Ok. I talked to Gene today and he said things look very good, but there was a significant amount of rain last week and things are pretty muddy. It has dried out good the last few days, but he did suggest that anyone flying in and renting a car may want to think about getting a 4WD. There concern is that those that show up with a car or 2wd may not be able to access some areas. Keep in mind that it may dry out and be no problem at all so it is your call. They just asked that I let people know it may be an issue. Other than that it is looking good. Lots of sign and they are anticipating a lot of pork chops.
Hey Brian, the guys flying in and renting a car tried but there were no 4WD's available. They got a pick-up and a Jeep so they'll at least have some clearance. Tippit, Whip, Wayne Hoffman, Curveman, Tom Phillips, Eric and Lloyd and Paul V. and I are all in Mineral Wells, Tx. for the night. We're a little over an hour drive to the ranch in the am. The other guys are on the road at the present except for Hormoan who's in Dallas until tomorrow and Guru will fly in tomorrow. We'll keep y'all updated as we can. It should be interesting though! :scared: :eek: :biglaugh:
The new ranch roads may be similar to the Vinson Ranch which is located a few miles to the SE. Those sandy roads tend to dry pretty fast.
Thanks for the update Brian...I'll talk to you'all in a week :campfire:
The 9 of us our on our way from MIneral Wells,TX in a little bit to meet Barry & Gene and sounds like we are in for a treat with weather & road conditions.
Try to rent a 4x4 or all wheel drive in North Texas,not a one to be found !!!
Just checked the long range forecast for Albany and things seem to be definitely looking up!
That sounds good to me, Gary. I was hoping for some warmth and sun.
Man, I wish I had a couple weeks more vacation :(
Have a great time guys!
I am in Galveston and will be heading up your way Thursday. Leave a few hogs for me! Its not real warm here, highs only in the 50's and not expected to get much higher. The 10 day forecast for the Albany area isn't much different and with showers a couple days.
Not familiar with this event so I had a couple questions. How many hogs are you allowed to kill? For the guys that are flying in, what are you doing with the meat? If you can take multiple hogs, how many opportunities would you expect?
thanks
Unlimited hogs in texas. I would expect at least one opportunity if not several.
and then ?????????????? whats shaken guy's keep us up to date bd
Gene just called. They are seeing pigs but getting around is very difficult due to the rain and mud. He knows that 4WD is hard to get but GET IT IF YOU CAN POSSIBLY DO SO!
His words, not mine.
We might see the twins mud wrastling yet!
That Texas gumbo is mean stuff - get the deluxe insurance package on them rentals boys! Have fun.
I wouldn't want to see the twins get hurt so I'd have to wade in there and be the buffer, gentelman that I am. What happened to the pics anyway? Dang shame.
Barry called me at 8 o'clock this morning and basically said the same thing that Gene did. It's MUDDY right now, but the sandy soil should dry up pretty good IF the rains let up - which it looks like it will. Bottom line, it looks like things are going to get better but they're still encouraging everyone to bring 4WD vehicles. Good news, they've rented the state campground which has good facilities and DRY roads!
Heading down with Bahr, Stillman and Wang on Saturday..I think 50 is better than 15degrees. Looking foreword to a great hunt.
Gene said they met a skunk in one of the main houses and it dropped a bomb as it ran out the door. They are trying to find a new farm house to rent for the month. They should have things worked out. Who said pig hunting was easy. Ha!
Well, no problem with cover scent there huh?
"Gene said they met a skunk in one of the main houses and it dropped a bomb as it ran out the door."
Ever been staying in hunting camp with them and been around after Barry eats pickled pig knuckles with gobs of gelatin and washes it down with clamato juice for breakfast? That skunk has nothing on the twins!
QuoteOriginally posted by Gary Logsdon:
Barry called me at 8 o'clock this morning and basically said the same thing that Gene did.
Barry said YOU called HIM....who's lying?
QuoteOriginally posted by JohnV:
"Gene said they met a skunk in one of the main houses and it dropped a bomb as it ran out the door."
