Tuesday, November 28, 2006

Time to check the Hog Trap


Here's a picture of an awesome hunter in training! Up and ready to go at 5 am.

Saw a Sika doe at the photo blind hopping like an antelope, got buzzed by 20 buzzards over our heads that sounded like a helicopter, but nothing to shoot, so back for some lunch...















The hog trap was a hit with the kids. While Alex and little Bill are hunting veterans, it was Cameron's first animal to take with a rifle. He was a bit nervous, but excited and proud in the end...it tasted good!






















After a long day, it was into the blind by 3:30 for a 2 hour nap, then awaken to experience MAJOR buck fever for the first time and get whiffed by a nice 7pt WT buck. All in all a great trip. We're going back this weekend for more fun...

Monday, November 27, 2006

Kid Deer from this Past Weekend

Sarah's First Deer:



Little Bill's First Buck:

Pics from Brett's Hunt

The one that's in the freezer


The one that got away

Hunting at The Hackberry Ranch


Brett's First Bow Kill

Brett put some meat into the Zogas freezer this weekend, which is more than dad can claim. The scene began Friday evening at the box blind when we saw a few nice bucks come in at dusk. I thought there were two eight pointers, but Brett swore that there was actually a third deer that was a 9. All of them were nice bucks, but none of them really got into position for Brett to shoot. We left the blind a little frustrated that evening.

We hunted the same blind on Saturday evening. This time I had the video camera as I was convinced that it was going to be Brett's night. The Ameristep Intimidator blind that we set up a few weeks ago actually has little video camera ports that are at knee height and very convenient for the job. We were ready for the boys to come back. After watching a doe for a while, a nice buck came in. Sure enough, Brett had been right because this guy had nine points. He hung around quite a bit, but just as Brett pulled back, the buck spotted the action and ran off. Brett was pissed as he let down on the bow. The buck stayed at about 50 yards and studied the scene, but slowly walked off. So far, I'm impressed with the scent-free clothing and believe it's because of this (and the wind) that we are not getting busted by smell.

The doe returned shortly and Brett had to settle for her. She jumped the string as can be seen in the video, and the shot ended up hitting her in the hind leg. The interesting thing is that the shot put her down after she hobbled for about ten feet. When I deboned the meat, I found that the arrow actually cut right through the femar bone and hit the artery. Not textbook, but we have the meat to complete the hunt.

If I can figure it out, I'll post the pics (vidoe grabs) of the buck and the doe.

Tuesday, November 21, 2006

Ron's Dybowski Sika


Ron got a nice mature Dybowski Sika the morning of November 20th near the #3 stand. He weighed 165 lbs, had 3x3 antlers, and an extremely thick and large neck. Congratulations Ron!!


Here is Ron's brother-in-law hunting with him at the Cave Blind, they saw some good Spanish Goats!

Wednesday, November 15, 2006

2006 Stoltman Axis Deer


Carla's Deer: February; Spot & Stalk off the South road; 247 yards; .308; 31" Length

Eric's Deer: June; #4, 300 yards, .300 RUM; 33" Length

Alek's Pig from August


128 lbs boar, shot #3 (192 yards) with a .243.