TXSweat group 2- tales of adventure

[beachbowhunter]

If you are keeping score, that's two animals that didnt make it into the brush for Joe. While most people would be happy, Joe seemed to want to test his mighty tracking skills. He'd already spotted my first javie...

Later in the afternoon, as the sun dipped low, I was standing at the deer stand in the hub with Bob. Way down the end of the east trending sendero we could see a couple of good sized javies. Probably 200 yards. Bob coaxed me to give it a try, then he snuck off in another direction.

I slowly walked down the south side of the sendero. I had the sun at my back and the wind in my face. My shadows mixed in beautifully with the mesquite and prickly pear at my back. There must have been too much corn at the end of the sendero because these two were not moving.

In a little while two more joined the feast and they started to compete for corn. I tucked myself as far into the scrub as possible but this area is very thick and I was only in three to five feet. I  decided to wait them out. They proceeded to move up and down the sendero without making much progress in my direction for about 10 minutes. My knees were killing me by the time they started to decisively move toward me.

I had a decent view of them as they pulled into a line and fed down the road. One stopped to take a dust bath. The first of the four was probably the biggest. As it walked to within 10 feet of my position, slighty up the road (not broadside yet) I came to about 3/4 draw. Although I felt like I was moving too little to notice, she spooked.

She bolted to the far side of the sendero and the others scattered. However, I was so focused on her that I felt hypnotized and didnt move a muscle. Apparently she felt the same and came to a full stop, broadside, standing in front of a small sand bank. She looked at me with the sun in her eyes and for all the world looked like a 3D target. Almost without thinking I had come to full draw and the arrow slipped from my fingers.

The orange fletching streaked across the sendero and zipped instantly through the 12-ring. I have never in my life made a better shot. I heard a quiet grunt, the impact of my arrow in the sand and I saw her jump into the adjacent brush. I heard some rustling down the sendero about 10 to 15 yards and all was quiet.

I picked up my arrow and it was covered from insert to nock in blood. More blood than I had seen on any javie so far. I flagged the spot of the shot and the distance down the sendero of the last sound. Not a speck of blood anywhere but on the arrow. I paced the shot distance off at 17 yards. Felt like 10 feet.

Meanwhile Team Hummer had similar success and we had some animals down that we needed to recover. We got our act together and headed back to the bunkhouse for a bite and to get lights and armour for the tracking job ahead.

[Littlefeather]

I think I remember that night. Seems like there were 7 animals down that same evening that hadn't been tracked yet. It took awhile but everyone learned to back out and not pressure a hit javi. It seemed to help! Continue on Mr Norbert! CK

[beachbowhunter]

I forgot to mention that before I had started my stalk on this group, I got to sit back and watch Bob W put the sneak on a javie not 30 yards from me. I'll let him tell the story but it involved a point blank shot with a Razorcap..

Bob wound up having two javies down, Stephen R one and me with mine. After chow, a bunch of us... Joe, Shaun, Gary, Bob, Steven, and probably a couple others broke out the bright lights and headed out to find the animals. Overall we had bad luck and only recovered one.

We pulled up to the sand bank where I shot mine and headed into the brush. Not a drop of blood and  tons of tracks. Tell you what. I love my Snakeboots...they are great for stomping things that have thorns. Leather gloves and three layers of shirts made me feel like a bull dozer.

I pushed kind of deep into the brush, say about 15 to 20 yards and worked my way in the direction I'd heard the javie go. Moments later I hear the great sound of discovery. Of course it was Eagle Eye Joe. That man can find anything! The javie had only made it about 15 yards from the shot and about 5 yards off the sendero.

It was a sow that was a fair bit bigger than my first with slightly longer cutters. It being about 10pm at this point, we loaded it up after exhausting ourselves on the other tracking jobs and headed back.

I didnt realize it until the next morning but I never took a picture of this animal. With the skinner gone for the night and fatigue setting in,  I got a field dressing and skinning lesson from Leo, Gary, Curtis and a few others and we proceeded to get the javie put in the cooler. I'm bummed that I didnt take a picture, but I'm happy that Steven R agreed to take the skull for a european mount. He certainly killed a javie but was never able to recover it. He'll have to send a picture of the mount for me!
 

The next morning I headed up to the T with Joe to check out the pond for hogs. Nothing was moving. The bloody arrow was the only indication of my sucess on the second javie...

 

The memories from this trip will last a lifetime.

Norb

[Whip]

You're right, the last morning was slow as far as game movement goes.  Some in the group were able to see some, but nothing down by us.  

The temperature was downright cool that morning!  I would guess the javies were all huddled up under a pile of brush somewhere and wouldn't be out until the sun warmed things a bit.

Since we needed to quit hunting by nine in order to be back at camp to start packing up, we didn't have time to wait for the warmth.  But it was a great opportunity to sit back and watch a beautiful day arrive, catch up on the field notes about the hunt, and just enjoy being there.

I've said it before, but what made the hunt for me was the people that I had the honor of spending it with.  A diverse group, to be sure, and I am so happy to have been a part of it.  

I know from past hunts that it is never possible to go back and do the exact same hunt over again. As hard as you try, it is never quite the same.  Life will get in the way for some, the ranch won't be all new again - somehow it can never be duplicated exactly.  But that is OK, because this hunt was special in so many ways and should remain unique in our minds.

One way or another though, at some place and time, I do hope to share another camp with each and every one of the crew. Be it another Texas Sweat, on top of a mountain somewhere, or back here in Wisconsin, I really hope to have made some lasting freindships.
 
Front - Norbert Shulz, Leo Schmaus, Joe DeAngelis, Curtis Keller, Chris Kinslow, Andrew Kinslow,Shaun Webb
Back - Steven R, Joe Lasch, Mark Harris, Charlie Lamb, Bob Walker, Vinson Minor

[Littlefeather]

Well said Joe! Each year when we share some Texas Sweat, new bonds are formed, friendships forged, and a contentment attained. It's the same each year in this respect. Yes, The ranches have changed, some of the hunters each year are replaced by new ones but the outcome seems to be the same. It is amazing to say the least. Each year has brought fourth great memories that I could never replace. Each year as the dates near, the excitment level grows and I'm never let down. I've never had a hunter at one of these hunts not go away a friend. I can only hope the future remains as bright as we continue in the tradition of the Texas Sweat. Thanks again to all who have attended all the Texas Sweats. "YOU" are the ones who make the hunt what it is! CK

[Guru]

To all the Sweat'rs.....Thanks for sharing all the wonderful tales.I've loved reading every word!!!!(hope they're not done yet)

I'd sure like to see that footage if possible        

[Jerryg]

Curtis,
The guys put the video together and will be the second show to air.  Their first show should air this sunday at 10 am.  I hear they put a great show together, which included Vincen knapping some arrowheads and your javelina adventure.  I will have them get it to you as soon as they return from editing.
Jerryg

[Whip]

I'd love to see a copy of that!  Of course, it could be a while in the editing booth.....  

[Littlefeather]

Thanks Jerry! CK

[Terry Green]

Thanks guys.....I've really enjoyed ya'lls tales.  Great stuff.....and you guys took home much more than the kills....as it should always be!

[MikeW]

WoW! I really enjoy the photos and stories guys.
Sounds like a great time was had by all.