Welcome to the Alaska Bowhunting Supply-GrizzlyStik success pages. Take your time and enjoy browsing these photographs of bowhunters who know the satisfaction of hunting hard with GrizzlyStik arrows, broadheads, and other quality gear from Alaska Bowhunting Supply.

If you have your own success photos you'd like to share with us email them to: Todd@AlaskaBowhunting.com. Please include the following information: Your name, the kind of 'critter' taken, the state or province taken in and your equipment list. We'd also like a few words describing your hunt if you'd care to add that.

Note: By submitting images and descriptions to Alaska Bowhunting Supply you authorize us to use them online and in print for promotional purposes.

We love it when our bowhunting friends share their successes with us and bowhunters around the world enjoy looking though bowhunting success pictures like these.

 

 

Two Pigs With One Shot!

 

 

 

"Ed, Thanks so much for including me in your field testing of the new Ashby broadhead. It's been an honor to play with such a fine product in both the Ashby head and also the fine arrow shafting, The GrizzlyStik Sitkas.

Performance was everything I'd expected. I originally was looking to shoot a big grizzled boar but was unable to make it work the first few times out. I settled on a 100# sow that was feeding along with a sounder of herd pigs. Once within about 10 yards I dropped the string and watched the dart-like Sitka streak straight through her. There was no doubt that penetration was far and above anything ordinary. My 47# Horne Brushbow was more than enough bow to send the arrow straight through.

Upon blood trailing the pig I found that the blood trail made no sense. I'd seen the sow fall in sight but as I approached her I found that there was a blood trail leading away from the area where my pig had fallen. The only thing I could do was follow it. That's right, I shot two pigs with the same arrow. About 30 yards from my first pig I found the Sitka shaft and Ashby head laying in the trail. About another 30 yards up the trail laid my second hog. I was stunned by the event! I do think I understand penetration on a professional level now. I do feel that if everyone was getting this kind of penetration with their set-up there would be a lot less woundings. Thanks again for the opportunity to "see the light". I know what I'll be reaching for the next time I've got some serious hunting to do. I'll be grabbing my GrizzlyStiks and Ashby heads. You just can't put a price on proper performance."
Thanks again, Curtis Kellar, President-7th Age Bowhunting,LLC

 

 

 

 

EAST TENNESSEE TUSKERS - Chasing Big Hogs in the Mountains with Stick and String, By Chuck Smick

 

Does a late season bowhunt for big stinky critters excite you? With deer season over; and turkey season a month or two away; do you still have a hankering to pursue big game still? If the answer is a resounding “YES!” then chasing wild hogs in the mountains of East Tennessee is what you may be searching for this winter, for some extra excitement and fun this year. Getting eyeball-to-eyeball with a big tusker will get your adrenalin going… and maybe have you looking for a tree too! Another great attribute to this late season hunt is if you are successful, you’ll have a cooler full of fresh fixings for barbeque and some great breakfast meals too.

The terrain in the mountains of East Tennessee is rough and rugged, with steep, rocky hills, mountain laurel and holly choked creek bottoms and thick brush in areas in between the top and bottom of these mountains. Hogs will lie up in these thick areas near water sources during the day; or in the frequent caves that spot the mountainsides. There are some important things you’ll need to consider, before you go on a hunt. A failure on any one of these items can result in failure to bring home the pork; or could result in a serious injury that could side line you for several months Hogs can be very dangerous too. If a big boar charges and you have to get out of the way quick; you’ll need the quickness and strength to do it or risk getting cut up badly by the sharp tusks they carry around with them.

Get in Shape. The terrain in the mountains of East Tennessee is TOUGH! You’ll need to start a good exercise regiment several months before you plan to hunt. I was walking three and one-half miles a night, several nights a week and it was not enough. I would try to find some hilly or mountainous areas and walk 4-6 miles daily, and carry a 30-50 pound rucksack to increase my stamina and strength; you’ll need it. A year round walking, biking or running regiment is even a better way to stay in shape for such a hunt. My old paratrooper knees and too many extra pounds around the middle won’t allow me to run anymore, so I power walk to get in shape. When I’m well into my program, I’ll ad the rucksack, loaded with a sand bag to improve my stamina and endurance.

