Monday
morning produced more wind and more rain, though neither
was quite as heavy as the previous couple of days.
Martin, Jason and I got blanked again, and finally gave
into the conditions at around 9:45. We loaded our
stands into Martin's pickup and then headed over to the
pipeline that Paul was hunting to collect the other
Swivel Limb. On the way in, we discovered what
appeared to be drag marks, but because we didn't see any
blood, assumed it to be Paul dragging his quadpod out of
the brush. When we came upon his quadpod, on the
opposite side of the pipeline from where it was
originally set up, but standing nonetheless, our
excitement grew figuring that he had arrowed
something. We quickly retrieved the Swivel Limb,
and then carefully checked the drag marks on the way out
until we positively identified blood; a few drops of
fresh, red stuff was on a stem of grass.
When we arrived back at Hoppers, we
found Paul and interrogated him about the
evidence. He told us he had seen 22 hogs and
several javelina before finally deciding to stick an
arrow in one to give to Kavin. He, and we, were
hoping for deer, but it was good to see somebody finally
have some success.
Martin and I drove to Victoria to
get the part for my pickup. Actually, we had
to break down and get a new compressor, adding
significantly to the cost of the hunt! Upon
our return, Kavin was in the cabin, and told us he
had arrowed a small five point buck.
Although it was small in size, it was no small
achievement! It was Kavin's first ever deer
with his recurve, and he got it on his 40th
birthday! What an awesome
accomplishment! He also told us that Debi
had an opportunity to kill a nice ten pointer,
which would have been her first with a recurve as
well, but unfortunately she was unable to connect. |
|
Somehow I think she will have plenty
of opportunity to redeem herself! |
Kavin Vann
with his first-ever "traditional" buck! |
Despite the miserable
weather conditions, we really had a great time on
this hunt, thanks to having the opportunity to
meet many of the fine folks that make
TexasBowhunter.com the site that it is! I
appreciate the help that Aransas veterans like
Kavin, Debi, Wayne and Tom gave to all the rookies
in knowing how and where to hunt.
. |
|
Also, I'd like to say
thanks to Paul and Martin for finding a couple of
places for us to hunt before our arrival late
Friday night.
We will definitely have a sequel next year, and
hopefully will be able to make this an annual
event. At $50 for nine days, I think the
Aransas archery hunt is one of the best bowhunting
values in the state. Now, I just have to
call Robert at Brush Country Camouflage and have
him make me a Brush Country slicker suit in the
event we get more rain! |
|