According to Bill "Yosemite Sam" Coffey, a 700 pound wild hog exists on the Hackberry Ranch. Bill doesn't believe folks who claim they have witnessed Bigfoot, so we are a little concerned about his Hogzilla sighting and whether we should afford him the courtesy of believing his sighting. However, a man of good standing and repute, not known for long yarns nor tall stories, was present with Bill when the hog was sighted. According to David "I've raised pigs my whole life" Smith, "If he was an ounce, he was 700 pounds!"

So what do you believe? Is there a real Hogzilla on the Hackberry Ranch? You decide.

More as the story develops.

Spring Time at the Hackberry Ranch

JC's Axis

May father-in-law, JC, had been looking for an Axis since last fall, but had the misfortune of always attracting Hogs and Axis in velvet to wherever he was. Well, we were going to change that on this hunt.

While I hunted for my Aoudad, he sat in a number of different blinds, but never saw any Axis bucks, just Hogs, Whitetails, Sika, and Mouflon. The weather was very erratic while we were there which caused the Axis to change their feeding times. Initially, they were feeding after dark.

Mature 31", 145 pound Axis Buck

Monday
Around mid-day on Monday we were driving to the back on the ranch in J's truck to get some work done. As we drove past #3, heading to #4, I saw some Axis ahead of us about 200 yards in the middle of big field grazing. It was 12:26 PM. We immediately stopped and got ready to shoot. There was a very nice Axis buck with a group of about 10 does. Unfortunately, the does saw us and the herd scrambled up to the left. We were unsure whether they had gone up the hill or were working their way down to the stream bed by #4, so we got out and started a stalk. We slowly crept all the way to #4, but didn't see or hear them. Axis usually don't go very far when startled and make a lot of noise. They had gone up the hill, so we got back in the truck and continued on.

Tuesday
This was a full day. After getting my Aoudad in the morning, we drove into Kerrville to drop him off at Rhodes for a shoulder mount and to get the backstrap made into sausage - I just have to try it. We also have lunch at a local BBQ place and then came back to the ranch to do some work.

By the time we had finished working and taking a break, it was almost 7 PM. We decided to take a drive down the North road around 7:30 PM to see if we could find anything. We stopped at the Goat pens by #3 and walked down the road and up to #3 to have a look. We didn't see anything except for a lone Axis doe on the hillside behind the Goat pens. We watched her for a few minutes to see if she was alone, she was, so we moved on.

We started a quite walk towards #4. In the same field where we had seen the Axis the day before, we jumped two does that were in the stream bed to our right. We kept walking. As we got near the end of the field on the road (where it goes down into the stream bed and then up towards the field behind the #4 stand) we saw a small group of Axis on the low ridge to our right. Unfortunately, they had seen us first and took off at a moderate pace. There were two bucks and one doe. The bucks were the ones I had seen at #3 in February and stalked to within 10 yards of as they moved to eat by the Goat pens. At that time one was in velvet and was around 34-35" inches, the other was just starting to grow out. By this time the 34-35" inch Axis was polished and the his buddy was fully grown, but still in velvet. Both nice deer.

We were beaten, but not done. We slowly made our way towards the field behind the #4 stand, but instead of taking the road, we crept along a low area that lay between the field and stream bed. I had never been back here before, but it was an awesome area to stalk from. It kept us out of sight and eliminated any noise we would had made in the stream bed. We went about 200 yards and then I crawled up to the edge of the field. I looked out and about 100 yards to the right of the #4 stand (the stand, not the feeder) there was an Axis buck and a doe feeding along the fence that runs into the #4 stand. They were about 125 yards in front of us. I had J come up behind me and I put the shooting sticks in position. I waited until the Axis was positioned correctly and told him to shoot. Bang! The shot hit in front of his shoulder in the brisket/lung area. The deer took off running. We didn't have a clear idea of where the shot hit at this time, so we put 2 more into him right before he made it into the thick brush. He was down. J's first Buck - Axis or Whitetail - he was very excited. I called him 31" and 150 pounds on the ground; he proved to be 31" and 145 pounds after meauring and weighing, pretty good!

