Trad Gang

Well here it is the week of the hunt finally.  Jason and I are putting the finishing touches on the bow and knife blanks.  Besides trying to finish up a couple of customer bows before we leave.

What is everyone else doing to pass the time before you head for Texas?

Mike

Wrapping up some loose ends and getting ready to head out tomorrow morning.  Will be in Victoria on the evening of the 25th (not sure where I am staying just yet).  Ready to hunt and build a bow on the 26th.

Rick

Wow Rick , you are going to be a busy guy . Hunting in TX on the end of April , then off to Idaho to hunt bear on the 6th of May. I sure am looking forward to retirement.
See you in Idaho on the 6th and good hunting in TX.

hey mike,
nice job on the bird in your avatar. Is that a bushwacker your holdin? I finally got the TBM that had the write-up.  Great review! That horn belly is something.

Trying to pretend like my mind is on work. instead spending half an hour finding the actual gate to the hunting property on google map. (note to self..get some reading glasses) Im sitting here at my computer wearing my new snake boots trying to break em in from the seated postion.
sounds like someone who needs to get outside and hunt doesnt it? I am very much looking forward to learning a lot from the the whole texas crew. between you, curtis, and jason I wont be able to help becoming a better hunter/bowyer.
Brent

Yeah Ted - getting old has some benefits   :D     We can swap some tales between Texas Sweat and my hunt.  I am looking forward to bear camp again and an early season hunt.

See ya on the 6th.

Rick

Well, I have been working my little tail end off here at work. My Associate had to leave last week for a family emergancy, and so I have been trying to pick up some of her load.  I have been to the range frequently.  I bought a duffle bag this weekend.  Last night I checked the weather and looks like I'll be bringing some rain with me, so this morning I put "no snow" on my feathers.  I also started pulling out my camo.  I'll get it all washed and packed tonight.  OH and I have spent the last few weeks making up some new hunting arrows.  Here are a few pictures.  Got 11 arrow heads shaving sharp, finaly the hair on my fore arm is starting to grow back.

(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y21/bard51/DSCF0008.jpg)

(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y21/bard51/DSCF0010.jpg)

(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y21/bard51/DSCF0009.jpg)

Bring it on!!!!! CK

Dang Derek

    Those are to purty to shoot!!!!!!! Nice work and have fun with wingnut and Curtis!! Some of us are stuck at work. But waiting for the stories to being!

                  Brent

Brent,

Yep a 45# BushWacker and 500 gr. sitka spruce with a 125 gr. Snuffer.

See the thread about it "Goobles, Blinds and BloodTrails"

Mike

My gear list will look something like
Dryad Bushwacker 55#@28"  
10 sitka spruce 60/65 29"
4 Target arrows as above.
2 long sleeve camo shirts
2 short sleeve shirts
2 camo pants
1 camo boonie hat
1 light camo jacket
1 set of light weight rain gear
1 knife
small back pack
1 flashlight
1 leatherman
1 thermacell
Lots of underwear
lots of socks
scent elimination products
1 tiny first aid kit (added anti-histimines and pain killers)
1 book ("Tales of the mountain men" Mostly for reading on the plane)
1 digital camera
1 medicine pouch ;-) (gotta have that mojo!)
and clothes for traveling to and from Texas.  

I'll be rolling into Victoria at around 1:00am!  
  :scared:    But to me that's only like 11:00pm. I am staying at the quality inn.  I'll sleep in a bit (like till 8) then get up and go to Wal-mart for those last few items I'll need and head on out to the ranch at the apointed time.  Knowing me, I'll be early at the gate.  I am a hurry up and wait kinda guy.    :knothead:

Dang only 10 arrows, an optimist.  LOL

Mike

Good luck fellas,,

I am not an optimist, I just know how many times I'll probably miss and lose or break the arrow.   :help:    :p

Putting the finishing touches on everything today and getting packed.  Leaving at 0600 tomorrow.

Mike

hmm.  I ended up with a migraine last night and had to sleep it off, so I am now a bit behind on my packing. I was going to get my hunting clothes washed and ready, but that didnt' happen.  I'll just have to get it all done tonight, no problems. =)  Oh and I am feeling MUCH better today.  
This morning when I went to pick up my 3 year old daughter to take her to the daycare she gave me a very special water bottle that she picked out for me.  It's my favorite color, Green! and you can be sure it's coming with me on my trip!

I'm headed to the ranch later to freshen bait sites. I'll get some pics of what the bait holes look like after they've been there a few days. CK

Good luck boys! Wish I could be there with ya fellas. Can't wait for some hero pics as well as pics of those bow you will be working on while you are down there!! Be safe and Git'R Done!

GOOD LUCK FELLAS

Well, I am all packed up and ready to fly.
See you boys in Texas!
Derek

Well we are running behind this am because the dang weather just hammered us all day yesterday.  With one major thunderstorm after another and tornado warnings most of the day we didn't get much packing done.  Good thing we're going down a day early.  Gotta get at it!! Dang the Jason, he's still asleep. . .doesn't he know we're going hunting.

LOL

Mike

Mike did you get my email from yesterday?

Yep I got it.

I'll try not to forget.  LOL

Thanks,

Mike

Good! BTW we're getting a pretty good soaker today. It's keeping me from chasing turkey birds, that's fo sho.

Be safe, have fun, hunt hard, shoot straight, and track diligently..and oh yea..make shavings    :bigsmyl:

Dang Mickey you sound like my mother.  LOL

"Be safe, have fun, hunt hard, shoot straight, and track diligently..and oh yea..make shavings"

But hopefully we will do all of the above with gusto.  The being safe is a little probelm the ranch as a big swamp that has some 12+ ft. gators.  Don't want to be blood trailing and become dinner.  LOL

Mike

"The being safe is a little probelm the ranch as a big swamp that has some 12+ ft. gators. Don't want to be blood trailing and become dinner. LOL
"  
I sighned up for WHAT!!??   :readit:  
Yep, this texas adventure has the makings of one FINE story for the kids.  Yes sir!  YEE HAA!

Just talked to CK a few minutes ago and with his ongoing research visa vie the "Hog Chronicles", he has laid low the mighty boar and put camp meat in the larder.

