GTA
All Springer/NP/PCP Air Gun Discussion General => Hunting Gate => Topic started by: Nomadic Pirate on December 29, 2016, 12:38:15 AM
-
Today I was planning to hunt an area that is pretty thick and the Dragon Claw with AirBolts is a great combination for this kind of hunting.
Plan was to drop down in this valley then just hunt upstream.
I took pictures to show the different areas I went through
(http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d124/NorthShoreLB/Harvests/DSCF0402_zpsfvd89opb.jpg) (http://s34.photobucket.com/user/NorthShoreLB/media/Harvests/DSCF0402_zpsfvd89opb.jpg.html)
This are definitely thick conditions, Brush and ferns on the way down
( all habitat pictures where taken on my way out )
(http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d124/NorthShoreLB/Harvests/DSCF0399_zpsrgjenstm.jpg) (http://s34.photobucket.com/user/NorthShoreLB/media/Harvests/DSCF0399_zpsrgjenstm.jpg.html)
Then when you get at the valley floor you just wear the jungle ;D
(http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d124/NorthShoreLB/Harvests/DSCF0398_zps7xapmuog.jpg) (http://s34.photobucket.com/user/NorthShoreLB/media/Harvests/DSCF0398_zps7xapmuog.jpg.html)
(http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d124/NorthShoreLB/Harvests/DSCF0395_zpsy1zhi623.jpg) (http://s34.photobucket.com/user/NorthShoreLB/media/Harvests/DSCF0395_zpsy1zhi623.jpg.html)
(http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d124/NorthShoreLB/Harvests/DSCF0396_zpsosfm0ozn.jpg) (http://s34.photobucket.com/user/NorthShoreLB/media/Harvests/DSCF0396_zpsosfm0ozn.jpg.html)
(http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d124/NorthShoreLB/Harvests/DSCF0393_zpssfyd54wn.jpg) (http://s34.photobucket.com/user/NorthShoreLB/media/Harvests/DSCF0393_zpssfyd54wn.jpg.html)
It's a slooshy, muddy, slippery, steep affair, definitely work ;D
(http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d124/NorthShoreLB/Harvests/DSCF0397_zps098ahhxr.jpg) (http://s34.photobucket.com/user/NorthShoreLB/media/Harvests/DSCF0397_zps098ahhxr.jpg.html)
At one point to continue I had to cross the creek since the opposite slope is more friendly ;)
(http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d124/NorthShoreLB/Harvests/DSCF0391_zpssmqxlkoy.jpg) (http://s34.photobucket.com/user/NorthShoreLB/media/Harvests/DSCF0391_zpssmqxlkoy.jpg.html)
(http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d124/NorthShoreLB/Harvests/DSCF0392_zpsu1tlncc1.jpg) (http://s34.photobucket.com/user/NorthShoreLB/media/Harvests/DSCF0392_zpsu1tlncc1.jpg.html)
Then continue on
(http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d124/NorthShoreLB/Harvests/DSCF0390_zps6ashwubv.jpg) (http://s34.photobucket.com/user/NorthShoreLB/media/Harvests/DSCF0390_zps6ashwubv.jpg.html)
Plenty hogs signs in the muddy grounds
(http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d124/NorthShoreLB/Harvests/DSCF0389_zpsmk3xbyjb.jpg) (http://s34.photobucket.com/user/NorthShoreLB/media/Harvests/DSCF0389_zpsmk3xbyjb.jpg.html)
At one point I was climbing to get over a ridge when I heard the unmistakable sound of a pig squealing so I approached the crest and peaked over very carefully, couldn't see anything nor hear anymore fighting,......than all of a sudden I heard the unmistakable sound of a hog cracking Kukui nuts, I had no eyes on it and the ground was very noisy so I decided to post behind a tree and be patient.
I kept hearing the cracking of the nuts but I couldn't pin it down nor get a visual, than all of a sudden like a ghost it appeared, a very nice Boar, his Gray/Blond coloring was perfect camo for the area so good thing I stayed put, if he wasn't moving he probably would have busted me before I did.
When he appeared was about 50 yards away coming in my general direction from left to right, the slope to my right was getting pretty steep so I was hoping that would make him come more my direct direction, so he did, at one point was coming straight at me, I got ready and if he kept going I was ready to take a head on shot, however at about 25 yards he turned to his left and gave me a very slight quartering away shot, he was still moving and my window was tiny so I took a quick shot ( no time to think at all )
He took of like lighting, watched and listen to him tear into the brush,
It seemed like forever but probably after only 10 or so seconds I heard the "Death Moan" (very common when you hit a boar in the lungs with an arrow) and thrashing in the bush, I then knew I had a boar down.