This was the third Axis buck I guided (Carla, Jay Pettersson, JC), all three being spot and stalk kills versus stand/feeder kills. If you want to take an Axis, get up and move around! This would have been #4 for spot and stalk, but Alek and I missed a chance last November at an Axis buck down South. He ran away when an Axis doe busted us! Make sure and keep an eye on the does!

Aoudad Hunt

Friday April 13th was my last day at Dell after almost 14.5 years. My father-in-law and I decided to take some time at the Hackberry to hunt and do some work. We arrived Friday afternoon and stayed through Wednesday. My friend Mario joined us Monday and Tuesday to hunt turkey.

Several of us had sighted a large chocolate Aoudad on the ridge behind the #1 blind for quite some time. He was usually part of a larger group that typically appeared early morning. They would typically graze from West to East and then disappear onto the ridge. He had also been seen at the #4, the Double Feeder, behind #3, and closer to the highway on the same ridge. Several folks had made stalks on him, but no success.

He weighed in at 233 pounds. His right horn measured 32" and his left 30.875". I still don't know if he was the Chocolate Aoudad or another monster we had on the ranch. Let's hope "Chocy" is still up on the north road waiting for someone.

Saturday

I started the morning hunting #4. I didn't expect the Aoudad to show up here, but the blind gave me a good vantage point to glass several of ridges. Around 8:30 AM, I went to check the hog trap. I glassed the canyon behind the trap and immediately found four Aoudad grazing at the back of the canyon, but I didn't see the large one. On my way back to the cabin, I stopped to glass behind #1. I saw a lone Aoudad high up and nothing else.

Around 10 AM we went into Aoudad Canyon to fill the feeder. On the way in we glassed a group of Aoudad near the top of the ridge past the feeder. We filled the feeder and then went further back into the canyon to look around. We found the Aoudad sunning themselves at the very top rim of the canyon. Tthere were two large rams, one a monster. There was a group of Aoudad several hundred feet below them that blocked our approach. We didn't think he was the Chocolate Aoudad, so we made note of their position and moved on versus trying to stalk them.

Next we moved to a vantage point on Four Mile Ridge to view the feeder above #1. It is in the path of the Aoudad we see in the morning, but before going up there to hunt (a long walk) we wanted to be sure. We found a position on Four Mile Ridge where the canyon behind the Photo Blind ended. We glassed for about 30 minutes. Nothing. Right when we were about to move on we sighted a group of Aoudad on the left side of the canyon. We studied them for about 20 minutes. They were in very thick cedar and hard to make out. We determined they were a different group. That night I hunted #4 just in case the large Aoudad made a rare evening appearance. Nothing. Just a single Hog.

Sunday

I decided to hunt the #10 blind in the morning. It sits on the ridge above where I saw the large Aoudad Saturday morning and evening. Maybe he would come to the top to eat. Only Hogs came to the feeder. Nice. I walked down the ridge and found the area I saw the Aoudad sunning themselves Saturday morning. The cover is a lot thicker than it looks once you are in it versus looking across from the other side of the canyon.

I headed to Aoudad Canyon for the evening hunt. I parked at the gate and walked in, during which I jumped the same Axis buck twice. I got into position on the side of the hill opposite the feeder and waited. From about 5:30 PM to 7:00 PM I glassed several different lone Aoudads and groups moving about on the hills. We have a lot more on the ranch than we ever thought. Around 6:30 three Whitetail bucks came into the feeder and stayed until it went off. At this point the side of the hill came alive with noise and eight Aoudad ran full speed to the feeder and started to eat. The large one was nowhere in sight. I spent the next 30 minutes glassing the opposite hillside and finally found the large Aoudad with another mature ram, a ewe, and a lamb. They were very far away. I moved laterally across the face of the hill to try and get closer. I decided to take a cross-canyon shot at 516 yards. I had my 300 Ultra Mag. I got into a rock steady position and after watching him move in and out of cover for about 20 minutes, I took the shot. The herd reacted immediately. He ran down the rock face, back up, and then ran full speed across the ridge, and disappeared into the brush with his herd. I looked across the canyon and there was yet another group of Aoudad eating, watching me shoot, and not even running. I ended the hunt and walked back to highway. I jump the same Axis buck.