The mountains will seriously challenge your heart, lungs and stamina to keep going. You’ll have a greater challenge if you hunt with an outfitter that uses dogs to locate and bay up hogs for hunters. A young guide that grew up in the area will keep you hopping too, trying keep up during a day of hunting. I found this out on a recent hunt! My walking regiment was interrupted frequently this past winter due several snow storms, with a lot of ice. When I went on a hunt recently, I could really tell the difference. I tired very easily, and was worn out after a day of hunting.

 

 

 

 

Shoot Your Chosen Weapon Often. Hogs, especially big boars can be VERY TOUGH to put down with one shot. You’ll need to make good, accurate shots in the vitals to take one down quickly. Big, old boars have a thick gristle plate that covers their chest also. The plate coupled with a big, tough front shoulder bone can stop an arrow or bullet before it gets into the vitals and does any real damage. I hunt with traditional archery tackle when I hunt hogs. I love to get up close and personal when I hunt these big stinky critters, so I want archery tackle that will do the job. I normally shoot a longbow or recurve bow that pulls 65-80 pounds when I hunt any big game animal (personal choice, from experience). NOTE: The last three hogs that I’ve taken have been with my 80 Lb pull Howard Hill longbow. I also prefer and use heavy tapered GrizzlyStik carbon arrows sold by Alaska Bowhunting Supply (www.alaskabowhunting.com). These arrows, when coupled with a 210-290 grain single bevel broadhead weigh 710-900 grains for my finished arrows with the broadhead. These GrizzlyStik “Safari” and “Alaskan” models are excellent choices for your hog hunting arsenal.

The heavy bows and heavy arrows carry the momentum through to the intended target and get the good penetration that you need to successfully take a big wild hog. I use a heavy, high quality single bevel broadhead; the “Nanook” broadhead by Alaska Bowhunting Supply or a “Brown Bear” broadhead, with a steel insert sold by ABowyer, Inc. in Michigan for the majority of my hog and other big game hunting. The “Grizzly” broadhead has proven to be an excellent killer also. These broadheads hold up to hits on big, tough animals. These broadheads take a sharp edge and hold it; even after shooting an animal with them. I recently shot a big wild hog on a hunt and the recovered “Nanook” broadheads were sharp enough re-use immediately if I needed to use them in a hurry.

Hogs have thick layer of fat and heavy coats that are often covered with mud from wallowing (even in the winter months). A broadhead needs to stand up to this mud and thick coat and still retain its sharp cutting edge. You want a broadhead that is capable of getting you a pass-through to create a good wound channel and blood trail also. I STRONGLY RECOMMEND not using mechanical broadheads on hogs, especially big boars. I’ve personally seen mechanical broadheads fail on big boars, even on close shots.

Locating Hogs: I would suggest start your search by contacting the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency to locate hog hunting areas around the state; whether you choose to hunt public or private land. You can reach the Agency at www.state.tn.us/twra/contacts. I would recommend calling the TWRA Regional Offices in Region 3 at 931-484-9571; and Region 4 at 423-587-7037 to get the latest scoop on the best hog hunting areas. Tennessee has no season on wild hogs and the TWRA encourages hunters to kill every hog they encounter, due to their destructive nature of rooting and eating anything they may encounter. Wild hogs are very prolific and can populate an area very quickly also. Reducing their numbers will help the environment greatly too. The other option that you have is hunting a preserve. Some people have pooh-poohed this as hunting “penned” animals. The preserves that I’ve hunted have proven to be very challenging hunts. Hogs can get very difficult to locate and get close enough for a shot, especially with archery tackle. I hunt on the ground and prefer to still-hunt and stalk, which increases the challenge and difficulty of the hunt.

