Solana Ranch -What a ride into the New Year

[Ragin Bull]

Congrats again Skyler.
Fantastic follow up shot.
Whats next?    
I'm waiting.............
Outstanding stories by everyone.          

[Jack Guard]

So at this point, its 31 Dec.  Mid day.  I have sat 4 times in 3 stands.  Have seen 6 bucks, one of them a decent 9 pointer, one button buck and 4 dinky fork horns.  I have seen 11 ish hogs, almost had a shot at a couple last evening but it just never felt right.  And i have killed one large doe, with Chris's Randy Mornin Hi-Breed.  

After our lunch break, around 2:30 ish, Jeff, Izzy, Danny and I headed out with our guide Robert.  As we were approaching our hunting areas Robert asked us if we were all here to hunt bucks.  I totally knew what he was getting at.  He said, If we wanted to hunt bucks he would put us in particular stands.  If we wanted to just shoot a doe or a hog, he would adjust our placement accordingly.  He didn't want to blow a good buck hunting area if we were going to shoot a doe or hog.  

We all basically said we were buck hunting.  Cept Izzy.  Izzy honestly answered that he was happy no matter what and was having a great time. ( On a side note, Izzy hadn't shot his buck as of this time in my story).

I was up first.  When we arrived at the stand, it was a couple of large old oaks sitting on the edge of a field.  Robert told me Jeff had killed a nice buck out of this tree a couple of years ago.  Robert gave me the low down on where the deer come from and dropped me at the tree.  Robert was kind enough to feed a little corn closer to the stand also.  



The weather was decent.  I was wearing a long sleeve capaline top, t-shirt, my Sitka kelvin vest and a long sleeve shirt over top.  I didn't think i was going to really need my Wooltimate jacket but just in case I draped it over my legs. Kinda like a lap blanket.  This gives my legs extra warmth and allows me to move my feet more freely.   One thing I have learned is that I should get everything on I need before getting settled into the stand.  By the time you sit for awhile and its gets chilly, you may have deer under you.  Its to late to add layers then.  As you have heard, these deer are wound tight.

Getting settled into the stand also meant getting my gear into a place that would not cause problems, I hung my Arrowmaster quiver to my right and my day pack was placed on the stand platform to my left.  I also drew my bow a couple of times to stretch the muscles and figure out a shooting position.  Good thing I did.  I was shooting a longbow and the bottom limb was bumping into a few little tree limbs to my lower left.  A quick prune job and I was set.  

I settled in around 3 ish and waited for the feeder to go off at 4 pm.  As you can see from the pics, the view is fairly obscured.  I sat quietly, patiently, and  most importantly motionless for the next hour.  I day dreamed of big bucks, shooting straight and my family.  When the feeder went off I was deep in thought and about jumped off the stand.  After my heart slowed down I intensified my concentration.  Anticipating the deer to arrive.  The feeders act like dinner bells in some locations and I was expecting lots of guests.

[Guru]

Originally posted by Jack Guard:
 One thing I have learned is that I should get everything on I need before getting settled into the stand.  By the time you sit for awhile and its gets chilly, you may have deer under you.  Its to late to add layers then.  As you have heard, these deer are wound tight.

Getting settled into the stand also meant getting my gear into a place that would not cause problems, I hung my Arrowmaster quiver to my right and my day pack was placed on the stand platform to my left.  I also drew my bow a couple of times to stretch the muscles and figure out a shooting position.  Good thing I did.  I was shooting a longbow and the bottom limb was bumping into a few little tree limbs to my lower left.  A quick prune job and I was set.  

A lot of Solana knowledge in this part of Jack's post          


As far as Skyler,  he's something else isn't he          

When I got his text..."I;m officially one step closer to my Solana slam!"....

A big smile creased my face, my not-so-little buddy had done it again. I can only imagine how proud Don is of him!

He's hunting-wise far beyond his years, fits right in with everyone regardless of age, is truly a phenominal archer(the boy can flat shoot), takes ribbing from all of us too well....and thru all of this, is still a very respectful 15yr. old boy.

•    

We loaded Sky's hog up and headed to camp for another wonderful meal.

As always when everyone gets together for dinner, we all ask how each other had done.

One hunter was particularly nervous about what had gone down that afternoon, and what might be out there waiting for him.

Soon you'll read a wonderful story of how some things are just "meant to be"...

[ishoot4thrills]

WOW, what a thread! I would LOVE to go there sometime. Looks like a great time had by all. Nothing like sharing camp with fellow Tradgang members and trad hunters.      

[ti-guy]

Tons of fun,I love it

[rastaman]

Skyler, nice hog!  Carlton, i feel your pain. Ground blinds throw off my depth perception.  Good luck next year!

[Big Ed]

Thanks to everyone for the read along!!!

[Terry Green]

Stay tuned folks...we are aint even half way there....there will be over 50 pages by the time we are through.  

[Cyclic-Rivers]

quote:Originally posted by Terry Green:
Stay tuned folks...we are aint even half way there....there will be over 50 pages by the time we are through.        

[GRINCH]

You're killing me,but I'll be waiting.          

[Pierre Lucas]

To good to be true...Outstanding.  Skyler, you are the man.  A killin" machine.  Jean-Pierre is very jealous at this moment.

God Bless,   Pierre and Jean-Pierre

[Izzy]

Everyone had their "Moments" but you really have no idea what is yet to be revealed.Not even in dreams could such a turn of events be conjured up. Lets just say I believe in miracles and magic. The crazy part is that Im referring to more than one event yet to come.  

[Tater]

Keep it coming guys, I am truly enjoying all the stories. Can't stay away from the 'puter!!

  Congrats to eveyone, sounds like tons of fun and memories that will last a lifetime.

[South MS Bowhunter]

Izzy, you're beginning to be a bit of a tease     Great story guys!  And Skyler is really someone special, you can tell by the way others are drawn to this young man.  Congratulation Dad for fostering a special bond with your son, keep it up.

[Kenneth]

Man this thread is killin' me!  I really need to get some stuff done but I just have to keep checking it.  Great stuff guys, keep it coming!!

[Huntschool]

Sky...  great stuff man...  Congrats

[COOCH]

I was one of those snow stranded northeast boys that almost didn't make it.I had to cancel at the 11'th hour last year because of a bad slip on black ice.    but after a few anxious hours mother nature loosened here grip in northern CT and the airport opened.    

I have to agree with Curt I was one happy camper when my feet were firmly planted in TX.

[COOCH]

Larry Surtees was kind enough to pick me up at the airport.

For those of you that have never met Larry let me just state for the record that a kinder more humble man I have never met.My life is richer for the experience.Thanks again Larry    

The ride to camp was full of serious talk and idol chit chat.But there was for sure an energy in that truck that was hard to explain.The next few days it would affect everyone.

[bill langer]

Good read boys, keep it coming!!!

[pdk25]

Great job Skyler. Monster hog.