The first afternoon, last saturday, we hit the ranch running. We were all suited up and geared ready to go within an hour...an orientation from Curtis and off we went.

I had the pleasure of hunting with Ted Fry that afternoon. We slipped down a heavily used trail that ran along the scenic Pecos river. Our hope was to find hogs or javelina the first day. While there was a walkable trail along the river, the second of our team had to bushwack through some pretty heavy cover as we paralleled, only to intersect at senderos every few hundred yards.

 

Everything had a thorn or spine...so after a couple of senderos crossed, Ted offered to switch with me and my river trail    

 

We found lots of sign, all old. We did manage to jump a few deer. One I got to within about 10 yards when my hair stood up on my neck from being watched. I happened to see her ear waggle before she blew out of her bed...it was encouraging to get that close in such heavy cover.

After much walking, we found a lone shade for a bit of a rest. I'm sure Ted will be happy to post a picture of me taking a break to pull cactus spines, so here's one of Ted hard at work...

 

We had a good talk sitting there under the tree. Ted is an open and honest man, a man with the frailty of human nature that makes mistakes and the courage of few to own up to them and move on. I immediately felt a kindred spirit with Ted and his outlook on life and priorities. I'm truly proud to call Ted a friend now and look forward to many more hunts with him.

That's what Texas sweat is all about really... the making of new friends and solidification of old friendships. It was good to be back in the same situation as previous years...

As the first evening fell, we made our way back to camp with Mel "Irish". He had seen some goats but couldn't make it happen. Ted and I found no game, but a new friendship made, gave us reason to smile as we walked anyway.

I named this little guy Bob..........Bob Walker                  (inside joke)

   

Yet another stalk.......

Jeff thinking it over.........

 


Jeff and Tom now talking it over........

 

Terry, these photos are outstanding, especially the one of ...Bob... ....there really pretty, nice country...marco#78

I heard Irish made cabrito...maybe we can hear from him when he recovers from Sweat (and possibly from St. Patty's day!)

My first afternoon at the ranch started with a number of little mishaps.  Thinking we were only hunting a 1/2 day I decide to just take a fanny pack and about 1/2 liter of water.  My fanny pack buckle wouldn't stay closed.  I ended up just tying a knot in the belt & slinging it over my shoulder.  Other mistake was trying to follow Dave "see ya at the next ranch" Stinson     That guy can travel.  Whip & I followed.  We spotted a couple of rams and tried to make a stalk but they were gone before we could get to them.  

Here's Whip climbing:
   

Then on the next mesa we spotted a group of 20+ Spanish goats.  Dave was going to circle around, Whip headed back to try and find the rams, and I cut down toward them trying a push to Dave.

Final mishap of the day...while glassing the goats from one of the top benches, I took my sling pack off not realizing it til I got to the top of the next mesa.  It was too late to go back so I'd just find it tomorrow?  The most important thing in the pack was my hearing aid.  I'm sure everyone was also hoping I'd find it...What, what, what?  Doc

Can't wait to hear more Doc, and maybe see some hero pics.

The pic's look a lot different than last years Sweat.  Nice river...

The next morning I finally found my fanny pack & my hearing  
 

Now I had 2 packs so I decide to head back to camp and re-organise.  Unlike last years sweat, rabbits were scarce but there were a couple popping out in the flats.  

So this is for Herb...we missed you.
 

So, what's the specs on the gear you used to take out that little sucker, Tippit?

Good shootin' there tippit.  Looks like you hit the only soft target around for miles.

Lovin' every word guys......

keep it comming guys i love it.

Don't stop now !!!

Here's a cave that's definitely used by the sheep...the smell and droppings(as you can see) were both THICK!!!

   

Whip: what is that bow you're holding in that pic?
looks nice!

great pics and stories guys - keepem comin.      

Outstanding stuff guys.

Terry what kind of camera are you using? The picture you zoomed in on the goats is a great picture.

JC can we hunt on your new found ranch?

Tippit that knife is beautiful, and your generousity is second to none.

The next day, our first full one, I decided to strike out on my own up the face of what Curtis and Gary called "the lookout" in search of what critters might be on top.

As the sun came up, it afforded a wonderful view of the ranch and the river.

 

 

The view of the lookout from below....

 

From up top...

 

A bit of sidehilling on the greased softballs that passed for footing and I was at the top of the mesa....with goats already all around. Most of the ones I topped out into had lambs in tow however....but I still practiced my sneak and slip to get close anyway. It was good to be in predator mode after too many long days at work.

 

 

Great stuff guys

The end of the first full day brought in a Texas Thunder Boomer with some pretty good winds.  I was back up top stalking those goats I saw the first afternoon.  They were all coming straight for me when the wind started picking up & swerling.  They dropped down one bench under me and I proceeded to make one goat do the Texas Two Step as my arrow went between her legs.  Goats 1 / Doc 0!  That won't be the last time the goats out score me    

The sky got real dark and I went down the mesa as fast as these 61 yr legs could go.  But the old saying at the end of storm...
 
 
 

Terry mentioned the "land mines" we had to make our way through....these were some of the worse cactus I've ever encountered. As he said, what frequently stuck to one heel ended up in the opposite calf   :eek:  

 

As I made my way around the mesa, I found more and more animals. I made a stalk on this "billy" only to find what I was looking at were udders...so I backed back out and got my camera for a pic...she caught me coming back for "coup"

 

Numerous opportunities presented themselves that morning....but for some reason...it just didn't feel right. I was after a big billy so I continued to count coup throughout the morning wiht first my bow by drawing but not releasing then with the camera when I could.

 

 

This one I ambushed in it's feeding lane, passing right by me at about 3 ft. I poked her with my bow tip....and she hollered "NAAAAHHH!!" but never looked up. She thought another goat was horning her! This pic is at about 5-7 yards as she fed my way.