Like they say, the proof is in the puddin'.

There was talk of using someone else's arrow that was found during Texas Sweat '07, and a serious heart shot on the aforementioned barbeque contender.

I'll let him set the record straight when he gets out of the woods.

He mentioned that he was expecting Mike and Jason at any moment. This will be a fun hunt to the max and piggy heads are gonna roll.  :thumbsup:

Bard, Id pack good pair of leather gloves , I love Texas but everything has stickers or thorns on it... :)  just my 2cents worth of experience..love them arras...( arrows)   :thumbsup:    :thumbsup:

Good Luck to all...

Alright Curtis!!

well where's the stories? LOL

Hey Gang, I made a special trip home to get more clothes, Ice, etc. My clothes keep getting muddy from the swamp. They're some definite pigs in there. As Charlie said above, I did take a hog at 1:15pm in the afternoon the day before the actual hunt was to begin. This proves the mid-day water hole theory. I punched a 70# sow with a previous clients arrow. Someone at Texas Sweat found an arrow that Al Long had lost on the ranch. I put it in my quiver and ended up shooting this hog with it. Sorry Al, she ain't good anymore.  :pray:  

The rest of the gang was headed out to the barn to scrape wood and tell tales of hunting as I left. The Moon is really bright and the pigs are mostly running at night. We'll keep giving them hell and hopefully we'll have some great tales by Sunday evening. Thanks for looking! CK

:eek:   Dayum CK...magnum loaded his butt and he kept on going huh? Sounds like a MONSTER!   :scared:  

Dianne shot one of those Boarzillas down in Fla one year and we watched her arrow BOUNCE OFF the hog, not once but twice. I ended up sending an arrow through him from in front of left rear hip up to his right arm pit and that did him in. No lie, shield was as hard as concrete, and over 2 1/2" thick when we skinned him out and he only weighed maybe 250#. Quite impressive defense mechanism.

We're back and will start story's soon.  We got pig, turkey, deer, gators and a lot of bull to tell about.

LOL

Mike

Can't wait, Mike.  :campfire:

waiting

COOOOO-EL!!!

Heck that was 3 hours ago...where's the stories?

Hey, it's been like 9 more hours..anybody awake out there?


HELLOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO?

ANYBODY????????????????????

Ah, Mike, we're really glad you made it back safe and all, really, we are.  But aren't you forgetting something here?   :confused:   Stories? Pictures?  :readit:

:bigsmyl:   Still waiting.......Did someone say pigs?   :eek:

PICS PLEASE  :readit:    :D

I suspect Mikes getting some much needed beauty sleep.....   :D  Terry

Sorry guys!  I crashed out and just now woke up.  Not much sleep in pig camp.  LOL

Well lets start from the beginning.

Back in Sept of 1951 I was born in a small town in Washington state.  My dad says a was a good looking kid considering the gene pool. . ..

Oh you probably don't want to go back quite that far.  Let's see. . .

Wednesday morning Jason and I saddled up the truck, through in the small kitchen and headed south at near mach one.  Man I like the little changes we made to the truck engine.  But that's a different tale.  Curtis had told us to call when we got close to Victoria.  We were going in the day ahead of the rest of the guys to get setup and ready to hunt hogs and build bows.

Five hours and change later we were pulling into the WalMart in Victoria for some food stuffs and a few personal items.  Jason saw the Thermacells and asked if I thought they really worked and if we should get some.  I finally relented and we picked up two sets.

Off we went again headed for the ranch.  I called Curtis and he said that a pig had fallen that morning and he was finishing up the butchering as we talked.  I'll let him fill in that story.

We pulled into camp a few minutes later and got unloaded and the kitchen setup.  Curtis took us over to the barn and we got the work stations laid out and soon ran outta things to do.  So back to camp we go.  Curtis asked if we wanted to sit a stand tonight and we quickly camo'd up and off we go.

Need coffee now and to get Jason to download the pics.

Mike

There you go.  Keep it coming Mike!

Jason is downloading as I type so we should start getting some pics soon.

Anyway Curtis sends us into a couple of hot spots for the evening.  In fact, he sends me to his honey hole.   You know the one with the big wallow by the two poles that we have seen on the pig threads.  Yep I got to hunt that one.  It was a just a little unnerving as I followed his directions in and crossed a huge gator slide and then had to wade the creek 100 yds away.  Not too bad going in the the light but coming back out in the dark it got the blood pressure to peg just a little.

I settled in the blind among the palmettos and waited.  As the magic 1/2 hour approached between it's getting dark and it's too dark.  Things began to move in the jungle behind me.  In fact, something was coming but not down the trail I was watching.  It was coming through the brush and right at me.  The only thing wrong was it was directly behind me and I had no way to turn. Finally it popped out of the brush and moved off.  All I got was a quick look and it was the first Nutria I'd ever seen but it was kinda cool.

The next few minutes passed too quickly and the hogs I could hear off in the brush never materialized when I had enough light.  So I slipped out as quietly as a guy my size can and met up with Jason back at the truck.


Mike

Yea, This trip seemed to be a long time in the making. Fortunately, Mike and Jason were two of the first to jump in on the Bowyer Hunts I'd started offering way back. It had taken many months to materialize and I was growing impatient with the calender. Finally the dates neared and I began to make arrangments to accomodate everyone. I'd done everything from preping hunting sites to checking the far barn for accomodations for the bow classes. I was excited to meet everyone and to share what we've been enjoying on these two ranches.

As the final morning before the hunt arrived I'd set out to once again check the hog sign in relation to hunting stands. Things looked good. I mean REAL GOOD! It would seem that there was pig sign under every foot fall. There were literally areas where pigs had rooted everything, even the area adjacent the highway at the main gate. As the mid-day hour rolled around I thought I'd check a creek crossing I'd recently found and see if the pigs were still using it since the water level had fallen a little. The crossing was still being well used I'd later come to find but before I'd reach it I'd first have to wade through a few pigs. I'd actually noticed them feeding in a field as I drove into the ranch and they simply ended up in the same area as I did a little later. I'd not noticed them until I saw a little tail wag not 15 yards in front of me. Just then the wind switched and the first hog blew out. My target quickly changed and the second hog found himself impaled with a foreign object, my arrow. The blood trail would be a short one judging by shot placement but I'd return to get Sassy. She has turned out to be a piggy trailing addict and I needed to give her a fix.

