Tuesday, November 27, 2012

Thanksgiving Hunting with Family & Friends

Frying the turkey for Thanksgiving.
Watching the Turkey cook and drinking a beer.
Mmmm, look at all that crispy goodness!
The kids wanting to go for a ride in the Jeep.
A couple of the wives heading out for a drive around the Ranch.
I did not have room for my bow in the truck with all the gear so I decided to hunt with my 38 Super IPSC pistol.  Nothing ever came up.
One of the guys I hunt with is a doctor and when I saw his stethoscope hanging out of his hunting bag, I just had to take a picture.  It looks so out of place.
Early morning sun rise on the lever action rifles.
Safety is key when in a tree stand.  Always wear a safety harness.  One of the guys dropped his bow and it landed on the quiver and drove a broadhead through it.  Fortunately is was not a long drop so his bow is ok.

Tuesday, November 20, 2012

White Tail Deer Hunt November 17-18 "The Rut Begins"

The weekend showed the beginning signs of the rut here in Central Texas. The Bucks did not pay too much attention to the feeders and the does were running around like a bunch of sorority girls at a fraternity party. As my son and I sat in a 2-person tree stand with no activity, it was evident that we needed to try something else. So we pulled out the Rattling Bag Deer Call and began making some noise. It was not long before a young buck showed up in the distance so I gave a mature buck grunt on my Grunt Call. However, my grunt must have been too mature because he left as quick as he came and never got close enough for me to get a bead on him with my 38 Super IPSC pistol I was hunting with.
My Uncle had better results when this fantastic 11 point came up near his blind to rub on a bush.  One shot from his ARPerformance 6.8SPC was all it took.  This one will be going on the wall.
My cousin also had some luck and shot this young 8-point with his Bison Armory 6.8SPC.  Below is a video of his hunt from last year using my ARPerformance 6.8SPC.  He liked it so much he had to get one too :)

My son and I never got a shot off.  We'll give it another try this weekend.  I with my pistol and he with his 22 Chipmunk rifle in hopes of getting a turkey.

Me and my son sitting in a box blind waiting for the big one that never came.  Oh well, he got in a good game of Plants vs Zombies and I got to enjoy a nice cup of coffee.  Its time well spent!
Checking the brightness of my red dot on my 38 super pistol in anticipation of a deer.
Using the rattling bag deer call to see if anything comes up.  Only a young buck came up.

Friday, November 9, 2012

Opening White Tail Deer Season in Central Texas

What a great weekend! It was nice to see the guys. Some I had not seen since last hunting season a year ago! But that is what hunting season is all about. Getting out and bonding with the guys and having a good time. And of course hunting for the elusive trophy white tail buck!. One of the guys got a nice buck, probably scored about 118 and weighed 130 on the hoof. Not to be out done, I shot a big body eight point that weighed 159 on the hoof. Of course the antlers were not as big as my buddies, but both deer were a good trophy for a low fence property where you have no control over genetics. Here are a few pictures from opening weekend. Videos to come soon so be sure and check back frequently!
I was trying to flush a Sika that I knew was hanging out  in some thick brush so I had my friend set up where it would most likely come out.   Well it came out right in front of him about 10 feet away.  Unfortunately his Henry 1866 45LC misfired.  Here is a fantastic screen shot from the video.  I hope to upload the video soon.

My buddies 8 point shot with the traditional 30-30 Winchester
My 8 point shot with a bow at 33 yards.
Axis deer shot with a Henry 1866 chambered in 45 Long Colt
My cousins Axis deer taken with a 6.8SPC



Some of the Hardware

More!
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Side arms and FLIR!
Texas Holdem on the deck of the cabin.  See the video here: http://texasnative00.blogspot.com/2012/09/our-hunting-cabin-in-central-texas.html
Bacon wrapped dove from a previous hunt.
Cold front moving in.
Close up of the sunset.