Trad Gang
Topic Archives => Memorable Hunts => Topic started by: Littlefeather on August 21, 2006, 01:05:00 PM
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(http://www.tradgang.com/upload/ck/LookswestPandale.jpg)
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A look West! A look into the most incredible journey! More to come in awhile. Beware of the Mountain Lions! CK
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Can't wait! :wavey: :thumbsup:
F-Manny
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Smart bowhunters will pay close attention to this thread... can you say "wonderful opportunity"? :thumbsup:
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I've spent many years hunting properties around the state where a guy never knows what kind of hunt he will recieve for his money. Some hunts turn out pretty good and others leave a bad taste in your mouth and you never want to return. After many years of booking hunts for guys around the state, I've grown tired of the "never know" factor on these hunts. One year a ranch is really good and then greed takes hold and the Outfitter runs so many guys across the property that the animals go nocturnal or they die from the constant barrage of arrows. This has led me to search out the most remote regions of Texas where most men have not set foot. I've searched out more and more species, looking for the perfect hunt for any individual seeking extreemly challenging hunt opportunities. This led me on an 8 hour journey into some of the most remote regions that Texas has over this past weekend. I'm happy to say I've found the ranch lands I've been so desperately seeking for you and for myself. Come along with me through a weekends journey. I've covered hundreds and hundreds of miles and found regions untouched by all but a few Indians and those Ranchers with the toughest exterior. I came out of the weekend with a new and exciting look into the future. Enjoy the photos! CK
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(http://www.tradgang.com/upload/ck/Shawnlooksatgoats.jpg)
(http://www.tradgang.com/upload/ck/seeshawnsgoats.jpg)
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Curtis.....Can we work out some kinda trade???
You can hunt here in August and not get to C--D
I want a piece of this adventure FOR SURE
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Sure Vance, I look forward to your company!
As the truck carried me further into the West Texas barren landscape, the vehicles on the road became fewer and fewer. The air became dry as popcorn and the air burned with heat. I stopped to kick the tires just as I left the pavement and the civilized world behind. My thoughts hung heavy with apprehension. I would now begin the 35 miles of unmaintained dirt road and the final leg of my journey toward the much sought after pot of gold at the end of anything but a rainbow. During the next hours drive across the parched earth I thought often of the condition of my tires and kept constant watch on my fuel guage. There is no one out here and it could be weeks before another traveler would venture across this landscape. I had my bow and I had two full ice chests of now melting ice. I would survive if the unthinkable were to happen. I continued on......
Through the maze of grasshopper trails I pushed the big diesel forward into the mid day sun. Somehow I'd located the oasis I was seeking in this sea of torture and dispair. The landscape had changed 500% in the last few miles. I'd entered into the rimrock that runs along the upper reaches of the Pecos River. This was Judge Roys country after the Indians were slain. This is indeed the land which time forgot. It stands today just as it stood a thousand years ago. The Indian carvings in the rocks remain and each time I turned around quickly I thought I could breifly see them still here. It is an erie feeling to stand in their caves just as they were hundreds of years ago.
(http://www.tradgang.com/upload/ck/indianruins.jpg)
I thought I could hear Indian flutes in the distance and a shiver ran through me as I touched the carvings and the holes left by my ansestors from so long ago. They are still here although now in memory etched deeply in the pages of time.
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There is a magic to this region that I could never convey even in my most intricate of writings. The smells and sounds of my surroundings were jumping from the pages of an old western movie. Screetches of the overhead eagle rung across the canyons, answered by a mountain goat braaaa from a mountain somewhere out there. As I looked around I could see no life on the sides of the steep cliffs.
(http://www.tradgang.com/upload/ck/sheeponridge.jpg)
But as I raise my optics I can easily see that the mountains around me are alive with movment.
(http://www.tradgang.com/upload/ck/close-upsheeponridge.jpg)
I found this place spiritually moving for unknow reasons. It seems to be holding magic around ever turn, under ever rock, and along ever ridge. I would rest this evening along the rivers edge and refresh myself in the cool of the spring fed Pecos River. Tomorrow would bring a new day and adventure I'd been longing for.
(http://www.tradgang.com/upload/ck/widePecosriver.jpg)
CK
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Awesome... :bigsmyl:
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That first dark colored goat looks one of them Do Dads. Get it scouted and get ready for company.
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Cool!!! Except for the heat, I'd love to be ridin shotgun on that trip. :thumbsup:
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HEY CK THAT IS SOME AWESOME PLACE MATE. :thumbsup: :campfire: JEFF
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Incredible....
Nothing to move a man like the wild places...
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...and if your tires go flat you can ride one of those 4 wheeler out of there. :)
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Great story and pics Curtis.
Is it Friday yet? Looking forward to hitting the hills with you...
-Brian
www.bowyersjournal.com (http://www.bowyersjournal.com)
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Simply Mystic!
