Archive for the ‘AAE hunts’ Category
by Craig Ellwanger, AAE founder
It was coming together almost as if it were scripted. A golden brown figure stands stoic in the early morning sunlight, high atop a massive, white boulder protruding from the hillside, some 250 yards away from my position across the canyon. Moments later I would have my chance at realizing one of the longest-standing hunting dreams of my life…a shot at a magnificent aoudad ram. What I was witnessing in that instant was, in hindsight, an almost “to a T” scenario that had been scripted in my mind for many years.
It began on a ranch in the Hill Country some 12 years ago, as I guided for the first time on a game ranch near Brady, Texas. Trying to do my best to lead “my” hunter (the CEO of a fiber optics company in Virginia) to a trophy whitetail, we spent long hours on stand & trekked many miles to attempt to rattle a big buck into range. On the 3rd evening of the hunt, as we sat overlooking a food plot, we both spotted an animal I had never before seen on the hoof. After a few puzzling moments, I verified to my hunter that what he was looking at was one of the few wild aoudad rams this ranch had.
He came in all alone and was walking straight at us, large banana-shaped horns & flowing “chaps” glimmering in the fading sunlight. I’ll admit, at the time, I had no idea how to field judge a trophy ram from the next guy, but from hearing the stories at camp of how elusive & rare they were (and from holding a euro mount from a previously taken ram), I knew this was a rare opportunity on this ranch. My hunter did not exactly share my excitement and almost had to relinquish his rifle to me, upon deciding to finally take a shot. What we soon found on the ground was a mature, 27″ aoudad (the largest ever taken on that ranch up to that time)! From the moment I put my hands on him I knew (more…)
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Category AAE hunts, Hunting Stories, Trophy Room | Tags: Tags: AAE prostaff, aoudad hunting, aoudad ram, free range aoudad, Sonora hunting, spot and stalk, T Half Circle Ranch, west texas aoudad,
The author w/ his blackbuck doe taken last week
by Craig Ellwanger, AAE Prostaff
Success!! After a failed attempt on mission #1 and after a torturous wait for a clear shot on mission #2, I was finally able to get an arrow in a beautiful blackbuck doe at 22 yards last week at Porter’s Exotic Ranch near Flynn, Texas.
These little critters are beyond “finicky” when it comes to standing still. Once she finally gave me a clear broadside shot I seized the opportunity. Placing my 20-pin just her shoulder, I heard the “thwack” and felt good about my shot. She hauled off like her tail was on fire and I watched in amazement as she disappeared behind the treeline approximately 100 yards away…all the while thinking, “surely I didn’t miss?!”
After waiting a few minutes for everything to calm down (including myself), I got down from the tree to retrieve my arrow. Finding good, red blood on my arrow my nerves were settled, but to my dismay, there was ZERO blood to follow. I searched, scoured and traced the “path” to no avail as light gave way to dark. I waited for my guide CP to come and assist. Aided by a spotlight, we followed the path I had seen her run…nothing to be found.
We went back to camp to call upon the services of “Jack” the wonder dog. Jack is a stocky, white Jack Russell with an adventurous spirit. This, I was told, was not his first “rodeo”. I’ll admit I was a tad bit skeptical that without anything to go on but a bloody arrow and a fleeing path, (more…)
[We're a little over a month out and the 1st Annual Axis Hunt is growing near! As of writing this we have 5 of the 8 available spots reserved, so we have 3 spots still available to join us on this awesome hunt and fun weekend! Be sure to call immediately to reserve YOUR spot! If you're wondering what to get your dad or hubby for Father's Day...this is it!! Think of the lifetime of memories made on a Father/Son(or Daughter) hunt with the AAE Crew, chasing monster axis...]
The 1st Annual AAE Axis Hunt – “Friends, Fans, Good Food & BIG Axis!!”
Teaming up with the Diamond TF Hunting Ranch in Sonora, Texas, AAE will be hosting the 1st Annual AAE Axis Hunt, taking place July 22-24, 2011! Join the AAE Crew as we chase BIG Axis Bucks on one of the oldest family-owned ranches in SW Texas! Booking is limited, so don’t wait to reserve your spot(s)!
Event Details:
- 8 spots available
- 2 full days of 2 x 1 semi-guided hunting by the AAE Crew (4 hunts)
- Transportation on the ranch
- Full Meals & Beverages provided
- Washer Tournament Sat. Night w/ Prizes
- Awards for Biggest Buck, Heaviest Doe & more
Cost – ONLY $1,295.00** for ANY Axis Buck of choice (they have some real monsters!) PLUS 1 Axis Doe!! If a hunter decides not to take a buck, it’s only $600, which is the hunt deposit. Deposit includes the axis doe (or guide’s choice buck), food & beverages, washer tourney entry, AAE Axis Hunt T-Shirt & gift pack, & other weekend entertainment TBA).
**This is an AAE-Exclusive price for this hunt only! Axis hunts at the Diamond TF usually start at $1,500 and can go $2,000+! Don’t miss the opportunity!
Hunts will be conducted from stands & blinds sitting over feeders, irrigated fields & travel routes. An Award-Winning outdoor cook, will be preparing all of our meals – breakfast, lunch & dinner. Expect some AMAZING Texas-style BBQ!! We will be camping on the ranch. Communal “basecamp” will be set up w/ a large tent, firepit, washer pits, etc for meeting & “hanging out”. Campers are welcome. Note: The ranch is located only 5 miles from Sonora, so staying at a hotel in town is an option as well.
