Deer Hunting in Texas
Topic:
A Star and a Buck
After months of anticipating my first deer hunt, my husband, Scott and I arrived at Rocky Woodford Outfitting’s Base Camp in San Angelo, Texas. We were there for four days of trophy deer hunting. Rocky, our host, met us at the airport and drove us to a ranch an hour away. Upon our arrival, we met his wife, Jerrie who was our lodge hostess and incredible chef. Other hunters soon followed: including three gentlemen from the Wounded Warriors Project, Shilo, Brad and Ralph, and two others representing Under Armour. The generous folks from Under Armour sponsored the trip for the Wounded Warriors and were there to film the hunt. In addition to this group, there were two more hunting guides. The first evening was spent getting to know our new friends and hearing some of their incredible stories.
The daily routine would start with a 5:30 breakfast with a 6am departure to a ground blind for three hours and then a ride around the ranch spotting deer. After the ride it was time for Lunch and some down time at the lodge followed by a late afternoon hunt and then dinner and conversation about the day’s adventures. Early Saturday, Scott and I left for our first hunt. His goal was a 10-point buck but the morning and evening hunts did not produce much. It was windy and the deer tend to stay hidden, since everything is moving and they depend on movement and sound to detect danger.
That night at the lodge, Shilo was showing off a nice 8-point buck. A perfect shot and the buck fell straight to the ground, all caught on film. Shilo said they had drawn the buck in by rattling—that’s when you rattle deer antlers together to simulate two bucks fighting, usually over a doe. That attracts more bucks. Shilo had much to be proud of and the first kill.
Sunday morning the temperature had dropped to 24 degrees. I now appreciated the money spent on my warm camouflage clothing. We went to the same blind after seeing several bucks there. Finally we saw a 10-point; maybe it was the one Rocky had seen. From heavy scrapping, much of his rack was broken off. Scott chose not to shoot him, since he wanted a good trophy mount. At the lodge, there were no fresh kills to discuss.
That evening at the same blind, we saw one 8-point buck with a wide, thick rack that might do, should a 10-point never surface, but no buck would join us for the ride back. Ralph did get a small deer. Jerrie made yet another awesome dinner and we watched Sunday Night Football while welcoming the warmer weather forecast.
Day three...so much for warmer weather! It was 22 degrees and dropping. The lodge was calling to me, “Stay here, I’ll keep you warm.” Most wives stay cozy and warm at the lodge but I couldn’t give in now, besides, I still needed the “meat” of my story (literally). The ride out was beautiful, it couldn’t possibly have been any darker, so the stars were plentiful and bright. I saw a falling star and immediately made my wish.
We tried another ground blind, but it was too cold and windy. Mercifully, Rocky picked us up early and cranked up the heat. After a short drive, Rocky and Scott got out to rattle for bucks but I opted for quality time with the heater. They were out of view now and I briefly regretted not going with them, what if they found deer and I missed it all, but that didn’t happen, and my decision had truly warmed me. As we drove, I got good at spotting deer. I spied a doe a half-mile away, then more doe, followed by the nicest buck yet. The deer spotted us and scattered out of the trees in pursuit of safer ground. We took a back road trying to get behind them, but they were too fast. The buck slowed enough to show us he was a prize, but never enough to see just how many points he had. As the hunt grew shorter, Scott was reconsidering his 10-point standard. Tonight, we’ll go back to our favorite spot and hope for the 8-point buck.
We said farewell to our new friends from the Wounded Warriors group. Brad had taken an incredible shot and gotten his deer so everyone in their group had success. If we didn’t see one deer this entire hunt, it was worth the trip just for the fellowship we shared with them. They touched our lives and inspired us in ways I could never explain. After learning of their hardships, the way their lives have changed so drastically and how they face it all with such faith and courage, nothing in my life seems even remotely difficult or impossible to overcome.
This afternoon, if we reach our goal, we can sleep in tomorrow instead of freezing in a ground blind before sunrise. Back at our same blind, there was little activity. Rocky would be back before dark to scout out some big bucks spotted earlier in the day, so time was getting short. Finally, several deer appeared, followed by a few nicer bucks. There were now doe six feet in front of us, so we had to be perfectly still. Moments before that, we had seen a nice buck appear to our right, at least an 8 point. But with one doe staring us down, we couldn’t move. A big gust of wind took our scent right to her. She stomped, made a huff and fled. Somehow, the others didn’t spook and went back to grazing. Now was our chance for another look at the buck. He had a large body and good mass on his horns and Scott had to decide quickly if this was the one. Rocky would be here soon, and the deer were on alert. The buck was cautiously looking toward us, moving away a few feet each time, before giving us another look. Somehow, Scott had to quietly and quickly get his gun into position. The buck was 80 yards away and ready to bolt for the woods. Scott’s chair screeched against the tin wall as he moved into position, surely that would send them running. He had to shoot in front of me, since the buck was on my side of the stand, and it was now or never. I decided that I had better plug my ears. My index fingers were within six inches of their destination and Boom! He took the shot.