As I returned to camp the cell phone rang and it was Mike on the other end, "we're at Wal Mart, do we need anything special", Mike askes. Naw, just maybe a bag of ice to cool the hog I just shot. LOL! Shortly thereafter Mike and Jason entered camp nestled comfortably in the big diesel sled. We'd head off to prepare things for tomorrows bow class and the evening hunt ahead. CK

HI Gang!  I got home at 1 am PST last night...sans LUGGAGE! Apperently being able to READ isn't a prerequisite for working at a united ticket desk, because despite the fact the guy was looking at my drivers lic. he booked my luggage under some one elses name and sent them to a different state!  I am just up and headed off to pick up my kids and then to work. I'll have some time this morning to tell tales and post some pics.

Derek

Now we're getting somewhere, don't slow down on us. I think this is going to be good.

"This thread has a lot of kinetic energy, but lets see a little momentum!!" Says the man with the penetrating sense of humor.  :D

Man I am getting the jitters waiting. Lets see some pics and keep the good storytelling goin'. Come on guys. Hellllllllooooooo. Anyone there?????

Back for a couple of minutes.  Gotta run to town and get sandpaper and go to the usps.  

Anyway Here is what we drove into as we got to camp.

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v79/mwestvang/tradgang%20pics/BowyersHuntCurtispig-1.jpg)

And the little fellow that was swimming around in the stream I had to wade after dark.  Now it's hard to tell how big he is but my guess would be 7 ft.

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v79/mwestvang/tradgang%20pics/BowyersHuntgator.jpg)

Be back in a while to fill in.  Hopefully others will be getting home and chiming in.

Mike

It was a trip of Firsts for me.  My first out of state hunting trip to start.  I packed my bags and set out on Wed. at about 9:30 PST.  The most remarkable thing about the flights from Oregon to San Antonio was how unremarkable they were.  I landed in San Antonio at around 10:30.  I got my Car rental, baggage, and drove to Victoria.  I arrived at about 1:00 AM!  I got my hotel room and CRASHED big time.  I then got up around 7:00, checked out and drove to Wal-Mart.  There I ran into three of the four other hunters! We all sat around a jawed a bit, then decided to caravan out to the ranch, Herb and Rick were leading.  We got there a little before Curtis and we set to more talkin' and general getting to know each other.  The wild flowers were EVERY where!  The warm humid air felt really good to me for a change of pace from the very wet cold spring I had been suffering through in Oregon.  Mike and Jason showed up soon, and then Curtis drove up to the gate and we all got to meet him.  I knew right away I was going to like Mike, Jason, and Curtis very much!  We all drove into camp and quickly unpacked.  Every one was so excited to get going we totaly forgot about eating and went to the barn to start working on our bows...

*I am exhausted this morning, and in my daze, I have forgotten my cord to Down load pictures from my camera to the computer.  You all are just gonna have to wait till tonight Pacific time.*

:campfire:

Sorry Gang, My computer has been struggling with the satellite provider all day. The weather here held out long enough to get us through the Dryad Hunt and then opened up and has dumped on us. Better post this before I loose reception again. CK

OK, Looks like I might get a break in the storms for a few minutes.

It's funny how the most impacting virtues of any hunt I go on manifests themselves through smells of the hunting areas and also the food on the hunt. This hunt was no different although I am on these two ranches very often. As the first evening drew closer to darkness I found myself deep within the smells of the swamp. I'd shared one of my personal honey holes with Mike while I also shared a great spot with Jason as well. After sending them to their respective locations I could only daydream about the sights and smells that they too were experiencing. I knew quite well that the hogs were very close to both of their locations and I waited patiently for their return. Even around hunting camp is always a special time no matter if it's your first time in camp or you make your living there. I looked forward to tonights tales and looked even more forward to helping Mike and Jason skin a hog or two.

Darkness fell very soon and I could hear the big diesel of Mikes approaching. It seemed it was too early if they'd taken a hog and I was soon to find that my thoughts were correct. Both Mike and Jason had a good evening hunt with Mike being the only one with any close encounters. I'd completely forgotten about the gators that enjoy the area Mike had hunted and was quickly reminded once he returned to camp. An evening meal was served and we spent little time chatting before all were fast asleep. Tomorrow would dawn a new day and fill out little camp with a larger band of brothers from faraway places. I was ready to begin this hunt. CK

PS. My camera broke while on the hunt and I have no pictures to share.

Curtis.....I suppose that was a footed shaft of Al's you shot the pig with?
I think that may have been his lucky arrow...
Until he lost it.
Then it was your lucky arrow.   :)

That indeed was a footed shaft of Al's. I think Ted Fry found in on a mesa top on the Pecos Ranch during the Texas Sweat. The tip was curled so I tanto'd it and put a rasors edge on it. I figured I couldn't go wrong shooting an arrow with "Al's" name and home phone number on it.  :goldtooth:   CK

I was so amazed at the number and colors of the beautiful flowers I saw in South Texas.  

(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y21/bard51/Texas%20Hog%20hunt/DSCF0047.jpg)

(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y21/bard51/Texas%20Hog%20hunt/DSCF0016.jpg)

(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y21/bard51/Texas%20Hog%20hunt/DSCF0049.jpg)

(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y21/bard51/Texas%20Hog%20hunt/DSCF0009.jpg)

As I said, we unpacked and put our stuff in "the bus" where we were sleeping. In "the bus" was 4 beds racks, a shower, toilet, sink and A/C.  It was all one could ask for.  
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y21/bard51/Texas%20Hog%20hunt/DSCF0008.jpg)

From there we headed out to "the barn" to get to work on our bows.  I haven't done any wood work since 7th grade shop, and boy, it was obvious.  Its a darn good thing Mike and Jason were both very patient and also very good teachers.  
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y21/bard51/Texas%20Hog%20hunt/DSCF0018.jpg)

They would give me instruction on what to do next on the bow, and I'd get to work.  Here I am working on a kids bow.  This bow is going to a very special 10 year old girl I know.  
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y21/bard51/Texas%20Hog%20hunt/DSCF0019.jpg)

(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y21/bard51/Texas%20Hog%20hunt/DSCF0021.jpg)

...well, it's bed time for this guy.  I'll continute the story in the morning.  
Derek

Keep it coming guys!

