Trad Gang

I thought it may get a bit confusing following the postings of both groups on a single thread. Lets tell the tales in each group to keep things less confusing.

Each hunt started at noon and concluded at noon, three days appart. The morning hunts kicked off at about 4:45am each morning and the evening activities generally ended around midnight. When the sun was up we were hunting hogs, javelina, coyotes, rabbits(Jack and desert cottontail), Bullfrogs, and BIG Snakes.
By the dark of night many guys put on headlamps and raided the frog ponds. I think there was easily 50 Bullfrogs shot during each hunt.
I do thing each and every hunter at both hunts dropped the string on big and small game alike. It was just unbelievable!

Every hunter was required to be in camp between noon and 1:00pm each day to discuss what they were seeing and tell their own tales of the hunt. Our Camp Chef kept an ample supply of authentic Mexican cooking going and we all ate, drank, and enjoyed the comaradre of each others company. I just can't imagine a better hunt anywhere for any price. The entire 7 days was just way too short now that Im rested and looking back at it all. Incredible! CK

Thanks Curtis. I was thinking that a separate thread for each group would help. Man a whole lot happens in three days! I was fortunate enough to tag out on  javies but ran out of time chasing hogs!

After your orientation speech about how tough javies are and the lack of blood trails even on "perfect shots" I was determined to be conservative on my shot selection. I just realized that I only shot four arrows at game the whole time and it had nothing to do with the 5 stitches in my finger! Here 's my final tally:
1 missed rabbit
1 arrow airmailed over a javie
2 two javies brought to the shed. Arrowed them in two ways completing the javie cross. I'll post stories of each later.

Thanks again Curtis. I had the time of my life.

Norbert

PS. I usually dont let anyone but my sisters call me Norbie but after seeing the results out of Sweet Spot you can call me whatever you like    :scared:        :D

Bob Walker, South Texas Ranger...

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v306/beachbowhunter/TXS06/BWstalking.jpg)

Yea Norb-e! I thought you'd raise an eyebrow! LOL! Just had to test the water. Kinda cold!!!!!   :D  CK

That was a hot spot for sure....."Javie Central" of the north east corner.

Looking forward to seeing more of the 2nd groups hunt......keep em coming please.

That's SUCH a great picture!!!!

OK, I started posting on the other thread, but will try to see if I can move them over here to try to keep things together.  

As I sat on the plane on its way toward San Antonio Sunday morning nagging thoughts were creeping into my head.  What was I getting myself into?  I had never even met any of these guys.  Before leaving, when I told people at home what I was going to be doing the usual response was a puzzled look an the question, "Oh, Really? You're flying down to Texas to go hunting on a ranch in the middle of the desert with a bunch of guys you have only met on the internet?  Why?" I would soon find out.

I raced south in the rental car, and arrived at the ranch just in time to hurriedly met a few of the stranglers on their way out the door to go hunt for the first afternoon.  Everyone else had arrived last night and had a jump on me.

Curtis came back to the ranch after dropping a hunter off somewhere, and by then I had unpacked enough for an afternoon hunt and followed him off to an area containing small pond.  We corned the road, and Curtis bid me good luck and left me to my own devices.

I slowly walked down the road, and climbed a deer tower stand to get a perspective of the terrain.
 (http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y80/Jlasch/IMGP0990.jpg)
This was certainly different than anything I had ever been in before.

Eventually I ended up sneaking in to the pond to see if I might be able to catch something near the water.  As I eased around the shore checking out the tracks I noticed what looked like an old antler tine sticking up a few inches out of the mud right at the edge of the water.  Near it was another.  When I pulled on them both this is what emerged from the muck.
  (http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y80/Jlasch/IMGP0992.jpg)
What an awesome find the first night of my hunt!  

I cleaned the rack off a bit in the water, and then worked my way back to the road to see if any javis may have discovered the corn trail.  From the tracks in the road it was obvious there were plenty of animals around, but nothing other than a lone coyote showed.  

It was difficult to sit still on the first night of the hunt, so I eased back toward the pond.  I came into it at the same place I had found the whitetail rack earlier, and not 10 feet away from the first find noticed more antler tines.  As I approached to investigate these I suddenly froze in place when I saw a bobcat laying in the mud next to the antler.  I had walked up to within 15 yards of him, and he just layed there staring at me, obviously hoping that he blended in.  After a 30 second stare down, and he finally jumped up and ran off.  I had missed the initial camp meeting, but I was thankful that Shaun Webb had taken the time to give me a breifing earlier and he had mentioned that the ranch managers did not want bobcats shot during our hunt, or that if we did the cost would be $500.  I didn't need one that badly, but the experience of seeing him was a treat.

After the bobcat left, I turned my attention back to the antler laying nearby.  I bent over and picked up a beautiful 5 point shed.  How could I have missed this earlier?  Impossible!  There was only one explanation - in the 1 1/2 hours I had been gone, a buck had stopped by for a drink and left a gift for me to find.  

