(pardon the variety of picture quality...Blackberry, iPhone and a true camera...)
For the past four or five years, Mason and I have been fortunate enough to receive an invite to Richard’s in-law’s place on the outskirts of Junction. Our adventures typically take place in the spring or early summer and we are limited to exotics and varmints. Late last year, Richard said we were welcome to accompany him for the late doe and spike season – Mason, being 16, would also be able to take advantage of the youth season and could shoot a mature buck if given the opportunity.
After weeks of anticipation, the day to depart was finally upon us. We left Richard’s house in Spring close to 6:00 on Thursday evening. Dinner in Columbus, some two hours later due to traffic in Houston, came just in the nick of time – Mason didn’t think he was going to make it too much longer without “nourishment”…
Minutes before midnight, we saw the sign that is always a welcome site on these trips.
We quickly unpacked, had a cocktail and discussed the game plan that would come to fruition less than five hours later. The alarm clock sounded way too early but we were also extremely eager to get out on stand. This is the view I had Friday morning with temperatures hovering in the upper 30s.
Mason saw a few animals but was hesitant until he gained a bit more clarification on what was “allowed”. Richard and I didn’t see a thing but that didn’t spoil our morning at all. While en route the night before, Richard sudden thought about his four-wheeler keys…you see, he typically drives us in his vehicle, but I was driving this trip and in my truck. His four-wheeler keys…you guessed it, still sitting in his door pocket of his truck back in Spring. We obviously managed to get around the ranch Friday morning but Richard was determined to get a key made before Friday evening’s hunt. He proceeded to make friends with every locksmith and ATV shop within a 90 mile radius of Junction…
After numerous calls, Richard and I departed for Kerrville to pick up a key. We returned in time to get suited up and head out to our stands. I took up the same place where I was in the morning – the results were the same, no sightings. Richard and Mason had a quiet sit as well, but the action picked up on their way back to camp. They replaced some camera cards that were pulled earlier in the day, and upon rounding a corner on their four-wheelers, two mature fallows were standing not 50 yards from them. Richard had seen these two animals during his morning hunt but they did not give him a shot opportunity. Well, they made the mistake of standing still, wondering what they were looking at long enough for Richard to chamber a round and drop the spotted one…what an impressive trophy.
There was some celebrating that took place Friday night which made for another early morning on Saturday. Mason was taking full advantage of his fur-lined Mad Bomber hat that he received for Christmas on these 30 degree mornings.
I switched up my game plan on Saturday and broke out the smoke pole…
I decided on “the black stand” which overlooks a sendero…
I had the pleasure of watching an up-and-coming 7-pointer and very young spike. After texting Richard about the spike, I decided to give him a pass…later in the weekend, I will kick myself for providing such a pass. Mason braved a stand affectionately call “the tower”… He passed on a doe and had various animals sightings which he got a kick out of. Richard hung close to camp but had the pleasure of watching a dozen or more axis does.
After a quick breakfast, Richard, Mason and I departed for Ingram to drop of the fallow from the day before…we got a few looks.
After seeing a few deer in the morning, I opted for the same stand, as did Mason. We had observed animals moving earlier in the day and we assume this was due to the full moon. So, Mason and I headed out close to 2:00 and braved the warmer temps. We both had uneventful sits until shortly after the feeders spun at 4:30…so much for going out two hours early. Deer started to filter in, including the 7-point and young spike from the morning hunt. Then three more spikes joined them – one being much larger, longer and tempting. I contemplated the shot and sent numerous texts to Richard. I finally flipped of the safety…boom! After waiting several minutes, I got to where the spike was standing and confirmed what I already knew. I jerked the trigger, pulled the shot, messed up, whatever you want to call it…I didn’t miss, but hit far back. I trailed for 300+ yards and the blood simply thinned to nothing. No recovery. I was sick! As Forest Gump says, “That’s all I have to say about that.” Mason on the other hand, had an older, smaller racked sika in his sights from his perch in the tower. One of us can obviously shoot straight and accurate, as this was the result of Mason’s Saturday evening sit…
We dined on steaks with Richard’s in-laws, friends and other family members before calling it a night. I was going to give the bow one more shot Sunday morning. We were all going to hunt the first hill which we had neglected all weekend. Come to find out, there was a reason for our neglect…no one saw a thing and after looking for my spike once more, we returned to camp earlier than usual.
Richard decided he would jack with me while packing…
…but we finally got loaded up with more than what we came with and headed down Old Segovia once again.