More please    :rolleyes:    :bigsmyl:

Hey great Derek is on line with his pics.  As you can see soon after everyone got in camp we headed to the workshop (barn) and got started.  This was the first time we had offered a TD version on the blank and soon found out that it's not good to mix both the one piece and takedown in a single class.  Too much hurry and wait for the guys.  We did manage to get all of the TD sleeves fitted that afternoon and get back to camp in time to camo up and hit the blinds for an evening of wait and watch.

I'll let the others tell there individual stories so here's mine for the evening.  Curtis changed my location because my near dark vision really sucks.  He put me in a blind on the edge of an opening in the jungle.  There is a "deer box" and feeder set up here so the area is quite large (200 yds, across and maybe 150yds long).  I settled into the blind and set up my Thermacell.  The bugs started to leave 10 minutes later except they kept attacking my head.  Finally figured out that if I put the cell on my lap it kept them out of my ears too.

There was a gobbler thumping away down the hill to my left and as soon as the sun slipped over the horizon, the deer were everywhere.  I had one doe stand in my shot lane at least 10 times.  But as darkness crept in the pigs did not show.

I headed out to the farm road and started the walk back to the truck.  Soon Jason and Rick joined me and we shared out stories of the evening while walking.  I soon became fond of these walks through the woods with the guys with the whispered conversations or just comfortable silence.

As we reached the farm and the trucks we powwow'd a bit and found that no arrows were loosed at hogs tonight.  And that everyone had a story of close encounters with deer and stuff.

We headed back to camp where Curtis had a great stew ready for the evening meal.  We had a great meal drank a few adult beverages and off to bed.  0500 comes very soon in hunting camp.

Mike

Third hunt...We all walked to our prospective blinds about 6:00 p.m. Mine was near a feeder with a big wallow under it that was obviously getting pounded daily so I was sure that I would be seeing something  shortly.
An couple of hours had passed and as afternoon wore on I drew back a couple of times and realized that my 66" brackenbury needed to be about 6" shorter to make the shot I was set up for. So I crawled out the blind to cut a few more palmettos to beef up my background cover, shifted a yard or two over and turned halfway around so I could get a clearer shot.
About the time I got settled down again. I heard a twig snap and out the corner of my eye I see a bright orange 100# hog pop out of the tall grass about 10-15 yards behind me. dangit.. he was already walking on a beeline to me so I just kind leaned over and hoped that he would turn and go to the feeder. He doesnt go that way and instead slowly walks over and approaches the blind with my back still to him. He leans over and takes in a long whiff of me from about 24" away then he does this crazy little dance for a second and sniffs again hard. One more time he sniffs long, dances, and then he whirls and takes off. After about 15 minutes I see him again about 50 yards off and slowly moving my way again.
This time I am ready and it is looking good. When he is about 25 yards away I hear a sound behind me (downwind) and I glance and see 3 does 30 feet behind me. At that moment one of them starts blowing like crazy and that hog froze in his steps for a second and high tailed it. Those deer hung around for 10-15 minutes blowing at me with a real attitude till dark at which time I slinked out there. Next time.....
trying to locate camera cord for pics.
Thanks so much to Curtis, Mike, Jason, Herb, Derek, Rick, and Sassy for making the trip so much fun.

After the bow making, we went back to the camp, had some cold drinks, and got dressed in our camo to head out to hunt.  Curtis took us out and we sat.  I walked into my blind and immediatly was assaulted by a buzzing swarm of blood sucking mesquitos.  I pulled out my thermacell like some sorta quickdraw artist, and that baby fired up!  Then I had to fend off the "skeeters" for about five minuets till it got warmed up.  Once it did get going, I never had any problems with Mesquitos or any bugs for that matter.  Unlike Mike, I was able to set my thermacell under my chair and never had anything buzz anywhere near me.  
 My first blind was situated along some sort of stagnant canal or creek.  
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y21/bard51/Texas%20Hog%20hunt/DSCF0005.jpg)

After sitting there for a while, I couldn't help but think about that 7 foot alligator we saw, and I kept looking over my shoulder half expecting to see one peeking up at me or worse, silently slipping out of the water up to me!    :scared:    
The blind was near a bedding area and I was hunting over one of the ranch's back roads.  
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y21/bard51/Texas%20Hog%20hunt/DSCF0006.jpg)

I didn't see any hogs that night, but I did see some amazing things.  I saw my first Cardinal, but one of the best parts of the hunt for me was the fullfilment of a dream I have had for a long time now.  I saw my very first Fireflys!!!  I was sitting there and just after the sun set, I cought this glimmer out of the corner of my eye.  At first I thought it was some shiny piece of aluminum foil that had been left perhaps, and it had moved in the wind causing it to shine then stop.  Without moving from my chair, I looked for it, but couldn't see it.  Then suddenly there was this glowing little light!  WOW! My mind flooded with the realization of what it must be and I was grinning like a cheshire cat in a fish store!  Hogs forgotten, I sat and happily watched the private light show that was beggining for my personal amusment.  
I didn't see any hogs that night, but I didn't make a sound when I walked out of there in the dark because I was on air.  
 Another first for me was to stumble accross my first Armadillo.  What a fascinating little creature.  Still, I am amazed at how a thing that can't seem to hear, see, or smell can survive as long as they have!  You can just walk up to one and pick it up!
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y21/bard51/Texas%20Hog%20hunt/DSCF0025.jpg)

 I sat that blind two more hunts, but no hogs were in the area.  Happily, my luck changed on Saturday night...

Derek

Morning hunt on Friday.  We rolled out at 0500 and gulpped down some coffee.  Time to go and we were back in the truck.  Counted noses to make sure everyone was inside and off we go.  Derek was the first out of the truck and off to his blind.  The rest of us parked at the barn and walked quietly as the first light of dawn broke.  As I turned to go down the trail towards my blind, I saw a whitetail doe eating along the path.  She caught my movement and was off with flag waving wildly.  Then a movement caught my eye a bit further down.  HOGS!!  I went into stealth mode and got hog small.  Creaping along I checked the wind.  HMMMM kinda swirly but so far so good.  I closed to 50 yds and got a good look at a hog in the 250 class.  Others were moving in the tall grass but I couldn't make em out.  Then they took a turn to the right and melted into the jungle.  I slipped into the spot as quiet as I could but couldn't hear or see em.

