March 2008 Boar Hunt

Big Brunswick Boar

March 21, 2008

This was the second bowhunting trip for me to the North Carolina Coast in search of a large Feral Hog, and the first hunting trip I had been on with my brother in many years. This hunting location had been good to me before and I had high hopes that my brother would at least be successful, and as a secondary, that I would have some luck also. Well, it proved to be a very eventful trip for the both of us.
We left for the coast at around lunchtime on a Friday afternoon and arrived on location just in time to get ready and get out for an afternoon hunt. For me, the afternoon started off very uneventful, with exception of more squirrels than anyone could count and a breeding pair of Wood Ducks.
My brother is a gun-hunter for the most part, so I knew that when I heard that 44 magnum crack through the silence of the woods that my brother had probably sealed the deal on his first feral hog. That was great for me to hear, because that meant our trip was already a successful one on the first afternoon, and well before dusk.
With the thought that we already had one hog down, I was less anxious, even though I hadn’t seen anything yet. With daylight quickly fading, I was contemplating unloading my bow and starting down from my tree. Within seconds of that thought, I heard something coming through the thicket in my direction. My heart raced as I stood up and readied myself for a possible shot. When I finally caught a glimpse of what was coming towards me, I could barely contain myself. It was pitch black and bigger than anything I had ever seen in the woods of my home state (or anywhere for that matter). Well, when I saw this big boar, I knew that I had no choice but to take him out, and that my shot must be perfect. The thought of getting down from my tree with this big boy still running around was not a thought that I was comfortable with. By the time he was in range, I was ready for the shot. He came in around a big Oak tree, and walked out into some shallow water perfectly broadside to me. He was eating corn that was underwater, and when he stuck his head under water the second time, I drew my arrow. By this time, it was almost dark and the boar being black did not help in my finding the perfect spot for my shot. I did not matter, because I was in my zone. I very consciously went through all the steps needed to assure a great shot and gently touched off my release. The arrow hit its mark with near perfection and I was exhilarated to see him running off with my arrow in tow. I heard the arrow snap in two and the enormous boar crashed through the thicket away from the swamp. Within seconds there was nothing but silence. I knew in my heart that it was a done deal, but was still concerned that he might just be wounded. A wounded boar of this size was not a fight I was willing to attempt. At this time, I was shaking/shivering uncontrollably. After a few minutes, I regained my composure.
I had previously heard a truck near the trailhead to where I was hunting and expected it was my brother coming to pick me up. Luckily my cell phone had a signal and I gave him a ring. He started in with a light and his gun, heeding my warning about the boar. By the time he arrived at my stand, I was working my way down. Together, we tracked the copious blood-trail, found my broken arrow, and quickly found my boar lying on the side of the main trail. He was enormous, and again my elation was uncontrollable. This was the largest game animal that I had ever taken with any weapon, and I knew that he would put me in good standings for the 2008 NC Bowhunting records.
My brother and I struggled to drag the boar out to the road, and then again to get him into the bed of the truck beside his reddish boar taken earlier that evening. This was the sign of an unbelievable success from one afternoon of swamp hunting.
We took the hogs back to our base-camp, took pictures and shared the stories of our exciting hunts with the other hunters already back at camp.The boar has not been officially measured or weighed, but he was estimated at over 200 pounds and the skull looks like it will be around 17 ½ inches. This was a great boar by anyone’s definition. My brothers’ boar was about half the size, but equally momentous. This trip was a great success and a great time for the both of us.