I had been looking closely before, and had been able to see the two small portions of tines sticking out of the mud.  There is just no way that I could have missed this shed.  The picture below shows the point of my arrow laying in my boot track I left as I walked over to investigate on my first trip to the pond.  The shed lay no more than 20 inches away.
 (http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y80/Jlasch/IMGP0993.jpg)

My evening ended without a single hog or javelina sighting, but somehow the experiences left me feeling more than satisfied.  I could only take it all as a sign that this was going to be a very special trip indeed!
 (http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y80/Jlasch/IMGP0994.jpg)

QuoteOriginally posted by Littlefeather:
Yea Norb-e! I thought you'd raise an eyebrow! LOL! Just had to test the water. Kinda cold!!!!!    :D   CK

Brother that water is fine! In fact, there's a swell running right now. Get yourself over here. I got a 6' 8" Rusty with your name on it  

The morning of day 2 found me with more of the same - no hogs or javis sighted.  The guys planned on hunting until 9:30 or 10, so headed back to the Jeep and stowed my gear for the morning.  I turned and glanced back up the road to see the first two javis of my life in the middle of it about 150 yards away!  Game On!

I had the wind in my favor, but they were feeding away from me.  I made a loop out into the brush to try to catch up and received my first leasons in moving through the Texas brush - everything that grows can hurt you!

Eventually the group grew to six, and they apparantly got to the end of where we had corned earlier, because they turned and started feeding right back to me.  Perfect!  Except for lesson number two for the morning - javelina have very good eyes at close range and I was busted as soon as I moved my bow.  Note to self - wait until they feed PAST next time!

I walked back to the Jeep just as the rest of the group pulled up.  As we were talking and discussing the mornings events, four of the javis were back out in the road again right where I had left them.  A quick plan was formulated - Norbert and I would try for a drive by shooting - South Texas style!

Norbert - you're up!

I have to admit that by day 4(day 5 for me and Charlie) I was absolutely running on fumes. Id been up at 4:45am every morning and tracked well into the night. I really felt like I was about to crash and burn. Well, as always seems to happen, I got a second wind each day and continued to enjoy all the occurrances. It all runs together when you hear 12-15 hunt stories at each round table gathering. Somewhere, somehow along the way they seem to all run together. They all seem to start with "I looked down the road and there they were".......LOL! And then I started sneaking down the sendero and they looked up.....LOL!
Oh man, what a time! I've got lots of pics I am just now getting to. I've compliled a short movie that was generated by running all my best pictures together. I'll get it all worked out and get someone smarter than me to post it here. CK

Based on inside info we got from Terry, Bob Walker, StevenR and I focused our efforts around the hub and the double ponds area that has been discussed. The first afternoon Javie Hunting 101 started as we corned the senderos that spread out from the deer stand at the hub. I jumped out of the Hummer as Steve and Bob continued to corn and found a little spot to hide. Only a minute later, my first javie encounter began. A single boar came out to eat and worked his way down the road. I made a few minor advances to close the gap but settled down to wait. The javie drew to within 15 yards headed in my direction.  I waited to let him turn broadside and he only obliged with a 45 degree angle change. The slightest movement of my bow sent him off into the brush. Lesson No. 1 for me = learn how to shoot without moving!

The first day ended after a bunch of failed stalks but the excitement of being around game all day was terrific.  We'd do better on Day 2.

OK Whip....The South Texas Drive-by Shooting...

The second day, Bob, Steven, Joe and I headed up to the same area because we had seen so much game. Joe was back on the family unit that hung out off the main road west of the ponds while Bob, Steve and I revisited the hub area. We were fooled all morning by a single smart boar who danced between the senderos and that was it. We decided to call it a morning and head back to the lodge for some grub.

We caught up with Joe on the main road and he needed a lift back to his vehicle. We saw a good size group feeding about 100 yards up the road in the direction we were headed. Gong on a tip from Curtis, we tried a local trick. You've heard of "C'mere Deer" well this is like "here Javie Javie Javie".  In full Rat Patol mode, Joe and I rode the running board of the Hummer up to the javies. They are not all that afraid of vehicles so they lazily move off the road. Just before we busted them up, Joe and I slipped off the back and hid behind the Hummer and moved into cover on either side of the sendero. Bob and Steve continued on through rattling a pop can filled with corn to simulate the sound of a feeder....

Joe and I were not in position for more than 2 minutes when I caught some motion directly in front of me in the brush. Luckily I drew my bow first and a split second later I was part of a Texican Showdown. I was on a small sand pile looking over a bush staring down a javie. It is hilarious when they look at you straight on. With it's Mickey Mouse ears turned in my direction, beadie eyes and snout pointed at me, it looked like a cartoon rat.

However, head on these darned things are only a few inches wide. With no shoulders or hips to speak of, it's like looking at an eel or a fish. I stayed at full draw with visions of Charlie's skull shot javie (he needs to share that story!), going through my mind. Joe got a great view of it from less than 10 yards away. He later told me he's never seen a trad bow shooter hold off that long. I didnt tell him that my 57# Zipper Extreme has an 80% let off.....     :D    

I stared at it unti it turned its head to the right and I could see the white collar. I picked a spot that looked like the top of its shoulder and released. There was an indescribeable sound as the javie looked like it exploded in front of me. It sprang to my left and passed by me at about ten yards. I saw it stumble but continue ahead. I was excited and Joe reminded me to keep my cool and wait for another. None showed up. This is what we saw about 10 feet away from where I stood...

