Announcement

Collapse
No announcement yet.

Laguna Atascosa 2020

Collapse
X
 
  • Filter
  • Time
  • Show
Clear All
new posts

    Originally posted by GBludau View Post
    I'll try and keep it short.
    This hunt was tough tough! Very hot and humid.
    Day 1) I spent 12 straight hours in one square foot of a mesquite. I did not climb down once. A skunk came under me at dawn. That is the only animal I saw. Literally, skunked.
    Day 2) Saw a doe and two fawns, 1 bull spooked when I swapped spots.
    Day 3) I abandoned 1 and went to 8, worked a large loop of the refuge. South of 8, into north of 3 through 8 back south then back west into 3. Saw animals, nothing close. 189 yards was the closest. Did some unorthodox methods. Hard pushes, wind bumps, even got undressed to cross a canal. Full blitz into the howling north wind. Passed on some deer. I was already accepting my first time being defeated, but just trying to enjoy it and tone it down a bit. Things were different this year, dead. Limited sightings. Not as much sign, no green vegetation, hardly any **** piles and small at that in some of my go to spots. So I tried new turf. It was still fun, but temps made it miserable. North looked fresh, green, lush and plenty of water.
    Day 4) North wind still blowing had me feeling it, I knew it was the day that something was going to happen. It did.

    I snuck in as stealthy, silently and as lightless as possible. Pausing frequently to listen for any game spooked or nilgai verbal alerts every time I heard something. Clean entrance. Saw a long tail cat. I saw 1 doe. At 8:30 am I heard him. The sound of grass moving. Here he comes. 30 yards at my 10 o'clock hoofs walking straight towards me his head down. I instantly grab my bow and latch on. Hes walking straight to me down a trail and will end up at 11 yards at the closest xing. I draw back before he clears the last bush. He stopped 18yds, hard quartering towards. I get to full draw smoothly (I told myself and others I'm taking a head shot to the brain anything 20yd or less, I did not want a track job) but at that angle I chickened out. I centered the pin on him, relax, and let it go. SHWACK! It stuck directly in his shoulder BONE(not blade) 31" of full arrow sticking out! He JUMPS! Bounds 15 yards to my 12 o'clock and spins around looking at what just stung him! Looking hard, up and down, lifts his right hoof and STOMPS. He was mad and confused and totally zoned on looking for what stuck him. I reach blindly for another arrow(quiver detached) never taking my eyes off him, he keeps looking as I fumble and fight my quiver to get an arrow loose(normally I have a 2nd one free already) I fumble and fumble and fumble pulling at this arrow(hog arrowhead but at this point I just wanted any arrow), I nudge the quiver into the tree and he heard it. Glanced towards me, then immediately back to the area he got stuck. He turned away and I took my eyes off him for a split second to get orientated on which arrow to grab, grabbed my 2nd arrow and knocked it as he begins walking away. DOINK! He heard me knock the arrow and turned around to look. I froze. We stared. He contined walking away, quartered perfectly(just like I needed) I drew back again! He looked again. I knew he was 35-40yds. My pins vibrate back and forth left to right from drawing so quick, the pins settled, yellow pin, let it go! SHHHHPAH! Sunk it deep behind left shoulder with solid penetration. He takes off and I jump down and run up 20 yards to be able to watch. He's at 100 yards before I get eyes on him running, turns right, out of sight, I freeze and listen. Limbs cracking for 2 seconds then, death moan. 2 horrendous bawls. Silence.
    I couldn't believe I got a 2nd shot. I waited an hour. Told some buddies. Went after 70mins after. Found blood at 30yds, followed it straight to him 120 yds away to where he laid.


    The A-Team disintegrated, Dad wasn't able to attend due to lung/bone cancer. TXoutdoorsman never showed, my 2 other hunting partners were 30 & 15 mins down the highway I was alone. Not turning around. Then, The Laguna Master comes to help. He walks a cart all the way in. Helps me drag, gut and haul him out whole. He is a beast and thinks it's funny the entire time! Told me he was a baby bull. I couldn't have done it alone. I doubt seriously any one man could. Arrived at parking lot at 1:30pm. He helped me skin then went back for an evening hunt.I finished everything by 6pm. I was in bad shape. Hadn't eaten anything since the nught before, pee'd for the first timr at 5:30 pm and had several waters and gatorades. It was a rodeo and I had more support than I can type.

    Anyways, enough yapping. Here's what you've all been waiting for.

    Sent from my SM-G892A using Tapatalk

    Dude. Congrats! That’s is awesome. I’m sure you’re beat, but that was a well deserved trophy.