Monday

We slept in Monday morning so we could get some work done during the day. I decided to hunt Aoudad Canyon again that night and got into the same position again around 5 PM. Again, I saw large numbers of Aoudad grazing on the opposite hill side. Around 6 PM I sighted a large group to left before they disappeared into the tree line. I saw several large Aoudads in the group, definite shooters, but at this distance I couldn't determine whether the large one was in the group. After the feeder went off, a group of Aoudads made their way down to feed. This was a different group from the previous evening hunt. It was smaller group, but with much large rams; at least two shooters. It was also a different group than I had seen around 6 PM. We have a lot of Aoudad. I waited until 7:45 PM and then decided to walk to the very back of the canyon to see if I could see any other Aoudads or maybe run across some Axis or Hogs. I didn't find anything, but it was an incredibly beautiful walk. I eventually turn around and make my way out in the dark. I jump the same Axis again when I get near my buggy.

Tuesday

Mario and I get up around 5:15 AM. I need to get him up to the blind North of the cabin to Turkey hunt. We almost stayed in because of a very light rain, but decided to go ahead with the hunt. I dropped Mario off and then drove to Aoudad Canyon. This time I parked a little further in to shorten my walk over the wet rocks, plus the rain and wind offered some sound cover for the buggy. I manage to jump the same Axis buck again.

I got into position around 6:20 AM and waited. First visible light was around 6:45 AM and I noticed a lone Aoudad ram under the feeder patiently waiting for it to go off. At 7:00 AM the feeder went off, but the Aoudad barely touched the corn. Around 7:25 AM a ewe came in and they start to feed together. I guess he was waiting for his girlfriend to show up. I didn't know Aoudad were so polite. I decided to be polite as well and waited for the big Aoudad.

Around 7:45 AM a group of about five Aoudad showed up and started eating with the other two. I kept glassing the hill sides and ridges for the large Aoudad, but don't see him or any others. I had just put my binoculars down when I caught movement on the opposite side.... it was the large Aoudad! He was moving down the side of the hill, I assumed he was making his way towards the feeder. He stopped for a few seconds and looked at me, but not enough time for a shot.

As he came in closer, I confirmed he was the one I saw Saturday morning and took the long shot at in the evening. This would be much easier at 122 yards. Once he got settled down I slowly moved from behind a cedar tree to shoot. I raised my 300 Ultra Mag up, steadied it on his shoulder (an Aoudad's vitals are further forward than a deer, behind the shoulder would be a gut shot) and squeezed the trigger. It hit him, but it didn't knock him over. I've shot 500, 700, and 1,500 pound Africa antelopes at longer distances than this and put them on the ground! He spun around and started running on three legs! I chambered another round and got ready to shoot, but he crumpled over after running about 60 yards and disappeared down the side of the hill. I couldn't see whether he regained his balance or not so I quickly ran down to look for him. I found him a few yards from where he fell. The bullet had gone through both shoulders, the center of his heart, and his lungs. A perfect shot! I beg to differ with the African PHs that say the Blue Wildebeest is the toughest animal pound for pound on the planet!

Axis Hunt Result

My brother-in-law Mark was the one that got me hooked on bow hunting. Last weekend, he flew in from PA for a brother-in-law hunt down at the lease. The weather was great for hunting and the animals were moving!