I decided to not take a chance on bumping them in the thick and was thinking they would be back to check the feeder down the hill past my blind.  I got to the blind a few minutes later to find pig tracks inside.  Hmmmm!  Who's hunting who?

Saw a few deer and heard a turkey again.  But know hogs.  I was very jazzed as I headed out later though.  I knew they would be back and then it would be my turn.

Mike

Bard so far your account has been the most entertaining. We take a lot of things for granted, like cardinals and fireflies. Glad to see yourecieved so much enjoyment from them. And your first armored dillo too! That's cool   :thumbsup:

Ok on with the hunting tales

Come on guys , I am only here for two more days , do ya think we could pick up the pace?
I second what Mickey said, thats one of the grand things about hunting out of your element and in different places , you get a broader perspective and see new things.
For us in the Northwest its getting to go to the Mid west and hunt whitetail , for the guys in the mid west its getting to go out west to hunt mule deer and elk . Bard I also remember my first Cardinal as well as my first Armadillo.Good stuff guys , keep it coming

We need to get Herb on here to tell about his "surprise".

Yeah Herb! tell us all about the "surprise"! *mischevious grin*

Mickey--I was about to post the same thoughts that you did--beat me to it. Bard1 you made me think about how much I take for granted by living down here. Keep the story going   :clapper:  ---Bone

...the great thing about the bow making and hunting is that there was alwasy something to do.  We never had hours and hours to kill between hunts just sitting around.  We'd drive out to the barn and get working, then drive back, and get ready to hunt.  On Saturday I changed location.  My new spot had that "feel" about it.  It just felt right.  I wasn't there long before four bucks showed up and set to nibbling corn.  They spent solid half hour not 8 yards from me.  I took lots of pictures and though they saw some of my movement tney never winded me or spooked.  
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y21/bard51/Texas%20Hog%20hunt/DSCF0035.jpg)

They left after a while and I got to watch a large bird that was such a dark navy blue they were almost black and had longish tail feathers.  They were smaller then crows.  I found out later they were Mocking birds...another first for me.  
Still no hogs showed that day, and I walked out.
  In the evening I carefully walked back in to the blind.  I had heard there was a racoon in the area, and we were under orders to kill on sight.  I ran into one of the bucks on the road in, and he went off without a sound thankfully.  at the last corner of the road before the blind, I carefully looked and sure enough there was the coon in broad daylight.  He was digging in a hole and when ever he stuck his head down in  it, I'd move in on him.  It was going perfect and I had closed to about 25 yards.  I debated shooting, but felt that I could get closer for a "sure thing" shot with but a few steps more.  Down went the coons head, and I took another step.  A deer beded just beside the hunting blind in the thick stuff saw that, jumped up blew his alarm and bounded off and away.  This then alerted the coon.  I froze in place when the deer made his noise, and watched hoping the coon would stay.  Mr. coon watched the deer leave and you could see the wheels in his head working as he was debating if he should stay or go as well.  In the end he decided not to push his luck, and he ran off...RIGHT through my blind! doh!  as quietly as I could I snuck into my blind and waited.  I was sure he didn't know I was there, and figured he'd be back before dark.  He never did though.  Still, my night was only beggining.

I agree with what Mickey said also.  My trip down to South Texas with Curtis two years ago was an amazing experience.  The bird life is very diverse.  I had Blue Quail and Green Jays all over the place.  Bob Whites were plentiful also.  Got stalked by an Indigo snake and spent time admiring the Road Runners.  Had a Mexican Eagle watching me from a nearby dead snag.  The only "Dilla" I saw was road kill, and I was disapointed in that, and I missed seeing any Javies even though there were tracks all over the place.  I think I saw more coyotes in one afternoon than I had previously in my whole life.

Being in a different place really lets you see unique things.  I love it.

Well we headed back to camp for some breakfast.  Jason was in his glory and served up a feast of hashbrowns (southern style), bacon, eggs with cheese and salsa.  All on a tortilla.  We call it GLOP because that's the sound it makes hitting the plate.  LOL

After breakfast, we were back at the bow shop (barn) and busy getting the glue on the two piece bows and making headway on tiller on the one pieces.  Everyone made significant progress with two of the bows shooting at full draw off the knuckle by the time we had to go hunt again.

I think Derek has a bunch of pics of the goings on.  

Some of the guys made progress on the two piece bows after the epoxy was set and got their nocks cut in and got ready to tiller tomorrow.

4:00 came very quickly and we were once again back at camp dressing for the evening hunt.

My anticipation meter was pegged after seeing hogs this morning and the mess they made rooting the ground up in front of my blind.  I just knew they would be back tonight.

So off we go again to the ranch, park the truck and walk back to the blinds.  I settled in about 6:00 and didn't have long before things started to happen.  The gobbler that had been hanging around started to make a racket 100 yds down the hill and as the sun hit the very tops of the trees the whitetail appeared out of the dense forest to pick at the greenery around the clearing.  When the sun left the tree above me, I heard a soft grunt behind me 50 yds or so.  I thought here we go.  Soon the soft grunt turned into a pig fight with squeeling and grunting.  I could tell there were both adult and small pigs in the bunch but couldn't see them.  They were approaching the feeder down the hill from directly behind my blind.

I was afraid to move knowing that they would see me a get out of dodge.  So frozen in place I sat as the sound grew louder.  Then out of the corner of my eye a flash of black as a pig moved around the blind.  I checked the wind quickly to find it quartering ahead of the pigs and just beyond the shot window.  I'd better shoot the first one in or the whole thing would go south.

The lead hog was now in view though the palmettos.  It is a sow and big.  I think it's the same pig that gave me the slip this morning.
Two more steps and it's behind the thick screen of palmettos I placed this morning so I'd be able to draw.  As the arrow slipped back to anchor the pig hurried through the window and caught my scent.  A loud grunt and she took a sharp right turn, not away from me but at me.  I heard here coming and she cleared the brush about 12 ft. away on the other side of a fallen tree.  I stayed focused on the shot window as another smaller hog stepped in and hesitated.  The arrow was away but the hog jumped the string and the arrow struck back and high.  A wild flurry of running pigs and grunting in the thick stuff behind me.  Then all was quiet.

