Hog Hunting with a Bow - Frustrations

[bigtuna]

Well I've been after these hogs with my bow for a couple months now. I have let three arrows go and all three have found swine but only one hog recovered. Tonight a group came in at about 30 minutes before dark and of course my heart starting going real good and I probably rushed the shot a little bit. Got out of my blind and started looking for blood, found some and then found some more and then the trail just went cold.

What can I do besides the obvious? Any tools I can use to increase my chances when looking for blood? I usually see these guys close to dark so some tracking may happen in the dark. I've heard something about a blood flashlight from Primos, anyone use this?

I want to get to the point where I am recovering these pigs after I shoot them. I don't like the idea of some critter laid up somewhere with my arrow in them, even if it is just a pig.

[rferg84]

Well I've been after these hogs with my bow for a couple months now. I have let three arrows go and all three have found swine but only one hog recovered. Tonight a group came in at about 30 minutes before dark and of course my heart starting going real good and I probably rushed the shot a little bit. Got out of my blind and started looking for blood, found some and then found some more and then the trail just went cold.

What can I do besides the obvious? Any tools I can use to increase my chances when looking for blood? I usually see these guys close to dark so some tracking may happen in the dark. I've heard something about a blood flashlight from Primos, anyone use this?

I want to get to the point where I am recovering these pigs after I shoot them. I don't like the idea of some critter laid up somewhere with my arrow in them, even if it is just a pig.

When I want to ensure pork recovery I usually use my .308 and put one behind the ear.

I'll tell you I've had good luck with magnus stinger 2 blade broadheads doing some carnage and giving a heck of a trail. They are some tough SOBs though, gotta put a good shot in the vitals.

[Little Shark]

You could try diff broad heads. I have a blood trail flash light that I got from academy for 100$ and it works great! makes the blood jump out at you. I for get what bran it was.

[Fightinaggies]

They make a spray that makes the blood shine in the dark

[brrdnk]

Get a Lacy tracking dog.

[Skinny]

I use the white LED Mini Sniper. It is super bright and makes the blood jump out at you real good. It is the best tracking light I have ever used.

[Greywolf in Hawaii]

I'd say it more of your shot placement than anything else.
Hog vitals are low and forward.
I have a set of pics showing a hog that was not gutted people were suprised at where thay actually are.

Most hogs I shoot cartwheel in 20-25 yds or less, they may do a longer last ditch run and make it 40 yds but they leave a blood trail that's unreal. ( I use Snuffers)

Try this, let one turn slightly broadside, foreleg forward and shoot them in the arm pit.

The heart of a hog sits directly on the breast bone, and exactly between the front legs if you drew a line center of leg to center of leg. you can not shoot too low on a hog. to low is a miss. shoot no higher than 1/3 up. A whitetail shot placement is a lost hog. !! it's behind the liver(gut shot) The lungs sit like a saddle over the heart and they are small too. there is a 2-3 inch wide area above the lungs it's non-lethal. seen lot of scars in that area.

Hogs are tough critters to begin with a slightly marginal hit is most of the time a lost hog.



I'll see if I can find the pictures.

[Fishndude]

The most important thing is settle down and don't rush your shot. Everything else will fall in place.

[mitchbcs]

I'd say it more of your shot placement than anything else.
Hog vitals are low and forward.
I have a set of pics showing a hog that was not gutted people were suprised at where thay actually are.

Most hogs I shoot cartwheel in 20-25 yds or less, they may do a longer last ditch run and make it 40 yds but they leave a blood trail that's unreal. ( I use Snuffers)

Try this, let one turn slightly broadside, foreleg forward and shoot them in the arm pit.

The heart of a hog sits directly on the breast bone, and exactly between the front legs if you drew a line center of leg to center of leg. you can not shoot too low on a hog. to low is a miss. shoot no higher than 1/3 up. A whitetail shot placement is a lost hog. !! it's behind the liver(gut shot) The lungs sit like a saddle over the heart and they are small too. there is a 2-3 inch wide area above the lungs it's non-lethal. seen lot of scars in that area.

Hogs are tough critters to begin with a slightly marginal hit is most of the time a lost hog.



I'll see if I can find the pictures.

x2

[Big Spec]

I'd say it more of your shot placement than anything else.
Hog vitals are low and forward.
I have a set of pics showing a hog that was not gutted people were suprised at where thay actually are.

Most hogs I shoot cartwheel in 20-25 yds or less, they may do a longer last ditch run and make it 40 yds but they leave a blood trail that's unreal. ( I use Snuffers)

Try this, let one turn slightly broadside, foreleg forward and shoot them in the arm pit.

The heart of a hog sits directly on the breast bone, and exactly between the front legs if you drew a line center of leg to center of leg. you can not shoot too low on a hog. to low is a miss. shoot no higher than 1/3 up. A whitetail shot placement is a lost hog. !! it's behind the liver(gut shot) The lungs sit like a saddle over the heart and they are small too. there is a 2-3 inch wide area above the lungs it's non-lethal. seen lot of scars in that area.

Hogs are tough critters to begin with a slightly marginal hit is most of the time a lost hog.



I'll see if I can find the pictures.

That is very good information, thanks for sharing.

[bigtuna]

I'd say it more of your shot placement than anything else.
Hog vitals are low and forward.
I have a set of pics showing a hog that was not gutted people were suprised at where thay actually are.

Most hogs I shoot cartwheel in 20-25 yds or less, they may do a longer last ditch run and make it 40 yds but they leave a blood trail that's unreal. ( I use Snuffers)

Try this, let one turn slightly broadside, foreleg forward and shoot them in the arm pit.

The heart of a hog sits directly on the breast bone, and exactly between the front legs if you drew a line center of leg to center of leg. you can not shoot too low on a hog. to low is a miss. shoot no higher than 1/3 up. A whitetail shot placement is a lost hog. !! it's behind the liver(gut shot) The lungs sit like a saddle over the heart and they are small too. there is a 2-3 inch wide area above the lungs it's non-lethal. seen lot of scars in that area.

Hogs are tough critters to begin with a slightly marginal hit is most of the time a lost hog.



I'll see if I can find the pictures.

So if I understand you correctly you are suggesting shot placement something like this:

[Fishndude]

So if I understand you correctly you are suggesting shot placement something like this:

Yes!



and yes....

[mkguthrie]

that shot there will do it everytime!

[Stud Duck]

i agree.. i think its your shot placement...

aim small... miss small.

good advice above.

[Wudstix]

So if I understand you correctly you are suggesting shot placement something like this:

Pig on the ground in a hurry every time. Low and tight to the front leg.