The trip out during the day gave us quite a bit more scenery than our late night arrival a few days before…
And so closes another chapter in our adventures in Kimble County. Mason and I feel truly blessed to be able to experience this piece of our great state – THANK YOU Richard for continuing to allow us to hunt on your family’s land. We can’t wait to do it again. Until next time…
For the past four or five years, Mason and I have been fortunate enough to receive an invite to Richard’s in-law’s place on the outskirts of Junction. Our adventures typically take place in the spring or early summer and we are limited to exotics and varmints. Late last year, Richard said we were welcome to accompany him for the late doe and spike season – Mason, being 16, would also be able to take advantage of the youth season and could shoot a mature buck if given the opportunity.
After weeks of anticipation, the day to depart was finally upon us. We left Richard’s house in Spring close to 6:00 on Thursday evening. Dinner in Columbus, some two hours later due to traffic in Houston, came just in the nick of time – Mason didn’t think he was going to make it too much longer without “nourishment”…
Minutes before midnight, we saw the sign that is always a welcome site on these trips.
We quickly unpacked, had a cocktail and discussed the game plan that would come to fruition less than five hours later. The alarm clock sounded way too early but we were also extremely eager to get out on stand. This is the view I had Friday morning with temperatures hovering in the upper 30s.
Mason saw a few animals but was hesitant until he gained a bit more clarification on what was “allowed”. Richard and I didn’t see a thing but that didn’t spoil our morning at all. While en route the night before, Richard sudden thought about his four-wheeler keys…you see, he typically drives us in his vehicle, but I was driving this trip and in my truck. His four-wheeler keys…you guessed it, still sitting in his door pocket of his truck back in Spring. We obviously managed to get around the ranch Friday morning but Richard was determined to get a key made before Friday evening’s hunt. He proceeded to make friends with every locksmith and ATV shop within a 90 mile radius of Junction…
After numerous calls, Richard and I departed for Kerrville to pick up a key. We returned in time to get suited up and head out to our stands. I took up the same place where I was in the morning – the results were the same, no sightings. Richard and Mason had a quiet sit as well, but the action picked up on their way back to camp. They replaced some camera cards that were pulled earlier in the day, and upon rounding a corner on their four-wheelers, two mature fallows were standing not 50 yards from them. Richard had seen these two animals during his morning hunt but they did not give him a shot opportunity. Well, they made the mistake of standing still, wondering what they were looking at long enough for Richard to chamber a round and drop the spotted one…what an impressive trophy.
There was some celebrating that took place Friday night which made for another early morning on Saturday. Mason was taking full advantage of his fur-lined Mad Bomber hat that he received for Christmas on these 30 degree mornings.
I switched up my game plan on Saturday and broke out the smoke pole…
I decided on “the black stand” which overlooks a sendero…
I had the pleasure of watching an up-and-coming 7-pointer and very young spike. After texting Richard about the spike, I decided to give him a pass…later in the weekend, I will kick myself for providing such a pass. Mason braved a stand affectionately call “the tower”… He passed on a doe and had various animals sightings which he got a kick out of. Richard hung close to camp but had the pleasure of watching a dozen or more axis does.
After a quick breakfast, Richard, Mason and I departed for Ingram to drop of the fallow from the day before…we got a few looks.
After seeing a few deer in the morning, I opted for the same stand, as did Mason. We had observed animals moving earlier in the day and we assume this was due to the full moon. So, Mason and I headed out close to 2:00 and braved the warmer temps. We both had uneventful sits until shortly after the feeders spun at 4:30…so much for going out two hours early. Deer started to filter in, including the 7-point and young spike from the morning hunt. Then three more spikes joined them – one being much larger, longer and tempting. I contemplated the shot and sent numerous texts to Richard. I finally flipped of the safety…boom! After waiting several minutes, I got to where the spike was standing and confirmed what I already knew. I jerked the trigger, pulled the shot, messed up, whatever you want to call it…I didn’t miss, but hit far back. I trailed for 300+ yards and the blood simply thinned to nothing. No recovery. I was sick! As Forest Gump says, “That’s all I have to say about that.” Mason on the other hand, had an older, smaller racked sika in his sights from his perch in the tower. One of us can obviously shoot straight and accurate, as this was the result of Mason’s Saturday evening sit…
We dined on steaks with Richard’s in-laws, friends and other family members before calling it a night. I was going to give the bow one more shot Sunday morning. We were all going to hunt the first hill which we had neglected all weekend. Come to find out, there was a reason for our neglect…no one saw a thing and after looking for my spike once more, we returned to camp earlier than usual.
Richard decided he would jack with me while packing…
…but we finally got loaded up with more than what we came with and headed down Old Segovia once again.
The trip out during the day gave us quite a bit more scenery than our late night arrival a few days before…
And so closes another chapter in our adventures in Kimble County. Mason and I feel truly blessed to be able to experience this piece of our great state – THANK YOU Richard for continuing to allow us to hunt on your family’s land. We can’t wait to do it again. Until next time…
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