Wish I was there.... :campfire:
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You like to rub it in Don't ya Brian... LOL
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The next morning temps were much more comfortable. After having coffee and watching the sun rise, the ranch owner was to take me and my brother-n-law on an extensive tour of the ranch. As luck would have it, he had brought his 4wd, 4 wheeler and had two more in the barn up the canyon. We did have to bring gas! ;)
(http://www.tradgang.com/upload/ck/riverrunsthrough.jpg)
The plan was to travel along the river and see the low country first. We stopped frequently along the way so I could take pics of the fish.
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(http://www.tradgang.com/upload/ck/fishrisingpecos.jpg)
Throughout the day we worked our way across the ranch edging higher and higher.
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Whenever I'd see the side of a mountain it would look empty.
Then I'd look closer and see that it was not at all empty.
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Too cool CK. Texas Sweat there next year???? :D
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Yessir! T-Sweat's moving west.
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More do dads. Gotta get close and stick one of them things.
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HOOOOOOEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!!! Expand my horizons bud! :bigsmyl:
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CK, thanks for sharing , nice pics! Marco#78
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Most excellent bud!! :thumbsup: :thumbsup:
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Dang and the Ferret bunch and the wingnuts have that booked for a week long adventure in February.
Now that's what I'm talking about!!!!
Mike
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O My God the view is just too much.... I feel like I'm back in Tejas
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VERY nice!!!
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Dang Mike you see the size of that place? I may have to dig out my Clint V "Magnum" 2 arrow floppy quiver for this trip!
Awesome Curtis..keep it coming.
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Don't see anything like that up my way.Totally awesome!!!!
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wow. just wow. :)
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Man, you sure it's hot there? Looks like cool country to me :thumbsup:
Great pics CK
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Danged if that doesn't look like an bleached elk shed in that last pic. See it on the right under the tree? Couldn't be. Could it??? :confused:
Looks like you found yourself a top-drawer honey hole, CK!
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Awesome Curtis!!!!!!!!
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Yep, ya'll better get those reservations in. I've referred at least 3 parties his way already and he'll fill up fast with that kind of value. It's a no-brainer. I'll give you a full report next week when I get back.
-Brian
www.bowyersjournal.com (http://www.bowyersjournal.com)
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CK, That is awesome! Looks like very cool country. That atv your on looks very small. If it looks small with you on it then it's real small. Was it a 90cc? I need to get one like that for my 5 year old! :bigsmyl:
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Lord Above! what a place!
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I'm glad the pics have some depth to you guys. As I look through them I feel that they didn't even come close to capturing the depth and beauty of this region. All I've been able to think about since I've gotten home is going back!
I suppose the "oh my gosh" factor kinda leveled out after the first day on the ranch. We'd stayed saddled up on the 4 wheelers about four hours and started the treck back to the quaint little ranch house. I'd seen a lot of country or so I thought. Once I returned to the camp house I looked at the map. I was quite shocked to find I'd only covered about 1/4 of this awesome place.
(http://www.tradgang.com/upload/ck/Pandaleranchmap.jpg)
Dinner was a simple affair. We had home made salame and cheese with a side order of corn chips. I was tired and my fore arms a tad weak from gripping my mechanical horses reigns so tightly. I was ready for some rest but not before I had another dip in the cool rivers rapids. Aaaahhhh, that feels sooo good!
I good nights rest is always a measure of satisfaction when on a new place. I slept with the best of dreams and emegred the next morning with an ear to ear grin as I watched seven deer including a 120 class whitetail meander through camp like they had never seen humans. I never thought about my camera.
I carried my bow around a little this morning and managed to shoot a big eared Jack rabbit with a lucky shot. The Rancher had never seen anyone shoot a longbow and he looked much akin to a Chimpanzee in the Zoo when I got one. He was hopping around making noises. It was funny to me to see such excitment from watching an arrow work but I suppose his reaction was what I feel inside every time I find success myself. I was happy to share in the excitment. We crawl back on our 4 wheel friends this morning and see more country. There seemed to be caves in the cliffs is any place with verticle cliffs. I really wanted to stop and see them all but we had only limited time.
(http://www.tradgang.com/upload/ck/laevingcavespandale.jpg)
In a few short hours we discuss business and I'd have to head back into the civilized world. I wasn't looking forward to the trip. I knew I would feel as if I were leaving a new friend behing when I pulled away from this ranch. There was lots to see along the way. Hog sign around every water hole, goat and sheep sign everywhere, rabbits, lion tracks, fish, eagles, etc..... It was a sensory overload for this south Texas boy! As always happens, we'd have to finalize this trip if we were to make it home before midnight. We gathered back at camp to finalize negotiation. It was an easy decision for me and the Rancher had seen first hand effectivness of my weapons. He was open armed at the thought of seeing more bowhunters like myself. We'll see more of this place for sure. I only saw 1/2 of the ranch on this trip so there is certainly more pics to come in the future.