The Diamond TF Hunting Ranch
Established in 1883, The Diamond TF Hunting Ranch is one of the oldest family owned ranches in Sutton county and southwest Texas. This 1,970 acre, low-fenced ranch is located just minutes south of Sonora, Texas (pop. 3037) and has been game managed since 1980. The habitat consisting of live oaks, cedar, mesquite, thick draws and planted fields make the ranch ideal for large axis populations. There are over 200 acres of planted fields and food plots throughout the ranch, with 100 acres being irrigated. With almost no hunting pressure, the ranch now holds an axis population nearing 100 animals! Though set up for hunting (almost exclusively close friends and family), this will be the first public hunt for axis deer on the ranch and we want YOU to be a part of it!
Find more info about the ranch on their AAE Page or become a fan of The Diamond TF on Facebook for more pictures and check out this article about Craig Ellwanger’s 30″ axis, featured in the Journal of the Texas Trophy Hunters magazine in Oct/Nov 2010!
For more information or to reserve your spot, please contact Craig Ellwanger @ 979.492.6186 or via email – craig@allaboutexotics.com.
We look forward to seeing you there! This is going to be a hunt to remember!!
**Axis hunting only requires a valid Texas hunting license (no tags) that can be purchased over the counter before the hunt. Out-of-state licenses for exotics are only $100!!
At AllAboutExotics we pride ourselves in bringing you exciting exotic hunting opportunities around Texas and U.S. From AAE exclusive deals to once-in-a-lifetime hunts from some of the world’s greatest outfitters and hunting ranches. Well, it’s time to raise the bar on amazing deals!
If you have ever dreamed of hunting Trophy Axis in Texas, you may never find an offer better than this one!! This hunt is our chance to say ‘thank you’ for being a part of our exotic hunting community and spreading the word about what we are doing!! Join the AAE Crew as we head South to hunt the famed Texas Axis!!
The 1st Annual AAE Axis Hunt – “Friends, Fans, Good Food & BIG Axis!!”
Teaming up with the Diamond TF Hunting Ranch in Sonora, Texas, AAE will be hosting the 1st Annual AAE Axis Hunt, taking place July 22-24, 2011! Join the AAE Crew as we chase BIG Axis Bucks on one of the oldest family-owned ranches in SW Texas! Booking is limited, so don’t wait to reserve your spot(s)!
Event Details:
- 8 spots available
- 2 full days of 2 x 1 semi-guided hunting by the AAE Crew (4 hunts)
- Transportation on the ranch
- Full Meals & Beverages provided
- Washer Tournament Sat. Night w/ Prizes
- Awards for Biggest Buck, Heaviest Doe & more
Cost – ONLY $1,295.00** for ANY Axis Buck of choice (they have some real monsters!) PLUS 1 Axis Doe!! If a hunter decides not to take a buck, it’s only $600, which is the hunt deposit. Deposit includes the axis doe (or guide’s choice buck), food & beverages, washer tourney entry, AAE Axis Hunt T-Shirt & gift pack, & other weekend entertainment TBA).
**This is an AAE-Exclusive price for this hunt only! Axis hunts at the Diamond TF usually start at $1,500 and can go $2,000+! Don’t miss the opportunity!
Hunts will be conducted from stands & blinds sitting over feeders, irrigated fields & travel routes. An Award-Winning outdoor cook, will be preparing all of our meals – breakfast, lunch & dinner. Expect some AMAZING Texas-style BBQ!! We will be camping on the ranch. Communal “basecamp” will be set up w/ a large tent, firepit, washer pits, etc for meeting & “hanging out”. Campers are welcome. Note: The ranch is located only 5 miles from Sonora, so staying at a hotel in town is an option as well.
The Diamond TF Hunting Ranch
Established in 1883, The Diamond TF Hunting Ranch is one of the oldest family owned ranches in Sutton county and southwest Texas. This 1,970 acre, low-fenced ranch is located just minutes south of Sonora, Texas (pop. 3037) and has been game managed since 1980. The habitat consisting of live oaks, cedar, mesquite, thick draws and planted fields make the ranch ideal for large axis populations. There are over 200 acres of planted fields and food plots throughout the ranch, with 100 acres being irrigated. With almost no hunting pressure, the ranch now holds an axis population nearing 100 animals! Though set up for hunting (almost exclusively close friends and family), this will be the first public hunt for axis deer on the ranch and we want YOU to be a part of it!
Find more info about the ranch on their AAE Page or become a fan of The Diamond TF on Facebook for more pictures and check out this article about Craig Ellwanger’s 30″ axis, featured in the Journal of the Texas Trophy Hunters magazine in Oct/Nov 2010!
For more information or to reserve your spot, please contact Craig Ellwanger @ 979.492.6186 or via email – craig@allaboutexotics.com.
We look forward to seeing you there! This is going to be a hunt to remember!!
**Axis hunting only requires a valid Texas hunting license (no tags) that can be purchased over the counter before the hunt.
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Category AAE hunts, AAE News, Find A Hunt, Outfitters | Tags: Tags: AAE events, axis deer hunt, Diamond TF Ranch, discounted hunts, exotic huntig texas, group hunts, hunt special,