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

    Comment


      Beautiful! Really makes me miss hunting there. That was my back yard for 41 years. Many great memories hunting out there. One day Ill make it back.

      Comment


        Originally posted by GBludau View Post
        Congrats BigRed. I was looking for you. You are a big part of my success since your first replys commenting that I was in for a tough hunt and a it being a different world for me prior to my first day setting foot on the refuge. It lit a fire in me.

        Sent from my SM-G892A using Tapatalk
        But was I wrong? glad I can say that I’ve been a part some great kills at Laguna.

        But in all seriousness, Congrats on the bull man. When you are that successful year after year, it takes luck out of the equation and shows what kind of hunter you are. Dang good shooting!
        Last edited by BigRed323; 11-17-2020, 08:48 PM.

        Comment


          Originally posted by GBludau View Post
          I'll try and keep it short.
          This hunt was tough tough! Very hot and humid.
          Day 1) I spent 12 straight hours in one square foot of a mesquite. I did not climb down once. A skunk came under me at dawn. That is the only animal I saw. Literally, skunked.
          Day 2) Saw a doe and two fawns, 1 bull spooked when I swapped spots.
          Day 3) I abandoned 1 and went to 8, worked a large loop of the refuge. South of 8, into north of 3 through 8 back south then back west into 3. Saw animals, nothing close. 189 yards was the closest. Did some unorthodox methods. Hard pushes, wind bumps, even got undressed to cross a canal. Full blitz into the howling north wind. Passed on some deer. I was already accepting my first time being defeated, but just trying to enjoy it and tone it down a bit. Things were different this year, dead. Limited sightings. Not as much sign, no green vegetation, hardly any **** piles and small at that in some of my go to spots. So I tried new turf. It was still fun, but temps made it miserable. North looked fresh, green, lush and plenty of water.
          Day 4) North wind still blowing had me feeling it, I knew it was the day that something was going to happen. It did.

          I snuck in as stealthy, silently and as lightless as possible. Pausing frequently to listen for any game spooked or nilgai verbal alerts every time I heard something. Clean entrance. Saw a long tail cat. I saw 1 doe. At 8:30 am I heard him. The sound of grass moving. Here he comes. 30 yards at my 10 o'clock hoofs walking straight towards me his head down. I instantly grab my bow and latch on. Hes walking straight to me down a trail and will end up at 11 yards at the closest xing. I draw back before he clears the last bush. He stopped 18yds, hard quartering towards. I get to full draw smoothly (I told myself and others I'm taking a head shot to the brain anything 20yd or less, I did not want a track job) but at that angle I chickened out. I centered the pin on him, relax, and let it go. SHWACK! It stuck directly in his shoulder BONE(not blade) 31" of full arrow sticking out! He JUMPS! Bounds 15 yards to my 12 o'clock and spins around looking at what just stung him! Looking hard, up and down, lifts his right hoof and STOMPS. He was mad and confused and totally zoned on looking for what stuck him. I reach blindly for another arrow(quiver detached) never taking my eyes off him, he keeps looking as I fumble and fight my quiver to get an arrow loose(normally I have a 2nd one free already) I fumble and fumble and fumble pulling at this arrow(hog arrowhead but at this point I just wanted any arrow), I nudge the quiver into the tree and he heard it. Glanced towards me, then immediately back to the area he got stuck. He turned away and I took my eyes off him for a split second to get orientated on which arrow to grab, grabbed my 2nd arrow and knocked it as he begins walking away. DOINK! He heard me knock the arrow and turned around to look. I froze. We stared. He contined walking away, quartered perfectly(just like I needed) I drew back again! He looked again. I knew he was 35-40yds. My pins vibrate back and forth left to right from drawing so quick, the pins settled, yellow pin, let it go! SHHHHPAH! Sunk it deep behind left shoulder with solid penetration. He takes off and I jump down and run up 20 yards to be able to watch. He's at 100 yards before I get eyes on him running, turns right, out of sight, I freeze and listen. Limbs cracking for 2 seconds then, death moan. 2 horrendous bawls. Silence.
          I couldn't believe I got a 2nd shot. I waited an hour. Told some buddies. Went after 70mins after. Found blood at 30yds, followed it straight to him 120 yds away to where he laid.


