Trad Gang
Topic Archives => Memorable Hunts => Topic started by: Littlefeather on July 16, 2007, 06:22:00 PM
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I wanted to test the waters and see if there are any Father/Son combo's looking to hunt the heat. I've recently acquired a great small game ranch outside of Odessa, Texas. I need to get down there and start working on the ranch. While I am there working I'd like to have a few guests to share the ranch with. I have a great small game population consisting of jack rabbits and desert cottontails. I'd like to see some of our young up-n-coming hunters come down with their Dads to shoot some game and enjoy the sport. We also have a good population of hogs to pursuit as well.
I plan on keeping pricing to a minimum for this hunt if there is enough interest. Probably $125 per day for one Father and one son/daughter. You'd be able to shoot hogs, small game, and varmits for this fee. There is lodging available with shower and toiletry. I'd be looking at dates within the next two to three weeks. Post here and we'll see how many people would be interested. Thanks! Curtis
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I also have an older gentleman which owns and uses hog dogs on an adjacent ranch. You'll be able to utilize his night-time services for an aditional fee. Delbert's dogs are top notch and a hog catch is almost guaranteed. Most nights Delbert catches 3-10 hogs on average. CK
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I am going to talk to my dad about this
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CK,
I am interested and might get it to workout let me know the dates and details.
Mitch/Skyler
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OK, Lets set some dates and see what works for everyone. How about a three day hunt begining at noon on August 9- noon on August 12. Also, we have no ceiling on how many guys can attend. I now have 97 square miles under one ranch ownership. It's all yours to play on. You've just got to make the trip.
If these dates don't work for you and you'd attend on a different set of dates just post what would work. I'll do whatever I can to make this work for the majority. CK
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CK,
That wont work for me. See what works for everyone else and I will talk to my work boss and home boss.
Thanks,
Mitch
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My twin 1 year olds can't wait until they can go huntin' with daddy. Maybe in a few years...
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talking to my dad about dates, I think we might go to this one, we have never gone bow hunting and this would be a great first trip, does the price include licences?
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Sent you an email Mr Keller.
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License fees are $45 per person and are not included. I think youth are different as far as license requirments are concerned. I'll have to do some checking.
Mr Kellar has email? I hope Dad is checking mail.
:saywhat: Heeheeee! I forgot, he isn't "Mr" Kellar either. LOL! Please hold the Misters. I'm Curtis and my Dad is Gary. It's the way we older kids like it. :goldtooth: I'll go check mail now. CK
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Thanks CK, sure glad you got that "Mr." bidness cleared up!!
:clapper: :clapper: :clapper:
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MAn that sounds like a great time. Unfortunatly I can't make it happen. My daughter (11) would love that. It would make the younger kids upset but I'm sure it would be fun.
Is this going to be a one time thing or you thinking about doing it next year? Or waiting to see how things go. TX is a ways for me but it sounds like fun.
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Maybe next year, if you can move it up a tad. My son will be in school by then, and with the drive we couldn't pull it off.
Chad
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CK,
I have 3 boys that would love to shoot at some bunnies, unfortunately (well maybe not too unfortunate) I will be in Africa on those dates. I would certainly love to do something another time.
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This is something I've though several year about. Yes, I want to create an annual event for Parents and their kids in which fun in the sport of hunting archery is the center of the event. I've wanted to do a bunny hunt especially. I've now got the right ranches for the event. I just need kids. If any of you guys have a different set of dates that will work just say so. I'M DOING THIS EVENT even if it's just for one father and one son. CK :banghead:
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How old can the kids be? Doc
(Bowdoc---you might have to shave but those black high top Chuck Converse tennies might get you past the security gate as my kid :bigsmyl:
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You qualify Doc! :thumbsup: :goldtooth:
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my dad and I are still trying to see if we can go, we just have to work out dates
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Heck Ian, just set your own dates. Looks like it's just us so far. Can't wait to way-lay a pile of bunnies. CK
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my dad has not shot a bow in a loooooooong time, and all we do is gun hunt so far, so this will be our first real bow hunt, I'll talk to him today, he travels a lot in his work and it might be too early to tell when we could go, I start school in a month, so if it happens, it will probably be before then
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Curtis, that is the best idea I've heard in a while. Those dates would be a little short notice for me, but would commit firmly to next years event. I have 3 boys ages 5,4 and 2. Next month those ages will be 6,4 and 3, and I think the oldest one and maybe the middle one will be ready. Have you thought about price structure for additional kids or will you restrict it to
one adult/one kid? Thanks!