  (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v306/beachbowhunter/TXS06/1starrowcloseup.jpg)

My Stinger 4 blade tipped CX Rebel arrow was soaked and covered with goo like out of Alien. Not a drop of blood anywhere. We decided to go for lunch and come back to track it down....

I don't know how you got to full draw on that thing without it seeing you!  And then holding for as long as you did - you're an iron man!  I kept looking back and forth from the javi to you waiting to see who would flinch first......

Luckily he got bored first and looked away!  

Joe, Gary K and I went to look for the javie after lunch. When we got to the point of impact, all of the liquid evidence had already totally evaporated. Not a speck of blood. We followed along the apparent trail based on my recollection of the sound after the shot. We hadnt looped more than 15 yards back of my shooting position before Joe called out.."Norbert take a look..." and there it was under a bush about three yards to my right.

Gary set me up for a few pics. The javie was 3/4 gutted by the passage of my arrow from front to back. It was devastating. It wouldnt make for a pretty picture so that's why we have it oriented face forward......

  (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v306/beachbowhunter/TXS06/TXS06.jpg)

I was using my green and white fletched arrows during the day and switched to the neon orange for the afternoon-evening but that's another story....

Ready for the closeup on the cutters. Your turn Joe!

  (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v306/beachbowhunter/TXS06/1stjaviecloseup.jpg)

:thumbsup:

Norbert,

Great story and great pic! You are the iron man. Five stitches but after it was all said and done those broadheads must have been sharp because they did a heck of a job bring meat to the pole.

Chris

Here are some pictures of my brother before and after a stalk on some javi's.

Here is a view looking down the barrel

 (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v229/ckinslow/TexasSweat3019.jpg)  

    (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v229/ckinslow/TexasSweat3082.jpg)

Ready to draw

    (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v229/ckinslow/TexasSweat3085.jpg)

After the shot.  Trying to catch his breath.

    (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v229/ckinslow/TexasSweat3086.jpg)

I wish I could post the picture of this javi. I'm confident that it was a leathal hit after seeing the javi twist and turn and hearing it bark and pop its teeth.  Unfortunately as luck would have it this was the only negative aspect of my sweat hunt...we were never able to recover this javi or my hog.

My guess is that we just didn't hit them good enough. What looked to be a good hit by whitetail standards was too far back on a javi and not quick enough to prevent them from heading so far into the brush that it was nearly impossible to find them.  

Chris

Great pictures of that stalk Chris!  It's cool you were able to share that with your brother and I'm sure it was at least as exciting for you as it was for him.  Although there was no meat brought back to camp it will be a memory for you to share for a long time to come.

I know what you mean about the disappointment with the recoveries.  They sure are tough little animals, but we can hope there were more like the one that Terry hit that ended up being OK after all (Until he ran a second arrow through it the next day!)
 
I remember before the trip all the talk from the vets about using big giant broadheads for the javies, but to be honest I didn't take it seriously enough.  Shot placement is certainly critical, but I can also see where a huge broadhead would help put them down quicker before they have a chance to bury themselves somewhere deep in a pile of thorns.

I'm going to be playing around with some different broadheads before I go down again.  What were you and Andy shooting?

Good shooting, Norb! Happy you guys had a great time out there. Those javies look tough...I want to get out there and get some javelina sausage for myself someday soon.

You did the "Zipper squad" proud!

Chris,

Those are some great photos.......and that looks like a full grown Javie.  Thanks for sharing.

wow Chris, that does look a brusier of a javi. Don't beat yourself up over it too bad tho, it happens once in while. - eric

Those are really cool pics Chris. Glad you and Andrew share such a close bond. Must be really cool!

Here are a couple of my highlights while I hunted the second hunt. I must say that some of my highlights came after dark while tracking for others. Sorry I didn't get any pics of those outings but here are some daylight activities. I stayed in camp one evening to rest. Dad rolled video as I long-shot for frogs. I think we got 9 impact shots on video.

 (http://www.tradgang.com/upload/ck/img_0234.jpg)

That was cool just knowing all those shots were burned into film. Poor Dad has hours and hours of film to sift through.