With my ears ringing, I asked, “Now what?” We sit a minute then track him. Well, this was all new to me and I wanted to go now. Only moments later, Rocky’s diesel engine was rumbling toward us, impressive timing. Rocky saw no deer in sight and knew either we shot something or had seen nothing. He was glad it wasn’t the latter. We made our way to where the buck had been. With some bushes between us, we hadn’t seen it fall, so maybe it went into the woods. But Scott had made a perfect shot that took the buck down immediately. No tracking required! There it was--the 10-point buck Scott had been patiently seeking for three days now and it was the one I had wished for on the falling star that morning. Scott was the star now. I was very proud of him, but I should never upset him. He’s an awesome shot!
We took pictures of the prize buck. Then it was time to field dress it in order to save the meat. (That’s nice terminology for ripping out the insides.) Rocky dug into it with a knife and his bare hands, like a pro. I was impressed at his precision, then abruptly amazed at what comes out. The pressure of the kill was off, and yes—I could sleep in tomorrow! No freezing ground blind, just a leisurely last day of hunting for doe or whatever we chose.
Tonight, it was just Scott and I with our wonderful hosts, Jerrie and Rocky. Over an awesome steak dinner, we discussed the details of the hunt. Turns out Rocky hadn’t heard the shot. He was just coming to pick us up for the evening as planned. Had he been two minutes sooner, it would have been right in the midst of the pursuit, all the deer would have scattered, and Scott would have never had a chance to take that shot. My stars had come through for me—the one I wished on and the one I married. My first deer hunt was behind us and it was a great experience. I can’t wait until next year! Visit WoundedWarriorProject.org for more information on this great initiative. Go to RockyWoodfordOutfitting.com to book your next great hunting experience.
After months of anticipating my first deer hunt, my husband, Scott and I arrived at Rocky Woodford Outfitting’s Base Camp in San Angelo, Texas. We were there for four days of trophy deer hunting. Rocky, our host, met us at the airport and drove us to a ranch an hour away. Upon our arrival, we met his wife, Jerrie who was our lodge hostess and incredible chef. Other hunters soon followed: including three gentlemen from the Wounded Warriors Project, Shilo, Brad and Ralph, and two others representing Under Armour. The generous folks from Under Armour sponsored the trip for the Wounded Warriors and were there to film the hunt. In addition to this group, there were two more hunting guides. The first evening was spent getting to know our new friends and hearing some of their incredible stories.
The daily routine would start with a 5:30 breakfast with a 6am departure to a ground blind for three hours and then a ride around the ranch spotting deer. After the ride it was time for Lunch and some down time at the lodge followed by a late afternoon hunt and then dinner and conversation about the day’s adventures. Early Saturday, Scott and I left for our first hunt. His goal was a 10-point buck but the morning and evening hunts did not produce much. It was windy and the deer tend to stay hidden, since everything is moving and they depend on movement and sound to detect danger.
That night at the lodge, Shilo was showing off a nice 8-point buck. A perfect shot and the buck fell straight to the ground, all caught on film. Shilo said they had drawn the buck in by rattling—that’s when you rattle deer antlers together to simulate two bucks fighting, usually over a doe. That attracts more bucks. Shilo had much to be proud of and the first kill.
Sunday morning the temperature had dropped to 24 degrees. I now appreciated the money spent on my warm camouflage clothing. We went to the same blind after seeing several bucks there. Finally we saw a 10-point; maybe it was the one Rocky had seen. From heavy scrapping, much of his rack was broken off. Scott chose not to shoot him, since he wanted a good trophy mount. At the lodge, there were no fresh kills to discuss.
That evening at the same blind, we saw one 8-point buck with a wide, thick rack that might do, should a 10-point never surface, but no buck would join us for the ride back. Ralph did get a small deer. Jerrie made yet another awesome dinner and we watched Sunday Night Football while welcoming the warmer weather forecast.
