The 'SOLANA GAMES' have begun!!!

[TaterHill Archer]

Originally posted by gregg dudley:
My guide, John Shepherd on the left and the Sunny Hill Archer on the right.
 

Charlie Lamb shooting and Jeff Casey in the background.

 

Gregg,
Thanks for posting the pics. I really appreciated sharing the truck with you this week. Can't wait to do it again.

[TaterHill Archer]

Originally posted by gregg dudley:
And did I hear that right?  I'm in the truck with Charlie #($&%&# Lamb all week?  I just won the lottery.

 

Same here. How lucky can I be?!?  First trad hunt and I spend the whole time riding with Charlie Lamb and bunking with him in the evenings. Thanks to Charlie for being willing to put up with the new guy.

[Bel007]

   

[JamesKerr]

Looks like a great time so far I will definitely try to go next year.

[Bill Turner]

For those of you that don't like to fly there was at least three vehicles driven 12 plus hours to make this hunt possible. Make your plans early and get a bud to make the trip with you. You'll be glad you did.  

[KentuckyTJ]

Bring on the dead CRITTERS!!!! We know you all didn't use 35mm.

[FerretWYO]

In wait

[lpcjon2]

Any day with the stories, geeze they act like they have a life and family outside of TG, What nerve...LOL

[Rob DiStefano]

back at last! - and what a BLAST!!!!!

SOLANA RULES!!!!            

[lpcjon2]

Welcome home Rob I hope you brought a story

[FerretWYO]

Some do have a life and family. Let them tend to it. The stories will come keep you head screwed on.


The Solana ranch is a special place.  I am horrible at taking pictures so Gregg and Jack will fill those gaps I am sure.  The memories from my previous trip running through my mind as I step off the plane in Austin, as I walk through the baggage claim area I see Terry, Guru, Boyd, Izzy, Michael, and Larry all waiting for the rest to show up.  This was going to be a good trip I knew that for a fact.  Rob and Gregg showed shortly after and off to the ranch we went, with a short detour to get Licenses and hand warmers (trust me you need those).

 
As Gregg said a above this trip is just as much about the gathering of like minded souls as it is hunting. The fellowship among this group was amazing.  I was looking forward to meeting the many in this group whom I had not yet had the pleasure. I was also going to get to hunt with Skyler Wilson again and he even brought along his Dad.        There were a few others who have showed great kindness to me in the past and I was very excited to meet them.

 
Dinner the first night was a great time to get to know the group and catch up with friends. That night had people affixing all kinds of hog lights to their bows and cameras (well only one hunter with a camera). We raised the Velcro stock values a good bit that night I am certain.  Brodhead’s were being touched up all around the bunkhouse.

   
The next morning had everyone up and at em early.  A group gathered up and headed to a local truck stop for breakfast. The anticipation was mounting as Solana veterans recalled old memories from past hunts.  After returning to the ranch we got to meet this little guy. Johns dog Nacho. I am sure you will see many more pictures of him.

 


Mid-day was spent shooting arrows and gathering clothes, harnesses, and other gear for tonight we hunt.

[Rob DiStefano]

first night suppers at a BBQ joint in town ...

 

 

 

 

[Rob DiStefano]

afternoon run to the stands, david at the wheel, terry, curt, don, michael and yers truly in the cab.  look at the intense focus of these intrepid trad bowhunters ...

 

 

 

[Rob DiStefano]

my fave tripod road stand (no feeder) that held some charm for me twice ...

   

... the view from the stand's seat - the big shootin' hole on the left ...

 

... and the smaller hole on the right (note the twigs - they would prove a serious factor for me later!) ...

 

[Cyclic-Rivers]

Pictures are good. Looking forward to the "meat" of the hunt!

[maineac]

Great start so far.  Solana is indeed a special place.  I can't wait to hear the rest.  Someday I hope I get the chance to share the experience again.

Looking forward to seeing and reading all about it guys!!!!

Bisch

[Rob DiStefano]

my first sit on that road side flagpole stand had me gazing at lotsa deer traffic coming up from south, on the far left side of the road, and coming down from the north of the road.  those deer were traveling to the nor'west, and no question this was a well used route worthy of further consideration.  most of these deer were out well past the 40 or 50 yard mark.  man, that's frustrating, know what i mean?  

there is a huge arborvitae at the left of my big shootin' hole, just off the stand side of the road.  a few deer hung around near it, but none would venture into bow aiming view.  boy, is that doubly frustrating!!

so ended the first sit on the road - no arrows flung, but more than a dozen deer spotted.  this was gonna be interesting ....

[Over&Under]

Picturing myself there just is not working anymore....I gotta go on this hunt in the near future!

Keep in coming fellas, this is shaping up quite nicely!

[gregg dudley]

So I'm sitting in the carpet blind the first night and I have to be honest, I hated it at first.  Not the blind, but the seat.  It was one of those camp chairs and I was way down in it and couldn't move without making some noise.  I finally figured out that I could position the chair so that I could cover the right side of the shooting lane without moving.  To cover the left I leaned the whole chair forward and balanced on the front two legs.

The first little buck was soon joined by a second.  I practiced the move and drawing on the small bucks and was sure that I had a plan for success.  After a short time the young bucks fed off.

About 20 minutes later, a doe shows up eight yards in front of the blind...