I had found an arrowhead on the ranch while I was there. Artifacts are to remain on the ranch so I decided I'd have Vinson Minor resharpen the head and I'd shoot it into an animal. The head was estimated to be 700 years old. The film crew documented the progress from sharpening to placing on a rivercane arrow to hunting afield. The first evening I called a coyote to within 12 feet of me but he hung up and I didn't get a shot. They captured the whole event on video and could see the coyote better than I could. The second day while film was rolling down my arrow shaft I loosed the 700 year old arrowhead and watched as it hit a javi in the crease of the shoulder at 5 yards. Film was rolling and sucked in tight as the arrow BOUNCED OFF the javi's shoulder. I have never been in such disbelief. I lean forward and grab the arrow. The only thing I can figure is that the head contacted shoulder blade so I ready for another approaching group of javi's. About 2 minutes later another javi enters my lane at five yards. Camera is still rolling as I release on a 1/4ing javi and connect behind the shoulder. Javi spins, howling and snapping and the arrow dropps to the ground. I may have gotten 2" of penetration before the javi ran across the road and stood looking back to see what the heck was going on. He was unhurt for the most part and went on to fight another day.
After gaining my composure and telling the film guy we wouldn't be airing that footage, I grabbed another stone head. The 700 year old head had a round point and I obviously wasn't using unough bow(45#) to drive the head home. This second stone point was pointy(Thanks Leo Schmaus). About 7-8 minutes later, another group of javi's come pouring in and as one enters my shooting lane at five yards, I run him through. He drops instantly but I can see he is going to get up. I didn't have another arrow so I jump up and decide I'll finish him with a knife. Bad idea!!!! He gets to his feet as I reach him and the fight was almost won by the javi. Remember, film was rolling the whole time. I'll leave out the gore! Here is the final results and after all the editing is done, the film will air on the local Saturday morning hunting show.

 (http://www.tradgang.com/upload/ck/img_0265.jpg)

Man, Curtis you and GK got this hero pic thing DOWN!  I was watching my bootleg copy of the video with the peanut gallery comments and it is one of the coolest/funniest damned things I have ever seen. I am still in disbelief about the whole series of events....thanks again for everything.

Norbie

Monday afternoon found me back at the same spot Norbert had taken his javie from earlier in the day.  My plan was to corn the road on a stretch that would allow me to sit at the top of a rise so that I could watch both directions.

After a couple of unsucessful stalks I settled in to wait during the magic last hour.  One small javie came out to feed but I waited for more to show.  As light started fading quickly I decided I might as well try to see how close I could get to the one in the road - maybe he would look bigger up close!

I hadn't gone 20 yards when I glanced behind me and saw two hogs in the road headed my way.  They were a good 100 yards out, and not moving much at all.  I didn't think they would make it to me before dark, but there was no way to move on them from where I was.  All I could do was sit and wait.

Pigs being pigs, it didn't take long for them to get competitive for the corn.  One would move ahead of the other, and then the second one would move up in front.  Back and forth they went until soon it was almost a race.  Before I knew it they were trotting past me at 3 yards.

I waited until they got well past me and started to draw.  Immediately they scattered to the other side of the road and turned to see what spooked them.  I was at full draw, and a thought crept into my mind wondering if I could slip an arrow into the sweet spot of the closest pig.  The idea had barely registered when I saw the last 4 inches of my arrow sticking out of that exact spot on his shoulder!

The hogs spun and tore out of there squealing and making a huge racket.  He stopped after maybe 20 yards, and squealed some more before all got very quiet.  I stood frozen in place and just listened for the next 10 minutes.  Eventually I heard what I was certain was labored breathing and gurgling coming from the area I had last heard the hog.  I very slowly slipped out as quietly as I could to give him the time he needed.

We returned to camp for dinner, and afterwards came back accompanied by Curtis and "Sweet Spot".  We had some blood to follow through the cactus, and this is what lay at the end.
 (http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y80/Jlasch/IMGP1017.jpg)

Good job on the hog Whip!

Curtis,
When do we get to see the video!?  Can't wait to see the knife fight!

Allright Joe! Been waiting for you. Now you need to finish the job and dont forget the haircut! hee hee

Joe, I'm pretty sure the Kinslow boys were shooting Wensels. Bob Walker, South Texas Ranger was shooting Interceptors and Razorcaps. His hog got "capped". I was shooting Stingers, 2 and 4 blade. I've had good success with the 2 blade on good size hogs and after using the 4 blades on these javies, I would even think about using them on hogs too. Charlie was really surprised with the damage that these "small" (compared to the Simmons, Ace, Ribtek....) heads did. I got passthroughs in both directions   :thumbsup:

I was thinking something more along the lines of that spear point Vinson knapped up that afternoon for the camera crew!  Now that was a head!   :scared:   Not sure I could pull the bow I would need to drive it home though!  I think you already quoted Vinson on the delivery of one of those  - "...these were designed to be inserted manually.."  :D  
Here is Vinson showing his skills for the camera crew.  When they say "Action" that boy is ON!  That was the best knapping demonstration I have ever watched!  In a matter of minutes he had taken an oddly shaped rock and transformed it into a perfect spear point.
(http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y80/Jlasch/IMGP1009.jpg)

WHO'S UP NEXT ????  :bigsmyl:

Gotta say I loved the company of the group 2 guys. You could have mixed and matched group 1 and 2, though and it wouldn't have been any different. Great bunch of hunters one and all!  :thumbsup:  

Also love the photography by everyone. Really catches the essense of the hunt.

Chris... outstanding photos of Andrew's stalk. Very cool!!!

I'll throw out one more group of pictures from my trip.

This was the last evening hunt and Andrew and I went back to our old faithful pond site that had provided most of our encounters.

