First buck of the season..

[markc]

Not my biggest buck horn wise, but very large body wise..  Also took a piney woods 7pt last Sat morning in all that wind.  Will try to post a picture of him too.

Also took a nice turkey at my Carta Valley place, but didn't get a picture of him.  Tere were 13 turkeys that came out in front of my ground blind.  Gonne be good smoked...

[Graybeard]

Nice enough buck Mark. What all critters have you seen out at the new ranch so far?

[Bugflipper]

Boy that's a fat sucker. Good job

[Mohawk]

  Nice buck, Mark. Nice body on him. Haven't had a body like that this year come in. Where are you hunting now?

[markc]

GB, on our last trip I saw a good number of wild mouflon down in our deep valley.  One nice fat ram was butting heads with a smaller one.  Our neighbor to the north of our fence line just emailed me and said she saw 3 axis bucks, two of which were small and one shooter that passed through too quickly for a shot.

Then the folks across the ranch road said that during bow season they actually saw an elk too far out for a shot.  No doubt those big high fenced places lost that one at some point.   

Saw lots of turkeys, and hear them gobble pretty much every morning as they come off the roost to our south fence line.  I shot one in November and plan to smoke those breasts in my smoke house soon..

We saw a good number of whitetail, but mostly all young bucks and does.  Was told that there are a couple of large mouflon rams with nice curls and flared out horns.  I haven't seen one like that, but if I do, he will likely get shot..

Mohawk, OMG you are still alive...   That fat buck was shot at our lease outside Ozona in Crockett Co.  It is our last season there, since we bought the Carta Valley land.  He was a beast to load in the Rhino by myself.  I nearly had a heart attack trying to get him loaded.  Plan on some type of loader before next season..



Not a good picture of buck #2.  You can see my left over hurricane Ike gas cans in the back ground better than the deer.  Gotta get my wife some photo lessons.   He had some wierd horns, 7 pts not well developed, but typical of what we've seen over the years on that Waller Co lease..

GB, the tract behind us is for sale out there.  It is 88.89 acres, two deep draws, good number of oaks.  It's going for $995 pr acre I think.  You interested in a little Texas ranchette?   I would be glad to keep it up and running for you.  Then you could make a trip down, hunt, head home with your Tx deer or exotics...

[Graybeard]

I'd love to Mark but don't see how I could handle payments on it at this time. Had I not just bought a new SUV the money I'm paying on that might could have gone to such a purchase. That figures out to about $88,500 roughly and I sure can't come up with that kinda money right now.

[markc]

I can't either GB.  We tried to figure a way to just add it to our place, but the monthly note would be way too high for us.   Oh well, maybe it won't sell, ever. 

[Mohawk]

  Mark! Congrats on the property!! I just read the thread. That should be a great area. Should be some good exotics in the area too. I got a couple this year the first week in November. Buck and doe, just meat deer with my S &W Model 28 .357 but nothing with a body like yours. Average hill country deer. Good eating though. I finally have Zach eating venison. It took a little coaxing but if you make it like fried steak fingers he loves it, which is good, because with his level of Autism they normally pick one favored food and tend to stick with it. He's almost 7 and still not talking so, we'll see. Thought about taking him to a Christmas party next week to meet my "Big Boss", the state elected one but I'm not sure if he's ready for that yet. An Autistic melt-down from too much outside stimulation would not go over well..lol.  Other than that, just been working. Hope your family is doing well. God bless ya'll and I hope you enjoy your new investment. You're still welcome for hunt in Marble Falls, just let me know you're comin!!

[markc]

Mohawk, good to read that Zach is doing well.  You might be interested in this.  I got it approved for our entire department to receive mandatory inservice training next cycle, Sept 1, 2009-Aug 31, 2010 to receive 4 hrs of Law Enforcement Response to autism (ASD)and Dementia/Alzheimers Disease.  2 hr blocks on each section.  The 2 hrs on autism I did for the state mandated 3841, went over really well.  I had it for our CIT officers as well, and it already has paid off in several situations that could have gone terribly bad otherwise..

[Mohawk]

  That's great to hear, Mark! Law enforcement is making great strides toward a growing problem. And I think that you were a good choice to be placed in that position. We've hunted together and you are a good man. Actually, I wish you were in charge of it.This was Zach's first season in the "Miracle League"  baseball organization here in Austin. Do a search and look at their website. It's awesome. It is a special needs league and was heavily contributed to by Nolan Ryan who paid for the field to be constructed. The field is even made of a special rubber type stuff that when the kids fall they don't risk injury. It's a great set up. Each player has a "helper" to assist them in batting, fielding, etc. Most helpers are voluteer high school kids and they do a great job and show a lot of patience. God bless them, good kids there...
  After every game you thank God you have the mentality, physical mobility, and fuctions that you have, because after watching 40 kids with disabilities that don't, it is very sobering. I pray every morning and night for Zach and the other kids that have to fight for what they have to offer to the world. But, we, as special needs parents, are here to make sure they get to where the good Lord wants them, and support, love, and encourage them along the way. Many parents cry themselves to sleep at night, I'm no exception, due to the disabilities of their child. We are told to pray, and pray often, so that's what I do.
 

[markc]

Mohawk,  hang in there partner.  I'm sure it is 24-7 trying and stressful.  We are praying with you and Zach...

[Mohawk]

  I will, Mark. We are never given more than we can handle. My prayers are answered by him showing up when he is supposed to, checking his spelling, working on his speech, and making sure his pizza is in the oven. He is my gift, and for that I am thankful. Just wanted to say, thank you for what you do. Faith heals all things. I never give up...... just waiting my turn.