Adjam5 Posted February 5, 2009 Report Share Posted February 5, 2009 Most know, I was off in the Hill country of Texas for the last week or so. The flight there was a horror with delays and the flight home was just as worse:rolleyes:. I was visiting with my friend Herbie who has a ranch in Harper,Tx. The Kerrville/Ingram area. He has high fence in almost the whole ranch property, but there are a few spots where the fence is low and he gets free ranging whitetail and Axis from time to time. Herbie has a buffalo and 2 cows. I had a 200 amp service to do for my friend and then it was play time! I found out how hard it was to dig in that Coliche to bury conduits. Very hard rock that comprised almost everywhere on the ground. I have no idea where to begin...My friend Herbie said...when you were a teenager and having a ball, the time flew in a blink of an eye. That time was a blur, glad I have the pics to savor the moments. Those Texans have everything down to a science. The first few days consisted of work...hard work. I have never seen ground that was soo hard to dig. A power pole needed to be moved, it was; by the power co and when that happened, then our work began. We had to trench to bury a few conduits for the house and a sub panel. We needed a pic axe just to break the surface and lots of chopping and digging in what I am told, Coliche. Super hard rock formation that does not break like dirt/soil. Blisters for a few days from digging. We got it done and play time was on its way. Being from NY I have never hunted over feeders and this was a whole new experience. We filled a few feeders up with corn and alfalfa hay set the timers and waited a few days. The 1st day on stand there were like 10 deer that came running to the feeder. Mixed bunch of whitetail and axis. I took a 130 yard shot at a doe axis and missed, over her back. I could give excuses, but I missed, plain and simple. We came back the next day in the am to Herbies Honey Hole he calls it and the feeder went off 15 minutes after we sat down. The breakfast bell rang, and the deer came out of the woodwork. 20-25 deer all at once. Makes a hard situation to shoot just one without taking other deer with a pass through. Never had that problem here in NY. That many deer vacuumed up the feed in no time. Then they all disappeared. Herbie said lets walk to the other feeder, it will go off in a few minutes. We go there and the deer just changed restaurants. They were now there. Hard to get a shot...They ate and left. We walked back to the 1st feeder and there was a lone axis still hanging around. It was a buck, but a small one. I would have liked to taken a larger deer, but a bird in the hand is worth 2 in the bush. I was using Herbies 25-06 Encore and it is a tack driver. I took aim and bang. It did the kick and went about 20 yards and dropped. My 1st axis on the ground. We took the deer to www.rhodestaxidermy.com and they took care of the rest. I am having the hide tanned and the meat was cut up. What a bunch of guys at Rhodes taxidermy. That true Texas hospitality wherever I went. That is really what makes the Lone Star state stand out. The people in it and VERY proud Texas patriots everywhere you go. Herbie bought a table at this store called Gibsons, and as I was taking it out to the truck, and I had 2 different strangers offer to help me. That does NOT happen in NY where I'm from, unless they want to get close to lift your wallet. The food was incredible, Herbies cooking and the local food houses. We had Axis chilli, bison sirloin, frito pie, TexMex just to name some food. Most mornings we were treated to a good whitetail buck that came over the low fence portions of Herbies ranch. The buffalo almost always chased off the buck. It got cold in the Hill country, not NY cold, but it hit 30* some morings, but within a hour, the temps climbed to 40, then 50 and it hit 75 on some days. I found a Axis antler shed at Herbies also. He has most of his land high fenced, but there are portions that many animals can jump and get under and leave when they want. I also found some flint knappings from the Indians that inhabited the area a LONG time ago. You can tell these chipped flint pieces were altered by humans from the opposite and symmetrical chips on them. I have never seen so many deer. I mean even in town, there were deer everywhere. Many ranches had complete high fence operations with all kinds of exotic animals. Black buck, red stag, elk, axis, goats, sheep, Sika and fallow. These animals are considered NON native speciaes and can be taken year round without limit. I am told that the Kerrville area is THE place in Tx where there is the largest population of free ranging axis deer and I saw that 1st hand. My buddy and I made it over to Tinks home for a few hours, but that will be in another post. What a guy Tink is. I was contacted by DoubleA on this board and we spent a bit on the phone having some laughs. We were unable to get together, but I feel like I know that man after a phone call. Another great Texas gentleman for sure;). OK time for a few pics. Axis shed where it lay Bucks friend Herbie has shot this past season on his ranch Remember the post of hidden messages in Realtree camo? I found them on my shirt. Herbies Tatonka and cattle. A sunset. That hard Coliche that was allover. Herbie had this dug for a future pond. We saw 2 BIG fires off in the distance on a few other ranches. There is a burn ban out there due to everything being so dry. It is good to have a large water source for your land and your neighbors if they need it. My 1st Axis deer. Free ranging and that means a lot to me. I did not shoot this buck on Herbies place. He has a Honey Hole in Kerrville that he took me to. Axis was a possibility on Herbies ranch, but not as many as where he took me to hunt. Flint knappings that I found and one that was given to me. I took more still pics with my vid cam, but my pc won't load them for some reason. I'll figure it out and post them soon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hammerforged Posted February 5, 2009 Report Share Posted February 5, 2009 Great pics, I see some really good knife handles there:rolleyes:. Thanks for sharing the story and pics. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ruttinbuc Posted February 5, 2009 Report Share Posted February 5, 2009 Thanks for sharing your adventure, Anthony. Really glad you had a great time. I'll have to get down that way one day. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
layin on the smackdown Posted February 5, 2009 Report Share Posted February 5, 2009 Nice Pics Anthony...looks like you had a heck of a time. Some of those pics almost look like Africa...but ive never been to texas either. Thanks for sharing! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OJR Posted February 5, 2009 Report Share Posted February 5, 2009 Great pictures! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dakota Posted February 5, 2009 Report Share Posted February 5, 2009 Awesome pics, Anthony! Glad you had a great time in the Lone Star State! Dakota Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NS whitetail Posted February 5, 2009 Report Share Posted February 5, 2009 good stuff, sounds like you had a great time Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jbeck Posted February 5, 2009 Report Share Posted February 5, 2009 Great pics thanks for sharing Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dawg Posted February 5, 2009 Report Share Posted February 5, 2009 Good pics Anthony! Glad you had a good time in ole' Tejas!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rookieee Posted February 5, 2009 Report Share Posted February 5, 2009 glad you had a good time ,great pics Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
toddyboman Posted February 5, 2009 Report Share Posted February 5, 2009 looks and sounds like another great trip to Texas for you :D:D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tink Posted February 5, 2009 Report Share Posted February 5, 2009 Great Story really enjoyed meeting you guys. Tink Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tominator Posted February 5, 2009 Report Share Posted February 5, 2009 Very cool Anthony. Someday I'd like to do that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VermontHunter Posted February 5, 2009 Report Share Posted February 5, 2009 That's some real cool stuff right there ... I love the pics and I'm glad to hear you had a great time ... :cool: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhunt Posted February 5, 2009 Report Share Posted February 5, 2009 Great pics Anthony. Congratulations on your axis deer. Looks and sounds like you had a great time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GWSmith Posted February 5, 2009 Report Share Posted February 5, 2009 Happy you had a good time...sharing it with Friends makes it that much better:cool: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adjam5 Posted February 6, 2009 Author Report Share Posted February 6, 2009 I am feeling that post Texas depression:(. Back to gazing out my son Joe's bedroom window with my Nikons, dreaming of when I will be back. I want to take my sons with me next time. To show them where I will be retiring to:). Then they could work on their Mom to come on down. I need to get my wife off concrete and on to coliche:D. Thanks all for the replies. I wish my blue state here was as patriotic as Texans are. True Americans down there with the hearts to back it up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clrj3514 Posted February 7, 2009 Report Share Posted February 7, 2009 awesome pics man looks like fun Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tink Posted February 7, 2009 Report Share Posted February 7, 2009 Yes sir Your good enough to be a new Texan Nacho was given to me for keeps for the former owner. Now Meg & Nacho can get married. Bring your son next time.. Tink Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adjam5 Posted February 8, 2009 Author Report Share Posted February 8, 2009 Your good enough to be a new Texan Nacho was given to me for keeps for the former owner. Now Meg & Nacho can get married. Bring your son next time.. Tink Awe Tink...Natcho is a cute little dog. Congrats on owning him. He is nowhere near as active as Meg the Rocket Dog:D, but a cuddly little lap dog and a friend for Meg. Thank you again Tink for having us, and I appreciate the offer to bring my son down;) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doubleA Posted February 9, 2009 Report Share Posted February 9, 2009 I am glad you enjoyed Texas Anthony, you come back and see us now ya hear................we might have better weather for you next time! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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