Trad Gang
Main Boards => PowWow => Topic started by: Longbows4life on December 21, 2006, 12:54:00 AM
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what do you guys think about it the ones who have been there. were are they located. also how was the hunting there thinking on planing a hunt just would like to here some experiances(sorry for the spelling0
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Erik.........Top of the heap :thumbsup:
VERY VERY Trad Bow Hunting set up and they go the extra mile to accommodate and give ya more than you expect!
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Have not had the pleasure to meet CK yet but I know well the parta of the state he is in. Lotsa hawgs and javalina's. Lots a thorns, cactus, rattlesnakes, scorpions, you name it. Beautiful, rugged, and dry country. MY FAVORITE !!! :jumper:
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Have hunted with Curtis on several occasions. Plan to do so at least once a year from now on too. I think I had at least one shooting opportunity every day that I hunted with him. Curtis has places all over Texas depending on what species you are after. Ask about his bowfishing opportunities as well.
-Brian
www.bowyersjournal.com (http://www.bowyersjournal.com)
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My buddies and I will travel to West Texas, from Iowa, the end of Jan. to hunt with Curtis. I have talked with CK on the phone, exchanged several emails and it appears he is working to set up a very good hunt for us. He also appears to be a serious Traditional Bowhunter.
Erik, when we return I will get in touch with you and let you know our experiance first hand.
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Let's just say your search for an outfitter in Texas is over. You can keep looking if you want, but you won't find any better.
Not sure what you are planning to hunt, but Curtis knows what makes a good hunting property and will do you right for whatever you are after.
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I have hunted with Curtis in the past and had wonderful oppurtunities and good comradarie. I have two hunts booked this spring with him as we speak. I guess that tells you right there that I like what I see.
Mike
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Other than being height impaired, :jumper: CK is your answer for any Texas hunt.
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Curtis is a class act. I hunted with him on a west Texas hunt,Never met him before and he made you feel like you had known him all all your life.Very personable and even though he was sick he showed us a great time and a great hunt.We saw lots of animals in a fair chase situation and each of us had at least one shot.The only thing that would hold you back is your ability so be prepared,both physically and shooting ability.Above all he is honest and will give you a hunt just as he describes.When I told my friends I was going on a hunt with someone I met over the internet they gave me funny looks. I have been going over my schedule trying to figure out when I can go back! Ben
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I'm biased, Curtis is a dear friend. However, even if he wasn't, he would be the guy I'd turn to if I wanted to hunt Texas with a stickbow. Not only is he one of the finest people I know, he is one of the best hunters I've ever met. And the places he has private/exclusive acess to are a bargain at his prices. You will not be sorry.
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I've hunted with Curtis 3 times in TX for hogs and javalina, always had a blast, ate good, and had plenty of critters to chase. He works his butt off to make sure everyone in camp is taken care of....what ever the needs are.
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I have only talked to him on here and in email, I'm plaining to go down to Texas to visit some family and stop in for a hunt with him.... I have seen some of the pic's of the land he guide's and since I used to live in Texas I know what kind of county is out there... I can't wait to meet Him face2face, and hunt with Him too.
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Thanks guys for the positive response to Eric's questions. As I read though the replies it was as if I was thrust through a wonderful kalidascope of hunting memories with old friends and new. Thanks for helping me remember all those great hunts. I remembered each of your animals, each of your fireside tales, and even remembered some of your phone numbers because of the friendships we've developed. Can't wait to meet even more new friends in the year ahead.
Ben, your Ewe couldn't have looked more tired than you even though she was dead.
Joe L, I'll not ever forget dropping you off at the pond the first time we met and the recovery of several of your animals that weekend.
Brian H., I remember your sunburn the best. Javelina in the closing minutes of a long weekend and the Illegal Aliens along our travels.
Wingnut, Memories of our best laid plans working just as we'd planned them. :D Remember watching Jason stalk pigs in the moonlight? I love a bloodtrail in the darkness.
JC and Terry, Too many great memories to tell them all. Dang sure too many animals to talk about. I was with JC when he shot his avitar javelina.
Rabbitman, I ain't talking!!!!! :saywhat: :bigsmyl:
Roger/Mystic/Vance, I'll see you all very soon! CK
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DO NOT hesitate to book a hunt with Curtis, he will go the extra mile for you, a really top notch and honest guy, he'll do you right ! I had multiple shot opportunities every day, I'll be back !
