this little piggy came home to market........

Went up to Lake Sonoma for a few days for some hog huntin', and hangin' with the boyz. Had a great time!! After many, many attempts I was finally rewarded with an opportunity for a shot. The first shot I blew it. It was an unhill, cross canyon through the bushes shot near dark, and I simply over estimated the distance. Although I never saw the flight of the arrow, I'm sure it missed over him.  So I'm telling the boyz my story and Chuck slaps me with "I'm not surprised the way you shot on the range  " What could I say  We all went shooting on the field range that afternoon, and I've shot better that's for sure... Was fun though. This pig came in from behind and I didn't hear him until he snapped a twig. I figured it was another hunter till I turned and saw his butt end disapear behind some bushes. I waited for him to come out the other side, and he gave me a great broad side shot... The next morning Barny came by and I used his range finder to scope out the distance. I was off by almost 15yards!!! Until then, I didn't think they were that necessary. I think I'm going to get one now.......... I used it to scope out the rest of the possible shots and felt really confident if I got another shot. Barny was having a hell of a day running into pigs all morning. Unfortunely he never got a shot off though. Apperently a couple times he got caught without an arrow knocked and it was all over before the shouting. Next evening it was starting to rain a little and Juan and Chad were also working the area. I was going to stay on my stand till I couldn't see to shoot. I was about to give up, maybe 5 more minutes and out comes a black boar stroling right down the path. I wait till he passes me, and take a going away shot to insure good heart lung penetration. Let her fly and the arrow found it's mark this time. the boar gives out a big huff, and I see the arrow fletching right behind the elbow. He whirls around and it ripps out the arrow. He flipps a couple times, and then bolts down the canyon. then he makes a turn and starts up the other side. Crashing through everything as he goes, then he hits the ground and let's out one more groan and then silence................... I look up and there's Barny just on the other side of the field. It was so dark now I thought it was Chad at first. Then I realize it's Barny. We gave him a few more minutes and then went tracking him. The rain was washing all the blood away, so it made it a little more challenging to find him. I found a piece of lung along the way. A very good sign.  It took us about 15 minutes to locate him . I actually smelt him right before I found him. Dead as a doornail head first into some brush. Now I'm stoked!! But the fun stops after the shot. We gutted him there and then made the all uphill drag back to the road. Juan came looking for us too, because it was getting late. He figured either something good or bad happened. Having Barny there was incredibly helpful. Hope I get to repay him some day.  So lucky and thankful he showed up. Juan carried our bows so we could haul it up without worrying about them. Thankx Juan. I gave Barny his choice of cut  when we were done. Hope he enjoys the shoulder cut. Back at camp, the gang was huddled under the canopy, having a good time. Zilla made some great ribs that we chowed on and later I made my fire baked bakers. Next morning it was raining pretty steady and everyone stayed in camp. I skinned, split and sectioned up the boar for transport. So nice to have that all done before you get home. Oh, and the shot. A perfect heart/lung shot with almost no meat damage  I couldn't have scripted it any better. Chuck was admiring the shot placement, I enjoyed the redemtion for my range shooting...........   I want to thank all the guys for their help. Here's the pics.

sum more pics. Working on the pig and Chuck on his last beer.........

HUGE congrats Jonesz!  Way to score!  Great report too... I really appreciate how much effort and patience it took to finally fill that tag... must be very gratifying. 

Looks like a fun crew... wish I could have joined in but maybe next time.

EK

Great job!!!!!! Mmmmmm sausage!

nicely done sir!!!!

Way to go Jonesz!

Suh-Weet!

I've never really been into bow hunting, but you guys are making it look like so much fun! Cheers.

I must congrat you once more Jonesz. Great shot on a great hog.

Freddie

nice pig jonesz, congrats, cameron

Jonesz made the perfect heart/lung shot on that nice boar.  His broadhead sliced right through the lower part of the heart.

Earlier at camp, I was busting Jonesz's chops for missing an previous hog and shooting like crap on the practice range.  I take it all back.  None of that matters when you ultimately bring home the bacon with a shot like that.

I also give Jonesz big praise on his excellent butchering skills.  That pig looked like it was cut in half perfectly with bandsaw.  Impressive!!!

You can imagine how you think a hunt should go, but it rarely actually comes true. This one couldn't have been better if I scripted it. From the opportunity, the shot, Barny showing up to help, and the great company and help back at camp. It all came together. I think Barny showing up was the key tho. He had the mojo that day. Everywhere he went, seemed he saw some. Definetly one I'll never forget. Oh, and just for the record. The last shot of Chuck was actually him exausted after no sleep. Coming straight from work to hunting, and trying to stay up the next night. I couldn't resist posting the pic with the beer in front of him.  I was surprized he lasted as long as he did. I've been there a time or two......

Wow congrats, very nice harvest good eating size. i have been on hundreds of hunts that did not go as planed so I know how gratifying yours was.Good job.


P.S. Who is that scary looking fisherman on the far right

Amazing!  Thanks for sharing the report and the great pics.

Martin

that is so inspiring!
It reminded me of deer camp back home, especially the split hog 
Thanks so much for sharing.

Jim

Congrats, jonesz!

Beautiful job with the cleaning.

Do you cook the head????  I understand the face meat is considered the best by many.