Sure enough the hogs started milling around. Andrew saw several including a white hog that never came in but he said was huge. The sow in this picture move into position and just about the time I was going for a shot I saw a big boar moving in to my set up. He looked to me to be the brother of Charlie's hog. Coal black, huge head, and nice body. They both milled around and I was aware of my thoughts that were telling me to make sure the sow wasn't looking when I made my move. Unfortunately a short time after that thought the boar stood broadside and my reservations were lost as I decided to go for it. Turned out to be the wrong move at the wrong time. The sow spooked and I was caught at full draw with a boar that was now looking head on at me. He wheeled to the right and  started to leave. I sent one through him at 10 yards.  The shot looked good but after two hours of diligent tracking by Curtis I knew the sign we had found pointed to a shot that obviously wasn't good enough.  he had traveled greater than 100 yards and I was unable to locate the exact location of a group of coyotes then next morning so I never recovered the boar.

It's a lessons learned the hard way about heeding the warnings of CK and others about waiting for a quartering away shot. The moments adrenaline has a way of making you forget things like that.

Here is the picture of the sow. My brother said he was too excited to try any pictures when the boar came into the set up. If you look hard you can see me on the right hand side of the deadfall.
  (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v229/ckinslow/TexasSweat3050.jpg)

The next is the only hero shot that I have from this trip even though their is no game in the photo.  Finding a good compatable hunting partner isn't easy. My brother will always be that and more to me.  We both learned a ton on this trip and will be better hunters and trackers because of  it. Even though their was no meat in the cooler at the end of the day this trip was the best hunt I have ever been on. Great group of guys from whom I learned a lot and a great place to hunt. Andrew and I will be counting the days until the next sweat!

  (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v229/ckinslow/TexasSweat3046.jpg)

:thumbsup:

:thumbsup:   :thumbsup:

Whip, is that a Blacktail you're carrying?  Mighty nice looking bow!

Great pics guys....thanks for the story telling too. I miss it already   :(

Woody, Yes, that is a Blacktail, and thank you.  Norm sure soes build some pretty bows.  Almost too pretty to hunt with - Almost, but not quite!

I know that some people question the use of corn to hunt.  Baiting is not my favorite way of hunting either, but down in South Texas it really didn't feel like we were baiting.  The technique was to drive a sendaro and trickle corn out very slowly.  The idea was to simply have enough corn to keep the javies out in the open, but not so much that they just stayed in one spot, making it difficult to move on them.  This is a picture of corn in the road, and actually this is taken at a point where it had been applied to thickly.  We discovered latter that less is more when it comes to corning the sendaros.
  (http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y80/Jlasch/IMGP1011.jpg)

Joe... a lot of people don't understand that goin into the brush down there is near impossible at worst and like whizzin into the wind at best.

They also think that once you get the little musk hogs into the open, that stalking/shooting is a piece of cake.  :D    ;)  

I wish everyone could experience it. It's the only way to understand.   :thumbsup:

Let me tell you that it has been a long time since I've met two fine young men like the Kinslows. Seeing solid mid-western values and upbringing first hand was a pleasure. It just about killed them to not call Gary  "Mr. Kellar"  Charlie, they're not the worse for wear for hanging out with you either!    :D

I had a really nice suprise while I was sitting in the airport waiting to board my plane.  I was reading a magazine and someone walked up behind me and asked if they could read over my shoulder -It was the Kinslow's!  
Turns out they were booked on the same flight, so I got to spend just a little more time with some first rate individuals and guys I now call good friends.  I was having a hard time letting go of the best three days of hunting ever, so it was cool to see them there!  :thumbsup:

Speaking of fine individuals, I think that is what made Texas Sweat what it is.  The camaraderie and fellowship of sharing camp with the group we had was really special to me.  Texas is a big State, and there are lots of places to hunt down there, but there is only one place to get together with the group we had.  The hunting was great, but that is not what made the hunt what it was.........
(http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y80/Jlasch/IMGP1033.jpg)

Thanks Joe! It's the same feelings that generate the energy to keep putting this thing together each year. Charlie set out with a game plan several years ago. That plan was to invite equal numbers of seasoned hunters and non-seasoned hunters from as wide of a variety of lifestyles as possible. See, sometime it's the not so seasoned hunters that actually do the teaching while the seasoned pro's take in the knowledge being taught. I know that there have been things I've lost or forgotten along the years of bowhunting. Each year at Texas Sweat I come away renewed and refreshed at the way each of the hunters have percieved things that have happened on the hunt and at bowhunting in general. I suppose it is an equal trade among all the Bowmen in attendance. I certainly enjoy seeing things through each hunters eyes!!!!! Kinda brings things full circle each year for me. I raise my glass! CK

I want everyone to know I have thouroughly enjoyed all the posts, pics, n' stories about the "Texas Swets" just as much this year as I did last year. I have held back on any posting this time but only to enjoy it the more. The only draw back for me is I was kindly offered the opportunity to make it this year but unfortunately could not. Bless the offer though, and bless all of you for "bringing" it to me (and everyone else). Simply *"Outstanding"!

* Highest Mark the Marine Corps gives - Semper Fi

Joe, Norb, thanks for the kind words.  It was really nice to share time with everyone as well.  Chris and I both learned a lot, and hopefully as the years go by we will be able to pass the craft on to others new to trad archery.  We both wouldn't be where we are at now, nor where we are going, if not for people like those on trad gang that have shown us the ropes.  Thanks Lamb, Curtis, and everyone else from trad gang and the sweat!  