Ever been staying in hunting camp with them and been around after Barry eats pickled pig knuckles with gobs of gelatin and washes it down with clamato juice for breakfast? That skunk has nothing on the twins!
Can't be as bad as that La Choi Chow Mein they eat all the time. Saw them eating it all the time so I bought some, had to throw it out. :eek:
If he said that then Barry's telling a big one Biggie; he called me early and apologized for waking me up. Actually I was already out of bed but played along to make him feel quilty:^) Did you hear about the dozer caper??
Hey Gary, if you talk to one of the bro's again before we leave Saturday, could you ask if there are kitchen supplies there or do we need to bring our own. We appreciate at it. Looking forward to hunting with you.
did anyone gig any pigs as yet ? or are the boy's still playing in the mud bd
I here a little birdy say that as of last night a few pigs had been giged.
Not sure Kevin. I'll ask when they check in again. My little group of guys are pitching tents so we're packing everything but the kitchen sink. Just checked the 10 day forecast for Albany and it looks very good.
Kevin, I tried to call Barry a few minutes ago but he was cutting in an out so bad that we couldn't complete a sentence. He was heading up a hill to get a better signal but eventually fell silent. Maybe he'll get back to me when he finds a better location or perhaps someone else can squeeze your question through:^) I hear that Biggie can communicate with them telepathically, maybe you should have him give it a shot:^)
Gary,
"Dozer caper"???
Someone had to be pulled out with a dozer . . . I think that may have been over the weekend and may have been someone other than a hunter. Not sure, as the story was coming across a lot of phone static.
Kevin, plan on bringing the basic items needed for cooking. Barry finally found a high point and called me with the latest and said that would be a good idea. Concernin Mike's skunk story, they bailed out of one bunkhouse after a skunk released a major "green scent bomb". Holy crap, you can't makeup this stuff - what a hunt!! Oh, one hunter saw 50 hogs on day one but only 2 in the same area on day #2. Can you imagine seeing 2 the first day and leaving the spot thinking there were low numbers??
Art Vincent sent me these "beauties" for the Pig Gig. Gene and Barry will have them next week, hopefully in time to protect against skunks and other evil spirits;^) (Hit the F5 key if the photos don't load)
(http://brothersofthebow.com/PGarmguards.jpg)
(http://brothersofthebow.com/PGarmguards2.jpg)
Hogdancer has a #275 in the cooler and i think another dead one.. He is the closer.
Atta Boy Thomas!!!
I got word its a mud fest!!!!
Not suprising, Hogdancer is hard on the pig population!!! :clapper:
:thumbsup: :clapper:
I am in Eastland,TX for the night on my way to Pig Gig. I called Barry and had to leave a voice mail asking if they needed anything brought to camp as I will be there tomorrow. He called back awhile ago and said they have had a lot of mud troubles and had to move camp to Fort Griffin State Park which is out on the highway. He also said there have been several hogs killed, five of them today. This is great considering the cold and wet weather. It is supposed to snow 1 to 3 inches tonight or tomorrow, then a gradual warming trend with 60 degrees Saturday so conditions are definately going to get better.
Thomas is the MAN when it comes to killing pigs. That is for sure.
Congrats to you my frind.
Dang that Thomas, I told him to lay off the pigs until we got their next week . . . promises, promises:^)
Bill, I took my son over to Ft. Griffin two years ago when we were hunting the Vinson Ranch to see the ruins and The "Flats" area on the Clear Fork of the Brazos. This is the spot where Wyatt Earp supposedly met Doc Holliday for the first time. Lots of history there and on the Lambshead property, for example there are over 20 historical markers on the ranch. The official Texas Longhorn herd resides at Ft Griffin.
I have all of next week for exploring Gary. Western history is of great interest to me. I have been to Tombstone,AZ 3 times and have read a lot about Wyatt and his brothers. I have a book on his life as he told it to the writer before his death.
