Post by: ber643 on April 25, 2010, 07:55:00 PM
I was to make both of the hunters one of my custom Turkey wingbone calls and present them to them at the hunt, as an additional benefit of the package. When I got there I mentioned that I guessed I'd get my camera out and take a pic or two. Don told me that I'd better, as that was a part of my duties also - taking pics and writing up the pictorial report - he's such a kidder :D . Actually, my pleasure.
Another added feature of the hunt was that Don's friend (and a professional chef), Corey Matson, of NC would come and add to the pleasure with his significant skills. Boy did he ever do that! Yummy for the tummy - in spades!
The pics gave me a little trouble on PhotoBucket today, as PB kept locking up. I finaly Figured out it would work but only let me upload 5 pics at a time. That was the holdup on this post. I'm ready now, and will do the best I can, in 5 photo increments here also (as usual). I hope y'all enjoy it.
The hunt was to take place at/near Ft, Barnwell, a small community in beautiful NC farm country not too far from where Don and I live. The farm was bought by Don's Father, Tom and some friends quite some years back. They built a fine hunting camp on it and lease the fields to local farmers. We'll take some looks at it in the following pics.
Hang in there, everyone, and please bear with my losey spelling and poor memory ;)
Post by: rastaman on April 25, 2010, 07:59:00 PM
Post by: jcar315 on April 25, 2010, 08:17:00 PM
Post by: ber643 on April 25, 2010, 08:24:00 PM
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v689/ber643/0313/FtB2010001.jpg)
Turn around and look across the yard out towards some of the fields, bordered by woods areas:
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v689/ber643/0313/FtB2010002.jpg)
Our more than "Host With The Most", the "batman" himself. Don was the man behind the original idea and the planer/executor of it all. IMO he couldn't have done a better job or made a more pleasant hunt. Here he is teaching a "samich" it's main purpose in life. He'll probably appreciate me catching him with his mouth full:
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v689/ber643/0313/FtB2010003.jpg)
On the inside, in the excellantly appointed kitchen area, Don and Corey discuss the technical workings of the coffee maker - very important stuff here, for sure:
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v689/ber643/0313/FtB2010004.jpg)
This is the "bunk house", an attached room housing about 20 bunks with innerspring mattresses, and two (count 'em, 2) full bathrooms. Fine, comfortable quarters - and that's just the start of it:
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v689/ber643/0313/FtB2010005.jpg)
(More to come)
Post by: Don Batten on April 25, 2010, 08:27:00 PM
I will say that we had a blast. I had met Michael down at pig camp. His son Woods is a pleasure to be around and a good hunter for his age (10). He was shootin Bernie's/my widow better than we were. I was really flatterd when he called me mister Marty a couple of times. Guess I'm a nicer guy than I thought.
Food was great. company was better. Hunting was ok too. I snapped a few pics I'll try to load up tomarrow. Alright Bernie, you got the floor
Post by: Bel007 on April 25, 2010, 08:31:00 PM
Post by: ber643 on April 25, 2010, 08:34:00 PM
Post by: John Dill on April 25, 2010, 08:39:00 PM
Post by: Bowferd on April 25, 2010, 09:04:00 PM
Post by: ber643 on April 25, 2010, 09:05:00 PM
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v689/ber643/0313/FtB2010006.jpg)
The side and front walls show a beautiful well-made fireplace, and more treasured mementos and mounts, adding to the beauty and atmosphere of the "camp":
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v689/ber643/0313/FtB2010007.jpg)
We'll see more of the main room and its walls in following pics. Here is young Woods, a fine good-natured, well-behaved youngster that is raring to go all the time. You don't see one rise up so ready to go early in the AM all the time, as this one does. We had just met and I told him to give me a smile - another great kidder - LOL:
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v689/ber643/0313/FtB2010008.jpg)
Mike, Corey (sitting), and Don discuss plans for the afternoon and the evening hunt - or were they talking about fishing near Charlestown, SC? There was plenty of varied and interesting conversations about mutual interests, I can tell you that:
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v689/ber643/0313/FtB2010009.jpg)
Along about then, Don and I decided it was a good time to present my calls to Mike and his son. Here, they (and I) are beaming after the presentation. They were most appreciative and again it was my pleasure. I think Don got another pic also:
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v689/ber643/0313/FtB2010010.jpg)
(More to come.)