Day three...so much for warmer weather! It was 22 degrees and dropping. The lodge was calling to me, “Stay here, I’ll keep you warm.” Most wives stay cozy and warm at the lodge but I couldn’t give in now, besides, I still needed the “meat” of my story (literally). The ride out was beautiful, it couldn’t possibly have been any darker, so the stars were plentiful and bright. I saw a falling star and immediately made my wish.
We tried another ground blind, but it was too cold and windy. Mercifully, Rocky picked us up early and cranked up the heat. After a short drive, Rocky and Scott got out to rattle for bucks but I opted for quality time with the heater. They were out of view now and I briefly regretted not going with them, what if they found deer and I missed it all, but that didn’t happen, and my decision had truly warmed me. As we drove, I got good at spotting deer. I spied a doe a half-mile away, then more doe, followed by the nicest buck yet. The deer spotted us and scattered out of the trees in pursuit of safer ground. We took a back road trying to get behind them, but they were too fast. The buck slowed enough to show us he was a prize, but never enough to see just how many points he had. As the hunt grew shorter, Scott was reconsidering his 10-point standard. Tonight, we’ll go back to our favorite spot and hope for the 8-point buck.
We said farewell to our new friends from the Wounded Warriors group. Brad had taken an incredible shot and gotten his deer so everyone in their group had success. If we didn’t see one deer this entire hunt, it was worth the trip just for the fellowship we shared with them. They touched our lives and inspired us in ways I could never explain. After learning of their hardships, the way their lives have changed so drastically and how they face it all with such faith and courage, nothing in my life seems even remotely difficult or impossible to overcome.
This afternoon, if we reach our goal, we can sleep in tomorrow instead of freezing in a ground blind before sunrise. Back at our same blind, there was little activity. Rocky would be back before dark to scout out some big bucks spotted earlier in the day, so time was getting short. Finally, several deer appeared, followed by a few nicer bucks. There were now doe six feet in front of us, so we had to be perfectly still. Moments before that, we had seen a nice buck appear to our right, at least an 8 point. But with one doe staring us down, we couldn’t move. A big gust of wind took our scent right to her. She stomped, made a huff and fled. Somehow, the others didn’t spook and went back to grazing. Now was our chance for another look at the buck. He had a large body and good mass on his horns and Scott had to decide quickly if this was the one. Rocky would be here soon, and the deer were on alert. The buck was cautiously looking toward us, moving away a few feet each time, before giving us another look. Somehow, Scott had to quietly and quickly get his gun into position. The buck was 80 yards away and ready to bolt for the woods. Scott’s chair screeched against the tin wall as he moved into position, surely that would send them running. He had to shoot in front of me, since the buck was on my side of the stand, and it was now or never. I decided that I had better plug my ears. My index fingers were within six inches of their destination and Boom! He took the shot.
With my ears ringing, I asked, “Now what?” We sit a minute then track him. Well, this was all new to me and I wanted to go now. Only moments later, Rocky’s diesel engine was rumbling toward us, impressive timing. Rocky saw no deer in sight and knew either we shot something or had seen nothing. He was glad it wasn’t the latter. We made our way to where the buck had been. With some bushes between us, we hadn’t seen it fall, so maybe it went into the woods. But Scott had made a perfect shot that took the buck down immediately. No tracking required! There it was--the 10-point buck Scott had been patiently seeking for three days now and it was the one I had wished for on the falling star that morning. Scott was the star now. I was very proud of him, but I should never upset him. He’s an awesome shot!
We took pictures of the prize buck. Then it was time to field dress it in order to save the meat. (That’s nice terminology for ripping out the insides.) Rocky dug into it with a knife and his bare hands, like a pro. I was impressed at his precision, then abruptly amazed at what comes out. The pressure of the kill was off, and yes—I could sleep in tomorrow! No freezing ground blind, just a leisurely last day of hunting for doe or whatever we chose.
Tonight, it was just Scott and I with our wonderful hosts, Jerrie and Rocky. Over an awesome steak dinner, we discussed the details of the hunt. Turns out Rocky hadn’t heard the shot. He was just coming to pick us up for the evening as planned. Had he been two minutes sooner, it would have been right in the midst of the pursuit, all the deer would have scattered, and Scott would have never had a chance to take that shot. My stars had come through for me—the one I wished on and the one I married. My first deer hunt was behind us and it was a great experience. I can’t wait until next year! Visit WoundedWarriorProject.org for more information on this great initiative. Go to RockyWoodfordOutfitting.com to book your next great hunting experience.