          The A-Team disintegrated, Dad wasn't able to attend due to lung/bone cancer. TXoutdoorsman never showed, my 2 other hunting partners were 30 & 15 mins down the highway I was alone. Not turning around. Then, The Laguna Master comes to help. He walks a cart all the way in. Helps me drag, gut and haul him out whole. He is a beast and thinks it's funny the entire time! Told me he was a baby bull. I couldn't have done it alone. I doubt seriously any one man could. Arrived at parking lot at 1:30pm. He helped me skin then went back for an evening hunt.I finished everything by 6pm. I was in bad shape. Hadn't eaten anything since the nught before, pee'd for the first timr at 5:30 pm and had several waters and gatorades. It was a rodeo and I had more support than I can type.

          Anyways, enough yapping. Here's what you've all been waiting for.

          Sent from my SM-G892A using Tapatalk

          Nice work dude. Super proud of you man! Next one you will have to take the head shot and make one a triceratops!


          Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

          Comment


            Beautiful bull. Congrats.


            Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

            Comment


              Originally posted by SneakyPhil View Post
              Beautiful! Really makes me miss hunting there. That was my back yard for 41 years. Many great memories hunting out there. One day Ill make it back.
              Thank you Sir, I also know you are also one of the Refuge OGs. Man, would I love to share a campfire and listen to you guys tell me about the experiences over all those years!

              Sent from my SM-G892A using Tapatalk

              Comment


                Originally posted by GBludau View Post
                I'll try and keep it short.
                This hunt was tough tough! Very hot and humid.
                Day 1) I spent 12 straight hours in one square foot of a mesquite. I did not climb down once. A skunk came under me at dawn. That is the only animal I saw. Literally, skunked.
                Day 2) Saw a doe and two fawns, 1 bull spooked when I swapped spots.
                Day 3) I abandoned 1 and went to 8, worked a large loop of the refuge. South of 8, into north of 3 through 8 back south then back west into 3. Saw animals, nothing close. 189 yards was the closest. Did some unorthodox methods. Hard pushes, wind bumps, even got undressed to cross a canal. Full blitz into the howling north wind. Passed on some deer. I was already accepting my first time being defeated, but just trying to enjoy it and tone it down a bit. Things were different this year, dead. Limited sightings. Not as much sign, no green vegetation, hardly any **** piles and small at that in some of my go to spots. So I tried new turf. It was still fun, but temps made it miserable. North looked fresh, green, lush and plenty of water.
                Day 4) North wind still blowing had me feeling it, I knew it was the day that something was going to happen. It did.

                I snuck in as stealthy, silently and as lightless as possible. Pausing frequently to listen for any game spooked or nilgai verbal alerts every time I heard something. Clean entrance. Saw a long tail cat. I saw 1 doe. At 8:30 am I heard him. The sound of grass moving. Here he comes. 30 yards at my 10 o'clock hoofs walking straight towards me his head down. I instantly grab my bow and latch on. Hes walking straight to me down a trail and will end up at 11 yards at the closest xing. I draw back before he clears the last bush. He stopped 18yds, hard quartering towards. I get to full draw smoothly (I told myself and others I'm taking a head shot to the brain anything 20yd or less, I did not want a track job) but at that angle I chickened out. I centered the pin on him, relax, and let it go. SHWACK! It stuck directly in his shoulder BONE(not blade) 31" of full arrow sticking out! He JUMPS! Bounds 15 yards to my 12 o'clock and spins around looking at what just stung him! Looking hard, up and down, lifts his right hoof and STOMPS. He was mad and confused and totally zoned on looking for what stuck him. I reach blindly for another arrow(quiver detached) never taking my eyes off him, he keeps looking as I fumble and fight my quiver to get an arrow loose(normally I have a 2nd one free already) I fumble and fumble and fumble pulling at this arrow(hog arrowhead but at this point I just wanted any arrow), I nudge the quiver into the tree and he heard it. Glanced towards me, then immediately back to the area he got stuck. He turned away and I took my eyes off him for a split second to get orientated on which arrow to grab, grabbed my 2nd arrow and knocked it as he begins walking away. DOINK! He heard me knock the arrow and turned around to look. I froze. We stared. He contined walking away, quartered perfectly(just like I needed) I drew back again! He looked again. I knew he was 35-40yds. My pins vibrate back and forth left to right from drawing so quick, the pins settled, yellow pin, let it go! SHHHHPAH! Sunk it deep behind left shoulder with solid penetration. He takes off and I jump down and run up 20 yards to be able to watch. He's at 100 yards before I get eyes on him running, turns right, out of sight, I freeze and listen. Limbs cracking for 2 seconds then, death moan. 2 horrendous bawls. Silence.
                I couldn't believe I got a 2nd shot. I waited an hour. Told some buddies. Went after 70mins after. Found blood at 30yds, followed it straight to him 120 yds away to where he laid.