It snowed pretty good , hogdancer is on another hot track this morning.....single set?!....he's slipping slow..quiet as he can
Joebuck, do you have a video link too? How the heck do you know all this??
Thanks for the info, Gary. Yep, Thomas is THE MAN when it comes to hog huntin'.
i'm in know!...i'll update afternoon ...
It rained and sleeted a little during the night and is snowing pretty heavily now with about 2 inches on the ground and is expected to continue throughout the day. We are not leaving here at Eastland until it quits. Still hoping to get to camp today. It is not that far. This has to be not good weather for hog hunting. They are still forecasting better weather starting tomorrow (Fri.).
Guru just texted me.....3 inches of snow and still falling.
GLOBAL WARMING COME BACK!!!! :biglaugh:
I wish these guys all the best. I wish I was there instead of where I'm at.LOL :banghead:
I'll let my car warm up just a little bit longer for you guys today. Hope it fixes your cold weather down there. :rolleyes:
QuoteOriginally posted by Terry Green:
Guru just texted me.....3 inches of snow and still falling.
GLOBAL WARMING COME BACK!!!! :biglaugh:
In texas that is awesome. That will slow those pigs down.
SNOW GIG.......texted from Joe Coots
(http://www.tradgang.com/upload/terry/snowgig.jpg)
And Curt told me to stay warm before he left :biglaugh: .
How are the hogs gonna find the corn in that??? Maybe you could make a hogsnowman and use it as a decoy? Can you rent a snowmobile in Texas? I'll bet those animals don't know what all that is about- probably freaked them out-hence Hogdancer got a couple. They surrendered!
Only on a Wensel hunt! It'll be a new Chapter in Barry's next book. The Abominabal Hogmaster.
Ever see Biggie do a snow angel? I've got a visual.
Hogs really should get after the corn in that wx. I am in for week 4, looks like I may opt to bring the ATV.......
Well we are not far away from the GIG and we have 7" on the ground and it's coming down like we are in Michigan or something.
I'd love to be chasing hogs in this.
LOL
Mike
QuoteOriginally posted by Marty:
Ever see Biggie do a snow angel? I've got a visual.
:D
Maybe I'm not sorry that I can't make it this year. I would hate to drive all the way to Texas and find the same white crap that we have in Ontario. :thumbsup:
Bob Walker brought all that white stuff from "Ole Virginny".... :goldtooth:
Sounds like a great chance to track up a hog or two. What an opportunity. Unless it shuts the pigs right down????
Tracking weather there. If the hogs aren't moving much you should be able to track them to their beds and get a shot. Follow up on the spooked pigs and everytime they stop put the hammer on em. Sounds cold and perfect to me. I love a good snow during hunting season. Tracking is all sorts of fun.
Long way from ol virginny, we have had over 4 feet in the past week. 3-7" will seem a light dusting and winter respite!!
I bet Michael.... wish we could get just enough for the kids to have a blast for a couple days.
Froggy
Well it's official, we had the highest single snowfall in one day here in Texas. Last I saw out where the Gigger's are there was 11 inches.
I know by NE standards its a mild day, but here that's a bunch of white stuff.
LOL
Mike
Dang Mike thats alot of snow :saywhat:
I bet the guys are hanging around the :campfire:
There should be plenty of storys coming out of this hunt. Curt sent me a pick of a bunch of Rattlers that they found. I bet some of them are going to come home with some bow backings and there still shooting the pigs even in with the snow :D
Tracy
Got these last night...one from Skyler and one from Curt....
(http://www.tradgang.com/upload/terry/snowgigsnakes.jpg)
(http://www.tradgang.com/upload/terry/snowgigsnakes2.jpg)
Now thats a bunch of snakes. Don't let Rusty see that pic .. .he don't like snakes. LOL
Mike
OH MAN!If Tracy sees that picture I will be eating pork and beans strait from the can.She is terified of snakes.There is no way she would still go.
Bill
Bill,
Looks like they found a den and wiped it out.
Not going to be crawling around in this weather.