Post by: HARL on April 25, 2010, 09:25:00 PM
Post by: ber643 on April 25, 2010, 09:46:00 PM
Corey spent a lot of time (no wasted time or movements though - a pleasure to watch him perform his considerable skill) in the kitchen, even though he does a lot of pre-preperation of the basic steps befor hand, Here he starts to cook the delicous Alligator Stew. Using the great looking meat from the 9+foot gator he shot, in SC, with his trad bow:
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v689/ber643/0313/FtB2010011.jpg)
Corey is always up, interested, and intense at listening or showing - a real pleasure to be around. He said, "Here, get a picture of how quick and nice that ('gator) meat browns. That's how you tell when meat is fresh!" Sure makes a pretty picture:
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v689/ber643/0313/FtB2010012.jpg)
Corey and Don discuss the finer points of discussin':
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v689/ber643/0313/FtB2010013.jpg)
The fine point of the hunt, that Mike bid so much worthy finacial help for the Children of St. Jude hospital for, was that both he and son, Woods (with Don as his personal guide), got a jake Turkey for their first ones of an NC limit. Now due to our agreement on this site we can't talk too much about those, but let's just say it was justly deserved, for a greay cause - and after that, they got down to business and tried for number 2 with their bows. Unfortunately, the Turkeys quit cooperating just about then.
In any event, Don demonstrated to Mike the prceedure for plucking a bird quickly, and cleanly, by dipping the bird in boiling water first. As batman said, it takes longer to boil the vat of water, than it does to pluck the bird. Even as it cools it still gives up it's feathers easily. (Way my Pop used to do it, way back when, too.):
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v689/ber643/0313/FtB2010014.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v689/ber643/0313/FtB2010015.jpg)
(More to come)
Post by: ber643 on April 25, 2010, 09:51:00 PM
I'm close to half way through so anyone who doesn't stay up that late may have to catch up in the AM - but i will try my best to stay awake and finish tonight - :coffee: :jumper:
Post by: ber643 on April 25, 2010, 10:20:00 PM
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v689/ber643/0313/FtB2010016.jpg)
After the repast folks spread out for easy livin' - not sure if it was a "gas" thing, or what - LOL
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v689/ber643/0313/FtB2010017.jpg)
Then Don and Woods settled in for a bout of their continuing game of "football", played with folded triangles of paper. I think Don stayed a little ahead all weekend but Woods did beat his Dad (for the first time) once during the period.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v689/ber643/0313/FtB2010018.jpg)
Saturday there was a lot of bow competition going on, between hunts. Don got Woods to shooting the bow he has so generously loaned me (to try to get me shooting more consistently). As Don said in his post, Woods was yanking that bow back and really making some fine shots (I went and hid - LOL). Actually I just stayed on the camera - duty calls, you know:
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v689/ber643/0313/FtB2010019.jpg)
Woods at full draw (for my Traditional Bows At Full Draw pages of my web site), with "my" Black Widow:
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v689/ber643/0313/FtB2010020.jpg)
(More to come.)
Post by: ber643 on April 25, 2010, 10:38:00 PM
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v689/ber643/0313/FtB2010021.jpg)
And Don at Full Draw with one of his Ricky Welch bows (also for my pages - LOL):
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v689/ber643/0313/FtB2010022.jpg)
More competition:
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v689/ber643/0313/FtB2010023.jpg)
Competition pics, shots, and chatter:
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v689/ber643/0313/FtB2010024.jpg)
Finally Woods fertile mind came up with a shot off the top of another target, so Don told him to go in and get an apple and that they'd do some William Tell shots off the Turkey target. Woods was away in a flash, and back. The "Target":
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v689/ber643/0313/FtB2010025.jpg)
(More to Come.)
Post by: ber643 on April 25, 2010, 11:09:00 PM
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v689/ber643/0313/FtB2010026.jpg)
A lot of close shots from all three of our erstwhile archers but only one (of Don's) arrows actually clipped the apple:
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v689/ber643/0313/FtB2010027.jpg)
After the next "volly" of shots were fired, and retrieved, I got them to leave thr one perfect arrow in "the target" - also one of Don's. Respectable shooting by all though:
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v689/ber643/0313/FtB2010028.jpg)
Yes, I did some practice too but it was off a stool, at about ten yards, such as I would stand a chance of getting in the blind Don had set up for me. I got to hunt Fri eve and Sat AM and eve. I didn't see any turkeys but I sure enjoyed being out there in a perfect spot to see one (or more). It just wasn't in the books this time. I did get to see a couple Owls fly by, a beauty of a big red Fox Squirrel, and a Nuthatch came and kept flitting between a window "sill" of my blind and a small bush right in front. He kept cocking his head at me and entertaining me for about 5 minutes or more. I wonder if he was trying to tell me something? - LOL I believe Don took some pictures from the blinds, with Woods, but I didn't take a camera out hunting with me - on purpose. I did see a jake on Sunday morning as I was headed home. Right after I got about a mile from the Camp gate. He crossed the road in front of me from a field to the woods. I couldn't help but laugh and I told him that he was a day late and a dollar short. I really loved it all though.