Hog Hunting Equipment. You’ll need your chosen hunting weapon, along with arrows or the proper bullets, if you choose to use a firearm. A good, high quality pair of quiet boots is essential. Make sure they are well-broken in, before your hunt. I carry a high quality pair of binoculars any time I hunt. This tool is great for searching for hogs and hopefully locating them so you can put the sneak on them. I wear a new type of camo called “hide-n-camo”. This pattern was developed by Jon Washburn, a very experienced bowhunter in Illinois, with over 30 years of pursuing a variety of big game with archery tackle. Check out Jon’s web site at: www.hide-n-camo.com.

I also carry a hog grunt call, in the event that I encounter a hog or group of hogs and want to calm them down or reduce their suspicions if they spot me. Hogs don’t have great eyes, but they do spot movement easily; and have incredible noses and hearing. I use the same techniques of scent control for wild hogs, which I use for hunting whitetail deer or other big game. Hunting East Tennessee tuskers is exciting, fun and very challenging. Hunting wild boar will give you a great opportunity to hunt when other seasons are closed. Hogs are not easy to take even in a preserve, especially if you chase them with archery tackle on the ground. If you manage to take one, the pork is great on the table, and less fat than domestic pork. So accept the challenge and go to East Tennessee and chase some wild hogs this year.

Sidebar. For excellent hog hunting contact Rick Loshbough, owner of Loshbough Hunting Lodge at www.tennboar.com or give him a call at 931-788-5408. Rick has two nice lodges and excellent hunting territory.

 

 

 

 

"The GrizzlyStik arrows and Nanook broadheads performed flawlessly. The big hog staggered on the first hit. I thought the hit was too far back, so I shot it up close to the shoulder on the second shot; and the hog went down in seconds!. The Nannok broadheads were still sharp enough to use again on another hog! They performed Great!. I am very happy with this arrow/broadhead combination.

I can't wait to test one of your new bows! It should prove to be a deadly combination on any game. Thanks again for great equipment for the traditional bowhunter. Take Care." Chuck Smick

Chuck Smick is a freelance outdoor writer and photographer, with over 45 years of bowhunting experience in nine states. Chuck has taken deer, elk and numerous wild hogs with his traditional archery tackle. Chuck is a pro-staff member with Harmon’s Deer Scents and Hide-n-Camo. Chuck can be reached at csmickpaducah@yahoo.com.

 

 

 

 

Here's a picture of Razor Dobbs with a large wild boar he shot in Texas with a 100 grain Maasai broadhead and a GrizzlyStik Alaskan arrow.

"My arrow entered at the last rib and exited the the neck on the opposite side. The broadhead penetrated completely through the boar breaking the ribs where it meets the neck bone. The blood trail was a 4-star for sure."   Razor Dobbs

 

 

"Photo attached of a big pig I shot in TX with the 100 grain Silver Flame. 20 yard shot from a 62 pound bow, 420 grain total arrow weight. Penetrated to the fletching."   Brandon Ray

 

 

Here's Alaska Bowhunting Supply customer and friend Mark Lafita with a very nice hog. Mahalo Mark! Mark especially likes our Super Glove.

 

 

 

 

 

"Ed - I shot this young boar hog last evening & it was real cold (by our standards) so I field dressed him & let him hang. I quartered him up this afternoon & was impressed with the wound channel so I thought I’d send you some pics. It was a front quartering shot from a stand & I hit him right behind the R. ear & it exited out the L. shoulder. The Safari shaft snapped as he rolled but the Ashby is ready to be mounted on another shaft. The difference between the entrance & the exit is impressive. So much for those I’ve been reading who claim that a two-blade broadhead doesn’t create enough of a wound channel to be effective on hogs! I don’t think they were talking about a razor-sharp single bevel that weighs 315gr." Lane Moore

 

 

Here's a big Argentinean Wild Boar that sported 9.5" tusks. It was taken by "Risto" with a Nanook single bevel broadhead and a Black Widow recurve bow.