Texas Sweat 2009 - photos & stories

Shaun · February 25, 2009, 06:52:00 PM

I have found the very highest shot opportunity method is to wait, and wait, and wait. If you are going crazy and at least half of your mind is screaming that it is time to get up and move, you are almost there. Soon after you resign yourself to spending the rest of your life in that stupid non productive spot, you will have action.

It is a big help to corn an area and build a blind. Then, keep baiting and wait for the proper wind to hunt the spot. I try to keep my blind at least 5 yards off the spot, preferably 10 yards. It is unbelievably hard to draw an arrow when a hog or javie is so close you can reach out and touch him. The closer you are - the more sensitive they are to movement or noise. This seems to be a geometric inverse. At 50 yards you can move and make small noises. At 20 yards you can move your bow slowly. At 4 yards you cannot blink, breathe or even think to much or they will bolt.

Javelina are a joy to hunt with trad gear. They are cute but alert, comical but dangerous. They just plain make me smile.

Big hogs are a full blown challenge. You might get lucky and stumble into one, but most are taken by experienced hunters who put in the work and woodscraft.

Gotta love Texas in the winter.

LEOPARD · February 25, 2009, 06:52:00 PM

Great thread guys! It looks like you've all had a fantastic hunt! Thanks for sharing!

Look forward to the rest! :D

Terry Green · February 25, 2009, 06:56:00 PM

Good stuff guys....thanks for sharing ...and keep it coming!

Irish · February 25, 2009, 07:42:00 PM

Shawn, I know what you mean by being too close. During the last night of the hunt, I had a big (huge) black boar at 4 yards. I think he heard my heart beating when I was at half draw. That was exciting!!!

wollybear · February 25, 2009, 09:03:00 PM

this is GREAT!! thank you for the pic and story :cool:

Whip · February 25, 2009, 09:37:00 PM

QuoteOriginally posted by Whip:

QuoteOriginally posted by hunt it:
Here is pic of this one. And no my eyes aint alway like this! We took the picture in the dark so flash burned me a little.

I think that should read "only after driving 28 hours straight and downing those fun little pills all the way"

[/b]

hunt it · February 25, 2009, 10:17:00 PM

Now now Joe, I aint never taken any pills to stay awake, thats what Red Bull and full throttle's for. I take those pills to go to sleep. Last time we took pics in dark with everyone's headlamps on and it messed up pics so this time I told Andy to turn out all lights and shoot in dark. I think there is a happy medium someplace there.

tradtusker · February 25, 2009, 11:48:00 PM

pink power

Irish...can you tell :D

tradtusker · February 25, 2009, 11:52:00 PM

cutting the necessary's for Dave's landscaping

how many guys does it take to put up a pop up blind?

tradtusker · February 25, 2009, 11:55:00 PM

how about Larry's 74 pole tent

our pig slaying leader

tradtusker · February 25, 2009, 11:57:00 PM

Well done Mel what a trophy!

tradtusker · February 26, 2009, 12:04:00 AM

action shot for the gang

this big water tank offer a great vantage point, we spend many an hour on it, Ck and i called in a Yote one day from the top.

the wild and woolly mountain man, My dad

tradtusker · February 26, 2009, 12:07:00 AM

My Dad got into the Javi one afternoon and put a monster on the ground

here is a comparison between Robert's and Allan's Javi's heads

tradtusker · February 26, 2009, 12:12:00 AM

And finally a nice one of the Group, minus ken who had to get back to work.

from left to right
back row ;
Allan, Mel, Curtis, Me, John, Robert, Larry
front ;
Frank, Shaun, Dave

all pics above thanks to Allan

Whip · February 26, 2009, 12:13:00 AM

Somebody said it earlier, but it bears repeating. This thread is one of the most well documented photo essays I've ever seen. Outstanding pictures from so many of you!
Thanks!!!!!

Chris Surtees · February 26, 2009, 01:53:00 AM

QuoteOriginally posted by Whip:
Somebody said it earlier, but it bears repeating. This thread is one of the most well documented photo essays I've ever seen. Outstanding pictures from so many of you!
Thanks!!!!!

This is most certainly a good one. Congrats to all of you and thanks for sharing.

CS

Wolfkiss · February 26, 2009, 03:47:00 AM

Great thread, those Javi's sure look like fun!
and great pics.

Thanks

Littlefeather · February 26, 2009, 06:39:00 AM

Seeking shelter before the nightime desert temperatures set in.

My water trough from the last lights shoot-out.

My ever present companion. It's not the same as having Dad film but it documents well.

Another look at Shauns trophy.

Congrats again Shaun.

And something as American as Apple Pie. Jiffy Pop!

You younger guys probably don't know about the original microwave pop-corn that didn't require the microwave. It came in a time when young folks watched "Leave it to Beaver" and "Happy Days" on TV. The Fonze would ride his old Triumph motorcycle into the TV screen as you sit and shake the tin tray of Jiffy Pop over the flame on the stove top. Pop,pop,pop,pop!!! Sure brought back some memories when Dave brought out the ol familiar pop corn from the past. I said "I'm an old pro. Let me make it"........ And the rest history as they say. CK

**DONOTDELETE** · February 26, 2009, 08:07:00 AM

Great stories & Pic's...thanx for sharing.

Guru · February 26, 2009, 08:20:00 AM

Over the years the "Sweat" threads have always been among my favorite of the year. I look forward to it every winter. If this one isn't the best, it certainly is "as good" as any of them.