Mike
I saw it on the news last night Texas getting hammerd with snow unbelievable bd
Hogdancer has closed another dance this morning.......#3...the dance continues
Hogdancer is a machine !!!
I REALLY wanted to go to Texas to hunt hogs but after the snake pics I think I am keeping my Reptilephobic butt at home and live the hunt through YOU dudes...WOW! Where'd you find all those diamondbacks? One Den?
That is a little bit insane.
There are going to be some pretty bows coming out of that pile!
I heard on the radio today there are 49 states they are waiting on the panhandle of Florida to get some for full coverage.
Locked out of your truck for the last 2 days of the hunt.......Your on foreign soil..... AND no locksmiths will respond cuz your out in the sticks (http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d171/IronBull_/Smileys/SMILEYCRYING.gif)
That would be just about as bad a fixin a bunch of food for an event...... AND driving off leaving it in the freezer..........Then go back past your house and still forgetting the food. (http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d171/IronBull_/Smileys/RoflLg.gif)
11" of snow :scared: Call in the National Guard, ask Haiti for disaster relief :bigsmyl: As long as the snakes are sleeping!!!
The weather moderated today. It was in the 50's with clear beautiful blue sky's. Supposed to be close to 60 tomorrow. The snow will all be gone by noon. Hogs are being seen in spite of the weather
yeeeeeeehaw Bill give em hell bd
Grant Young goes home wearing a SMILE.. :thumbsup:
Rabbittman and Denny are on the way back to Ohio. One Pig--Two hunters something wrong with that picture. Dick said Ohio is not so bad after all. No more Feb. Texas hunts for him!!!!! MIKE
Didnt ya know hell is freezing over ( the Saints won!) just waiting to see pigs fly!!!!!! :goldtooth:
Hogdancer has just finished his 4th dance with an unlucky swine. He is now just putting on a hog killing clinic.
QuoteOriginally posted by joebuck:
Hogdancer has just finished his 4th dance with an unlucky swine. He is now just putting on a hog killing clinic.
Congrats Thomas!!! I like seeing a man really get after em!!!!
Thomas Man Congratulations. "Adapt and overcome adverstiy" I would say you have done just that.
I have a couple minutes waiting on my flight, so here is a little bait. :D Big worms on ice (http://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l101/GUNSMITHAMMO/Gig%20Pig%202010/DSC01648.jpg)
Happy campers on ice :bigsmyl: (http://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l101/GUNSMITHAMMO/Gig%20Pig%202010/DSC01632.jpg)
(http://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l101/GUNSMITHAMMO/Gig%20Pig%202010/DSC01638.jpg)
I wonder if it snows in Boliva, that maybe far enough south. Next trip south hog hunting!!
(http://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l101/GUNSMITHAMMO/Gig%20Pig%202010/DSC01639.jpg) :D
How far south in Texas did it snow? Last year we were at Chapparosa near Ulvade the same week. I doubt there would have been snow that far south.
Have any trouble with keeping the meat from spoiling?
:bigsmyl:
Sounds like hogdancer should do a hog hunting tutorial! That is amazing.
QuoteOriginally posted by owlbait:
Sounds like hogdancer should do a hog hunting tutorial! That is amazing.
X2
I would love to hear some pig hunting tips from this "Hogdancer" fella?
Congrats!
QuoteOriginally posted by Charlie Lamb:
Have any trouble with keeping the meat from spoiling?
:bigsmyl:
A gallon of milk was sitting out on a table the whole week...without spoiling.
(http://i261.photobucket.com/albums/ii45/heilakka/emotions/pig_2.gif)
some pig giggen stories should be showing up here pretty soon bd
What a week... It began with deep mud and ended with wet, heavy snow. Last year's Gig was memorable for the big winds and dust storms that tore the camp apart. I don't know how the Wensels can top it next year, but if there's a coast within 100 miles, there'll be a tsunami. If there's a mountain within 200 miles, expect a lava flow through camp. A fault line? We'll free fall to the center of the earth.
Am I complaining? Absolutely not. These things add depth to the memories. I wouldn't miss them for the world.