As for brothers, well Chris and I have truly become brothers as the word is meant not just by blood, but bretheren through hunting.  He said it best in that we work so well as a team, and it is such an excitement to witness the other have a shot at game.    Like Joe said, its the camaraderie and fellowship that makes it so special.  I am lucky in that Chris and I get to share that in the field as well as back at camp with the rest of the gang.  

Truly an incredible hunt with a great bunch of guys.  What a great time!  Thanks to everyone.

How about some more hunting memories?  I'm no Lamb in telling a story, but I have another one if you like.  

On the last full day of our hunt Norbert and I decided to strike out on our own and see if we could find anything new.  The ranch is huge, and there was no way for it to be explored completely by the Sweat participants.

In looking over an ariel photo we found what appeared to be a pond in a section that nobody had been in that we were aware of.  We took a couple guesses as to compass readings for the roads, and set off.

On our way we swung past Pond One and trickled a little corn out along the road.  This would be the backup plan if things didn't pan out elsewhere.

The compass readings actually worked pretty well.  We were only one sendero away from where we wanted to be, and the intersecting road took us right to it.  Just based on changes in the vegetation it was easy to find the pond once we got close.  

A rabbit caught our attention first, and Norbert promptly donated an arrow to the cactus in its memory, but left the bunny little worse for wear.  A walk around the pond bank showed remarkably little sign - not at all what we were hoping for.  

Javie trails in and out of the brush along the road seemed thick however, so we trickled corn along a long section of it.  I took Norbert back to Pond One, and I would return here for the rest of the morning.....

You might recall that Pond One is where Joe "Eagle Eye" Lasch found the skull and sheds his first day. I stayed around the area, circling the pond and glassing up and down the two roads we corned, for the morning. Nothing was stirring. I did spot three good sized hogs about 500 yards up one road, past where we had begun corning. I gave chase but with nothing to hold their interest, they quickly disappeared. Joe picked me up and we headed back for lunch to regroup.

Not so fast Norbert - I had action that morning!  :smileystooges:  

After dropping him off at Pond One I returned to the new site.  I set up at a "T" intersection that afforded good veiws in three directions.  Nothing seemed to be moving so I passes the time writing notes in my field notebook.  So many things were happening on this hunt I wanted to make sure I remembered as much as I could.

About 9:30 or so I caught movement 20 yards into the brush.  Javies!  They were kind of moving in and out and it was hard to tell how many, but seemed to be at least 5 or 6.  They seemed to be moving parallel with the road and weren't headed my way.  

Eventually three of them worked their way out and started following the corn trail away from me.  The group quicky grew to maybe a dozen animals.  This was going to be tough!

They must have hit a spot we missed in the road, because they all turned around and started working their way back toward me. As the first ones drew into shooting range I tried to draw as slowly as I possibly could hoping to avoid detection.  I think in my fear of being seen I never got to full draw and released an arrow before hitting anchor - premature release is bad in more than just the bedroom!

The arrow hit the stink pig very high above the shoulder.  He rolled over and took off for parts unknown.  I really don't think the arrow did much more than slip throught the hide at the top of his back, and after inspection did not find anything more than a little fat on the arrow.

Now it's time to go pick up Norbert........

See, I told you we had to regroup! At least I know I did. Joe was itching to get back to the "T" he had worked in the morning and I was getting more interested in chasing hogs. For the afternoon (the last of the hunt) I headed to the west side with Bob W. and StevenR with the intention of working the big double pond where Bob and Joe had scored hogs earilier. My plans would change however.

No sooner had we pulled the big red Hummer into a spot off the sendero, did we see lots of javie action. Without a word, all three of us dispersed in full sneak mode. I spied a family group up one of the short arms of the hub and stalked in about 30 yards to wait and see how they would move. I was kneeling with my backside precariously close to some prickly pear for about 10 minutes when a group of 4 got to within 15 yards. I got balanced and looked for brush that might mess up my shot and things looked good. The first in line pulled up about 10 yards in front of me and looked backwards creating a nice full shoulder broadside shot.

At the break, I had switched to my dayglow orange fletched and capped shafts because I had learned that things seem to happen close to last light and I wanted to see where I hit something if I got lucky. Well, I sure saw the arrow that I loosed at this javie. It made for a nice tracer bullet, sailing a good 6 inches above the shoulder and off into the scrub.

Joe and Norb... that's what I'm talkin about!   :thumbsup:  

Heck! I'd like to hear everybodies stories. You know, all the little one's you forgot about for a while while you were busy hunting or didn't get a chance to tell in camp.

I'm lovin it... not to mention I'm makin notes for my trip down there in May.  ;)

This hunt just keeps on giving......

While the Hummer crew went to "Javi Central", I headed on back to my spot at the "T" intersection.  I parked the Jeep back down the road a ways, and on my way back up to the intersection spied two javies already out in the road.  They were feeding very slowly in my direction, so I circled out into the cactus to cut the distance somewhat.

I got to a point where I couldn't go further without making noise or being too brushed in, so I knelt down and arranged a little ambush point 10 yards off the road.

