Solana Ranch -What a ride into the New Year

[IndianaBowman]

Great buck Izzy! Congratulations.

[SKYLER W]

It was great to see many old friends and to meet many new ones on this hunt! Dad and I left our house at around nine o clock Monday morning to begin the 14 hour drive to Solana Ranch. We drove all day and made it to Longview, TX to stay for the night. I called Curt to see if he was having any luck finding a flight, but still nothing. I got a text message at 3:34 a.m. from Curt saying that he'd found a flight!! I was so excited that I didn't get much sleep from then on      

 We got up the next morning to drive the remaining three and a half hours to the ranch. We arrived at around 11 o clock and got our stuff unpacked. So I went off to find David Shepperd (our guide/good friend/rabbit whisperer...more on that later). David said that I could go with him and Peanut to go put up some new tripods and set some "death traps". So we went and put up 2 tripods and saw several deer, one very wide 6 point, and 3 turkeys. When I got back to camp, more and more people started showing up, including Larry Surtees, who I was very glad to see. After everyone who was getting there that night arrived, we went and ate supper, then came back to camp and sharpened broadheads, told hunting stories, and anxiously waited for Curt to arrive. When I saw the headlights, I jumped up and ran outside! After all the hellos and some more hunting talk, we went to bed to get a good nights rest.

The next moring, everyone went into town to eat breakfast and buy hunting licences. The rest of the day while waiting for huntig time, Everyone got there bows out and did a little shooting. Dad decided he was going to climb up in a tripod to see if he could shoot out of it. He drew his new Black Widow bow that he had just traded for, andchored, released...POP!! Everyone looks up and half of dads bowstring is laying broken on the ground. . .He was lucky enough that Larry had an extra string that he could use. After more shooting, everyone Geared up to get ready for the first afternoon hunt and to listen to Terry's little "speech"                  


   

[Jack Guard]

My Christmas Wish came true.  I made it home on the 24th to surprise my two little boys.  

Prior to my arrival in the states and after several e-mails, i was to hunt in Chris's spot.  Man talk about nervous.  That all gave way to excitement and spastic planning.  I had a plane ticket to arrange, license to buy, coordination with elkken on a ride to the ranch.  Then had to apply some new arrow wraps and double dogs from onestringer (thanks Scott and Mindy), fletch arrows, sharpen broadheads, pratice shooting, begin packing.  Oh, did i mention there was Christmas and two little boys that missed their father.  

Caught the plane on the morning of the 28th.  Bumped into Terry in Atlanta and meet up with Izzy, Terry, Staybow and Larry in the Austin Airport.  Quick stop by Wallyworld to buy Izzys License and i am there.  

We hung out around the ranch house and got to know everyone and shoot our bows.  We had a great dinner at Johnny's Steaks and Bar Be-Que that evening.  

Slept in and ate Brunch out in Solado the next afternoon.  

By 3 the afternoon of the 29th we were in our first stands.
 





This was my first visitor of the trip.

I enjoyed watching him and 5 does and a young fork horn.
 

[Jack Guard]

Oh hey, i forgot to add.  

Yep, that's me with the crazy beard.

And mostly, you all missed out.  There were some first class, amazing folks on this trip.  

Many of you know this already but i have now learned it first hand.  

And guys...this is my new Trad Archery Hero.  

Fantastic stuff so far guys! Congrats to Izzy and Wile! Again, I'm really glad I got to come aout and meet/visit with y'all. Can't wait for the rest of the stories and pics.

Bisch

[BowHuntingFool]

Pretty cool....congrats brothers!

[glenbo]

Great deer Izzy.Congratulations

[Hopewell Tom]

A bit of a side note, somewhat off topic, but since it was already mentioned.... that's not gray, it's SILVER in Mr. Guard's hair. Some people have trouble  with that distinction.
GREAT read, thanks for the effort.

[Guru]

Jack, It was so good to finally shake your hand my friend    

I'd say you made the right decision not shooting that young ten pt. the first evening      

Skyler is my hero as well...I've hunted with Skyler a few times now, everytime he just impresses me more and more. At 15 yrs. old, he's the "real deal" and he "gets it".

Not to mention he's a flat out KILLER!

[Keith Karr]

Great buck Izzy! Enjoying the pictures and story from everyone.

[bow loving man]

Sounds like a great adventure, can't wait to hear 'the rest of the story'...Nice buck Izzy! Congrats...bring on the story telling....

[dbishop]

Looks like ya'll had a great time. I am enjoying the pictures.  It was great to meet all of the guys there on Friday.

Terry posted a picture of the two guides Mike and Gary.  Do any of you remember Gary's last name?  Would it happen to be "Trapp"?

Take care
Dave

[Terry Green]

I'd like for all the hunters to check in on the Solana forum reguarding the Saturday Ceremony please.....and next years possible date change to October.

[Guru]

Originally posted by SKYLER W:
[QB]



Looks like I got caught shooting right handed!  There was a couple real good reasons I had to try that bow...

[J-dog]

Simply amazing yall sure more good stuff to come!.

Curt, what kind of bow is that your shooting (right handed?)

Jason

[paleFace]

I was wondering about you shooting righty Curt! would that be the same Kwik Styk that was in a previous picture lying on Terry's bed?

[Whip]

Fantastic stuff guys - looking forward to the rest. It's plain to see there was something really special going on last week.

[Terry Green]

Originally posted by Whip:
It's plain to see there was something really special going on last week.

You have no idea......YET!!!

[Arwin]

Good stuff!!!  

[Guru]

Jason, It's a right handed Kwik Styk...

How about a few pix of the rugged beauty of the Solana ranch...
•  
•  

Check this out...These prickly pears are no joke!
•  
•  

These are worse than the big needles...
•  


•  
•  

Not sure what kind of rock this is, but it's all over the ranch..kinda look like skulls...
•