Something I haven't done in awhile, track a blood trail in thick vegetation ( such a great practice )
1st I went the hit was and found the arrow.
So I was shooting an arrow with this kind of BroadHead, a Snuffer 160gr
(http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d124/NorthShoreLB/Harvests/DSCF0384_zpszhtbcnjq.jpg) (http://s34.photobucket.com/user/NorthShoreLB/media/Harvests/DSCF0384_zpszhtbcnjq.jpg.html)
And this is what I found after the clean passthrough
(http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d124/NorthShoreLB/Harvests/DSCF0386_zpso021f2an.jpg) (http://s34.photobucket.com/user/NorthShoreLB/media/Harvests/DSCF0386_zpso021f2an.jpg.html)
I couldn't tell what the arrow hit but the broadhead got completely destroyed, meaning that after it passthrought the boar it was still traveling extremely fast ( remember I'm shooting at half power on a stock gun )
(http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d124/NorthShoreLB/Harvests/DSCF0385_zpsfkgino0z.jpg) (http://s34.photobucket.com/user/NorthShoreLB/media/Harvests/DSCF0385_zpsfkgino0z.jpg.html)
Anyway, back on the blood trail, the Boar in the end made a semi circle and ended up about 50 yards from the hit, ....love tracking blood trails, even if at times was huge at other times I had to backtrack and really pay attention, lots of fun.
Anyway here is how I found the boar
(http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d124/NorthShoreLB/Harvests/DSCF0372_zpswdwqr3mw.jpg) (http://s34.photobucket.com/user/NorthShoreLB/media/Harvests/DSCF0372_zpswdwqr3mw.jpg.html)
(http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d124/NorthShoreLB/Harvests/DSCF0373_zps0ystrsil.jpg) (http://s34.photobucket.com/user/NorthShoreLB/media/Harvests/DSCF0373_zps0ystrsil.jpg.html)
That is the Exit hole
(http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d124/NorthShoreLB/Harvests/DSCF0374_zpsaomvvwxv.jpg) (http://s34.photobucket.com/user/NorthShoreLB/media/Harvests/DSCF0374_zpsaomvvwxv.jpg.html)
the entry hole is a bit harder to see
(http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d124/NorthShoreLB/Harvests/DSCF0375_zps3b7m7fgs.jpg) (http://s34.photobucket.com/user/NorthShoreLB/media/Harvests/DSCF0375_zps3b7m7fgs.jpg.html)
A very, very happy hunter
(http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d124/NorthShoreLB/Harvests/DSCF0377_zpsgvotgvde.jpg) (http://s34.photobucket.com/user/NorthShoreLB/media/Harvests/DSCF0377_zpsgvotgvde.jpg.html)
(http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d124/NorthShoreLB/Harvests/DSCF0379_zpsjdmkxu4l.jpg) (http://s34.photobucket.com/user/NorthShoreLB/media/Harvests/DSCF0379_zpsjdmkxu4l.jpg.html)
This sure was an awesome day,
it's cool to hunt of blinds and feeders but nothing beats walking and looking for them.
This combination Gun/Arrow for this kind of application sure is great
-
Awesome write up! Congrats on sticking one with the claw. Look forward to more of these hunts. Would like to see the claw kill one with a pill also. ;D
-
I didn't realize Oahu has jungles and streams Manny Lol. I guess growing up here we think of it as the concrete jungle. Nice Pua'a down! Perfect for this coming New Year's feast!!! Great shot with that gun. I was thinking of picking up one to toy around with. How do you like it?
-
Great hunt and rite up Manny. I really liked the pics too.
-
awesome as usual Manny...When did you pick up another claw?
-
Great hunt Manny!
-
thanks guys,
as I mentioned, blind/tree hunting is way more productive but man this kind of hunting is soooooo much more exciting :) :) :)
-
awesome as usual Manny...When did you pick up another claw?
This one isn't mine, Pyramyd sent me this one for field testing,......but, boy I really like it, and the option to shoot both bullets and arrows from the same barrel sure is nice :)
here's a thread on how I'm using the gun
http://www.gatewaytoairguns.org/GTA/index.php?topic=113768.0 (http://www.gatewaytoairguns.org/GTA/index.php?topic=113768.0)
-
Beautiful hunt and awesome verbal images to go with the pictures
;) ;D I have to get in shape then I can let you drag me through the bush and maybe lend me a long board I haven't surfed since 1976 Labor Day weekend (almost drowned in some heavy storm surf ) the ex made me promise not to do it any mor til my son grew up ::) :P ;D He did and I never did ;D ;D ;D
-
awesome as usual Manny...When did you pick up another claw?
