Big Island Report

[doccherry]

Speckmisser:

Here's an arrow ballistics calculator:

http://home.att.net/~sajackson/ballistics.html

Plug in 4 inch vanes [plastic], .7 inch vane height, .34 shaft diameter, arrow weight 435 grains, arrow speed 345 fps. You'll see that the arrow trajectory really heads for China in a hurry but the arrow velocity remains surprisingly high out beyond 100 yards. There's really very little drop in velocity considering the rainbow trajectory. The arrow's kinetic energy remains really high way beyond the point of accuracy. Most articles I've read seem to believe that a kinetic energy of 60 pounds is more than sufficient for thick-skinned, heavy-boned game such as hogs.

This is the data for my crossbow. Now plug in your arrow as it comes from your compound or recurve bow. You'll see a huge difference in trajectory. The problem is, as you stated, that a lot can happen between the time you shoot and the time the arrow gets to a hog 50 yards away. The only way I'll shoot at 50 or 60 yards is if I know the precise distance and if the hog is standing unaware of me. Even then, I'm not sure what I'll do.

 

[doccherry]

For the arrow ballistics, I forgot to mention that the shaft length is 22 inches.

 

[beastslayer]

Gee doc. With the addiction, we might hear next time you want to do it with a spear or a machete.

Anyway, I'm one of the fan in your adventrue in paradise tales.

 

[Speckmisser]

Hey Doc, I guess I need to be more precise.

But I think you took my point. Both an arrow and a bolt will kill plenty good, even at 100 yards... if it hits what you're aiming at. That's where it gets tricky, though.

Anyway, looking forward to more tales... I'm very interested in crossbow hunting myself.

 

[beastslayer]

Speck - Do they allow crossbow hunting in Kali?

 

[Speckmisser]

Crossbow is totally legal, Beastslayer. Not sure about elk or bighorns, but legal for all big game (except during archery-only season, of course), and also for turkeys.

Somebody, SDHunter or SDBowyer or some SD-type person from the list posted up a year or so ago about a successful crossbow hog hunt.

 

[beastslayer]

Speck - Got it. Now I remember it, and what I thought when I read the reg. Cross bow was handicapping yourself during a rifle season. Sorry, I was just plain lazy to research.

Would you open the JHO Archery Hog Hunt in Tejon for cross-bow hunters? Just asking... in case.

 

[ozstriker22]

I'd love to get in on a piece of that HI action, that and the fishing. Doc, what do you do for work? I've heard employment is tough out there... Else I'd probably move!

Jesse

 

[larrysogla]

ozstriker22,
Doc is happily retired from the "rat race". Doc is now just one "free arrow" roaming the piggie paradise. Heck, he has got his retirement to a "T". God Bless you Doc. May you have many happy and healthy years ahead of you so I can keep reading your "happy trails". Your slice of paradise is just awesome, awesome. 'Nuff said.

 

[doccherry]

Larry:

Actually, I'm no longer retired. I spent almost a year hunting, fishing, diving, kayaking, hiking, napping, etc., and got a bit bored. I have been an educator for a million years and saw an ad in the local newspaper that sounded intriguing. West Hawaii Explorations Academy, a charter school down at the beach that specializes in science, was looking for a teacher. It is more of a summer camp looking affair with large fish pools [including hammerhead sharks], greenhouses, laboratories, and all sorts of other neat stuff. The hours are 8:30 to 2:30 and I have a contract for 190 days per year, with 14 weeks off at various times. I applied, got the job, and now I'm teaching teenagers all about science, nature, the environment, etc. So far it's been fun, although it's a bit difficult to get back into the routine of going to work rather than going fishing. It doesn't affect my hunting at all, since most of the hunting on public land is weekend and state holiday only. I still can go pig hunting before or after work and I still do. Fishing will have to be on weekends or holidays, but that's no big deal.

It felt very odd not contributing in any way to society. At least now I feel like I'm of some value. I'll try it for a year and see what happens. By the way, I have several students and teacher colleagues who either hunt themselves or are having trouble with pigs on their property. I'm sure I'll get the green light to hunt there. Also, the West Hawaii Veteran's Cemetery board of directors has given me the combination to the gate because the goats are eating the landscaping. I went down last week after work and stalked two goats but didn't get a shot. I hope to try again next week.

Aloha for now.

 

[beastslayer]

Doc,

I become more envious. Imagine 8 to 2:30. I assume there is no traffic. And no road rage. No pollution.

 

[ozstriker22]

To say I'm GREEN with envy would be a slight understatement. But it sounds like you've certainly earned your retirement. BTW - As far as "contributing to society" - I'd say all of us poor hunters living in hell would consider your posts quite a contribution!

Jesse

 

[CAhntr]

You got that right Oz! Reading Docs posts help me get through those long days at work.