This is a picture of an arial picture on the wall in the camp. It shows the property. The river line in the middle background is the back property line and most of the width is included. Neat to have it on the wall:
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v689/ber643/0313/FtB2010029.jpg)
(Just a few more to come, now.)
Post by: ber643 on April 25, 2010, 11:39:00 PM
Three more pictures for my part.
On Sat evening we were treated to a sumptuous supper, prepared by Corey. Prime Rib Roast, Baked Butternut Squash, Special Baked Potatoes in tinfoil, and a raw carrot salad with Corey's special citric fruit juce flavoring, topped off with a fantastic Bannana pudding. For this meal Don's Father and his wife Wendy, Don's wife Trish, their son Bryan and his son Taylor, and also their son William with his girlfriend Wendy (not a typo) had been invited to join us. Also John Dill and his wife Cindy but sadly they couldn't make it.
It's not often you get a bevy of beautiful women to join you in a hunt camp. At the head of the table, Don's Father, Tommy and Mike to his right. To Tommy's left, his wife Wendy. Down from her is William's girlfriend Wendy (again, not a typo), and closest is Don's sweetheart of a wife Trish. Such pleasant additions to any get together.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v689/ber643/0313/FtB2010030.jpg)
Don, Mike, and Tommy in the kitchen area after the fabulous meal. Don's neat grandson Taylor reaches for his arm - can't believe that's the only picture I got of one of my favorite young archers - LOL.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v689/ber643/0313/FtB2010031.jpg)
Trish, Son Bryan, and Son William (seated).
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v689/ber643/0313/FtB2010032.jpg)
AND a great time was had by all, I do believe!!! Thanks for looking, folks, and remember it was all for the Children of St. Jude, traditional archery, and good fellowship. Thank you Tommy, Don, Mike, and Cory for one of the best and most meaningful hunts of my life, and thanks to the rest for their company.
Good night, all.
Post by: Guru on April 26, 2010, 05:00:00 AM
Post by: Biggie Hoffman on April 26, 2010, 05:17:00 AM
Looks like a great time!
Post by: ber643 on April 26, 2010, 06:07:00 AM
Post by: rastaman on April 26, 2010, 06:19:00 AM
Post by: Don Batten on April 26, 2010, 07:10:00 AM
I hear ya Biggie, the stew and the rib would have driven the price up for sure.He hadn't shot the gator yet at the time the hunt was bid off. your nose was probably itchin though, because your name was mentioned more than once over the weekend.
Michael did have a close encounter with his bow. I'll leave that story to him.
Corey was Corey all weekend. upbeat and excited. He sat in a blind one morning and had a gobbler at 20yds. he held off waiting for a slamdunk which never came. As my dad always says "the time to shoot a bird, is when you see a bird".
Michael, thanks again for your generous donation and make sure to show woods the pics. good luck in Nov.
thanks to all who have bid on any item in the st judes auction. a $5 item or a $5000 dollar item. every little bit helps.
John Dill ,, consider yourself on my LIST.
got to go . Don
Post by: vermonster13 on April 26, 2010, 07:20:00 AM
Post by: ber643 on April 26, 2010, 07:52:00 AM
I'll be looking for the pics, Don. (I told you not to take those pics of the nekkid local natives cavorting in the dells
!["[dntthnk]"]("graemlins/dntthnk.gif" "\"\"")
)(Uh-oh, John - now you done it :eek: )
Post by: John Dill on April 26, 2010, 08:07:00 AM
Great job Bernie. Looks like the hunt came together like clock work.
Post by: PaPaFrank on April 26, 2010, 09:15:00 AM
Post by: sunny hill archer on April 26, 2010, 09:32:00 AM
Quote
Originally posted by Biggie Hoffman:Don't believe em Biggie!!!!!!!! The food sucked. Cory was having an off weekend. Your cooking would have been better than his. :bigsmyl: :bigsmyl:
There was no mention of alligator stew back when the auction was going on or Michael would've had to pay even more dearly for this trip.
