pincushion pig

[myfriendis410]

Josh and I went up to Area C1 (3) on Vandenberg Monday night to look around. We both had a tag to use and I wanted a 30-40 pounder for the smoker. The fog pushed us out of the high country so we finished up at a hay field just before dark. The field was FULL of pigs. I could have blasted one but decided it would be more fun to go in the next night with the bows.

Fast-forward to last night: Steve and Nick came with us and acted as spotters up high. There was a boar in the field when we got there and we formulated a plan (always good to have a plan, that way you have something to change), and Josh and I got into the field with the bows. We decided it would be Josh's shot and I would back him up if we could get side by side. Steve, using the radio, vectored us to within 20 yards--this is like at 7:00 p.m. with a (mostly) reliable wind coming from the pig to us. We finally got set on the hog and when he cleared the grass at 19 yards, I called the shot: "take him". Josh shot and I immediately let fly low behind the front leg. The pig took two steps and fell over and started shrieking bloody murder! He's thrashing around and we ended up putting two more arrows each into him to finish him. Kinda put me off bows for a while, let me tell you.

Decent boar: I'm guessing around 110 lbs.

Josh hit him high and spine shot him. I hit him in the pocket and got both lungs. He should have expired in just a few seconds. But he didn't.

 

[weekender21]

So you think a bad shot with a rifle would have ended with less squealing?

P.S. If you shoot them in the lungs, they can't squeal. Not that I would know what that's like....:bag-on-head:

Nice looking porker ig-laughing:

 

[Kentuck]

Steve, using the radio, vectored us to within 20 yards--this is like at 7:00 p.m. with a (mostly) reliable wind coming from the pig to us.

Congrats on the hog, but as far as the statement above goes legally, :no no:

 

[CaliJeephuntr]

Congrats on the hog, but as far as the statement above goes legally, :no no:

There is nothing in the DFG regs that says you cannot use radio's like that.

 

[ltdann]

Nick,

Your hanging out with a bad crowd, those guys are outta control! LOL-I think I moistened my shorts laughing so hard..... I think the last thing I said to Josh Friday night, was "bring a gun"!

 

[mike_cook82]

Great story and congrats on the oinker!:toast-yellow:

 

[k_rad]

Hice work 410 you got a hog for yourself. What kind of hay is that, red barley?! It looks like the scene of a crime!:chainsaw:

 

[myfriendis410]

Congrats on the hog, but as far as the statement above goes legally, :no no:

Legal on Vandenberg, dude.

 

[myfriendis410]

Hice work 410 you got a hog for yourself. What kind of hay is that, red barley?! It looks like the scene of a crime!:chainsaw:

Yeah, it was pretty well bathed in red stuff.

 

[myfriendis410]

So you think a bad shot with a rifle would have ended with less squealing?

P.S. If you shoot them in the lungs, they can't squeal. Not that I would know what that's like....:bag-on-head:

Nice looking porker ig-laughing:

If you look, we hit him in the lungs (see picture). He just took a lot of killing. And, my favorite spot to shoot a hog with a rifle is high behind the shoulder. Turns 'em off like a light switch but does nothing with an arrow......

 

[ltdann]

Congrats on the hog, but as far as the statement above goes legally, :no no:

I've dug thru the CA Fish and Game code on this question. Unlike other states (ohio comes to mind), the CA Fish and Game code does not prohibit the use of 2 way radios while in legal pursuit of game.

The question has been posed to the DFG questions and answers forum several times in the past and in each case, it is permitted.

So if you've been denying yourself this handy tool because you thought it was illegal, you can now add electronic communication to your arsenal.

 

[Kentuck]

You can use raidos to keep in touch with your hunting partners, but not to actually guide them towards game. I'll find the reg. But I guess state regs are void on military lands from what you are saying.

 

[ltdann]

You can use raidos to keep in touch with your hunting partners, but not to actually guide them towards game. I'll find the reg. But I guess state regs are void on military lands from what you are saying.

Absolutely, I may have missed it. I went thru the entire fish and game code, not just the mammal section and the only mention I found about radios was on dog collars.

I did google the question for CA and found at least 2 DFG Q&A sections where it said it was ok, not just on military land.

 

[Kentuck]

I stand corrected and apologize for the high jacking of the original post. I checked with the HEI Lead Warden in our district and he confirmed that it is not illegal in CA. Be carefull those for those that hunt in other states where it is illegal. Montana has banned it.

 

[weekender21]

Yeah I know, the rifle does make quick work of a hog. I won't argue that. However, after carefully analyzing the photo, there isn't an arrow close to being a double lung shot. I'm not dogging you by any means, I've hit plenty of critters with mediocre shots; rifle and bow. Just don't blame the bow, blame the shooter...:toast-yellow:

 

[ltdann]

I stand corrected and apologize for the high jacking of the original post. I checked with the HEI Lead Warden in our district and he confirmed that it is not illegal in CA. Be carefull those for those that hunt in other states where it is illegal. Montana has banned it.

De nada. For years, a friend of mine that was originally from New York thought it was ok to shotgun hunt big game with plug out. I would never would have caught it except he was having a bad day and I heard him empty the magazine (5 rds). He didn't believe CA law requires 3 shells max REGARDLESS what the game is, I had to show him the req.

 

[myfriendis410]

Yeah I know, the rifle does make quick work of a hog. I won't argue that. However, after carefully analyzing the photo, there isn't an arrow close to being a double lung shot. I'm not dogging you by any means, I've hit plenty of critters with mediocre shots; rifle and bow. Just don't blame the bow, blame the shooter...:toast-yellow:

Oh, it was the shooter, no doubt. And yeah: when you hit 'em where you're supposed to, they don't go far. Usually.

Well, this was his first hog with a bow and he's glad to get it behind him. He's been working hard and practicing almost daily, so it's great for him to put a tag on a good hog.

We're going to cure the hams like LtDann did, and enjoy the rest of it in various ways.

 

[Kentuck]

One of the pics looks like a possible heart shot???? lots of blood there. Last hog kill I was on was an archery kill, double lung, took about a minute to quit squeeling as it rolled down the hill.

 

[weekender21]

Cool, looks like a great hog either way. I'll be up Thursday but not to hunt. I need to get a little scouting in before deer season. I'm headed up to Monterey county to hunt hogs Friday.

 

[rbrown77]

man 410 everytime I check the forum you have a hog haha great job keep the stories coming!!!