Archive for the ‘AAE hunts’ Category
This story was submitted to us by Jimmy of Darkwoods Blind, who do their part to offer and sponsor hunts for some of our wounded war veterens. This is Ronnie Guillion’s story, recanting his hunt on the Smart Ranch in Texas.
One Wounded Warrior’s Hunt Of a Lifetime
by SFC Ronnie Gullion
Wounded Warriors Project w/ the vets from the 101st Airborne, Fort Campbell, KY
I met Jimmy “the Mullet” and his business partner Mikey during a Wounded Warrior hunt at Smart Ranch Exotics in Texas. They asked me to choose one of the well-deserving heroes hunting with me for a bonus Asiatic water buffalo hunt.
You see, Mullet man and Mikey are representatives of Darkwoods Blinds and were at the Smart Ranch to shoot some promotional videos for their exceptional handicapped-accessible ground blinds. I did not want the pressure of choosing just one soldier to take part in this remarkable opportunity. I simply did not want to be the one to decide who’d get to experience the hunt of their lifetime and who would be disappointed.
I suggested that we leave it to luck or fate. I told all of the more-than-willing hunters to put their military identification cards into a hat and let Jimmy pull out the lucky one. Although I’m a Wounded Warrior as well, I was somewhat reluctant to place my ID into the hat because my hunting companions were also my heroes, and I wanted one of them to win the hunt. With some poking, prodding and an order from my former Command Sergeant Major David Allard, I placed my ID into the hat as well. Out of all of the IDs in the hat, of course, mine was drawn. Although I desperately wanted to participate in the hunt, I really wanted one of my guys to have the experience. I thought about giving the hunt to someone else, but that would have put me back into my original position of having to choose one person. (more…)
by Craig Ellwanger, AAE
The author w/ his first hog by bow
There will be lots of landowners and lease holders out there cussin’ out loud right now at the slightest peep or thought of a “nasty ol’ hog” story. If that’s you, simply turn away. For the rest of you, here is a “pig-tale” of an east Texas archery hog hunt.
Whether it’s the introduced Russian boar or the common “yard pig” turned wild hog, hunting for these barrel-shaped balls of destruction has become as much necessity as sport in Texas. Their ability to proliferate induces thoughts of a famous ESPN quote that goes something like “…you can’t stop ‘em…you can just hope to contain ‘em!”
A good friend of mine, Chris Farris, hunts a piece of property just outside of Bryan/College Station in Brazos County. Wanting to improve their resident deer herd and with a wild hog population on the brink of taking over, I was invited to try and assist in harvest efforts. Being the noble sportsman that I am, I would never scoff at the chance to help a fellow hunter with some population control – especially when the reward for doing so includes bacon and thick pork chops!
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submitted by AAE member, Reed Gardner
When most of my friends are headed to the beaches of Mexico or Florida for their school graduation celebrations, I was fortunate enough to get to spend my time hunting the West Texas Hill Country for blackbuck antelope with a good friend of mine, Shane Hill.
Lee Puckitt, a close family friend of mine and a Texas Tech Alum, was gracious enough to allow my friend Shane and I the opportunity to spend a weekend hunting the crafty critters on his Puckitt Ranch about twenty miles north of San Angelo, Texas. This would be a hunt like none other that I had ever been on. No guide, no feeders, and no vehicles. Shane and I didn’t get to sleep in a comfortable cabin and certainly didn’t have a cook fixing up our meals. We were to camp along the Concho River in a tent and cook our own meals over an open campfire.
We spent that first night talking about all the things that young men talk about, anticipating the sunrise the next morning and getting our first hunt underway. We awoke the next morning before the sun rose. It was as if our excitement wouldn’t allow us to… (more…)
Last weekend,October 9-11, was my first chance this season to “get into the woods” and chase a few exotics. Our good friends, the Fields family were gracious enough to let me join their son and my friend, Tanner, for a couple days of good bowhunting (and a little ranch work). Their ranch is a 1,900 acre ranch located near Sonora, Texas in Sutton County. With an ever-growing axis deer population and very little hunting pressure, anticipation was high for this year’s hunting opportunities and this weekend.
Day1
I have to admit to sneaking out of town a bit early from work in hopes of making the Friday evening hunt. The 300 mile journey across the state from College Station to Sonora flew by despite pouring rains and a lack of satellite radio in “The Beast” (our beloved, but grizzled ’99 Dodge 4×4). Arriving at just after 4:30, I greeted Mr. Fields, who was headed to call some Friday night football for the Sonora Broncos. If you ever saw Friday Night Lights and said there’s no way high school football is THAT big in Texas, think again.
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