Reviewing the shot in my head, I remember a red mist from the pig after impact.  Could I have once again lucked out and hit the big artery int he back?  A long 15 minutes passed before I slipped out of the blind and out to the spot.  BLOOD!  That's good.  I placed an arrow in the ground at this spot as Curtis had requested.  Turning to the direction of excape.  I see a large patch of red five yard away and after moving to it, another and another then my arrow covered in bright red arterial blood.  I know the drill now and that the pig is down not far away.  I called Curtis on the cell to tell him the good news and to find out if he wanted to use the trail for training on Sassy.  He asked that I back off and said he'd see me after dark.

So back to the blind I go, kicking by feet out and leaning back to enjoy the next 30 minutes as darkness creeps in.  Just before it gets dark a turkey goes to roost in the tree above me and scares the heck out of me.  LOL

More in a little while after I get back from Ft. Worth.

Mike

S

Great story fellas. Keep it coming!   :thumbsup:  I always love to hear the stories of hunts. It sure is nice to see hunters who care more about the hunt than the kill. What a wonderful thing it is just to be out there and enjoy it for what it is meant to be...fun! Cheers, Matt

QuoteI went into stealth mode and got hog small.

:saywhat:  
 :bigsmyl:  


 

QuoteWhat a wonderful thing it is just to be out there and enjoy it for what it is meant to be...fun!  

You have no idea how nice it is to have hunters enjoy "the hunt"........ CK

*well thought I had another client, but seems they forgot me.       So...on with the stories!  

  I guess I can see where some people would have been dissapointed at this point in the hunt.  It's the last night and I haven't seen hide nor hair of a pig.  Not even sure I have heard any.  Others had seen pigs, and Mike had even taken one at this point.  However, I wasn't upset at all.  I was having a blast just being there.  I had seen so many wonderful things and learned so much, not just about hunting or bow making but about life.  Not to mention I was loving the comraderie.  Camp time was always filled with smiles and laughter.  So it was with this light heartedness that I waited.  Not sure on the time, but I heard a symphany of cracking branches and rustling brush as a group of no less then 11 hogs rolled into the area in front of my blind like waves rolling up the beach.  I got to my knees and picked out a big black pig in the 125 pound range, drew back and let the arrow fly.  Fate apprently had other plans for that big'un then to become my table fair.  The first shot sent the three biggest hogs running for the woods.  There were still 8 little ones milling around, so I drew back and drilled one.  I aimed where I had read to aim and instructed to by Curtis. I was looking to break through that shoulder bone.  Everything happened so fast, but I felt my shot was about perfect.  I called Curtis and told him what was up, and again he came and employed Sassy.  Good thing he did too.  Though my shot was a killing shot, and had it been a deer it would have been perfect, as it was a pig, I bearly got one lung and hit the liver.  The lung never even colapsed, that little pig went 175 yards and died from the liver bleeding out.
   (http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y21/bard51/Texas%20Hog%20hunt/DSCF0064.jpg)

 So it was I have shot my first wild pig, and the first blood for my Dryad Bushwacker.
  This was the best "vacation" I have ever had in my entire life.  I made new friends, hunted, made a bow, and saw so many new and wonderful things.  I grew in ways I am not sure I can even explain.  
Derek

Shoot Derek, I was there and I am still enjoying your story telling!!!!

Well how about more of your story Rick, or are you saving it for next week.
Curtis , I was the one that found the arrow up on WWF ridge , so I get an assist on the pig right?
Congratulations Derek!
Mike , you left us with RED MIST , you cant leave us like that !

Thanks Rick and Ted.  Rick, please tell us your tales!  I also would love to hear from the others!

Well it's oh dark thirty and Jason has just arrived at my blind.  We review the shot and the look the blood trail over in the flash light.  He agrees "dead piggy".  We hear the four wheeler coming up the trail and were pleasently surprised when along with Curtis and Sassy was Rick.  Sassy and Curtis were soon on the trail and after a wrong turn or two Sassy was on a rail.  She found the pig in about 50 yds and was giving it heck.

Here is a pick of the happy recovery team and the 130# sow.

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v79/mwestvang/BowyersHuntmypig-1.jpg)

Mike

Way to go Sassy! You did good to Mike
Thats a nice hog buddy.
Curtis , looks as though some of the sunburn from the SWEAT has worn down to a slow humm rather than that bright red light.

Nobody et during this adventure  :saywhat:

LOL Vance..hey I saw you in my neighborhood the other day. When did you get the Harley?

Way to go Derek   :thumbsup:    :notworthy:  

You too Wingnutty   ;)

Vance,

We ate like kings.  Pork loin stew, home made tamales, and a great wild pork soup with a BBQ piggy on the side.  B'fast was spuds, eggs, peppers, onions, bacon or chirezo (sp).

Good grits!!  I don't care who you are (cept Mickey)

Mike

I like grits   :bigsmyl:

Congrats on the hogs, those are nice porkers. Sounds like you guys are having too much fun. Home made tamales too!!    :thumbsup:

*drools over his key board at the memory of the home made tamales*  
the food was awsome!  

I just recieved my baggage finaly.  My meat has been thawing for over 50 hours as best I can figure.  It still feels cool to the touch but it completely thawed, and smells a touch gamey.  should I eat it????
Derek

Send it to me. I'll have more tamales made and I'll eat them.  :thumbsup:

Good stuff guys! I saw that ranch and told CK it was one of the pretiest and most unusual bits of Texas I'd layed eyes on. Would hunt it just for the scenery. Hard to imagine Mike "getting hog small". Bard, cook a piece of it and your taste buds will be your guide. I bet its still good.

Shaun,

That's exactly what I told him.  Hey "hog small" is in the eye of the beholder.  I've got elk, grouse and javie small to their demise.  So watch the smart comments.  Could get Shaun small when you least expect it.  LOL

Mike

Curtis I was born at night...but not LAST night.   :bigsmyl:  

I looked the meat over and cleaned it up.  It's fine.  Gonna cook it up tomorro with my parents and share stories with them.