The first kill belonged to Mark. He was in the double-feeder blind in the morning. You could say things weren't going his way. When he first arrived and set up, he noticed two of his five sight pins were missing the fiber optic lead. After accepting that handicap, he had a mishap with his seat. He claimed that it was a rock that gave out under one of the legs, but the result was him tumbling over and into the side of the blind. Perhaps the deer just had to see who the comedian was. In any case, three Axis does came in at first light. The last one was the big one that Mark targeted. Being the experience bowman that he his, he quietly drew on the beast. At that moment, the doe chased one of the smaller ones down closer to the cliff face. If you've sat in the blind, you'll know that this positions the animal below you. As Mark followed the deer through the sights he ended up lowering his bow to where the arrow, when released, passed through the window fabric/flap. Whap! Oops! Sh&#@! Laugh it off Mark, it must not be your day. At least you see your arrow stuck in the ground below the blind. Although the arrow was easy enough to retrieve, Mark got another surprise. It turns out the arrow hit the deer! in the guts. Double SH$#@! That's when Mark came to pick me up at #3 (where I saw lots of animals - pigs, sika doe, WT does, 8pt WT Buck - but no shots). We decided to wait until after lunch to track the doe. Four hours later we returned to the blind to see if we could follow the trail. What trail? I found out green gut juice 1) looks like everything else on the ground, and 2) doesn't leave much of a trace. We ended up on random vectors trying to think like a gut-shot deer. I was about to give up when I returned to the blind, glanced into the trees, and noticed something white. 40 yards from the feeder was a 110 pund Axis doe minus a few guts. Pays to wait people.



The next story is mine. Mark and I sat together in the south (wood blind) ground blind in the afternoon. For two years, I've been waiting for my first deer kill with a bow. This was it. The first deer to show up was an 8 pt WT. I noticed him through the trees to the right of the blind. It's always exciting to see bucks come in even if they are not shooters. Right behind the WT, I noticed another set of antlers in the trees. These weren't WT antlers. It was an Axis and it looked like a shooter. As he came in, I was afraind the sound of my heart might scare him away. Mark, without a second chair in the blind, rose to his knees. The buck was tentative. A sudden movement from the WT and they both scattered. They didn't run far, however, and 15 minutes later they were back. The hog panels presented a little challenge for me since the height was interfering with a path to the vitals. I must have waited another 10-15 minutes until he cleared the panels for a shot. I drew back and launched an arrow at 25 yards. The arrow penetrated the deer and it looked like a good shot. Not having shot and killed a deer before, I was a liitle nervous about where the shot went and how good the shot was. Mark's view was impaired by cedar in front of the blind. I also found out Mark was silently suffering from being on his knees so long. I literally had to push him over to regain blood flow to his legs! We call that brotherly love right there.

Mark wouldn't let me track for an hour. The blood trail looked good, however, and eventually ended up at a dead 30inch Axis buck 50 yards from the blind. Not the oldest or biggest buck in the woods, but he'll be hanging on the wall nonetheless. Axis Buck Mount: $450. Freeze drying process to preserve the velvet: $150. Telling the story of my first buck kill with a bow: you got it!

Merry Christmas!

But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.

Alek's Aoudad

Alek and I got up early Saturday to hunt. He wasn't feeling well, so he went back to bed. I went to hunt the Wood Blind in hopes of seeing a nice White Tail. About 5 minutes after the feeder went off there were 6 Aoudad, 6 Axis bucks, and 3 white tail at the feeder. The Axis were in the process of growing their antlers with one very large male that was literally twice the size of the rest. There were 2 white tail doe and 1 small buck. However, 2 of the Aoudad were very large. I didn't want to shoot because Alek really wanted an Aoudad.

After about 30 minutes all the animals left the feeder. The Axis and White tail moved off pretty quickly, but the Aoudad continued slowly grazing for another 30 minutes as they moved back up the hill to the right of the feeder. At this time a nice White Tail buck came in to the feeder area, but never got inside the fence. He nibbled on some remaining corn and a cedar tree. It was a nice 8 point - the exact same one I had shot at and missed 2 weeks prior. Nope. Wait and come back Sunday morning with Alek for the Aoudad.

