From: ut-emx!shawn@emx.cc.utexas.edu (Shawn Boyd)
Newsgroups: rec.hunting
Subject: Re: A deal on Archery tackle?
Date: 18 Aug 92 13:02:17 GMT
Organization: The University of Texas at Austin; Austin, Texas
Originator: hunting@osnome.che.wisc.edu


In article <1992Aug14.091305.17555@doug.cae.wisc.edu> Kenneth_Mudge@QM.SRI.COM (Ken Mudge) writes:
>
>I need some advice on some Archery tackle I'm considering. I'd like to try 
>bow hunting for boar here in No. Calif. and think I might have found some
>good tackle at a reasonable proce through a catalog.
>
>For $99.99, you get a Bear  65 lb "Grizzly" wheel bow with laminated wood 
>limbs and 60% let-off.
>

 You need to consider spending more.  Ferals and Russian wild boar aren't 
 always dangerous, but they certainly can be.  You may want to hunt a season
 or two on less cantankerous animals before you pig hunt.

 I've never taken a charge, but I know hunters who have.  Take a backup
 gun -- at least a .357 magnum, preferably a .44 magnum.  If you dog 'em,
 be prepared to use a knife.  Feral hogs and Russians don't seem to have 
 the same fear of man that other wild creatures do.

 Almost any other non-predator will flee when you put an arrow into it.  Hogs
 might.  They might not.  They have four quasi-razor sharp tusks, two up, two
 down, which oppose each other, and as such are self-sharpening.  These tusks 
 can be in excess of three to four inches.  A hog *WILL* rip you if you let 
 it.  They can weigh in excess of 500 pounds.  They will gladly kill and maim 
 a dog pack, and proceed happily about their business.

 The last picture of a bowhunt for pigs I saw was in our local archery shop.
 The caption (hand written on the back of the pic) said, "450 pounds, shot 'im
 five times.  Got chased four times."  The last one I shot didn't know where I
 was.  I will always prefer to keep it that way.

>You get a "no-rattle" 7 arrow quiver (mounts on bow), a 4 pin sight with
>guard, arrow rest, cable guard (for fletching clearance), whiskers for 
>string & cable quietness, and an installed nock-point.
>

 Sounds OK, but you'll be moving that nock point around anyway while you 
 tune.  The whiskers are kinda cute, but the pigs are gonna hear you shoot
 anyway.  Whiskers are however, good for dear.  They won't hurt anything.

 I also use an on-the-bow quiver.  This is a bad habit according to many 
 bowhunters -- including Chuck Adams.  As you remove arrows from the quiver
 the balance of the bow changes and this effects your groups.  I just about
 have to use one where I like to hunt -- the cover's too thick for a hip 
 quiver.

 Shot placement is essential.  Always shoot for the heart.  Just behind either
 front leg, just a touch below mid-body.  Anyplace else, and it'll be like 
 shooting rocks.  Use the sharpest heaviest broadhead your bow will handle.

>Anyone have any advice for me? Is this a good set-up for a beginner, and
>are the prices good?

 I'm not sure I'd shoot a pig with it.  Oh... hell yes I would.  But I'd be 
 sure to check around for the nearest tree before I released on 'im.

 Good luck.  I strongly recommend a professional guide for your first hunt.
 They seem to run about $100.00 a day.  Sometimes more.  Sometimes less.  At
 that price, look for quality -- dogs, horses and meat locker should be pro-
 vided.  Lodging is also generally part of the deal.

>I'd sure appreciate hearing from any of you.
>
>Thanks,
>
>Ken

 Shawn
Newsgroups: rec.hunting