Seems like it takes forever when you're waiting and can't see up the road to know if they're still coming or not, but it really wasn't long before I could hear the crunch crunch crunch of something close chewing on corn.  The time is here!

As they came into view they both looked to be nice size animals, so I decided to try for whichever presented himself properly to me first.  A low growing prickly pear gave me the cover I needed to draw, and as one stepped into an opening I tried to force myself to concentrate on a spot low and directly above the leg.  

The string slipped from my fingers, and I wish I could say I hit my mark exactly, but the arrow struck just a bit high.  The spinal column rides lower than a guy would think on these animals, and that is what I hit.  The good news is that he dropped on the spot.

At the hit the javie let out a series of squeals - let's just say he was not very happy with me at all!  His buddy came charging in to defend his partner, grunting and popping his teeth at me not 5 yards away.  A third animal that I had not seen before charged in from behind.  These boys meant business!  Only the brush in between us kept me from trying a shot to complete a double.

The reinforcements for my wounded javie quickly, and thankfully, dispersed back to the thorns, and I turned my attention back to the animal on the ground.  A follow up shot to the spot I should have hit the first time ended things quickly.

In less time than it takes to tell I had my first javelina in the bag.  As Norbert told me later, I had just completed the North American portion of a "ham slam", all in my first Texas hunt.
  (http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y80/Jlasch/IMGP1028.jpg)

I finished with a couple of photos and field dressing chores, and there were more javelina further up the road.  The limit is two, and I thought it would be great to be able to roll back into camp with a matched set in the back of the Jeep.

It was still plenty early, and I had multiple opportunities, but swirling wind foiled a perfect set up on one group.  A javi that couldn't stand still while I held at full draw eight yards away foiled another.

Generally, it seems that the acton picks up toward dusk, however this evening proved to be the opposite.  As soon as the sun dropped low in the sky the temperature dropped just as quickly, and the javi action was over for the evening.  As I watched the sky turn spectacular shades of pastels though, I had no regrets.  It had been a wonderful day in South Texas.

:readit:

FANTASTIC!

Great stories guys!!  :thumbsup:

Hey Norbert, is the sum up in California yet?    :readit:

Thanks for sharing everyone. Making me itchin' to get back to south Texas. Weather is finally starting to break here thank goodness.

-Brian
www.bowyersjournal.com (http://www.bowyersjournal.com)

Great stories and pictures guys! Thanks for sharing with the rest of us.

Curtis, think you could dub that hunting show for me? We don't get much on our antenna up here   :knothead:   I sure would like to see that footage of you and the javi going at it   :D

Yea Scott, I wish I had that footage to see again. They are suppose to notify me before it airs on TV. Tell you the truth, the adrenalin was coursing so strong that it seems like a dream now. Norbert has some bootleg footage on his digital camera. I think he could get Terry or someone to post it here if you edited out all my cussing. Of course if you edit the cussin, there may just be one long Beeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeppppppppp!!!!!! LOL! CK

If you are keeping score, that's two animals that didnt make it into the brush for Joe. While most people would be happy, Joe seemed to want to test his mighty tracking skills. He'd already spotted my first javie...

Later in the afternoon, as the sun dipped low, I was standing at the deer stand in the hub with Bob. Way down the end of the east trending sendero we could see a couple of good sized javies. Probably 200 yards. Bob coaxed me to give it a try, then he snuck off in another direction.

I slowly walked down the south side of the sendero. I had the sun at my back and the wind in my face. My shadows mixed in beautifully with the mesquite and prickly pear at my back. There must have been too much corn at the end of the sendero because these two were not moving.

In a little while two more joined the feast and they started to compete for corn. I tucked myself as far into the scrub as possible but this area is very thick and I was only in three to five feet. I  decided to wait them out. They proceeded to move up and down the sendero without making much progress in my direction for about 10 minutes. My knees were killing me by the time they started to decisively move toward me.

I had a decent view of them as they pulled into a line and fed down the road. One stopped to take a dust bath. The first of the four was probably the biggest. As it walked to within 10 feet of my position, slighty up the road (not broadside yet) I came to about 3/4 draw. Although I felt like I was moving too little to notice, she spooked.

She bolted to the far side of the sendero and the others scattered. However, I was so focused on her that I felt hypnotized and didnt move a muscle. Apparently she felt the same and came to a full stop, broadside, standing in front of a small sand bank. She looked at me with the sun in her eyes and for all the world looked like a 3D target. Almost without thinking I had come to full draw and the arrow slipped from my fingers.

The orange fletching streaked across the sendero and zipped instantly through the 12-ring. I have never in my life made a better shot. I heard a quiet grunt, the impact of my arrow in the sand and I saw her jump into the adjacent brush. I heard some rustling down the sendero about 10 to 15 yards and all was quiet.

I picked up my arrow and it was covered from insert to nock in blood. More blood than I had seen on any javie so far. I flagged the spot of the shot and the distance down the sendero of the last sound. Not a speck of blood anywhere but on the arrow. I paced the shot distance off at 17 yards. Felt like 10 feet.

