Posts Tagged ‘bowhunting’

Coming Up Aces with Axis

Success in Sonora

by Craig Ellwanger, AAE

There are hundreds and hundreds of hunting stories where everything just seems to come together perfectly (just watch the last 10 minutes of most hunting shows).  The perfect stand, the perfect wind, the perfect time of year, and then the perfect deer walks out…BOOM.  Story’s over.   Yet, for most of us, events seldom transpire this way.  Hours, days, and even seasons worth of seemingly “perfect” set-ups may go by without the epic crescendo of a successful harvest.  Our hunt in Sonora, Texas on the Diamond TF Ranch this past weekend was one of the best few days of my short bowhunting career, but it definitely did not start out nor appear as though it was headed that way.  Here’s the unlikely story of how a friendly game of poker taught me to be a better bowhunter.

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1st Axis Hunt of the Year

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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