Good West Coast Pig.

I got very lucky in the weekend. I took another keen bow deer stalker out on Sunday. The wind was blowing westerly and strong maybe 20 knots. We stalked in on a big herd and had a nice ridge to approach right into about 30m. wind was running across us so good for the stalk.  We both popped up (I had my bow for a change) and the herd had move very close to our spot while we where stalking. My hunting guest was a new archer he was a little slower in deciding on which goat to take, I let my arrow go onto a nice nanny. What should have been a good take down actually it hit a fence wire and deflected up, the herd then took off before my fellow bowman could fire a shot.

Well that is life in hunting but I couldn’t believe my eyes when I saw two wild pigs 157 meters away (range finder). They were lying down in the sun.    It was an easy stalk in terms of sound as it was grass and the wind was providing good background noise, but absolutely no cover. Only a fence line running striaght to the pigs, at least it was a little cover but not much.

Long story short, my fellow bowman was kind enough to give me the stalk. I took very the stalk slowly, although it was fast if compared to bush stalking, but i had no cover for 110 meters so closing the gap quickly before the pigs moved or looked my way was important. Got to the last 40 meters and was then able to drop under a bank into position and pop up for an easy 25 meter shot. we didn't weigh him but felt like around 60kg.  happy days!

BLOOD TRAILING WITH DOGS

ABOUT BLOOD TRAILING WITH DOGS 

When dogs were domesticated by man, they have been used not only in bow hunting, but also in the retrieval and recovery of game. We all know a dog can out smell its owner so this line of work for man best friend is only natural.

 A wounded animal often leaves only a faint trail with little visible blood to follow, it makes sense to incorporate the use of a dog---especially one that is trained specifically to follow the faintest blood trail of a wounded animal.

Every Bow Hunter has a responsibility to do all within his means to recover an animal that has been wounded. When it is obvious that an animal is unable to be trailed and recovered by a visible blood trail, there is definitely another option. When faced with the loss of a trophy (coupled with a genuine concern to minimize the suffering of the wounded animal) the employment of a highly-trained blood tracking dog is the most ethical choice. As a matter of fact, in some Scandinavian and European countries, all Bow Hunters MUST have access to an officially titled and registered blood tracking dog in order to legally hunt deer or moose.

 Keep in mind that success is not automatic just because a good tracking dog is called in. The first thing a dog has to do when he is put on a wounded animal trail is to work through the area that has been tracked up by the Bow Hunter. The toughest part of the tracking process is usually at the point where the Bow Hunter loses the blood trail. This is generally the area where the Bow Hunter's search has been the most intense, so obviously the area with the most amount of Bow Hunter disturbance---from tramping around looking for blood evidence on every leaf, twig, or blade of grass. A blood trailing dog will have to work through this contaminated area.

  The behaviour of the animal itself can create serious difficulties in tracking also. Sometimes a wounded animal will make sharp directional turns or even appear to back track. In such cases, an experienced dog is needed to work out the trail. Other animals will also have an influence on the blood trail. A track laid several hours earlier will have many cross-trails of uninjured animals. These animals will not only be altering some of the tracking and scenting conditions, but they will also be offering tempting smells to a dog that is not disciplined to stay on the track of the wounded animal. A good blood trailing dog must be trained to discriminate and focus only on the specific wounded animal that is being sought.

 The wounded animal will often flee immediately after the shot at full speed, and it may have bled very little. Training a dog that is disciplined to handle such difficulties and distractions is an exhaustive, time-consuming and expensive project. It may take years to develop a top blood trailing dog. From my own personal experience as a hunting guide, I have learned that you should never assume a miss! If a shot is fired, you must treat the animal as if were hit. I have tracked and recovered animals that Bow Hunters thought they either missed or felt confident that it had not been a non-lethal shot. On the other hand, some shots may appear to be lethal, but the animal is actually still healthy enough to travel a great distance with apparently no physical limitations.
Determing the true condition of the animal after the shot is critical. A wounded animal should never be rushed. Wounded game that is pushed too early will often flee---on survival instinct and adrenaline alone---causing it to distance itself in such a manner that it is almost impossible to recover by any means. Moderate rain or snow on the scent line is not nearly as bad as dry, windy conditions---which can make trailing difficult or even impossible.