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:scared: I just went into memory overload.
Thomas, I vividly remember the beauty of that one Mouflon the best, although I seem to remember about 10 critters you and your group shot. I still smile every time I think about Patricks rendetion on the snake encounter and stalking beans on isle 5 of the grocery store. See ya next week my friend! CK
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Curtis,
I've been thinking of going after either a Mouflon or a Texas Dall. Do you have any pics of these and can you tell me what time of year would be best for these?
Thanks,
Joe
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He knows a thing or two (or five hundred) about hogs.
(http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y138/wesbrock/Hog1.jpg)
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Sure Joe! I see that you are from Ohio so I'd say it would be best for you to come before June. The animals aren't like deer and they don't have a rut that I've seen. I'd say come when the time is best for you. Please not Feburary. Everyone from the North is trying to book Feb. Here's my favorite Mouflon picture. Of course his hair is gone. :bigsmyl:
(http://www.tradgang.com/upload/ck/CKRibs.jpg)
Here are some crossbred sheep with mouflon bloodline. They cross fairly readily from what I've seen. Sheep and goats are still fairly new to me. I'm still learning......
(http://www.tradgang.com/upload/ck/2CURLRAM.jpg)
Maybe Thomas will post a pic of the Mouflon he shot while hunting my Pecos River Ranch. CK
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You won't be disappointed,Curtis is as good a hunter as you'll ever meet and a great guy with endless enthusiasm!!!
Finally got the chance this spring to hunt with him,it was all I thought it would be and a lot more.
Proud to call that little guy my friend!!
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v77/Guru39/modmelt06035.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v77/Guru39/modmelt06039.jpg)
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Oh wow, You guys are really bringing back some fantastic memories!
I certainly remember rolling out of my bunk, wiping my eyes, and checking my ears because I thought you said "I shot a nice hog"! LOL! A very memorable trip Jason! A hell of a fun tracking job too! What about the night before?
(http://www.tradgang.com/upload/ck/JasonWesbrockshad.jpg) Isn't this bow in the Bowyers Journal this issue?
:D And of course Guru! A definite highlight of the entire year finally meeting and sharing some great hunting after many key strokes shared over the years! I'm still very grateful that your leg and your spirits have recovered! CK
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Dang that Westbrock is a tall dude! He probably looks right over top of the cactus.NICE hog Jason.
Only had the pleasure of meeting Curtis a couple of times so far, but looking forward to hunting with him come February.
Would love to pick up a couple of flint heads while down there.
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Curtis, Will do everything for you except pull the string. The only thing you will be short on a hunt with CK is Ck. It is like he is always standing in a hole or a rut. Don't worry he will treat you the best!!!!
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Curtis,
Yep, that's the bow. Here's one of my favorite pictures from the bowfishing night.
(http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y138/wesbrock/CurtisGator.jpg)
We did manage to shoot a few fish too.
(http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y138/wesbrock/CRW_1966.jpg)
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Nobody knows hogs like Curtis! Latley they (the hogs) been following him home and sleeping in his yard. See, he's got a big heart and dem pigs has figured it out that if they hang out with him they will live longer!!! You will search long and hard and never find anyone that loves trad hunting and looking after folks like Curtis!! Been there done that and going back this year again.
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My friends and I from Mo. will be hunting with Curtis the first week of March. Looking forward to it.
Ron
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macbow, hopefully you guys will have a good hunt. We just got back from down there. I have heard allot of good things down there about curtis, but unfortunetly the he ddint show the support when we were down there. He basicly dropped us at the campers, showed us the general layout and we were on our own. Equipment all around the ranch (that we were at) was not working and accomodations were a little rough. Through the 3 days of hunting he came a visited us once and no contact was made after the hunt. Good Luck to all that go down there.
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Was the whole experience a bust? Did you not get what was promised?I've heard nothing but good things about Curtis. Leland
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Bowdude13:
Being dropped off in good game country and being free to hunt on your own is a bowhunter's dream. That's the best of the best. From that point on, it's all up to you, your skill, and your level of determination. What more could a bowhunter ask? Sounds like a perfect opportunity to me.
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I wanna be like CK when I grow up.
And if I ever make it to the mainland I'll do backflips to get a chance to go and hunt with him
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You can't go wrong hunting with CK! He was standing beside me when i took my first TX cottontail. Just a great guy and someone i'm proud to call my friend. I just wish i got to see him a little more often.
