need2hunt Posted July 14, 2008 Report Share Posted July 14, 2008 The girls and I went down to Osceola Outfitters in Florida with the rest of the Archer's Choice Media office the beginning of July and had a great time. My youngest daughter Katelyn (8) shot a hog with a Tenpoint crossbow the first night out. This was not only Katy's first hog it was her first ever animal! We had about 20 hogs come in and it took quite a bit of patience on her part and coaching on mine as we waited for a good shot opportunity. Finally the hog we were after separated from the others and was standing broadside in front of us. I let Katy know she was clear for a shot and to put the pin right behind the front leg like we had practiced. Her shot was good top to bottom but was back further than we wanted. She was so excited! I explained to her what the situation was with the shot placement, and then called Hoppy to let him know what had happened. With the weather looking to turn to rain again he said he would be right out after he picked up one of his tracking dogs. When he arrived we found out that the good Lord was looking after us. On his way in the hog Katy shot had walked across the lane in front of Hoppy's truck, the bolt with the shining Lumanok still in it, giving us a better starting point for the tracking. The tracking didn't take that long as we found the hog dead about 35 yards from where the hog had crossed the road. Kestrel was next up for hogs, we started off hunting from Ameristep blinds with the crossbow. We hunted several days with not a whole lot of luck. Mostly having hogs showing up about 5 minutes after filming light. We ended up trading in the crossbow for a TC .223 and headed out one morning in search of some hogs. We ended up spotting a group that had a real nice boar in it and stalked up close enough for a shot. Only problem is Kestrel,s a bit shorter than Hoppy and I so she couldn't see the vitals. The hogs were headed down a logging road and we decided to circle around and get in front of them to set up. We made it around successfully but we had a nice sow come across first, we wanted the boar but we knew if the sow made it past us she would wind us and the game would be over. Kestrel decided to take the sow and put a great shot on her with the .223 Lastly it was my turn, and I can honestly say when I was growing up bowfishing the creek just down from my dad's small farm I would have never dreamed I would be in this situation. But there I was sitting on the front of an air boat with a Hoyt bowfishing rig in my hand flying down a swampy florida canal. We were going to try to find a spot on the canal and do some calling but that plan changed when we spotted a good gator laying on the bank. Hoppy passed it by so not to spook it and then turned the boat around and headed back to see if we could get a shot. It all happened so fast it was like a Florida drive-by. We were within shooting range when we spotted the gator again, I quickly took the shot and hit him right behind the front leg! He jumped into the water and just sat there as we watched the bubbles coming up in the water from an evident lung shot. He swam across the canal but wasn't going very far. We got close to him and in lieu of a bangstick I finished him off with the .223 and then pulled in my first ever alligator that went 6'7" All in all it was a great time and some awesome hunting, hopefully I'll get the chance to do it again sometime! We'll be having our stories as well as a bunch more from the trip over at archerschoicemedia.com starting to show up in a few weeks if you want to check them out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
toddyboman Posted July 14, 2008 Report Share Posted July 14, 2008 thats awesome G!!! :cool: Congrats to your girls on some great hogs and to you on the gator! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
texastrophies Posted July 14, 2008 Report Share Posted July 14, 2008 Very good story. That is so cool to be able to take your daughters with you and experience that. Congrats on the bacon & gator. :D:D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevebeilgard Posted July 15, 2008 Report Share Posted July 15, 2008 what a great experience.. having your daughters make a kill, then getting a gator yourself. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buckee Posted July 15, 2008 Report Share Posted July 15, 2008 Too cool :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HuntnMa Posted July 15, 2008 Report Share Posted July 15, 2008 Love it !!!! but I'm crushed.....not even 15 minutes away from me and not even a call (sorry, had to give ya grief, lol) Hadn't been out that way in years, since my friend moved.... Actually got to for a drive down to the one lane Bridge out there and turned around...it's that lil wooden bridge off the main road. I'm glad y'all had a great time.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhunt Posted July 15, 2008 Report Share Posted July 15, 2008 That is very cool Gary. Congratulations to you and the girls. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
too_pointer Posted July 15, 2008 Report Share Posted July 15, 2008 That will sure make great memories Congrats again to you & girls !! too Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hardwood_HD Posted July 15, 2008 Report Share Posted July 15, 2008 sounds like a whole lot of fun! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VermontHunter Posted July 16, 2008 Report Share Posted July 16, 2008 Now that's what it's meant to be ... :cool: CONGRATS .. Gary and all .. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThethirdI Posted July 16, 2008 Report Share Posted July 16, 2008 Sounds like you had an awesome time. I'd love to try that with my boys sometime! Congratulations on a successful hunt. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OJR Posted July 16, 2008 Report Share Posted July 16, 2008 Great trip for all of you! Congratulations! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest outdoorgirl Posted July 18, 2008 Report Share Posted July 18, 2008 Glad to see the family had a great time and great memories congratulations to the whole family :) great pictures !! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shaun_300 Posted July 25, 2008 Report Share Posted July 25, 2008 That's cool Gary, congrats to all of you on your trophies, nice pics too! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mule659 Posted August 14, 2008 Report Share Posted August 14, 2008 Man that's awesome...looks like a great time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dakota Posted August 14, 2008 Report Share Posted August 14, 2008 Congrats, buddy! Dakota Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
willis smith Posted September 3, 2008 Report Share Posted September 3, 2008 where u shoot those hogs? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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