Anyone seen my lizzard? He seems to have gotten out.   :scared:   CK

Better check with Herb.  :bigsmyl:

Derek it's pork and there is the danger of trichinosis if not cooked properly. Heat to internal temp of 160 degrees.

Well done Derek and Mike! Thanks for the stories and pics.

here he is curtis
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y120/cadyak/064.jpg

where's Herb?  I need him to get me a Dr. Pepper from "the cooler".    :smileystooges:  

(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y21/bard51/Texas%20Hog%20hunt/DSCF0052.jpg)

When you lizard gets like...
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y21/bard51/Texas%20Hog%20hunt/DSCF0053.jpg)

He just needed some TLC.
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y21/bard51/Texas%20Hog%20hunt/DSCF0054.jpg)

*no alligators were harmed in the taking of these pictures and it was released back into the wild.  Herb on the other hand might be emotionaly scared for life.   :D

Ahhhh, Sweet lizard...  

thank you derek for having your really nice camera handy and documenting everything so well.  My little camera doesnt really capture the lush green-ness of that part of Texas.
I am putting a finish on my bow today and hope to post a picture of it tomorrow. Mike and Jason really picked out some beautiful wood for our bow blanks.  I could not be more happy with the way my bamboo backed yew turned out. I love the new limb design on the Hunter. It will REALLY smoke an arrow.
I had decided long before the trip that my highest priority was going to be to learn everything I could from Mike and Jason, make a hunting weight bow and to meet some new hunting buddies. I came out great in all respects.
Three days is just not long enough.
Mike and Curtis both have more entertaining hunting stories than you could hear in a year so I guess I better go ahead and sign up for the next hunt if I am going to hear the rest of em.

My bows are still being shipped to me.  I am really excited to get them finished up too.  I really wished I had thought to get and watch the Dryad bow blank video before I came.  That would have put me ahead, and I think I would have gotten more out of the class, as it was I still learned a ton of stuff, and have walked away with an even deeper appreciation for Mike and Jason's skills as bowyers.  These guys are masters.  Though you'd never here them say that.
If I can swing it, I definatly want to sign up for another dryad bow making/pig hunt.
Derek

Did anyone else notice that it was only the Dryad bows that made meat on this hunt?

Wow Rick, I missed that.  I also find it interesting that the only hunter who bought snake boots for this trip got hit by a rattler.  Then there was the Alligator, oh and then the frozen king snake in the bus.  Poor Herb, he'll never look at a reptile in the same way again I doubt.   :goldtooth:  
Sure wish He'd get on here and tell them stories. That guy's got to have some good ones.

Why yes I did!!  LOL

So the next time everyone needs to hunt with Dryad Bows so they too can shoot a pig.  LOL

This commercial message brought to you by Dryad Bows.

LOL

Mike

Glad to see you fellas had a great time! Derek, I knew it would change your perspective in some new way. It sure did mine when I hunted down there. Glad you got to experience it and take it all in. It truly is sensory overload sittin out there in that TX jungle.

Nice pig too by the way bro! Still after my first!

WEll I gotta tell ya when Curtis asks ya for a beer you should be on guard.  Here a setup for Herb was planned and executed well.  

  http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v79/mwestvang/tradgang%20pics/?action=view¤t=Movie_0001.flv

Herb was a good sport and didn't wet himself on camera.  LOL

Mike

Ya can't beat fun at the old hog camp!!  Best be careful with Curtis around you never know what is in store.

*chuckles*

oh yeah, another first for me was seeing some "hog sign".  Namely the rooted up areas.  They where everywhere, and it reminded me of ground that has gotten the once over by my dad's rototiller.  They sure could put some serious hurt on a farmer and I shudder to think what they would do to an oregon replanted hillside after a clear cut.

Hey Derek, think about this..there noses are soft (the fleshy part)and furry and they do all that deep rooting with their noses. Kinda wild huh?

When you read this you think that there weren't that many hogs in the area.  That couldn't be further from the truth.  The place is overrun with hogs.  The problem is they are also overrun with dew berrys this time of year.  They look and taste like a northern blackberry and the hogs were gorging themselves on them every chance they got.  Also we had a near full moon and hot days.  The pigs were feeding at night and then again midday when we were working on bows.  Dang unethical critters.  LOL

Mike

So if there noses are so soft...how do they break ground?  I mean, once they get it started I can see how they'd use the top bridge of there nose to move dirt, but the soft fleshy part of the nose?  I guess just cause it's soft and fleshy doesn't mean it has a lot of nerv endings. *shrugs*

Congrats on the hogs and the FUN  :D    :thumbsup:

I don't know, it's always suprised me. One time a ranch hand in Texas showed me how good of smell the hogs have and how well they can dig. He took a 22 and popped a rabbit. Dug a hole in front of my brush blind and buried it about a foot deep. Then he moved over about 6 feet and dug another hole and put about a coffee can full of corn in it and filled it back in. The next morning when I came to the blind there were a couple of big holes and both the rabbit and corn were gone.
Totally amazing.

That's why we had to put a ring in the noses of the breeding stock when I was growing up.  They'd tear up a pasture in no time.  The only thing I remember that they wouldn't eat is Gypsum Weed.  Everything else is gone.  They'd root their way under a fence in a heart-beat, and forget about haveing a pond that wasn't destroyed.  It just wouldn't happen.

And they would eat anything -- literally!

So THAT's what the rings in the noses are about.  Learn something new every day. Thanks!

Micky, I have been told over and over at how amazing thier sense of smell is.  When that sounder of pigs came in on me they stuck around even after I shot my pig.  It was just the slightest little tickle of a breeze at my back that finaly sent them out for good.  Oh and thanks for reminding me about the tricinosis. ;-)

*sigh* I wish I was back at hog camp instead of dealing with impatient people at work.

That's a funny vid! Ya thing thats why Herb hasn't showed up?  :bigsmyl:  


Pigs nose is "soft", as in "pliable". There's nothing stronger pound for pound than a pigs nose. I see BoBo do some incredible things with his nose. He has a fixation on elect cords, hoses, etc also. Not that it has anything to do with his nose.  :p   CK

cool pic gator breathe...lol..marco

Why am I surprised that BoBo likes electrical cords.  I remember something to do with a home-made fletcher...................

