Well, if it were possible, ( and my wife would agree to it) , I'd start looking for a job down there........I tell you what , I have been going down with my friend since 2001..( since our sons were deemed old enough to shoot a high powered rifle responsibly ) ..they have a great ranch....not a bldg on it, not a power line, not a single paved road....and 20,000 acres to hunt......I guess what is most amazing, is the amount of wildlife it supports, on land that those of us here in SE Missouri , lush green farmland, would never expect it to support. Down there it's cactus, mesquite, and more things with thorns......I am always excited and anxious for that trip each year. We leave at 4 am the day after Christmas.....and stay an average of 7 to 8 days......since my son asks me every year...."Dad, how many "hunts" will we get this year"
I figure the morning and afternoon hunt of each day , as a "hunt"...so , two a day ....this yr , we got 18 hunts...( 9 days worth )......the rule on the Ranch is, one buck........so , scout, do your homework, but once the trigger is pulled......you're done.....he did his this yr....and was very happy with his buck . They don't have a ranch "whitetail manager"......although they have had biologists come in , and estimate the "buck to doe ratio". It is a little high , favoring the does, but not bad outta whack . We do , from time to time, take " trash bucks: off the ranch ...... the ones with genetics that are not favorable.....but usually just a few....I wish I had the ability to invite folks, I tell my son each year, this hunt would cost....______$$$$. I don't even wanna guess. BUt to take a 130 or 140 class buck, with the potential to see a 170 or 180 class.....stay for 9 days, hunt turkey , varmint, hog, and whitetail ,,,,free reign of the ranch ...well.....I bet it would cost 5 K per man , maybe 6......so I count myself lucky.....the cost of an outta state license.....a junior lic for my kid, and some great Mexican food all week....is about what it puts me out.....plus gas on that money saving 15 hour 1000 mile trip.( one way ) No matter, it is a memory with my son, ones he'll keep a lifetime, as will I . As i approach 48 this year....I realize more and more, the value of time. Time to hunt with my son, talk to my daughters, spend time with my brother, and Mom , and cousins and extended family . When all the music stops playing, look around at who's left to help you clean up.....those are the ones that count...make no mistake about it. God has blessed us with the amazing fact of family....we should all relish in it, married, divorced, far away , or right next door....life is what we make it.....so we might as well make it count.