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bow dude, I see you just registered yesterday...you just registered to complain?
I gotta tell you,you are the first to complain about CK's hunts.Did you expect him to hold your hand the whole time? As Rik said,you had a bowhunters dream opportunity.For the amount of time and effort Curtis puts in finding AFFORDABLE places to hunt,what did you expect..the Hilton?
Was he expected to stay with you the whole time? I'm sure you weren't the only guys he was working with at the time.
With all due respect.....I see you're a "Pro shop owner", are you a compound shooter that just registered to complain that you weren't pampered on your hunt?
If it seems like I'm defending CK,well I might be....I know him, proud to call him my friend....to me he's one of the guys around here that are like the brother I never had....
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Right on Curt.
Danny
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Thanks for the support guys. As in any business there are going to be unhappy customers. I do feel that it is just as important to hear some negative about hunts as it is to hear good. If you never hear a negative comment, you'll feel that all the hunts I do are perfect. Not so! I have too many variables working at any one time to give anyone a guarantee at a perfect hunt. The animals are #1 in the problem process. I don't have high fences so I can't control the animals. I also can't control the Seasons. With Spring breaking there is food everywhere. Animals move to the food! Customer skill level and hunting techniques is another I can't control. Many customers want to do it all themselves and then blame me when it doesn't work out. Enough said about that! Never had a customer that believed he wasn't a GREAT hunter. I can't control the weather. Can't control the Moon phase. Can't control the insects or the heat or the cold or the wind. All these things may effect a hunt. Ya see, there are just a few more things involved in hunting than I can actually control.
(The hunt)I hate to talk online about business problems. I'd rather try and solve in camp but since this complaint was posted world wide I'll have to deal with it.
I booked and did "exactly" as I'd been asked to do and explained times to enter and depart the ranch and what to expect of lodging. I actually changed dates at last minute because the "booked dates" and "times" didn't seem to work last minute. I also was kindly asked to be "out of the way" so I stayed away from the ranch but asked each and every hunter to call me if they were unhappy because I wanted to please first and foremost(it was said that we are experienced hunters and don't need help). My phone never rang even once. All feeder on the ranch were not working. True! There are like 20 feeders on 3000 acres. I have 12 running and two of them were having electronic problems. I can't help what happens between my visits to the ranch. Electronics break!Not to mention expense of running 20 feeders. I'd have to crowd the ranch with hunters just to pay for the feeding. I'm not sure how scattered out I can make hogs but I do know that the more feeders I run, the further appart I can spread the hogs. I'm also not sure how many feeders 5 guys can hunt at once but you'd think 10 feeders would be ample. Last but not least, I was asked for a free ranging ranch with no high fences. You know, nothing canned ! Well, it's Spring time in Texas and in the Spring the food becomes available everywhere making hog hunting over bait a bust. I'm tryly sorry the Mid-Western group of hunters did not do well! There is nothing I want more in this business than I want to do more than please but sometime the pleasing is taken out of my hands. Oh, I did take care of the dirty air conditioner filter complaint and also picked up some trash(another complaint) and I fixed the feeders once I was told they weren't working. I couldn't get the hogs out of the swamp and as one hunter said "we found hogs but I ain't going in there after them". Sorry, I couldn't get them to come to where you wanted them. No, I didn't call after the hunt. After all the little complaints I'd already heard, I'd decided there was nothing more I could do. I'd felt like a wipping post already. Maybe next time I'll be a better Host. Of course, I'll need to not be told "we are experienced hunters and we don't need help"! Again, I'm truly sorry that your hunt wasn't what you were looking for. CK
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Well, I have to put my 2 cents in here. My buddies and I, from Iowa, hunted with CK at the end of Feb. We hunted on the Pecos River Ranch.
First I want to say that CK and his father are two of the finest men I have ever shared a camp with. The hills of the west Texas ranch and the Pecos river along with the amount of wild life on the ranch will keep us coming back.
We had a very successful hunt, not only because will were able to bring home meat from the sheep and one goat we were able to take but because of the vast 3500 acres and remoteness of the ranch added experience and memoirs we will continue to share time and time again.