Looks like a great time!
You just worry about those cookies. I'll take care of Don's hunt this year............
Post by: ber643 on April 26, 2010, 09:38:00 AM
Post by: Marty on April 26, 2010, 09:45:00 AM
Really glad to see photo's of Cory- I wasn't sure what he looked like anymore- yes that a jab Mattson!!!!!
This Batman fella is gettin around all of the sudden! Almost as well known as Biggie now!
Post by: Biggie Hoffman on April 26, 2010, 09:55:00 AM
Quote
Originally posted by Marty:Boy ain't that the truth! Last time I saw Cory he had black hair!
Really glad to see photo's of Cory- I wasn't sure what he looked like anymore- yes that a jab Mattson!!!!!
Michael ol buddy, YOU need the cookies more than I do...that NC turkey hunt should be experienced by someone else this time...assuming Batman offers it again!
Post by: Doug Campbell on April 26, 2010, 09:56:00 AM
:clapper: :clapper:
Post by: oneshot-onekill on April 26, 2010, 10:06:00 AM
Post by: ber643 on April 26, 2010, 10:14:00 AM
Black hair on Corey, huh, Biggie? Maybe he should shave it now, like I do - LOL Although if mine would get white or a nice gray I might let it grow.
Thanks Doug and oneshot.
Post by: ber643 on April 26, 2010, 10:38:00 AM
Post by: Larry Surtees on April 26, 2010, 11:12:00 AM
Post by: sunny hill archer on April 26, 2010, 07:00:00 PM
Anyway. Woods and I have been looking forward to this trip for a long time. Ever since our season started he kept asking me"when are we going to North Carolina?"
Post by: sunny hill archer on April 26, 2010, 07:05:00 PM
Post by: sunny hill archer on April 26, 2010, 07:08:00 PM
Post by: Fritz on April 26, 2010, 07:27:00 PM
Post by: Biggie Hoffman on April 26, 2010, 08:36:00 PM
You sure that's not just a ruse?????
Post by: Don Batten on April 26, 2010, 09:29:00 PM
this is my new hunting buddy,Hunter Woods , shooting my 48lb Dakota. He's not getting it all the way back and shot Bernies bow better. He only lost one of my arrows in about 500 shots over two days. The football games alone were worth the trip. Woods has a way of winning every game he cons you into playing. He makes the rules up as we go. LOL.
(http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c222/526don/DSC00117-1.jpg)
This is looking out of Woods' blind the first day. lots of hens but no shot. he would conect later.
(http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c222/526don/DSC00121.jpg)
nothing better than a recurve killed alligator stew. this was as good as it looks.
(http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c222/526don/DSC00128.jpg)
Two Dakotas and a Schafer. I knew I liked michael when I saw his bow up close. A 2008 schafer that looked like he drug it down behind his truck. A bow is suppose to be used like a hammer or a saw. Not babied and polished and put on a shelf.
Don't know yet if this hunt will be put up for bid this year,( got to ok it with higher) if it is I'm going to start sharpening my paper football skills. Thanks Michael and Woods for a fun hunt. Also Bernie and Cory. One of the side dishes on Sat night was Butternut squash. When I went to my dads on sun afternoon, he was planting four rows of butternut squash in his garden. He aint a easy guy to impress.
thanks to all for looking. Don
Post by: FerretWYO on April 26, 2010, 09:32:00 PM
Post by: elkken on April 26, 2010, 11:21:00 PM
Post by: ber643 on April 27, 2010, 07:33:00 AM
Post by: joebuck on April 27, 2010, 08:51:00 AM
Post by: ber643 on April 27, 2010, 09:05:00 AM
Post by: sunny hill archer on April 27, 2010, 09:22:00 AM
Post by: Marty on April 27, 2010, 02:37:00 PM
Post by: ber643 on April 27, 2010, 04:21:00 PM
Post by: Biggie Hoffman on April 27, 2010, 04:33:00 PM
If you'll ask Batman the golden question. we may get an invite to NC!