This one isn't mine, Pyramyd sent me this one for field testing,......but, boy I really like it, and the option to shoot both bullets and arrows from the same barrel sure is nice :)
here's a thread on how I'm using the gun
http://www.gatewaytoairguns.org/GTA/index.php?topic=113768.0 (http://www.gatewaytoairguns.org/GTA/index.php?topic=113768.0)
What did you expect after your write up on the RS II in .30 sold so many guns for them! LOL I know I told them it was the reason I was buying one. Plus I wanted a .30 cal side lever anyway, that wouldn't break the bank (credit card).
-
I missed this post- lovely hunt and a nice pig.
The damage to that broadhead is eye-opening- and you have it dialed down!
-
Manny do you have a problem with your sliding breach cover opening up when shooting the air bolts? I saw a you tube from American airgun hunter and in one scene you can see a small cable tie around his barrel in front of the breach cover. He was shooting air bolts.
-
No, I never did.
I did a few times forgot to close the breech :) :) and got the full blast noise in my face :)
those arrows seal so well that it's easier to slide them in if you open the breech to aloud the air pushed by the nock to escape, but you have to remember to close it after, and I didn't a few times and payed for it :) :) :)
-
Great Hunt Manny! 8)
My boots are still muddy. lol
As my old friend, (Ted Nugent) use to say, "Blood Trails/Garlic and Butter" Love it! Think he actually wrote a book by that title.
You may not know it, but I owned an Archery shop for years. Ted convinced me, and it was not easy for him to say the least, that a two blade broad head was the mos accurate, in more conditions. (At the time, I didn't even carry a two blade broad head in our inventory)
Well, Ted proved me wrong! On a hunt with him at the Kennedy Rance (Sister to the King Ranch) in Sough Texas, I launched on a Javelina at about 50 yards, on the opposite side of a stock tank. (That's what we call a pond here in Texas) LOL, and the arrow took a slight wiggle right, and then left, and then pulled up hard and went out of sight straight up! and Yes, the Bow and arrow were well tuned for the set-up. The broad head was a 5 blade at the time.
I switched to a broad head that Ted's outfit sold, and later to a Muzzy, with an insert to allow single blade profile. And I Can tell you. The Muzzys were *(&^ bent for stout! I have destroyed arrows. Alu. Carbon wrapped. Full Carbon, you name it. But Never a Muzzy!
enjoy your outings and writings Manny. Love ya like a brother!
But you gotta quit using than as a substitute for then. Your Kill'n Me! ;D 8)
Knife
-
Thanks brother,
Hey I'm just an illiterate EuroTrash :) :) ....but I'll pay attention to that in the future :)
-
Thanks brother,
Hey I'm just an illiterate EuroTrash :) :) ....but I'll pay attention to that in the future :)
Yeah, Yeah, I'm half German and my wife is Full German. And were both rednecks! LOL!!!
When it comes to AG's Manny, You're "One Smart Cookie"!!! 8)
Wish it was as warm here as in your stomping grounds. I'm freezing my-off! Grrrrr!!!
-
Gun or bow, Snuffer's RULE, in my opinion ;D
-
Heck yeah !!!! as long you have enough Juice behind that arrow the Snuffers are devastating, Man even at half power there's tons of Juice behind the Claw .50 ......that arrow didn't even slow down going trough that Boar.
-
Heck yeah !!!! as long you have enough Juice behind that arrow the Snuffers are devastating, Man even at half power there's tons of Juice behind the Claw .50 ......that arrow didn't even slow down going trough that Boar.
I'm not that experienced with airguns yet, but the Sam yang versions are simple, sturdy, and mine is really accurate at my shooting distances... I've some .357 106 and 129 grain bullets I'd love to see tested sometime if you'd be inclined ;D
As for SNUFFER'S, simple, sturdy, accurate...and though with my dowels I've only had one complete pass through, the broadhead always goes through regardless of what's in the way ;D
-
I could test them in my pistol, but they seem a bit heavy for her :) ....If you have a Recluse you should really get yourself some .357 Air Bolts from Pyramyd
-
I could test them in my pistol, but they seem a bit heavy for her :) ....If you have a Recluse you should really get yourself some .357 Air Bolts from Pyramyd
;D I do...
I'll send you some... Both pure lead and also powder coated.. ;D