Publications
Boars and Mechanicals
By Gary D. Dowdy
Dec 23, 2005, 00:14
 

For many years, I’d cringe at the thought of using anything other than a fixed-bladed broadhead on wild hogs. I’ve witnessed several shots taken by other hunters, which had less than desirable results. 

However, I had no personal experience using such broadheads and would justify my position by saying, “ I’d just rather not take a chance”. Being the bowhunting editor for Boar Hunter Magazine, I want to give the best possible advice and most accurate information to my readers.

I owe it to the sport of bowhunting- and the readers. I like to speak from practical, personal experience. As for the subject of mechanical broads, I had none.I decided to give mechanical heads a try last year, during the archery deer season. I figured it was best to try them on soft-skinned deer before pursuing the prehistoric-looking, super tough creatures I love so much- the wild boar. 

My Choice

EXP Three Blade

I elected to use the Innerloc EXP from Sullivan industries. I have a great respect for their replaceable-blade broadheads. They’re the toughest replaceable-blade heads I’ve ever encountered. Extremely sharp and true in flight, I have absolute confidence in their products.

First Experience

I managed to take a few does with the Innerloc EXP’s early in the season. I was very impressed with the holes they made and the incredible blood trails. After retrieving arrows I’d used in the harvest, I’d examine the heads for damage. There was never any significant tip damage, and I had one bent blade out of three broadheads used.

There is an interesting feature I found in this design, and that’s the Clip-Loc Retention System. First, it adds great ease in replacing the blades. Second, it requires no rubber O-rings or rubber bands. That was of great concern for me at first. I didn’t want my blades to prematurely open before impacting.

My target practice sessions with the broadheads (I recommend all bowhunters do this) had proven this to be of no concern at all. Another concern was, from all accounts, a smaller entry wound with expandable broadheads. The entry and exit holes on the deer I have taken proved to be equal as best as I could tell, so this too was a “non-issue”.

Hmmm, “Let’s go boar hunting”.

The Boar Hunt

February 22^nd, 2005 I found myself in South Florida on Lake Okeechobee hunting with L&R High Adventure Outfitters with Louis Meurice and Robert Fulgueira. I was there with my friends from PSE to film an episode of Today’s Bowhunter for The Outdoor Channel. In attendance with Team PSE was hunters Dan Perez and Ricky Stinson, and cameramen Shane Yearian, and Producer/Cameraman Eric Suhm.

 On the first day of our hunt, both Dan and Ricky had pork on the ground by noon. Both hogs were taken with expandable broadheads. I examined their hogs and was impressed with the holes their heads had made. To my surprise, both shots were pass through shots on some pretty heavy pork.

I had my opportunity later that afternoon. The temperatures were already in the upper eighties and I knew that I was definitely in SOUTH Florida!

We located a large boar bedding in a dug out hole under a palmetto. The hog was situated in such a manner that I’d have to get right on top of him to make the shot. We enlisted the help of L&R guide, Darrell Hazellief, and a huge swamp buggy to obtain height advantage and try and get in close enough for a shot.

The crew loaded onto the buggy and we started creeping in close. At eighteen yards the hog started getting “edgy” and I knew I’d have to take the shot from there. I had only the upper portion of his back to shoot at. I also knew I’d have to run the arrow right over the top of the sand of the hole he was in. I knew the shot may be a little high, but felt assured the hog was retrievable.

I drew, anchored, and focused on the point of impact. The PSE Primos STL silently launched the Innerloc EXP tipped carbon shaft on its way. “Whack”, the arrow hit right were I was focusing. It was, in fact a bit high. A foot chase followed and we found ourselves a few hundred yards further, saturated in sweat, and standing in a palm hammock. We moved in on the slightly enraged boar, he was a monster!

After fighting through the dense palmettos we found ourselves within a distance of less than five yards. I readied my PSE bow and came to full draw. Darrell was yelling, “Shoot, shoot!”, Shane Yearian was just to my right running his camera. The hog lowered his head and readying a charge. I had no choice but to take a slightly “quartering-to” shot.

The arrow was gone. The Innerloc EXP struck the rear portion of the shield, slightly behind the bones on the shoulder blade. The hog lurched forward and landed just feet away. The foamy, red blood indicated at least a double-lung shot.

The results of the Innerloc EXP were tremendous. I stood by, shaking violently and sweating profusely. I was indeed very pleased with my boar.  The boar weighed 275 pounds and had cutters showing over five inches above the gum line. I had absolute confidence in my abilities as a Bowhunter and in my equipment. That made all the difference between a successful hunt, and someone being injured or killed by this enraged boar.

 

Gary with his boar

Conclusion

I still love my fixed-blade broadheads, but I’ll never question ones sanity for using expandables. It’s all about personal choice. I know now they’re effective and wouldn’t hesitate to recommend them to someone shooting a high-energy compound bow.

For information on L&R High Adventure Outfitters, call 1-800-738-4018, or log on to their web site at: www.hunt-more-deer.com

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