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2011 Texas Trip - Blown Out! #95213 11/14/2011 5:57 PM
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SChunter Offline OP
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Well,

I returned last week from my annual trip to Texas for the whitetail firearms opener...we were greeted with high winds, full moon, warm temperatures = perfect deer weather.


Now I know it always blows in this area of Texas - but sustained readings out of the Kestrel at 20+ with gusts to over 30 is a bit ridiculous! That, combined with tornado warnings and watches the last AM of the trip made for an exciting time. Don't get me wrong - even a "bad" trip to TX bests my normal sightings in the Carolinas, but the deer activity was approximately one third of the "norm".

Of course, the last evening, the winds died down, the temperature dropped, and the switch was flipped. On that evening, I saw 7 racked bucks, 6 of which were 8-point or better. Bucks dogging does relentlessly, chasing, fighting...Including a 140-class 8 point that worked a scrape in a mesquite tree that was only 160 yards away! Standing up on his back legs, he was impressive...he dropped back to all fours to glare at the does that had come to the wheat field. And then proceeded to walk away from me, for another year. You see, the boundary line of the property was 130 yards away...

I did have a 16" 8 point to bed down with a doe in the wide-open wheat field - he was tempting fate with my un-field-tested FA 44, but I couldn't shoot him knowing the caliber of the deer that roamed this ranch. In addition, the drought had not been kind to his main beams - they were short and stubby, but his G2's and 3's were solid...

Despite taking entirely too many guns with me (as usual), only one handgun was used in the taking of game - my Encore in 6.5/270 JDJ topped with the Leupold 2.5x8. Late one morning, after watching numerous does and small bucks, one big old cagey doe decided to volunteer herself for a ride back to Carolina. With the wind blowing straight from her to me, she noticed some movement from my Tower stand, over 200 yards away. She proceeded to stand up, blow incessantly, and demand the attention of the other deer bedded around her. They paid her no attention, but I hate educated deer. The Leica's ranged her at 219, the Quad Muffs were slid into position, and the hammer was dropped. After a quick dash uphill, she cartwheeled into a thicket and was still. The 129 SST's are wicked out of this gun!



Out of our group, we took two does, 8 hogs, and numerous predators...including a pair of 'yotes by yours truly late one morning. I must apologize, as they were not handgun harvests - my buddy Robert said I must have hit turbulence on the flight out there and whacked my head hard for even carrying a long gun in the first place! But my Apache Machine custom in 6.5/284 had to get some action. I think a pair of song dogs at 200+ was a good way to break her in!



All in all, a great trip, even though it appears we were a couple days early by weather, moon and the chase...but a memorable trip and a bunch of deer left for us to go after next season!

Re: 2011 Texas Trip - Blown Out! [Re: SChunter] #95216 11/14/2011 6:34 PM
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Ernie Offline
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Good story and pics!


Ernie the Un-Tactical
Re: 2011 Texas Trip - Blown Out! [Re: Ernie] #95217 11/14/2011 6:36 PM
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dc74 Offline
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great story and great job.....getting them on the ground.


shoot it if its still coming shot it again!!!
Re: 2011 Texas Trip - Blown Out! [Re: dc74] #95218 11/14/2011 6:39 PM
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Even w/ the high winds, it sounds like you had a great trip.


The Eyes are Useless, When The Mind Is Blind
Re: 2011 Texas Trip - Blown Out! [Re: Franchise] #95238 11/14/2011 9:37 PM
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Darrell H Offline
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I've eaten my share of tag sandwiches over the years but I don't regret going on any of the out-of-state hunts that I have been on. Sounds like you had a great hunt as well even though you didn't get the big boy this time around! Great shooting with the 6.5/270 and also the r r ri rif...uh, I can't say it.
\:D

Re: 2011 Texas Trip - Blown Out! [Re: Darrell H] #95246 11/15/2011 1:15 AM
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KRal Offline
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Congrats on breaking in the new toy(s)...that was a great shot on the nanny! I know why you carried the r r ri ff....it was to tie your duel kites to...
;\)
but....I know, you forgot the kites, so had to put it to some use.
\:D


It takes 43 muscles to frown and 17 to smile, but only 3 for proper trigger squeeze.
Re: 2011 Texas Trip - Blown Out! [Re: KRal] #95248 11/15/2011 2:24 AM
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bfr4570 Offline
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SC great story and pics. At least the trip was good and a few animals. Wasnt all that bad nothing else you had fun. I do suggest salt and pepper for that tag sandwich


THIS SPACE FOR RENT CASH ONLY.
Re: 2011 Texas Trip - Blown Out! [Re: bfr4570] #95252 11/15/2011 2:40 AM
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HoggHunter Offline
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SC-I've boiled my share of tags and there's not enough cayenne to make them tasty, but they still beat hot tongue, cold shoulder and grumble soup- cuz I wuz too lazy to go- sounds like it was a great time, great pic's of the harvest and the ordnance.
Thanx
HoggHunter

Re: 2011 Texas Trip - Blown Out! [Re: HoggHunter] #95261 11/15/2011 3:09 AM
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minnesotahunter Offline
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Sounds like a great trip. That big 8 was quite a tease. He must have known where the lines were. Damb 30 yards.

Nice write up.

MN

Re: 2011 Texas Trip - Blown Out! [Re: minnesotahunter] #95309 11/15/2011 8:24 PM
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jamesfromjersey Offline
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High winds or not, you had a better last week then me...


Life member-NRA-SCI
Member-HHI #2900-HHASA #067
Colt-Ruger-Freedom Arms-and S&W Collector Assoc.s
"I have more guns then I need but not as many as I want" "Handgun hunters HAVE to be good"
Re: 2011 Texas Trip - Blown Out! [Re: jamesfromjersey] #95326 11/16/2011 1:01 AM
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KRal Offline
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 Originally Posted By: jamesfromjersey
High winds or not, you had a better last week then me...


I'll have to 2nd that...


It takes 43 muscles to frown and 17 to smile, but only 3 for proper trigger squeeze.
Re: 2011 Texas Trip - Blown Out! [Re: KRal] #95331 11/16/2011 2:10 AM
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SChunter Offline OP
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 Originally Posted By: KRal
 Originally Posted By: jamesfromjersey
High winds or not, you had a better last week then me...


I'll have to 2nd that...


I agree, not a bad way to spend some time away from work, regardless of conditions.

Wait just second...before I start cryin' in my beer for each of you, I see a boar on the bragging board for James and a new M97 in KRal's gun safe for play - I take them tears back!!!! Your weeks were just FINE!

Re: 2011 Texas Trip - Blown Out! [Re: SChunter] #95332 11/16/2011 2:16 AM
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KRal Offline
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 Originally Posted By: SChunter
 Originally Posted By: KRal
 Originally Posted By: jamesfromjersey
High winds or not, you had a better last week then me...


I'll have to 2nd that...


I agree, not a bad way to spend some time away from work, regardless of conditions.

Wait just second...before I start cryin' in my beer for each of you, I see a boar on the bragging board for James and a new M97 in KRal's gun safe for play - I take them tears back!!!! Your weeks were just FINE!


\:D


It takes 43 muscles to frown and 17 to smile, but only 3 for proper trigger squeeze.
Re: 2011 Texas Trip - Blown Out! [Re: jamesfromjersey] #95348 11/16/2011 4:05 PM
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flingwinger Offline
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Thanks for sharing. Good story and pics.


Semper Fi (K9XXY).

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