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Fantastic! I want to host an annual Texas Sweat for kids. I want it to be the largest event ever of it's kind and I want to do it all to get these kids away from the damn computer games and TV and into the world we live for. I've also thought about additional pricing. It is gonna be a very minor fee for youngsters. I have to make a living but I'm simply doing this event because I want to and not as a money maker. If you can't attend this year maybe we can set some dates for next year that will work for everyone. You guys give me some ideas. I don't have kids so I have no clue as to when summer break is. Please speak up so I can get some informed ideas. Thanks! CK
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Curtis, my 8 year old and I are eager for something like this, but those dates probably won't work for us. Anything later would be great, though!
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This is a great idea but is on to short of a notice for this year. I have 2 boys, 12 and 9 years that would love this. I myself have been wanting to do one of your hunts. If I play the card that it is for the boys a "Kitchen Pass" would be a lot easier to get. I hope the offer will be there for next year. School is about to start and football will start in about 1 week.
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I should know in the next few days if we can go, if we did go, it would have to be over a weekend
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TTT
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Woody, I was thinking about you this morning. I was wondering if you'd made the trip safely and if you were ready for a break yet. I'm only about an hours drive to the east southeast of you now. No need to wait till next year to take the boy hunting. I've been wanting to do some night time frog shooting. Think you guys are game for that? Call me 361-648-6059. I'm on a dozer during the day and may not hear the phone. I'll return the call.
Thanks to the rest of you for your input. I'd also like to hear ideas for this event if we do it next year. Dates, etc.? I do have a big swimming pool at one of the ranch houses. That should be great for the kids during the day. I suppose we can do some campfire cooking too for the youngsters. Story time around the fire should be great too. I guess Charlie will need to attend. :D OK, lets hear your ideas! CK
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do grandkids count ?
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Where there ever dates set for this CK?
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Hey CK you bet`cha Charlie will be attending, and in tow he will have"The Hunter Gurl" Sammi with him. She has been in training for awhile now. She will LOVE this!! But like most wont be ready til next yr. What an awesome Idea!!
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I've suggested some dates but they don't seem to be good dates for everyone. Like I said, "choose some dates" and I'll see what I can make work. I need to go to the ranch to get some work done. I need to go reguardless. Pick some dates and we'll go get em!
Ms Bear, Be glad to have the kido help! CK
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Well, This hunt is starting out slow just like the first T-Sweat. We've got a couple of hunters though and we've moved the dates to Aug 2-5. Looks like we'll be hunting the coolest spot in the nation right now. We actually had a high of 78 degrees yesterday. Nice to have a role reversal with you northern boys this time of year. If anyone wants to make last minute plans to attend just drop me an email or post here. CK
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Looks like me and my son sky will be making the hunt. After a timely business trip fell into place and a lot of quick talking with a very wonderful understanding wife things worked out.
Thank you CK for making the trip possible since talking to you I have been out of town on business and my wife said I should wait to tell Sky till I got home. She did not want to deal with a kid flying off the walls for two days.
I am going to tell him this morning when he wakes up. I can not wait to see the look in his eyes. I am sure all you fathers know the one that I am talking about.
Then the hunt begins. My wife made some dinner plans for her and I tonight because she knows we will be organizing and packing then unpacking and reorganizing then shooting.......... all weekened and she wanted to "see" me with out a bow in my hands.
I will try to get some pics as Sky has yet to make his first kill.
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ACTION UPDATE!!!!!!!!!!!
Just talked to CK by phone and they are having an absolute shootout on this place near Odessa, TX.
Curtis's grandson Jake has taken his very first bowhunting trophy within the first hour of being on the ranch. He opened with a giant west Texas Jackrabbit that Curtis said was half as big as Jake. He's also hit several others but these guys are so big they just take the hit, roll around a little, get up and look back at you then amble on off like nothing happened.
Mitch Walker (MW on this thread) from Utah arrived this morning with his seven-year old son named Sky. Before they even got to the camphouse Sky had already taken numerous shots and had knocked one down, but not out. Bet that got things stirring for Mitch!
Both the young hunters are eager to hunt all day and night and I'm sure will return home with enough stories to last a lifetime. Wouldn't you like to be a fly on the wall at the dinner table tonight!!
If indeed this materializes into an annual event as Curtis has planned, then Mitch, Sky and Jake will become the seasoned veterans that will be "Telling the Tales". I guess we'll have to start a "Little Brothers of the Bow" event.
Congratulations to the proud father and grandfather. You'll long remember the days.
POP
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:bigsmyl: :notworthy: Way to go Fellas...
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Awesome update "Pop" Kellar.......hope to do this hunt with Cade in a few years....Thanx
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Yeah, give my kids a few more years too.
