RadialJett
FNG
- Joined
- Feb 11, 2024
- Location
- SoCal
Here’s a quick recap on a recent feral goat hunt I did.
Premise: I need time stalking and getting shots on animals to become a better hunter. Hawaii is generally an exotic and expensive destination but rich in animals. Working for an airline I was able to offset much of the expense and set up a hunt on a layover.
The guide: Maui Hunting Safaris. A+, great folks. They know the property and the animals. Prompt communication and friendly, professional service.
The property: private ranch with a beautiful mix of terrain from open gassland to thicker forests. I saw dozens of goats and axis deer in an evening and a morning hunt. They have a ranch house with bunks for 4 hunters.
The hunt: I arrived just in time to change clothes and start hunting mid-afternoon. We were able to stalk a couple groups of goats before finding a group with several mature billies and setting up an ambush. It was a lot of fun to be in the mix of a herd and lots of eyes watching for trouble. I managed not to mess it up and landed about 30 lbs of meat and a nice trophy on a 19 yard quartering away shot.
We processed the goat and started working some different small draws. Got another stalk opportunity on a big billy with a broken horn, but rushed a bit and blew my cover.
The next morning saw us get into a group of axis does and another group of goats without a good shot opportunity before I had to pack it in and head back to work.
Compared to my previous experiences typically cold, in the dark, dealing with a scarcity of animals and over abundance of hunters, this was an amazing treat. Something about a gentle warm breeze, the ocean and being on a volcano can’t be matched anywhere else.
The gear: because we’re addicted.
-Pelican air bow case, worked great
-Bowtech Guardian, been working great for nearly 20 years
-Rage mechanical broadhead, did it’s job, found some bone on the opposite side and became single use
-Sig Kilo 2k rangefinder, great, but the magnification is more than I needed for a bow hunt
-GPO 10x50 Passion HD, clear and comfortable on my eyes, I don’t have experience with Alpha
glass to compare-Marsupial Gear bino pouch, solid.
-Orvis Tech pants, comfy but I wish quieter
-Forloh SolAir technical hood, comfy and quiet, but why oh why is the inside of the fabric bright white?!?!
-Merrell Moab shoes, comfy over sharp lava rock, even though you normally see them stepping out of Subaru Foresters
Hit me up with questions, thanks RS for making me a better hunter.
I thought it was great.