(http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c360/krf123/PigGig20101.jpg)
Here's how it looked on day one. This is a pretty good mud hole, but it wasn't the biggest or baddest. Those we avoided by going cross-country and weaving our way through mesquites -- one advantage to driving a small Toyota.
My partner in all this was Shawn Webb (his pic is below). Gotta hand it to Shawn. Despite a thousand occasions where he was justified to scream, "Oh my God, we're gonna die!" he never once voiced the faintest whiff of concern or criticism about my driving. If he had anything to say, it was something cool-headed like, "That one seemed a little soupy." One time we were bouncing on a muddy bulldozer track along the edge of a drop-off into a new reservoir. The track sloped sideways at about a 30 degree angle. When the truck slid slideways a couple feet and left us peering out the side windows at a 100 foot drop, Shawn said something like, "It wouldn't be real pleasant to go down there."
(http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c360/krf123/PigGig201014.jpg)
There's a line in a Lyle Lovett song that goes, "The Brazos still runs muddy like she's run all along." Although this is the "Clear" Fork of the Brazos, the sediment load was heavy this week. If it hadn't been moving so fast, you could have plowed and planted in it.
(http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c360/krf123/PigGig20108.jpg)
(http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c360/krf123/PigGig201018.jpg)
(http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c360/krf123/PigGig20107.jpg)
I'll give you the spoiler now: I didn't kill a pig. I loosed only one arrow. I don't regret it one iota. Fact is, I think I prefer it that way, and when the full story is told, the reason might be clearer.
(http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c360/krf123/PigGig20104.jpg)
(http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c360/krf123/PigGig20105.jpg)
See the hog tracks in the bottom right? These are the kind of places I hunted. Around the river were finger ridges with pockets of heavy brush. The ridges dropped off to two narrow terraces of flats along the river. The terraces had open timber on them with lots of good grass underneath. It was hog nirvana: lots of water, food, and cover, and nobody to bother them.
(http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c360/krf123/PigGig201027.jpg)
This is another place I spent a lot of time. In this photo, we're looking mostly south. This grove of native pecan trees are about 100 yards from the river. To the west is a large open field. To the east are some nice creek bottoms that butt up against brushy ridges. Along the south edge of the field is an old stone wall with a couple gaps in it. This area has hog trails that are bigger than some county roads. And some of the hogs are about the size of the cars on county roads.
This pecan grove seemed custom-made for hog hunting. Besides sprinkling a lot of corn under the trees, Shawn and I corned the road all the way to the stone wall. We also dribbled some along the hog trails that came out of the bottoms. No matter which way the wind blew (and it changed almost daily), there was a great set-up.
On Wednesday, Shawn and I drove there to check on the corn. It was about the middle of the afternoon and we didn't expect to see any animals. Of course, there was a nice boar under the pecans. It was white with black spots along its lower sides. When it saw us, it turned to leave, but was none too fast about it. It really wanted that corn.
On Thursday afternoon, we were back there early. Shawn took a spot near the stone wall where many hogs -- very big ones -- had been moving through and hitting a bait pile there. The wind was out of the east, so I sat across from the pecan trees in the open field. There were some mesquites along the road that formed a natural blind for me.
It wasn't long before I saw the white boar come up out of the bottoms. He was taking a corned trail that ran along the north side of the pecans. He was taking his sweet time, trying to suck up every last kernel. I saw the opportunity to cut the distance, so screened by a downed pile of timber, I slipped up to about 25 yards. It was incredibly tempting to let an arrow fly: he was broadside without a clue I was there. But if he continued feeding down the trail, he'd quarter away from me at less than 18 yards. I decided to wait.
Have you heard the saying, "Perfect is the enemy of good"? At just under 20 yards, as the hog was still screened by some small limbs, I moved my bow tip ever so slightly, maybe 6 inches. The spotted hog caught it, looked hard at me, whirled and was gone, running back into the bottoms. There are folks who say hogs have poor vision, but not that hog. Spot's eyesight is 20/20.