All wounded animals are not recoverable! The animal being trailed has to be seriously injured if the dog and handler are going to catch up to it. A dead animal is not going anywhere, so there is usually not any hurry to get to him. If the animal is not dead---a reasonable amount of time will only allow it to get weaker and hopefully lay down. If the wound is not sufficient to slow up, and eventually bring the animal down, then the moderate waiting time will have no bearing anyway. So if tracking conditions are favourable it may be better to wait at least an hour or two to start a dog on any trail of wounded game.

  The age of the track is important, but the nature and severity of the wound has more bearing on the recoverability of that particular animal. Atmospheric conditions will play a part, but that is a factor that cannot be manipulated or changed by the Bow Hunter or dog handler. The type of animal will also have some influence on the difficulty of the trail to be followed by dogs. A non-rutting deer will obviously leave much less scent than a stinky old mature wild boar. A small animal like a bobcat will be much harder to trail than a black bear. Hopefully there is enough blood---along with various body scent and fluids---present on the trail to be sufficient for the dog to follow (whether the blood is visible to the Bow Hunter or not). Sometimes a wounded animal will have to be trailed for some distance to determine whether or not it is recoverable. Some mortally wounded animals do not bleed at all, but they will leave other scent evidence of a wound that only a dog can detect and follow.

  The entrance or exit wound of a pig will often close up due to the extra amount of fat and thick hair. A pig hit high in the torso may not show any blood for up to 100 yards. A mortally wounded animal will eventually get weak or sick and start leaving a trail that indicates its weakened condition. If there is no visible blood or track that leads to this point, the animal will not be retrieved by even the most proficient tracking skills of a Bow Hunter or guide. Trailing a wounded animal is a fun and exciting sport in its own right. But it can be just as challenging and sometime just as un-productive as any type of hunting can be---however---having a well-trained blood dog will always tip the scales in your favour!

MY NEW HUNTING BOW - PSE OMEN MAX

I was not going to get a new "fancy" bow until i took my first deer with my current 12 year old PSE Carrera. Well I mistakenly thought “what’s the harm in looking at trademe?” and what do you know but there was 2013s fastest bow on the planet selling for nearly half price! I checked the bank account, double checked all my bills. Slept on it. Checked bills again. And thought bugger it I will get it!

Well I have had it two weeks now and I am impressed! The arrows come out at blistering 366 ft per second (IBO) and hit the target with eye watering power. At 50m on a 430grain arrow and tip my PSE Carrera penetrated the target with half an arrow length. Same distance same arrow the PSE Omen Max shovels the arrow into the same target up to its fletching!
When I shoot this bow in the rain the arrow leaves an impressive twirl like “vapour” trail of water, as it flys off the spinning projectile. This speed bow makes me smile every shot., it quiet, accurate and very powerful.

Yep the small brace height is rather unforgiving on poor form. I have found it has widen my 50m groups from 6-7ins on the old Carrera to 12in groups at 50m, I guess shooting an equally unforgiving Carrera for so long put me in good stead for this bow but i will need to tighten up.
I haven’t put 100 arrows through the Omen yet (cruse this weather) but I will be doing just that this weekend. Then its off to christen the Omen on a lucky goat.

  

PSE omen MAX

PSE omen MAX

http://pse-archery.com/c/pro-series-compound-bows_omen-max

my new toy...

welcome to Waikato bow huntuer - who would have thought i am blogging

Well firstly let me say that i didnt think i would ever write a blog, or have the time. But here i am and here you are reading my blogged thoughts on blogging. Welcome to the site as well. I don’t think i have much to say but in order for this to be a decent read for you i will have to change that aspect of my personality. I will try and keep it short and interesting.
I have started this site for other bow hunters who are like me. When i started bow hunting i was really hard pressed to know if i was doing the right thing, looking in the right places or even walking in the right way. If i could have gone on a trip like the ones i offer here i would have jumped at the chance to learn while with someone. How many times have we all wondered if we are wasting our time in the bush?!
Plus it took me years to find the land and the spots, to learn each piece of land too. This is for those chaps who love archery and bow hunting but their location and life does not let them get out as much as they would like.
Lastly i wanted to offer something that is not once in a life time, but 2 or 3 or 4 times in a year! Not helicopter and 7-10 days in the bush but drive, hike and for 1-2 days. Don’t get me wrong those helicopter 10 missions are life changing and often worth every shinny penny, but i wanted to offer something that could be done often and easily.

Not hunting trophy’s but sports bow hunting with meat for a curry at the end.

Cheers
JW