I eventually made my way back up to my truck - which was parked on the cliche pit on the road going up the hill. I ran across another herd of Aoudad - this time 4 very young ones. I glassed down towards the mailbox gate - another herd of Axis, nine this time. I also glassed the cleared ridge leading to the spring - a third herd of Axis, a third herd of Aoudad, and a group of White Tail were feeding on the grass. Wow - lots of animals. It was 8:30 AM by this time.

We were definitely going to come back Sunday morning, but Alek and I decided to go Saturday night as well. This time we parked near the South Gate and walked to the blind. We go into position around 4 o'clock. Around 4:15 a small 8 point Buck came in, fed on some cedar, and then bedded down next to the feeder. Good sign. The feeder went off and we had several White Tail bucks and does underneath it quickly, but we also heard the Aoudad. They were back! You can hear them walking - they are very loud when walking on rocks and make a distinctive sound unlike any other animal.

We waited patiently. All the Aoudad came in, including the largest one from the morning. Instead of using his .243, Alek wanted to us my .308. He took aim. It took some time to get a clear shot as there were animals in front and behind of the Aoudad. I told him to aim in the center of the diamond that his shoulder made. The Aoudad's organs are further forward than a deer or antelope - with the heart low and forward of the shoulders.

Alek shot. I saw the Aoudad take the bullet. You could also hear the "thud" - he stumbled, jumped out, and moved off to his right. The other animals broke, but most of them stayed in sight. Had a large White Tail been there we could have easily gotten off a second shot.

We got out of the blind and walked towards the feeder. The animals moved off. No sign of the Aoudad - we couldn't see him down anywhere nor any blood. I survyed two areas I thought he may have went to - let's save these for last and give him time to slow down and stiffen up before we press him I thought to myself.

We started looking elsewhere - where we heard noises and saw the other animals go. This area has some very deep and rough solid rock tubes/cuts made by the water. We looked in these. No Aoudad.

We checked the last two areas. 45 minutes had gone by and the sun was behind the hill. I sent Alek up into a clearing to look and I climbed down into a very deep and very thick cut in the rocks. There was the Aoudad. He started to move, but his back legs didn't work. He was pulling himself with his front legs. I popped off a round into his rear before he disappeared. I quickly caught up to him, he had only gone about 20 feet into a deeper, lower area. He wasn't moving, but still alive. Alek's first shot hit him in the shoulder, deflected and went out his rear left hip/spine - taking out the legs. My second shot went into his rear and gut. I put a final round into his chest. He was dead.

We came back with my friend Bob and the kids to recover the Aoudad. We took pictures where he lay and then dragged him back up out of the ravine - oh boy was this hard.

Alek now has the biggest Aoudad out of group - beating out Bill, Landon, and me.

Way to go Alek!

Tree Cutting 101

I was at the ranch this weekend with a friend, James, and our sons. James came back from hunting #1 Saturday morning. He told us someone had left a chainsaw in a partially cut tree. I looked on the porch. My chainsaw wasn't there. The chainsaw everyone does work with.

Well, the first thought we had was which moron did this and why didn't they tell anyone? Anyway, we removed the chainsaw and finishing cutting down the tree with a machete.

Next time, tell someone.

The deer that Landon shot and the deer that Ron should have shot!

Well, deciding which deer to take is always a challenge! Below are two deer from last weekend. Landon tried to hold-out for the big deer we had been seeing, but got an itchy finger and got this nice 10 point - which BTW appears to be the BEST deer so far on the Ranch. So I would have to chalk this up as a big thumbs up for Landon - way to go.

The deer that is still standing is a heavy 7 point that Ron saw. This would have been a great deer. Maybe next time.

Kyle Kimery Ground Checks a Sika!

James and Kyle returned to the Hackberry for the first time this season and they were ready! First, James got a new Polaris Ranger so J. wouldn't have to pull him out of the creek bed at #3 for a third time! Second, Kyle was ready with his .243 Winchester this morning. He bagged a mature 4x3 Sika at #3 at over 160 yards! It ran about 40 yards before dropping. James and Kyle are 100% for the season thus far - wow!

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...

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.

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!

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.