                The A-Team disintegrated, Dad wasn't able to attend due to lung/bone cancer. TXoutdoorsman never showed, my 2 other hunting partners were 30 & 15 mins down the highway I was alone. Not turning around. Then, The Laguna Master comes to help. He walks a cart all the way in. Helps me drag, gut and haul him out whole. He is a beast and thinks it's funny the entire time! Told me he was a baby bull. I couldn't have done it alone. I doubt seriously any one man could. Arrived at parking lot at 1:30pm. He helped me skin then went back for an evening hunt.I finished everything by 6pm. I was in bad shape. Hadn't eaten anything since the nught before, pee'd for the first timr at 5:30 pm and had several waters and gatorades. It was a rodeo and I had more support than I can type.

                Anyways, enough yapping. Here's what you've all been waiting for.

                Sent from my SM-G892A using Tapatalk


                Congrats on a great bull & for the story!


                Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

                Comment


                  That’s an awesome bull and a great story! Congrats on the kill!

                  Comment


                    Man what an awesome story! Congrats on one helluva bull!


                    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

                    Comment


                      Congrats on the kill! Great write up as well! That's what it's all about! Heck of a Blue Bull you got. Well done

                      Comment


                        My dad shot a buck this evening, but couldn’t find it.

                        Deer were definitely moving more this last day. I think those of you with the later hunts should be seeing more even though they’ve been pressured the past 2 weekends. But even though there have been 2 hunts, the turn out of people was very low so still not terribly pressured.
                        Last edited by BigRed323; 11-17-2020, 10:39 PM.

                        Comment


                          Originally posted by BigRed323 View Post
                          Well, it was an extremely tough hunt. Very warm the first half and very little movement the entire time. A lot of movement at night as trails were freshened up after the evening hunt.

                          Luckily today, I had called it quits after the morning hunt so I went to grab my tripod out of the brush. Ended finding this guy at 1210 and ran to my truck to grab my bow, snuck up to about 15 yards away and put one right through him. No blood trail, but found him piled up about 40 yards away. Thought I was going home empty handed!

                          Till next year

                          Congrats on the spike. Nothing like a successful trip.


                          Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

                          Comment


                            Originally posted by GBludau View Post
                            Congrats BigRed. I was looking for you. You are a big part of my success since your first replys commenting that I was in for a tough hunt and a it being a different world for me prior to my first day setting foot on the refuge. It lit a fire in me.

                            Sent from my SM-G892A using Tapatalk

                            Great bull, great story. Yes they are work once on the ground. At 60 I feel my chances at another one is closing unless I get some younger friends. Lol


                            Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

                            Comment


                              Originally posted by BigRed323 View Post
                              My dad shot a buck this evening, but couldn’t find it.

                              Deer were definitely moving more this last day. I think those of you with the later hunts should be seeing more even though they’ve been pressured the past 2 weekends. But even though there have been 2 hunts, the turn out of people was very low so still not terribly pressured.


                              I’m quite surprised by the reported low turnouts. Seemed like Colorado had more people than ever this past September. I figured Laguna would be the same with everyone just dying for something fun to do that remains socially distanced. I know that I’m looking forward to it! Only reason I can think of for the low turn out might be the changes to how it was organized due to covid? (No pre mtg, last minute emails with instructions, etc). Maybe a lot of 1st timers were just too intimidated by it this way? Idk. I’m sure not going to miss it tho!


                              I’m on the last hunt at the beginning of December. Since they don’t conduct hunts the week of thanksgiving, I’m hoping that week off from hunting pressure right before my hunt week will also help us out. Maybe we can get lucky with some cool weather by then as well.

                              Anyone know when the Nilgai Rut happens?

                              Comment


                                Originally posted by FlyGuyy View Post
                                I’m on the last hunt at the beginning of December. Since they don’t conduct hunts the week of thanksgiving, I’m hoping that week off from hunting pressure right before my hunt week will also help us out. Maybe we can get lucky with some cool weather by then as well.

                                Anyone know when the Nilgai Rut happens?
                                I hunt Kennedy Ranch and the rut for Nilgai is January/February there. I also sent you a PM.

                                Congrats BigRed323 and GBludau! Great stories and thanks for sharing!

                                Im on the last hunt there and cant wait!
                                Last edited by piercebronkite; 11-18-2020, 08:08 AM.

                                Comment

                                Working...
                                X