Post by: joebuck on April 27, 2010, 09:49:00 PM
Post by: Don Batten on April 27, 2010, 10:11:00 PM
Woods not only can run a scratch box, he's one heck of an owl hooter too. He aint too bad of a golf cart driver either. I'm sure I'll hunt and fish with him again. DB
Post by: sunny hill archer on April 27, 2010, 10:28:00 PM
Post by: joebuck on April 27, 2010, 11:01:00 PM
Post by: Biggie Hoffman on April 28, 2010, 05:56:00 AM
Post by: ber643 on April 28, 2010, 08:22:00 AM
Post by: Marty on April 28, 2010, 08:31:00 AM
Post by: redant 60/65 on April 28, 2010, 08:02:00 PM
Post by: ber643 on April 29, 2010, 06:34:00 AM
Post by: Cory Mattson on April 29, 2010, 08:19:00 AM
<>< <---------------<<<<<<<<
Post by: Biggie Hoffman on April 29, 2010, 10:59:00 AM
Post by: Don Batten on April 29, 2010, 07:19:00 PM
Post by: Biggie Hoffman on April 30, 2010, 08:11:00 AM
Post by: Don Batten on April 30, 2010, 08:02:00 PM
Post by: Arrowhead80 on April 30, 2010, 09:55:00 PM
Post by: John Dill on April 30, 2010, 10:48:00 PM
Post by: Biggie Hoffman on May 01, 2010, 11:44:00 AM
Post by: Don Batten on May 05, 2012, 06:06:00 AM
On forum 5 I have put this hunt back up for the 2013 season. With a new twist.
I'll be starting a new thread on pow wow soon with more info. Let's just say that I hope the winner is close enough to drive. Got alot of prizes donated for this one. Don
Post by: Shinken on May 05, 2012, 12:03:00 PM
Shoot straight, Shinken
:archer2:
Post by: Don Batten on May 06, 2012, 09:46:00 AM
Post by: Don Batten on May 07, 2012, 07:16:00 PM
Post by: joebuck on May 07, 2012, 07:28:00 PM
Post by: John Dill on May 07, 2012, 08:37:00 PM
Post by: ber643 on May 08, 2012, 07:09:00 AM
I really enjoyed re-reading the thread and re-living the hunt. Looking forward to the fun this year in the auction - and the hunt (next Spring) - good Lord willing.
My take on the new "Twists 'n turns" Don has planned for the offer this year is: "BIGGER 'N BETTER" for the kids of St. Jude!!!
ALSO and this is important FAIRER AND MORE POSSIBLE FOR EVERY SINGLE MEMBER OF TRADGANG.
Trust me - BE AT THE AUCTION, and check Don's offer out, or you will be kicking your butt all over your own back yard next Spring - when you just as easily could have been here with us - no matter What your status is, or what shape your "pockets" are in. DON HAS THE PLAN that may help define a lot of hunts in future St. Jude Auctions, IN MY OPINION.
GO, DON (always knew Tom raised him up with good sense for some worthwhile reason - :campfire: )
Post by: ber643 on May 08, 2012, 12:09:00 PM
Post by: Cory Mattson on May 09, 2012, 09:56:00 AM
Friends - EVERYONE must buy a ticket - This place is an excellent property for wild turkeys besides being totally beautiful and a bunch of other wildlife lives there too. Joey has forgotten more than all the other "turkey pros" put together know - worth the travel just for the learning experience - and Don B is an awesome host - he is CONSTANTLY scouting and planning - putting up blinds - and he does this with a soft footprint - NOT spooking game - glassing long distance - NOT overcalling -just "knowing" where to put you and when to put you there. You are going to learn a lot from him too - I have never seen a guy make taking a turkey with a bow look so easy! He did it twice this year and hardly even worked at it :)
Post by: joebuck on May 09, 2012, 01:50:00 PM
Besides
forget the hunting!! i am coming for the vittles!
Post by: Don Batten on May 09, 2012, 07:09:00 PM
Post by: joebuck on May 09, 2012, 07:45:00 PM
Post by: ber643 on May 09, 2012, 09:14:00 PM
Post by: ber643 on May 10, 2012, 05:14:00 AM
BE THERE (here) - PLEASE - FOR THE KIDS
Post by: Shinken on May 15, 2012, 11:16:00 AM
Shoot straight, Shinken
:archer2:
Post by: John Dill on May 15, 2012, 01:29:00 PM
Post by: Cory Mattson on May 16, 2012, 09:07:00 AM
talk soon<><
<----------------<<<<<<<
Post by: ber643 on May 16, 2012, 09:42:00 AM
This is one of those uniquely different offers that couldn't all be posted in one sitting, as is requested. These "scattered" threads do tend to keep things in front of the members eyes (and ears - "Hey, Joe, did you see where ....?"), and help fire them up ahead of time though, I beieve.
Post by: ber643 on May 17, 2012, 08:45:00 AM