Prairie Drifter]

Originally posted by truefreedom:
Prairie Drifter Sir,
Could you please tell us more about that 400lb boar with 2 1/2" shield killed with a 42lb trad-bow, what arrow, draw length, etc, also what you where shooting to get a complete pass through with 44lb on a 350lb boar, I may want to get your set-up, do you have any pictures?
I would love to see a pic and know what arrow, draw length, broadhead etc...

Thank you

My friend was using a 2016 w/ 250 up front. I think his arrow weighed about 570grs. He used a 4blade steel force head. He was drawing about 25".He had double lung penetration. I was using a 44lb Maddog longbow. My draw is 26". My arrow was a GT 35/55 w/ 300grains up front. arrow weighed 575grs w/ an foc of 25%. Broadhead was a single bevel tusker.Shot was 15yds.I didn't get a complete pass thru, I got complete pentration. Arrow was buried to the fletch,arrow was hanging out the other side.

I am now a believer in Ashby's work.

[Mint]

Do you have any pictures of the 400lb or 350lb boar? Those are true monsters and I love seeing pictures of big boars..

[Guru]

These #400 and #350 boars don't sound like free-range, wild hogs...

If these are "game farm", "preserve" type hogs, and it sounds like they are, please refrain from posting the pix....thanx for understanding....

[BOHO]

how much do your arrows weight with the point installed? If its at least 450 -500 grains, and the animal is quartering away and you put it where it needs to go, Id take that shot every time. You prolly wont have much blood but hopefully it wont go far. Good luck

[mike g]

Get yorself a nice 100-150#....
If for eating get a female....
Any pig with a bow is trophy....

[TxAg]

The issue isnt the weight of the hog, it's the shield. Some hogs have it, some dont.  If they do (and they're in bow range) you'll probably be able to make it out....looks hard and matted and calloused.  If they dont, you'll have no trouble shooting thru one.

This is just my experience, but of all the hogs i've shot (a bunch in the 15-200# range) none have had a significant shield, and i'd have killed any of them with any bow i've ever shot...including my 45# longbow

[TxAg]

The issue isnt the weight of the hog, it's the shiled. Some hogs have it, some dont.  If they do (and they're in bow range) you'll probably be able to make it out....looks hard and matted and calloused.  If they dont, you'll have no trouble shooting thru one.

This is just my experience, but of all the hogs i've shot (a bunch in the 15-200# range) none have had a significant shield, and i'd have killed any of them with any bow i've ever shot...including my 45# longbow

[gringol]

In my admittedly limited experience with hogs, it is more about arrow placement than power.  I guess that really goes for all game... I have seen a few lung shots with bows in the 60-70# range that produced no blood (on the arrow or the ground) and the animals went unrecovered.  A handful of times the hog was found a day or so later plenty dead.  In contrast a well placed arrow shot from a light bow striking the hog in the heart will  drop it in a few tens of yards.  I would think your setup is plenty strong enough, just keep practicing the shot.

I agree with mike g, any hog with a bow is a trophy.  heck, any animal with a bow is a trophy.

[stick_string]

Originally posted by Guru:
These #400 and #350 boars don't sound like free-range, wild hogs...

If these are "game farm", "preserve" type hogs, and it sounds like they are, please refrain from posting the pix....thanx for understanding....

PM'd you sir...be blessed.

 

[KentuckyTJ]

Pick a spot and shoot!

[JamesKerr]

I think you will be fine on hogs up to around 150 pounds. I killed my first hog (which only weighed about 70 pounds) with a 48# longbow and wooden arrows tipped with woodsmans.

[Prairie Drifter]

Originally posted by Guru:
These #400 and #350 boars don't sound like free-range, wild hogs...

If these are "game farm", "preserve" type hogs, and it sounds like they are, please refrain from posting the pix....thanx for understanding....

Curt,
yes they were,and no I won't. I know the rules.   :D   Doesn't  change the performance though. They were very large hogs with thick, tough shields