(http://www.tradgang.com/upload/ck/lookatranchhouse.jpg)
And so our journey begins back toward the daily stresses and work loads. Maybe this is a sign of things to come. Maybe the next trip will be just a bit more comfortable with no reasons to return to daily time clocks and deadlines. I could always dream and hope!!! Until the next trip, I'm happy you were along for the ride. Hopefully the next time we seen each other it will be along the Pecos River where we'll have our toes dangling in the cool water as we talk about the awesome hunt that had just taken place! Till then, be well and keep those arrows riding the wind! CK
(http://www.tradgang.com/upload/ck/Pandaleleavingview.jpg)
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CK, thanks for the trip. What an awesome place! I've finally started a hunting trip "savings account" so who knows I may be able to head south one of these winters. Would be a great trip to see that country.
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Interesting looking place CK..certainly nothing like any part of Texas I've ever seen.
Doesn't look like a place the illegals would want to cross thru either.
Very Interesting.
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Yep looks a lot like AZ only steeper. Dang no slacking off for me after elk season.
Mike
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Curtis.....how much does he want for it? :D
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Thanks Curtis. That place is beautful. It always amazes me at how places across this country can be so different yet each has it's own beauty and appeal on so many different levels. Thanks again for bringing us along.
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Thanks for your responses.
Ferrett, The ranch owner tells me he only saw four illegals last year and they were following the river. I can't imagine any human trying to cross the country up top. It's as unforgiving as any place I've ever imagined. The ranch is somewhat of an oasis in this region. Hence the abundance of wildlife.
Terry, price is irrelevant at this point. I leased the whole place and will lease the ranch across the river next year. There is an airstrip for those fortunate few that have their wings. As soon as I update my website and update my sponsorship, I'll give more details about the upcomming trophy deer hunts too. Thanks again for looking! CK
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LittleFeather >>---> I never thought I would want to hunt Exotics but if the country looks like that I think I am game for it. Might have to book a trip for next season and do some rock crawling after a goat.
Again Great Pictures!
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CK... I just talked to Terry and he meant he wanted to know how much to buy the ranch. LOL
I think that means he really, really liked the looks of it.... just like me! :D
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This is the kinda country I first hunted in Texas in around '94. There are artifacts all over the place especially out the mouths of the caves where the critters push them out while digging their beds.
This might be the next best hing to Hawaii for this sort of hunting and easier to get to for most of you.
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What a beautiful piece of God's Country! :)
Hope to see you there in the next 2-4 months.
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Awesome, just awesome Curtis.You really Know how to twist a mans arm.I think I may be shaking your hand again sooner than I thought.
Sincerly,
Mr. Tacate
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I hunted antelope on the the Bean family ranch ten years ago. I know this country well. It is beyond words just how beautiful this country is. Once ya live in Texas, ya don't get the urge that often to visit far away places. For one, everything in Texas is far away! Secondly, just visiting a different corner of Texas from the one ya live in is a whole lot like visiting a foreign land! I can tell you for a fact that West Texas is a whole lot different from South Texas Brush Country and the Gulf Coastal Plains where I live. Add to that the Piney Woods in East Texas and the Hill Country in Central Texas and the pancake flat plains in North Texas; and, you got a world of hunting in one state.
Now if Moose, caribou, and Grizzly bears would just migrate south a bit, there would be no need at all to ever leave the most perfect state in the union!
=chuckle=
Hardcore Harry
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Man Curtis, thats some kind of a place. You don't run across ones like this every day. Brian sent me a note about this but I'm taking Lisa to Colorado to elk hunt on a second honeymoon or I would be there. I look forward to the trip in March though.
Keep up the good work,
Mike
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Well said Harry!
Stephen, I look forward to seeing you in our camp again!
Mike, sounds like you are a wise man taking Lisa for a vacation. Hug her neck for me and tell her I said hi. You two are certainly welcome any time you wish to venture south. See ya in March for sure. :thumbsup: CK
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Dang, that sure looks great. Is it Sept 8th yet? Calendar has slowed like my watch near the end of a work day. Building the new shop and going to Bradjam this weekend to distract myself till we get to go there and play bows 'n arrows.
Get some more of it scouted with Brian this weekend and don't forget to enjoy your new find yourself with stick and string. Good hunting!
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Shaun, Brian is going to a different ranch with me next weekend. You and Ben Saye will be the first hunters to grace the ranch you see in these pics. Please don't book a hotel for Thursday night. We're driving way west before shutting down for sleep. Call me if you wish. CK
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I think the reason I have never hunted in Texas is I would probably never leave if I did.
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CK, ready to sleep in the truck or drive on thru. I'll call to make plans when it gets closer. Oh boy, oh boy, that place looks like fun... hope I can stop looking for arrowheads and daydreaming about the first inhabitants long enough to loose an arrow or two myself.
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Dang Shaun..between this and Bamy I'm starting to get a wee bit jealous!
Good luck down there and leave some critters for us!
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Mickey, hope you don't find out about the mule deer project with Brian in SD, you'd be really sore.
Don't worry about leaving some critters, I hunt hard, but am not much of a shot. There will be plenty of game left.
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Yea Brian told me about the Mulie hunt, that sounds like a great time! unfortunately I am money and vac time limited. I want to do more than the budget and time will allow. If I was rich/retired (like you and Charlie) I'd go on ALL these hunts! Maybe some year :(