This is "real" hunting. I was not able to stalk close enough for the shot I need until the last day of the 5 day hunt. What a way to end a great week. Tom, John and Mike were able to score through out the week and that made for good stories each night over our camp dinner. If anyone decides to hunt the Pecos River Ranch make sure you take what you need in with you. Also get yourself in good shape to climb the rocky west Texas hills for some long stalks.
I don't post often here but I do read posts almost every day. I would say, based on what I read, most of the guys that come in here would "fit" right in with CK and his hunts.
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in response to everyone I guess you all win, he is probably a great guy. I dont know what ranches you guys hunted on,( we were on the cattle ranch on Kemper City Rd.)but there were no other type of animals on this ranch but hogs and cows. Now we did see cows. Between all the guys that were there only 2 seen hogs ( a total of 6 in all).His words were the farm is over run with hogs. Now I dont expect to get one everytime I go but would like to see some. To be a good hunt is to be there and HUNT, not neccesarily to get something.
As far as equipment working, as he says all but 2 were working, we were at a bunch of them and there were only a few that worked. some had to be activated manually. As far as accomodations we were told these were 2 nice trailers. There were multiple things that were wrong with them but the were dry. They need some work.
As far as a giude being there no one asked him to stay away, he asked and we said we have been hunting hogs for approx 7 years in Texas. His answer was that he was 1 1/2 hours away, and to keep running up seemed like a inconvience. All of the other hunts that we have been on the guide was always around to make sure things went well. A guide service doesnt just collect money and walk away. If one of the guys did say the seen sign in the swamps and said I am not going in there then I apologize for that. I feel we hunted extremely hard while we were down there and covered allot of ground and even some of us were in the swamps and still no success. your right I can expect to make the guide force hogs to come to us, but again all we heard was the ranch was so very overun with hogs.
and to GURU yes I am a pro shop mgr., I shoot 95% traditional, I did just sign up here to make a statement because as a pro shop mgr I dont have the time to sit around and be on blogs every day. Allot of the guys are on this sight that come into my shop and they will tell you I am here way to much and I dont have the time to just read statements.
I understand that he probably has other people that he is working with since he was on the phone almost the whole time that he was trying to show us the ranch, but I would think that if you are working with people you would be there to make sure they are taken care of. As I said before we have been doin this for approx 7 year. and all the guides that we have worked with have been great. I will never say that he is not a good guy, I dont know him that well, and he may be great. As far as the hunt we were disappointed that we didnt see anything and that is hunting, we all accept that, but everything that was said before the hunt, nothing seemed to be as it was.
Again I didnt come on here to start a war with all you people and maybe thats what these forums do, but I was trying to explain my thoughts on the whole situation, maybe that is wrong thats not what you are supposed to do. But if I was looking around for spots I would like to know all comment from people no matter what they are
Bowdude13
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I had the pleasure of hunting with Curtis at the Texas Sweat hunt.
I have never seen anyone work harder. I mean NOONE! If Curtis didn't work for you, either someone broke both his legs and hid the wheelchair, or you chased him off.
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Curtis is tops in my book! Just got back a couple weeks ago from hunting with him, and he did everything in his power short of tying a hog to a tree for us so we could get one (not that we needed it, cause they were EVERYWHERE!). I admit that that being my very first hog hunt, I was green as green can be when it came to hunting these animals and 95% of the reason I didn't harvest a hog was MY fault! The other 5% is just plain old luck and the reason we call it "hunting" instead of "killing". It takes some luck, some experience and a little savvy. That was a learning experience that I consider invaluable! I wouldn't trade that week for anything in the world! Would I go back? You betcha! It's not a matter of would or if....but WHEN. And it certainly won't be soon enough for me.
Not sure if he knows it, but I would be damn proud to call Curtis my friend. Heckuva...hunter,....heckuva man,....heckuv'an Outfitter!
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My dad and I hunted on of Curtis's ranches about 2 weeks ago. One of the best hunts I've ever been on. We hunted our tails off for five days came home empty handed but that was by choice. We had multiple stalks every day and plenty of room away from other hunters. Had animals within 10 yards on several occasions.
Even though no animals were harvested we will book another hunt with him. This was the most successful hunt I have ever been on. For my dad and I to be able to get away from our corporate lives for a few days and run the mountains chasing all sorts of critters and the smiles we had after we had blown a stalk or two, was as some famous commercial once said, priceless.
Curtis and Gary thanks for the memories, we will return soon, Jason