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my dad and I are making plans to come to this and the sweat next year, this year was just too short notice
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This sounds like a great hunt. I'm hoping that in the future my son and I can make one of these hunts. I wonder what the laws are regarding hunter safety for the young hunters.
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What are the EATIN :goldtooth:
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Update as of 2:15PM Saturday, August 04, 2007:
Both the young bowhunters (Jake and Sky) have now taken well over a hundred shots and have scored on numerous bunnies each and are more excited now than when they arrived. Sky, at seven years old, has taken two at over twenty yards! It’s going to be tough to get these guys slowed down enough to get them loaded for the trip home tomorrow.
Mitch and Sky have been on Hog stalks on two or three occasions but have yet to be able to get into an acceptable shooting situation to get shots. They also got into a bunch of Javelina last evening, but before they could get a shot off, were busted by some of the previously unseen members of the pack.
Everyone has been into Hogs today but no shots have been taken yet. I’ll bet there’s meat on the pole this evening.
Curtis said there’s a 250# Boar bedding within forty yards of the camp house that they’ve been attempting to catch at home, but haven’t been successful yet.
Large populations of ground squirrels and prairie dogs and one big fat 5’ Rattler have provided other action. Tremendous numbers of Blue (Scaled) Quail will provide lots of additional action in the immediate future.
This is for Iron Bull: Country Style Ribs, Baby Back Ribs, Dry Sausage, Hot Dogs and Bacon & Eggs.
Curtis said he has some great pictures to post late Sunday or early Monday.
POP
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DRY SAUSAGE :eek: :eek: Them little Rascals :help: :help:
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DANGIT!!!!!!!
I haven't been on the computer for awhile and my 10 year old and I would have made this for sure! :banghead:
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Shame on you Scott! You and the boys could have been included in pix like these.
(http://www.tradgang.com/upload/ck/Openprariebunny.JPG)
(http://www.tradgang.com/upload/ck/Jakedrawsbunny.JPG)
(http://www.tradgang.com/upload/ck/JakesJack.JPG)
(http://www.tradgang.com/upload/ck/Skysneek.JPG)
(http://www.tradgang.com/upload/ck/Skybunny.JPG)
I'll have plenty to say about these young up-n-coming Bow Legends tomorrow. Exhaustion has set in and I still have to unload and mow the yard. Hope the pics put a big smile on your bowhunting face!!!! I smiled every time one of these youngsters flung an arrow! Good night. CK
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:bigsmyl: :notworthy: Congrats to the group of hunters and the Guides, Nice job fellas.
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Now thats what it is all about. Getting them young fellows started.
Congratulations young men, great shooting.
Great Job Curtis for doing this.
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Sky and I just got in after a looonnngggg day.
We stopped by my mother and father in laws on the way home from the airport and Sky had to pace out and act out every kill.
Tarantula's, scorpions, bunnies, pigs oh my.
I will try to post some pics latter. My wife says we stink and need to unpack.
CK the smile is still plastered on Sky's face and you should see the look on his litte sister Sierra's face during the story telling!
He says he's going for sure next year.
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:saywhat: :eek:
Killdeer :wavey:
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AWESOME PHOTOS!!!
Great job, Curtis. Man, I'm proud of those boys and they aren't even my kids. Love the one of the young man making the stalk on the rabbit in the road.
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Mom just said,"If your big enough to go kill bunnies, your big enough to get ready for bed yourself.... and use soap in the shower!"
I did not tell her about the ticks!
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Curtis, Great pic's....... :thumbsup:
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Curtis does a much better job with the pictures than I do but........
(http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w8/GMW2/FatherSonTexasbunniehunt2007029.jpg)
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Boys will be boys
(http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w8/GMW2/FatherSonTexasbunniehunt2007030.jpg)
Knotice the tracks in the back ground. Pigs and javies were using this road.
(http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w8/GMW2/FatherSonTexasbunniehunt2007032.jpg)
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Simply awesome idea by Curtis!
Nothing better than kids and bows. Every pic brings a smile to my face......
I can't wait to see more :clapper:
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Hee hee! I love the spider's double-fuzzy threat display! :thumbsup:
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Killie,
The mom in this house is happy as long as they were nowhere near her. She thinks if we're dumb enough to to go play with them we should get what we deserve.
Look at that smile on CK. Taking boys into the outdoors does not get too much better.
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Great pics..simply great. Congrats to the young hunters! :thumbsup: :notworthy:
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I guess I will start off the story.
Sky and I flew into San Antonio a couple of days early so I could do some business. We started off to West Texas first thing in the morning on Thursday. I had talked to Curtis the day before and had good enough directions to get lost in the general vacinity of the right place. The plan was to be there around 12:00. If a no show by 1:00 he would come to the four way stop and look for us. If nothing by 2 go to town for cell range.