 :biglaugh:

CK do you think BoBo sees them as snakes? I've heard pigs hate snakes and will go out of there way to destroy them..

Naww, he's just a mischevious little kid. What is funny is that he's always talking when he's around. Tries to make mean noises when he doesn't get his way. It's always a bluff. I get a laugh every time. CK

Good stories! keep them coming  Hi CK I'm the one that went night hunting with you and Shawn on the Bowyers Journal hunt, I can't wait to get back down there to hunt them hogs again ,I had so much fun !

Attack of the killer tree frog!!

As I sat peacefully in my new blind on Saturday morning watching the gator move around in the lake in front of me and the deer feed back and forth, something dropped on my arm from above.  It was a vicious tree frog about 27 pounds that went for my throat.  And that's why I was dancing around screaming like a little girl.

nuff said!!

LOL

Mike

wow! I just got done having some of that pig for dinner and OMG that was delicous!  I need to kill more of them, LOTS more!  We cooked him up real good and made a thick grave with fork shreded hog in it, poored over baked potatos and Corn.  My petiet and proper mom scarfed it down like she hadn't seen food in a week and was done before my father and I were even half way done!  we both sorta sat there and stared at her in amazment.  Never in my life have I seen my mom eat anything like that.  She really liked it.  My daughter gobbled it up really well too!  
"them little red hogs eat up real good boys and girls!"
Derek

Derek,

I sure am glad your meat was ok.  Did you eat him all in one sitting?  He wasn't big but dang that's a bunch for one meal.  LOL

I've found that I don't even eat domestic pork anymore.  Much prefer the wild variety and they are alot more fun to hunt.  They keep taking my stand down at WalMart.

Mike

Derek if ya have a roast left, throw it in a crock pot, cover it with water, throw in some salt and pepper, cover it up and let it cook all day. When ready to eat drain off the juice, take 2 forks and shred the meat, pour in your favorite bar B Q sauce and stir it in real good. Pulled pork BBQ sandwiches. Good stuff.

Derrek,

Add onion, garlic, pepper flakes to the mix and you'll have even a better mix.

Dang that eating impaired Mickey!

LOL

mike

Why ruin perfectly good meat?  LOL

man you guys are making me hungry. Here is my new dryad hunter, made from a blank on the trip with 3 coats of wipe-on poly. we shot our bows in pretty well before we left so there wasnt too much to do when I got home except add a finish. I have a monster timber rattler skin I had been thinking about slapping on here, but I am starting to really like the look of the bamboo. I had never worked with yew before and I am really impressed with the shooting qualities and it has a beautiful color also.

    (http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y120/cadyak/20.jpg)


    (http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y120/cadyak/21.jpg)


    (http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y120/cadyak/25.jpg)


    (http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y120/cadyak/23.jpg)


    (http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y120/cadyak/22.jpg)

No we didn't eat him all in one sitting.  That was just one hind quarter!  Thaks for the recepie Micky, I'll be sure to try that, and throw in Mike's suggestions as well. ;-) as I recall, roasts usual come from the front quarters.  Is this the part you'd recomend for that?  

Brent...that looks awsome!  You did a fantastic job finishing up that bow!  Have you gone out and seriously shot it yet?  

Derek

Are you kidding? I was shooting it in the parking lot of the quality inn on the way home and I dont think it has been farther away from me than about 10 ft. since I left Texas. We will be in the swamp tomorrow or saturday looking for hogs, stump shooting and looking for snakes. It should get a good workout.
I have been craving tamales. I guess I had never really had one before. Man! they were good. Is that stuff around the meat just corn meal? I could live on those things.
how did i get back on food?
Curtis really has it down to a science. It is SO nice to be able to come in from a hunt and there is excellent hot food all served up and waiting
for you.

brent: is the "arrow rest" made from stacked glued leather or wood?

Good looking bow.   :thumbsup:

yep sure is, It was really thick tooling leather so we clamped it to get it to conform to the radius of the side of the riser. It is easy to shape too.

great job guys, I want to recomend that CK and the wingnut boys do this again next year. Because I want to make sure I go!!!!

so I guess nobody had to arm wrestle any aliens on this trip?

Thanks for sharing guys......and Congrats!!!!

Love the 'I need a beer' video clip!. I needed a goog laugh....  :biglaugh:    :biglaugh:    :biglaugh:  

Thanks again.

Hey! where'd everybody go I feel like there's still something missing.

*shrugs* well, I am outa of story myself.  To sum up...it was the best vaction/hunt of my life.  I know I'll be back there again some day.  I'll be sure to post pictures of the bow I finish up when I get it finished up.

Sorry fellas, It's pecan tree spraying season and my tree business is rockin along with the hunting stuff. I leave for the 10 hour treck to Odessa in a little while to try and secure an enormous ranch for Texas Afterburn, Texas Sweat, etc... Be back Tuesday.

I had a fantastic hunt with all these guys. It was an honor to have such gentlemen in camp. Yes, we will be doing this event again next year but it will no doubt require more space and many additional bow blanks. There was no mistaking that the event was a hit judging by all the smiles around the tiller tree. The Westvangs and I will set some dates soon. I would also like to thank Chad Sivertsen for donating some of his knife blanks to go along with our bows. I've already started shaping the handle for mine. Chad had to cancel his trip last minute but was gracious enough to donate the knife blanks anyway. Thanks Chad! Good on ya! CK

I'd like to take this opportunity to thank all of the fine folks that came to our hunt and made it the success and blast that it was.  Curtis and I have already talked about next year and we will have a date set in the near future.  I'd kinda like to host two.  Maybe a hog and a javie or something like that.

Mike

Yea Do one say in WY. in Sept   :clapper:      :goldtooth:

I'll furnish the FIRES

Vance,

I'd be up for that.  How do we get tags to hunt out there while we'r playin?

mike

Landowners DO have some preference.   :bigsmyl:  

Often times they pass them on to their help (hint)

Hopefully we won't need tags fer the fires LOL

Being and old retired fart, count me in Again.  Rick