I went back to my stool in the pasture, but didn't have long to wait. The spotted hog was back, but this time he took a trail along the south side of the pecans. He went to the north-south road and started eating corn. I knew he'd follow it: if he went south, he'd go to Shawn. North, and I'd have another go. He went north!
The mesquites made a pretty good screen, so I again moved closer. At 15 yards, Spot was still unaware of me. This time my bow was up and I was ready to draw. One small limb with some spines and twigs screened his vitals. Another step or two and I could shoot. The wind, which had been gentle but steady all afternoon, now dropped. It was followed by a subtle swirl and Spot was gone.
I went back to the stool in the pasture. The sun was still two fingers above the horizon, so there was plenty of time for more hogs to hit the corn. Thirty minutes later, I saw a form slipping through tall grass. Spot was back yet again, heading for the corned road. He knew I was out there somewhere, though, and he frequently looked in my direction. I knew Shawn had to see him, too, so moving slow and only taking a baby step or two at a time, I herded Spot down the road.
I'm reluctant to finish this part, as the rest of this chapter rightfully belongs to Shawn. I'll just say this much: Shawn moved his bow tip ever so slightly and Spot saw it. That hog might be a slow learner and a glutton, but he's got damn good eyes.
The next day, Friday, I enjoyed yet another go-round with the same hog. More about that later...
Woody, you sure do spin a good tale. I've already heard it in person, but still enjoy the telling.
We're still on the road but getting close now. Can't wait to see your pics - they are always very fine!
On Friday afternoon, I took a short hike upriver from the pecan grove. I headed back about 3:30 and from a couple hundred yards away I saw Spot munching away on corn. I hunched as low as I could and tried to keep cover between us as I closed the distance. At about 30 yards, Spot turned and fed facing me. I froze bent over with my head slightly cocked so I could watch with one eye. The hog moved around a fair bit, but always pointed in my direction. After five minutes or so, my back was talking to me and it wasn't saying nice things. Spot finally shifted enough that I could stand and get a few yards closer. He soon turned again, though, and once more I was frozen in an awkward position. Spasms ran up and down my right leg and through my lower back. It only lasted a couple eternities, though, and Spot quartered away from me, with his head turned completely out of sight.
That was what I had hoped for. My back creaked and popped as it unfolded. I side-stepped one or two steps closer to cut the gap to about 27 or 28 yards. I half-smiled to myself when I noticed that my knees were rubbery from excitement. After all the years and all the hunts, the excitement is alive and well.
I drew, released, and watched the arrow slide just past the hog's shoulder. It looked like the fletching almost passed close enough to graze his shoulder and jowl. Spot jumped toward me when the flint-tipped arrow hit the clay bank behind him. He noticed me then and wouldn't feed with the same gusto he'd shown before. He'd take a mouthful and then eyeball me. I tried to slip an arrow out of the quiver, moving a couple millimeters a year. That was too much for him, though, and he headed back to the cover of the creek bottoms, pausing every 10 or 20 yards to look back. I sat in a blowdown on the north side of the pecan trees and hoped he'd be back.
About 15 minutes before dark, I decided it was time to move. Maybe I could run into Spot if he was cruising in the bottoms. I did see him, but he saw me first. Hunt over. And that was fine. That one hog had provided three days of anticipation and adrenaline. Even though he wasn't going to fill my freezer, the other rewards, as intangible as they might be, were plenty nourishing.
Drive safe, Whip! I hope the storms aren't too bad.
Here are some other pics from the week. You'll recognize most of the faces. It's always the highlight of the year to share a camp with other traditional bowhunters. Most were old friends, but some were friends I just hadn't had the chance to meet yet. Skyler and Chase impressed me. I was expecting older boys. Instead I met poised, impressive young men. Their fathers should be very, very proud.