When you are in a hotel room with a 7 year old monkey the night before his first ever hunt not much slleping gets done so we got a much earlier start than intended.
About three hours into the drive it started to pour down rain. I mean pull over to the side of the road cuz your wippers can't keep up kind of rain.
I thought this was west Texas!
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Well, we got going again and soon arrived with no problem. We arrived earlier than expected and suprized Curtis.
Afer a little bit of talk it was determined that we would go out to check the property. The gear exploded out of the bags as there was a mad rush with Sky and I stringing bows and getting arrows.
The boys scrabled into the back of Curtis' truck with a kid in the candy store kind of look about them. The "boys" in the front wore the same look.
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The rain had washed away all sign of life. There were no tracks to be found in the soft ground. The air smelled fresh and new the way it does after a rain. The first place we stopped was the front water hole by the tower. We eased up on it but there were no tracks. The were obvious places were pigs hung out under the brush.
As we were checking out the beds a jack rabbit showed it's self. It was on!
Boys and dads went on point.
And so it begins.
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Yep, The Jack took off over the sand dune with a small army of rabbit hungry, arrow flinging madmen in pursuit. Looking back it must have looked like an old version of Keystone Cops gone really bad. Anyway, after a fast and furious run in circle routine Jake found first blood-----ever! This was his first bunny and I was within ten yards to see the miracilous event unfold. The arrow actually connected! HeeHeee! It was as cool as it gets!!!!
In this desolate region of West Texas there is about 6" of measurable rainfall a year. Recently it's been recieving about 6" a day with little variation. This trip was right on track. The problem is that rainfall is very foreign here and acts like Kryptonite against the animals. When it would stop raining the animals still wouldn't come out to play like normal. Once it dried off though everything came to life. We were there to see it.
(http://www.tradgang.com/upload/ck/Moose.JPG)
Oooopps! Wrong animal!
Lets see....We had a little forky Mulie pose for a few shots before he became bored and went back to eating.
(http://www.tradgang.com/upload/ck/MitchMulie.JPG)
(http://www.tradgang.com/upload/ck/PanaramaMulie.JPG)
Then the boys spotted a bunnies and had to show us their stalking skills.
(http://www.tradgang.com/upload/ck/JakestalkBunny.JPG)
(http://www.tradgang.com/upload/ck/Jakestalk2.JPG)
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I love these action, over-the-shoulder shots!
(http://www.tradgang.com/upload/ck/Jakedraws.JPG)
See the bunny under the bush? I'd say he's pretty safe although he is about to get a good scare! :bigsmyl:
(http://www.tradgang.com/upload/ck/Jakebunnyclose.JPG)
I'll post a few more this evening. I hope to see you and your kids next year to share in our fun! CK
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CK...one of the coolest hunts ever!! Hope to be there next year.
Great idea getting updates from "Pops". Not only doing something for the youngsters, but envolving a real old guy as well. :D
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Ha!!
"Real Old Guy"?!?! Boy, that's the Pot calling the Kettle Black!
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WOW!!! That looks like a kick in the pants!!! Some unforgettable memories being made there. Congrats to all!!!! Those pics are priceless!!
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man you guys have way to much fun. :biglaugh:
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You betcha! Fun was an understatment. Kinda funny that there aren't many responses here on this thread but my email is working hard keeping up with the Dad's wanting to know details for next years event. Maybe we'll call it "Kid Sweat", A youth style Texas Sweat. Way cool! Can't wait to host this event. CK
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Way to cool.....the excitement must have been tough to contain for sure.....what a wonderful thing you've started here Curtis. :thumbsup: Congrats to both Jake and Sky, this is a trip that will not be forgotten, I for one can't wait to read more.....
David
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(http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w8/GMW2/FatherSonTexasbunniehunt2007018.jpg)
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Thanks for a great hunt Cutis.
My little guy with Curtis. He got his first ever kill with any weapon on this hunt.
(http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w8/GMW2/FatherSonTexasbunniehunt2007020.jpg)
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CK, that sure looks like fun. Kudos for a great idea and putting smiles on young hunters.
I'm headed to SA this weekend, but a fast round trip to deliver a box trailer of household possesions to a friend who just moved there. I'd stop and say hey, but am riding in another fellow's truck and just helping with driving. A quick check on Lady Bird's roadside flower plantings and a plate full of Rudy's BBQ then back to Iowa.
Really looking forward to spending some time with 7th Age this winter after I get the local deer whipped into shape.
Man on man, that's gotta be a P&Y jack and a fine shot placement. Nice!