Eric

 

[doccherry]

Actually, the traffic is terrible. A two-lane highway is all that connects South Kona with North Kona and areas beyond that. Development has proceeded at an incredible pace but the infrastructure, roads specifically, have remained third world. I leave my house at anywhere between 7:30 and 8:00 AM and return home at anywhere between 2:30 and 3:30 PM and the traffic both ways is bumper to bumper. The commute is 10.5 miles each way and a fast commute is 30 minutes. Traffic in and around Kona is awful.

Since we're on the subject, let me tell you the negatives of living on the Big Island. Here they are, in no particular order:

1. Drugs---Drugs, crystal meth in particular, are epidemic. There is an entire sub-culture, perhaps as much as 10% of the entire population, that is hooked on some form of hard drugs. As a consequence, property crimes such as burglary and petty theft are rampant. Car accidents at 2:00 AM are routine and there are many, many fatalities, most caused by drugs or booze.

2. Labor shortages---In CA, most entry jobs are minimum wage and each job opening will have a dozen eager applicants. Here, the entry wage is about 13 bucks per hour and the employers have a terrible time getting anyone to apply. This is not a politically correct thing to say, but I'm too old and too fed up to give a damn, so here goes. Within the native Hawaiian culture, the work ethic is sadly lacking. Many businesses close their doors because their employees, making 20 dollars an hour, show up the first week, show up 3 days the second week, one day the third week, and then they disappear. Or the employer requires a drug test and all the employees quit. A friend of ours, a Montana transplant, went to the airport to apply for a TSA [security] job that pays $17 an hour to start with a lot of time-and-a-half overtime. There were 10 openings and 50 applicants. They were all seated in a large room. The boss gets up and says, "There are 50 of you here and only 10 openings. I'll make a statement that will whittle it down considerably." He smiles and pauses and then speaks again. "These jobs require that you pass a drug test." At that, 45 people stand up, smile, and walk out the door. 5 people left and 10 jobs to fill. Our friend works his butt off because the TSA can't get people to pass the drug tests. Now, whole planeloads of Mexican nationals are being flown in, housed in first class accomodations, fed first class Mexican food, and having their butts worked off at $20 per hour with another 40 hours of overtime. These Mexicans are law-abiding, industrious, hard working, drug-free, and they're making $75,000 a year here. As Larry Sogla would way, "God bless," because nobody else will do the work.

3. Schools---The schools here are Third World. The Department of Education, for whom I now work, would fire me if they saw this statement, but screw them. Teachers are paid terrible wages, schools are lacking in everything, absentee rates run around 30%, the dropout rate in high schools is high, the dropout rate among teachers here is 50% for the first 3 years of service, and 90% of all schools are substandard in all academic areas. All this and Hawaii has a massive budget surplus---a huge surplus!!! But, Hawaii and Hawaiians, rank education down around leprosy and hemorroids in terms of priority.

4. Health care---Kaiser is state of the art, compared to other health facilities. You can figure this one out on your own.

Have you ever watched "Deadwood" on TV? The Big Island is not quite Deadwood, but it's a long way from Your Hometown on the mainland. I would never, ever move here if I had teenagers or if I had major health issues. But damn, if you have neither of those and you love to hunt and fish, this is God's Country, the Happy Hunting Grounds, Nirvana, El Dorado, Shangri-La, Seventh Heaven, Happy Hour and the Booze is Free---well, you get the message.

I don't regret for an instant moving here, because for an outdoorsman, this place is Paradise. But for a family man---as many of you are---it's the Wild West and a nice place to visit, but take my word for it, you wouldn't want to call the Big Island home.

Aloha for now. I'm going hunting.

 

[Uncle Ji]

Aloha Doc, Pretty scary that you already have Hawaii figured out in such a short time, but pretty much spot on in your assesment. If you think the crystal meth problem is bad in Kailua-Kona it's probably double that in Hilo. A few years back there was an epidemic of these Hilo addicts who when bored would cruise the main highways at night and toss large rocks onto the windshield of oncoming traffic just for jollys. I beleive there were a few fatalities before the police finally decided to crack down on these juvenile delinquants. You didn't mention the police force which is highly underpaid (like the teachers) with low moral and corruption being common. What was happening and may still be happening is mainland police departments would recrute the experianced Hawaii officers with promises of higher pay, better retirement and benefits, and lower cost of living which many accepted without hesitation. I fly to Honolulu for all my serious health issues like my back surgery and follow-ups because I would not trust the Maui (or Big Island) medical establishment for my care. But hey, the hunting and fishing is very difficult to beat so what the hell. Congrats on your new job, hope the students are serious about learning. Does the Veterans Cemetary allow firearms? I like your crossbow idea, may just have to get one for myself. Aloha a hui hou, Ji

 

[Uncle Ji]

PS I don't know how bad small boat harbor facillities are now on Big Island but here on Maui they are SO third world with piers falling a part and washdowns and restrooms in shambles, pretty sad for a tourist destination.