(http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c360/krf123/PigGig20102.jpg)
(http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c360/krf123/PigGig201010.jpg)
(http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c360/krf123/PigGig201015.jpg)
(http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c360/krf123/PigGig201016.jpg)
(http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c360/krf123/PigGig201017.jpg)
(http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c360/krf123/PigGig201012.jpg)
(http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c360/krf123/PigGig201011.jpg)
This is our one and only Robtattoo. Rob said something that made an impression on me. Made me grateful again to have been born in this country. Thanks, Rob, for the reminder.
(http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c360/krf123/PigGig20103.jpg)
(http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c360/krf123/PigGig201013.jpg)
(http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c360/krf123/PigGig201031.jpg)
(http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c360/krf123/PigGig201030.jpg)
(http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c360/krf123/PigGig201029.jpg)
(http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c360/krf123/PigGig20106.jpg)
(http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c360/krf123/PigGig201019.jpg)
This photo was interesting to me because it's a limestone slab that was cantilevered over the river. A coyote walked out on it to look downriver. Always curious, always searching, continuously looking for an angle on a meal.
Great story. Thanks for sharing with us! :campfire: :)
Looks like a great time fellows!!
Great story Woody! It was nice to finally meet you. It'll be tomorrow before I get any of my pics posted...
Skyler
great pic, i will be there the 1st with the fam..ous Dalton Gang Welcome to Texas in Feb. the coldest and dryes in the year,, maybe
Dadgum this fire in m' living room feels nice!
robtatto, if you can't run with the Gig Dogs get off the pourch..
Great stories and pix so far, thanks Woody!! Still missing not going this year, sounds like another great time with great folks!! Looking forward to the rest of the stories!!
Karen didn't care for Sky's pic with a couple a little ol rattlers though... ;)
QuoteOriginally posted by oldgoat:
robtatto, if you can't run with the Gig Dogs get off the pourch..
And if you can't learn to spell Bob, stay off the keyboard.
;)
To quote Scots comedian Billy Connelly "There's no such thing as bad weather, just the wrong clothes."
Once again, I had a a fantastic time in Texas (I really ought to have just moved there!) Yeah, it was cold & wet, but as usual the friendships were warm & the humor dry.
This was a trully liberating hunt, being able to take whatever I wanted, rather than being limited to the 50# flying limit.
I don't really have many stories from this year. I had a couple of good stalks & made a couple of no so good shots. Walked my tail off, drove 374 miles off-road, drove 80+ miles through Louisiana with only 1 tire on a 2-wheel trailer, spent 3 days sweating over a hot stove, only to forget to pack all the food I cooked (Thanks Vance :goldtooth: ) I met some new friends & re-kindled friendships from years gone by. I finally came to the realisation that I can no longer live without one of Whip's teepee/wood burner combinations & that the head of R&D for Coleman tents should be flayed alive (4 season my ass!) Watched 1 fully grown & 2 semi-grown (but fully mature) men go running headlong after a heard of equally fully grown hogs whilst almost wetting myself laughing missed clean underneath one of them with Don. Sky & Chase watching. As soon as the arrow was off the string they were up & running after the other 6 in the sounder! Funny stuff!)
All in all, a VERY enjoyable & hugely memorable hunt.
you are right Rob, all in all it sounds like all good hunts, a good time was had by all. Looking forward to the 1st.
I'm in with Rob on the Whip tent, lol. Very cold in Texas this time around. I rode and camped with Rob and was lucky to have had such good company. This was no hunt for sissies, lol. It was really pretty incredible to have had such conditions and no whiners. I wouldn't trade it for anything. Rob's truck was probably the most formidible in camp and he was most generous in seeing that anyone who needed it had help in and out of their respective areas. I was lucky, got a pig on the first of only two sunny mornings and left one in the mesquite on the last day as time ran out. I'm still counting my blessings for having been lucky enough to hook up with these guys, all of them, for the last few years and can't wait for the next Tradgang expedition. I'd like to give a huge "Thanks" to everyone in camp. What could have been a disaster was one of the best times ever. Rob- a special note of gratitude to you, a better hunting companion couldn't be found. Grant
No, it wasn't the weather that we all had in mind when we sent in our deposits for this hunt. Sandstorms last year, snowstorms this year - it may seem that this group is cursed somehow.