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Mitch and Curtis, That is hard to beat. Congrats fellas. :thumbsup:
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Man I love this thread!!
Any more pix?
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So, as soon as I turned on my cell phone leaving on Sunday morning I found out that my wife, her parents, and my two little girls 2 months and four years old were in a major car crash on Friday. They are all ok with only my mother in law going to the hospital but the other driver who rearended them as they were going 30 totaled his truck and is still in the hospital.
She has created a new house rule:
When I go off hunting I have to give a more specific location than "west texas"
Hard to argue.
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Wow,glad everyone's alright :thumbsup:
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I pray for everyones speedy recovery from their accident.
As for you, you'll get used to the shorter leash. :D
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Great thread......nice way to end a day.
The pics were grand let me tell ya........what fun for the little ones. I'm sure this hunt will be etched in their minds forever.
Congrats to you Curtis, I'm sure you enjoyed it just as much as the kids.
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If anyone doubts how fast Curtis can move, you should see him spot a snake!
(http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w8/GMW2/FatherSonTexasbunniehunt2007015.jpg)
Someones getting a bow backing.
(http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w8/GMW2/FatherSonTexasbunniehunt2007016.jpg)
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Now that looks like fun!
:campfire: :archer:
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Skyler,
We'll have to get the skylers together and shoot sometime. My Skyler is always checking out your posts. As soon as he can pull a little more weight he wants to give the sting rays a go like you did.
Maybe we'll see you at the bunny hunt next year!
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Thanks guys!
It's ironic that we grown-up's feel like we gain so much with age. We feel that we gain knowledge, intelligence, and are generally much wiser due to the years we've invested here. It's only unfortunate that we loose so much as we age as well. Something about seeing a hunting trip through a young mans eyes reminds me of how much I've lost in my ability to dream and imagine. I was definitely reminded of this as the sounds of the daily "practice session" wafted through the open windows of the camp house. "I'm gonna shoot the javelina", Sky says aiming his bow and arrow toward the empty milk jug laying on it's side at ten yards. "I'm gonna shoot the rabbit", Jake says as he releases a shortened arrow of my bygone days at the empty plastic soda bottle. "Wack", the sound of an arrow finding it's mark seems to have placed as smile on my face as I continued to clean the camp house. Yea, I remember those days when the carefree romp through the vacant lot at the edge of town was really an African adventure in pursuit of the most dangerous of game. I too remember the days when the dreams of actually connecting with one of those elusive Jack Rabbits came to pass along the standing rows of milo in one of my Uncle Leroy's fields. It was one of the proudest days I can remember, carrying that enormous rabbit back to the house was the icing on a cake which has quelled my hunger for this awesome sport for more years than I now care to remember. Todays Jack Rabbits are tomorrows big game. My first Jack is still big game after all these years. I hope these guys remember their first the way I've remembered mine. I can still smell the fertile ground of the farming land I stood on the day my first fell. Here's the last pic I have to post. Arrow in flight. Will it connect? I think it already has. :bigsmyl:
(http://www.tradgang.com/upload/ck/Arrowfly.JPG)
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It sure looks like it's on target!
(http://www.tradgang.com/upload/ck/Arrowfly2.JPG)
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Thanks for sharing this great hunt Curtis....hope we can make it with my boys sometime.
Love the action shots with the boys....
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ABOULETLY FATASTIC......Grandpa and Mitch :thumbsup:
Did they EAT WELL :goldtooth:
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Awesome...man I need to find more time to check in here more often. Way too much going on this time of year. Congrats to all of you and many thanks to Curtis for providing a positive outlet for the youngsters.
-Brian
www.bowyersjournal.com (http://www.bowyersjournal.com)
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I am amazed how they know which ones are the father and son rabbits.... :knothead:
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Man, I've got to adopt me a son! (Or give my daughter and son-in-law and insturction manual on how to get me a grandson :readit: ) What a great trip that looks like :thumbsup: Wish I was ten again!
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Just got a chance to look at the pix. You know...those boys may go on to hunt bears and moose and whatnot....but I believe they will ALWAYS carry these memories around as some of the greatest times. Things like this, where they are allowed...and encouraged...to get out there and try are what allows them to grow. Look how well they did !
ChuckC
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CK, cant wait for the sweat, my dad is getting back into shootinng a bow so we can be ready, save some rabbits for us!
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great stuff. now you just need a husban and wife hunt. :)
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Great hunt guys, hats off to you Curtis. For giving them the time of there lives. Unforgetable memories to last there life times, with old dad no less!!! :thumbsup: :campfire:
Brent
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Can't leave this wonderful thread on pg 2.......