Meanwhile Team Hummer had similar success and we had some animals down that we needed to recover. We got our act together and headed back to the bunkhouse for a bite and to get lights and armour for the tracking job ahead.

I think I remember that night. Seems like there were 7 animals down that same evening that hadn't been tracked yet. It took awhile but everyone learned to back out and not pressure a hit javi. It seemed to help! Continue on Mr Norbert! CK

I forgot to mention that before I had started my stalk on this group, I got to sit back and watch Bob W put the sneak on a javie not 30 yards from me. I'll let him tell the story but it involved a point blank shot with a Razorcap..

Bob wound up having two javies down, Stephen R one and me with mine. After chow, a bunch of us... Joe, Shaun, Gary, Bob, Steven, and probably a couple others broke out the bright lights and headed out to find the animals. Overall we had bad luck and only recovered one.

We pulled up to the sand bank where I shot mine and headed into the brush. Not a drop of blood and  tons of tracks. Tell you what. I love my Snakeboots...they are great for stomping things that have thorns. Leather gloves and three layers of shirts made me feel like a bull dozer.

I pushed kind of deep into the brush, say about 15 to 20 yards and worked my way in the direction I'd heard the javie go. Moments later I hear the great sound of discovery. Of course it was Eagle Eye Joe. That man can find anything! The javie had only made it about 15 yards from the shot and about 5 yards off the sendero.

It was a sow that was a fair bit bigger than my first with slightly longer cutters. It being about 10pm at this point, we loaded it up after exhausting ourselves on the other tracking jobs and headed back.

I didnt realize it until the next morning but I never took a picture of this animal. With the skinner gone for the night and fatigue setting in,  I got a field dressing and skinning lesson from Leo, Gary, Curtis and a few others and we proceeded to get the javie put in the cooler. I'm bummed that I didnt take a picture, but I'm happy that Steven R agreed to take the skull for a european mount. He certainly killed a javie but was never able to recover it. He'll have to send a picture of the mount for me!
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v306/beachbowhunter/TXS06/TXS06080.jpg)

The next morning I headed up to the T with Joe to check out the pond for hogs. Nothing was moving. The bloody arrow was the only indication of my sucess on the second javie...

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v306/beachbowhunter/TXS06/TXS06086.jpg)

The memories from this trip will last a lifetime.

Norb

You're right, the last morning was slow as far as game movement goes.  Some in the group were able to see some, but nothing down by us.  

The temperature was downright cool that morning!  I would guess the javies were all huddled up under a pile of brush somewhere and wouldn't be out until the sun warmed things a bit.

Since we needed to quit hunting by nine in order to be back at camp to start packing up, we didn't have time to wait for the warmth.  But it was a great opportunity to sit back and watch a beautiful day arrive, catch up on the field notes about the hunt, and just enjoy being there.

I've said it before, but what made the hunt for me was the people that I had the honor of spending it with.  A diverse group, to be sure, and I am so happy to have been a part of it.  

I know from past hunts that it is never possible to go back and do the exact same hunt over again. As hard as you try, it is never quite the same.  Life will get in the way for some, the ranch won't be all new again - somehow it can never be duplicated exactly.  But that is OK, because this hunt was special in so many ways and should remain unique in our minds.

One way or another though, at some place and time, I do hope to share another camp with each and every one of the crew. Be it another Texas Sweat, on top of a mountain somewhere, or back here in Wisconsin, I really hope to have made some lasting freindships.
 (http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y80/Jlasch/IMGP1026.jpg)
Front - Norbert Shulz, Leo Schmaus, Joe DeAngelis, Curtis Keller, Chris Kinslow, Andrew Kinslow,Shaun Webb
Back - Steven R, Joe Lasch, Mark Harris, Charlie Lamb, Bob Walker, Vinson Minor

Well said Joe! Each year when we share some Texas Sweat, new bonds are formed, friendships forged, and a contentment attained. It's the same each year in this respect. Yes, The ranches have changed, some of the hunters each year are replaced by new ones but the outcome seems to be the same. It is amazing to say the least. Each year has brought fourth great memories that I could never replace. Each year as the dates near, the excitment level grows and I'm never let down. I've never had a hunter at one of these hunts not go away a friend. I can only hope the future remains as bright as we continue in the tradition of the Texas Sweat. Thanks again to all who have attended all the Texas Sweats. "YOU" are the ones who make the hunt what it is! CK

To all the Sweat'rs.....Thanks for sharing all the wonderful tales.I've loved reading every word!!!!(hope they're not done yet)

I'd sure like to see that footage if possible    :thumbsup:    :thumbsup:

Curtis,
The guys put the video together and will be the second show to air.  Their first show should air this sunday at 10 am.  I hear they put a great show together, which included Vincen knapping some arrowheads and your javelina adventure.  I will have them get it to you as soon as they return from editing.
Jerryg

I'd love to see a copy of that!  Of course, it could be a while in the editing booth.....  :bigsmyl:

Thanks Jerry! CK

Thanks guys.....I've really enjoyed ya'lls tales.  Great stuff.....and you guys took home much more than the kills....as it should always be!

WoW! I really enjoy the photos and stories guys.
Sounds like a great time was had by all.
   :thumbsup: