The shot not taken...

This evening, so maybe a true TIFU. Public land, bow only. Open area with a pond (not much open space around), had done some walking around, was walking back upwind back to where I had dropped my pack and came over a little hill, saw them to my right, lots of junk in the way. I dropped down and settled as they moved left. Looked like 2 adults and two litters, one of about 5 or 6 multicolored 20 pounders, and another of about 10 pounders all 6-8 of them looking like mini Jersey cows. Soon after this photo was taken I was spotted as I was out in the open on a goat trail. I was debating the shot but I was expecting them to settle down as I was absolutely motionless and at the ready, but they gave me the ole high sign and went back right. Shot was about 45-50 yards (my rangefinder was broken!!) They weren't totally spooked so I went to my right behind a little ridge, spotted some more. Different bunch from the same sounder as I only moved less than 100 yards - at least 2 adults - one yellow and one black grazing on fresh grass. Was 20 yards out but lots of bushes so no clear shot. Another 10 feet to my left and it would have been over. They slipped into a thicket never to be seen or heard again.

easy shot with a rifle..
More challanging with bow...
Cool read...

That's fun stalking around them and being that close. It'll happen, keep after it

should of taken the shot instead of the pic and you would have a pic with the pig

Good post.

Went back to the same area this evening - have a new rangefinder. . It was 49 yards. The shot I never had would have been 22 yards.

Stop taking pictures and start shooting.

I was uncertain on the range and rightfully so. My reticle goes to 40 and that's all I've practiced to. And I can assure you if its photo or arrow I choose arrow.

Good story and ethical decision.

Tipton , have mentioned this in few other posts...
Your pins on bow can be used as a range finder with alittle practice...
3D targets, set top pin on top back plain, 10yrds make note were next pin is on 3D & 3rd pin.
Then move back 20yrds, same & ta 30yrds...
OP reminded me of a hog hunt had. Seen several hogs on other side of a small dried up creek.
Got down low, moved ta my side of ditch, low crawl, hogs were on other side.
One eased twards me. Was pinned down, crossed creek bed & came close enough ta smack on snoot..
Thanks for the read... Brought back many memmories...
Tis the True Trophy...
When ya huntsolo your memories die with ya, take a loved one...

P.s. Always carried me a camera, friend always said same...
Put down camera & choot...
Keep your head held high & your powder dry...

Thanks for the tip but I use a crossbow. Bad shoulders from my rugby days makes a compound difficult.

So you were right on the distance, good job. I always had a hard time figuring distances until I started bow hunting (I use a xbow but don't take shots outside 40 and try to keep them inside 30. it is impressive how well the noggin will figure a distance when you know what things should look like at certain distances

I started without a rangefinder. After being humbled more than once I realized it was a needed tool. When out I practice judging and checking my rangefinder to tune my noggin in case I can't range. In this case my rangefinder had been broken so it was a guess. It felt wrong. And to those throwing shade about taking photos and not shots, there is a reason there is no photo from the second stalk. 'Cause I needed the pig to move a out 6 more feet to my left.

Had ta give up the archery deer/hog hunts on WMA cause they wouldnt allow crossbows... Got bad shoulders, knee, & back all work related.. Adapt, Overcome, Improvise..



Most compounds come with red-dot, even me cheaper ones, from SG. Three dots same as pins on bow.. Got nothing against range finders red dot, pins, even old scopes, the cross hairs thick ta thin ...

yankee redneck injanewity... Things new before military... Got D- in grammer...