But the reality is that minor inconveniences are no threat what-so-ever to the finest group of bowhunters I have ever had the pleasure to be around. I've had the outstanding fortune to share previous campfires with a many of the participants from this years hunt. I count each of them among my closest friends, and looked forward to seeing them all again as much or more than the hunting itself.
This year also brought the chance to share a camp with some people I have been looking forward to meeting for a long time. Curt, Don, Skyler, Chase, Chris, Tom, and Matt were all new faces to me. What a treat to finally have the chance to meet each and every one of you in person!
As Grant said, there wasn't a whiner to be found although the conditions could easily have brought that out from lesser men. Not in this group. If anything, it brought us closer together, and this is a hunt that will stick vividly in the memory banks. Unless your name is Thomas Burns(that man is a World Class Hog Killer!) hogs were hard to come by, but I don't think that bothered anyone in the group.
The hogs were there - the conditions simply made things difficult. But that's what hunting is all about, and each and every one of these guys are fine hunters and well understand that is just the way it works sometimes.
What I will remember from this trip were the new friendships made, old ones renewed, evening meals shared, coffee pots brewing in the morning, and a constant flow of friends ducking into the tent for a quick warm up. The outstanding display of artistry and workmanship on the trade blanket, and the deep belly laughs and good natured ribbing that abounded all throughout the week. Those are the things that will stick in my mind.
Yeah, I guess it did rain and snow some. Warmer temperatures would have been enjoyable. But whatever adversity might face us on the next hunt together, I know for a fact that it will not bring these guys down.
Joe,I think you pretty much summed it up. :thumbsup: I just can't figure out who in camp could be bringing such a weather curse to our group? :rolleyes: Any witch docters in the house?This spell has to be cast out.This one will certainly go down in the history books.I enjoyed every second of it.
Smiley and I were talking about that too Mike. All I can say is that this was my fifth Texas hunt and Smiley's second.
My first three trips had wonderful weather.
He has had a sand storm on his first trip and now a snow storm on his second.
Coincidence??? :readit:
:p
:biglaugh:
Yea, I think it was Smiley's fault...must have been that dress he was wearing every evening. :scared:
Thanks for sharing guys. Sounds like a truly great time was had by all.
Love seeing TX pics!
We're uploading too PhotoBucket as we type. Ton's of Pics coming soon.
:thumbsup:
Can't blame it on me now ;) Sure would have been great to get to hang with all you great guys!! But I learned a long time ago you can't do it all ;(
Keep it coming, looking forward to all the great stories and pics, Karen said no more of yours Sky ;)
Doug, tell Karen she hasn't seen anything yet! We just uploaded over 100 pics on Photo Bucket, but it'll probably be tomorrow before we get them posted. But for now, here's a little teaser.....
(http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k209/rickybob_2006/DSC_0307.jpg)
Tomorrow :confused:
Skyler
What is the deal with all the snakes in the snow.
Did you get them from brush piles?
I hate snakes of any kind, the thoughts of them
on top of the snow creeps me out.
George
Guys, You haven't seen anything yet! Lots of snakes!!!!
We're gonna start another thread with a ton of pix and stories.
We'll leave this one for updates....stay tuned :campfire:
the person behind all the snow, i'm guessing Hogdancer had done some kind of snow dance knowing full well that he could slip up on all them hogs. headed to the airport Sunday, looking forward it... gonna be hard to top this...
What is the title of the other thread?
Bill
Found it!
A rattler in the snow....who'd a thought it?
Thanks for sharing!!!
I've decided to share something too Terry, HA! I took this the morning we packed up to leave. Just sent a copy to Ronnie "Cuz" Strickland for a reaction, Heck, he may want in on the profits:^)!
(http://brothersofthebow.com/CUZworkout.jpg)
(NOTE: Hit F5 on your keyboards if the pic fails to appear)
:biglaugh: :biglaugh: :biglaugh: