Frank's outdoors...

Bow season 2015 coming up!

2015-09-10T21:10:00.001-05:00

Yes, its been a long time, but its never too late to post some preseason pictures! In preparation for the coming season, I have setup 3 good locations to sit with my bow and take my first game with it. Just looking at my setup, and I know I'll be able to get on something. I will take some photos of the blind layout on opening weekend.

Opening day rifle with the kids... and the big boy is back!

2014-11-04T13:34:00.001-06:00

Took my daughter the last weekend of bow season, and took my son opening weekend of rifle season. Saw a couple of does at different points over both weekend, but not the big whopper from opening day bow season. Well, to prove I am not hallucinating, he finally showed up on a trail camera I had sitting on the scrape I watched him on!

Enjoy:

A couple of other bucks in the area (all smaller).

What can deer see?

2014-10-21T13:37:00.000-05:00

I read an interesting article at Petersen's Hunting called the "Science of Sight: What Whitetails Can Really See". Really fascinating to think about how the hunting industry puts products out on the market, that might not be so great afterall. I look at a lot of the camo products available, and note that their are REALLY expensive brands, like Sitka, that have lots of grey and bluish tones that probably are not so good in the woods. I have known about using non-UV intensifying detergents and such. But, I may just buy a green shirt and pants, and call it good!

And, just for grins, her's a few pictures of the big buck we are actively hunting this season.

Archery struggles

2014-10-06T08:47:00.001-05:00

This past weekend, went back to the lease to try and get on that big 14pt. Unfortunately, didn't get on him, but got some good pictures of a nice 8pt working a scrape. Been tough getting in position. I grabbed my portable 11' South Texas Tripods & Feeders tripod , and tried to setup on the scrape, but the action I saw were 2 does that came out about 40-45yds away, and I am just not comfortable with that shot.

By the way, it was GORGEOUS weather out there... sitting in the stand and 50 degrees was perfect. No skeeters, etc..

Opening weekend bow season!

2014-09-29T08:42:00.000-05:00

Opening weekend came and went with nothing taken this trip. However, I did have some pretty good excitement that I have never seen.

Opening morning, I saw the biggest deer of my life. A tall-tined, chocolate antlered 14 pt. Its the best count I have, need to get him on the ground to get an accurate count, but double crab claws on his upper main beams of an otherwise 10pt, and little kickers here n there.

Sunrise was at 7:13am, and about 5 minutes later I see movement about 50-60yds in front of me through the woods. This deer (coming from the right) goes behind my protein feeder, and around the corn feeder, and passed me to my left. I was thinking, "why isn't he going to the feeders???" That became very evident when he took a sharp turn at the treeline to my left, and came in behind me to a scrape that was 7yds from my tree!!! Of course, no chance at a shot on him through the tree I was in, but I could turn and see the whole thing. It was amazing and frustrating at the same time. Then he promptly walked directly away from the back of my tree and disappeared. My only regret is that I didn't try to grunt call or something to bring him back. He was clearly working his scrapes and such, marking his territory. If I'd a grunted, I might have had an angry buck looking for a challenger in his area.

The scrape

Thinking I would have another go at him the next morning, I got to the blind well before sunrise, as 6:10am. At 6:23am, this bruiser comes stomping through the woods, and hits the scrape is almost complete darkness!!! I was like, REALLY!?!?! Son of a #$@#@. Ah well, still very cool.

Now on to the photos. I didn't find any pictures of the monster, but there was a big shooter 10pt and 8pt on camera... and a host of hogs... too many. TOOO MANY.

Monster buck back from last year!

2014-09-16T11:09:00.001-05:00

My buddy Mark found the old fella back and still alive after the crossbow shot on his shoulder last season on opening day archery. He appears to be no worse for wear and still in the area. Oh yeah, and his rack has grown!

Louisiana opening day teal hunt!

2014-09-16T11:06:00.001-05:00

So my good friend from church, Trey, invited me to go hunt in Louisiana. He was born & raised in Jennings, LA and has a lot of family there. Well, we saddled up this last Friday, and went to his cousin Frank's camp in Lake Arthur, LA (just south of Jennings 15 miles or so).

First, to call it a camp is insulting. This place was outrageous! Really an amazing home on 5 acres on the lake. It is a beautiful piece of property. So, we roughed it there.

Second, the hunting. We were there to teal hunt on Saturday/Sunday mornings, and get some dove on Saturday afternoon. We hunted until about 8-8:30 each morning, and with the cold front that moved in it was very pleasant upper 60's. There were plenty of birds moving in the morning, but not a lot of luck having them sit down on our pond. We only took 2 the first morning. During our dove hunt that afternoon... sigh, there were birds, but the hunters left a lot to be desired. I couldn't hit the broad side of a barn, and we came home with 5 doves. Terrible. Easily had 2 limits worth of possibility (30 birds), and just couldn't make it happen. The Sunday teal hunt started off fantastic with birds working, but the net result was 2 more teal. Couldn't get them to come to the decoys.

The mosquitos were well... terrible. :)

All in all, it was an amazing weekend in outdoors. I learned a lot about Jennings history from Trey and Frank about their family. And, more importantly, I learned about Cherry Bounce. This delicious little after dinner brandy will make you sleep well. Frank sent me home with a homemade bottle. Awesome!

Been a long time... bow season 2015 soon!

2014-08-31T09:12:00.001-05:00

Started the cameras and the feed. Got lots of good pics of some east Texas bucks moving which is good. Got a few piglets in there as well...

Enjoy.

Kansas Pheasant Hunting 2013

2013-11-20T15:36:00.000-06:00

November every year comes with an annual trip to Kansas to hunt pheasants. More accurately, this was the 3rd annual hunt, but another amazing trip. We shot our limit for 3 days, and the weather was terrific (Read: cold and windy). Thanks to Don's Guide Service for the being an outstanding outfitter!

After the trip on the way home, we did have a terrible car accident. By miracle both my father-in-law and I survived with scratches, bumps and bruises but walked away. For that I am eternally thankful. This is the time of year to be intentionally thankful, and I am doing just that.

Enjoy the photos:

The crew and a days limit

PawPaw and Rowdy a 5 mo old German shorthair

Me & Rowdy

Last full weekend of bow season...

2013-10-28T14:22:00.002-05:00

Well, this past weekend was the last weekend of bow season in Texas, and still nothing on the ground, which is only slightly disappointing. I saw LOTS of activity and had deer within 10yds several times. In fact, sunrise was at 7:30am and I was heading to the stand at 6:15am and although it was pitch black I was snorted at by several deer. Later on in the morning, I again got snorted at by a herd of deer (all does that I could tell, but there were 7 or 8 of them) that I didn't see coming when I went to scratch a mosquito that had me in the jugular! Oh well, was exciting, and didn't like that stand location, so I moved it when the morning hunt was over.

Hunt done, stand moved, decided to retrieve my cameras and head to camp. I was relieved to see several good bucks starting to frequent my area as they must've found the does noted earlier, and the rut is coming on here soon.

Next weekend is rifle season, so maybe one will stop by!

Colorado Elk Hunt

2013-10-02T11:45:00.001-05:00

So, here it is. The long awaited trip to Colorado in search of a giant elk has finally happened. Here are some details and thoughts on that experience.

First off, a huge "thank you" to my father-in-law who took me on this hunt. It was great to share that hunt and experience, and you couldn't have asked for a better more scenic location to be.
We arrived on Tuesday afternoon and got settled into the ranch (Smith Rancho in Hayden, CO). We stayed in a bunkhouse attached to a garage-like space with lunging area, freezer room, and such in it. It actually doubled as a wintertime cleaning station! Next door to that bunkhouse was a nicer, smaller cabin for 2 or 3 people to sleep in.

It wasn't too bad at all, and the main ranch house where all the cooking and common area for watching TV and relaxing was had some real sweet mounts in it.

First day and a half, we hunted hard in the morning and had many shot opportunities on 4x4 and small 5x5 bulls. Several times we were completely surrounded by elk, and the bugling was absolutely insane. They were loud and it was truly exciting to be in the middle of it. More than a few times were we within 20 yards of bulls or cows. On the second evening, we watched over a valley with a creek running through the middle in hopes of catching some big bulls coming down for an evening drink.

Part of the the valley (elk was shot WAYYYY left of this location)

We watched from a trail road for an hour and a half and saw a herd of elk enter a plateau at the top of the mountain across the valley in front of us. We could hear heavy bugling, so we decided to cross the valley and try to catch them coming down in hopes of getting on a bull that was managing that herd. As we were making our stalk across the valley, I spotted 2 black bears that were heading right for us, but hadn't picked up our scent! They got within 30 yards before bolting. We made it to a head of trees below the plateau when we heard an elk bugle behind us! We figured a bull had already run to the creek down the valley. So, we started to position ourselves to take that elk when it returned back up to the plateau. All of a sudden, another bull bugled above us! [Now things were happening fast]. Our guide, named Tad, and I quickly hatched a plan to attempt a double. I would shoot the bull that was herding the cows down the valley, and dad would take my gun and get the bull that was at the creek as it ran back up. In less than 30 seconds, all of that unfolded and it was a success! It was a rush I will never forget!

My 6x6 Bull Elk

Dad and I with my elk

Dads 6x6 bull elk

Real nice buck making a showing

2013-09-10T17:30:00.000-05:00

My buddy Mark's camera has been capturing some solid action of the same bucks I have been seeing. Take a look at these pictures of this bad boy giving the camera some up close and personal views. This bruiser better watch out come opening day! The bucks still seem to be running in bachelor groups as evidenced by the first photo. On my cameras, I have pictures of 6-10 does... so hopefully in a few weeks when the first rut starts, they'll get moving all over again.

Bow blind setup is ready... can you see it?

2013-09-09T13:42:00.001-05:00

Alright, archery season is a few weeks away, and I finally have the perfect spot for my first go at it. Hopefully, I can catch them going to/from the creek on the right of this photo. Can you find my blind?

Deer lease accomodations, finally

2013-09-09T11:36:00.000-05:00

Mark and I finally got a camper for the deer lease. Its a 1987 Fleetwood Prowler Lynx 24'. It had some water damage that Mark and I repaired (replaced skylights, rotted ceiling boards, and ceiling). It cleaned up nicely (will post pics of interior soon).

We took the camper to the lease Sunday afternoon. It gets narrow at a few spots and also some ruts to get it up to the camp. Dragged it up a steep climb over some dicey terrain, but we got it up there. Looks real nice, and can't wait to be able to go the lease for a weekend and have a place to sleep and get out of the rain, hot or cold and not be in a tent! Sleeps six comfortably. Enjoy a look at the pictures of the camper (outside) and the camp in general.

At our camp, most people have a camper of some sort, otherwise they live nearby. And, most have put some sort of structure over it to protect from the elements and UV. There is a central camp where there is a fire pit, and such. Also, a nice cleaning station area.

Rocky Mountain Elk Hunt around the corner!

2013-08-21T15:08:00.001-05:00

I am incredibly luck to have an elk hunt booked for the end of September. I will be hunting with my father-in-law at Smith Rancho near Steamboat, Colorado! I will write up a post about my experience after the hunt for sure. We will be there for 4 days, and I have seen some pictures of some monster bulls from that area.

I recently got a new Sako 85 Classique chambered in .308 and a Leupold VX3 2.5-10x50 scope. In preparation for this trip I have been putting together my list of supplies to carry in my pack: waterproof matches, whistle, compass, knife, para cord, rangefinder, binoculars, flashlight, electrolytes, water, snack food, space blanket, small first aid kit, ammo, extra socks, and rain gear. I am sure there is more, but that pack is starting to sound heavy! Need to figure out what of that is required, and what is just adding weight. Let me know if you have any thoughts on what needs to be in my pack. Most of it is "in case of an emergency", and in the mountains preparation wins.

In the meantime, the excitement builds and I am ready to see some bulls and hear them bugle!

Elk we saw on our trip to Grand Canyon

Preparation for first Archery season

2013-08-15T16:23:00.000-05:00

Well, if you recall, last year I purchased a bow (see post on my Mission by Mathews) in anticipation of using it on our lease... well, that was squashed when the lease was sold. This year, I am back in business and in the past 3 weeks I have actively gotten the bow sighted in and begun to practice.

I am the first to admit that I am NOT Robin Hood with this thing. I will also say though that I have practiced and researched technique, and I am improving. My main focus is to focus on technique and practice as much as humanly possible before the season. If you have the time, there is tons of information and opinion on how to improve technique and form. For simplicity's sake, I have condensed it down to these 3 things:

Consistent anchor position. Each and every time to insure the same sight picture.
Do NOT grab the bow with your hand, but let it lightly rest in your holding hand so as not to torque the bow.
Relax and have fun.

Again, I am not Robin Hood, but at 20 yards I am feeling better by the day!

Crockett lease... UN-robbed!

2013-08-12T15:20:00.001-05:00

Long story short:
Wow, what a turn of events. I got my feeder and camera back (or will next weekend)!!!

Long version:
On Friday, my buddy Mark and I were heading up to Crockett to put some T-posts and barb wire at that entrance road that currently does not have a gate. About 45 minutes before Mark arrives as my house to ride up, my phone rings. A gentlemen on the other end introduces himself as a member of our lease. Turns out that he did not get his money turned into the land owner prior to March (which is in our club by-laws). So, the land owner filled his spot with me. Well, he called the land owner to tell him he wanted to be on the lease for the coming season but had missed the deadline. The landowner told him that was fine, but he had already given his spot away. The land owner told him that there has been a trespassing thief on the property. He explained that there wasn't a thief, but that he was on his way to the property a week before, but his truck broke down. So, he sent his son/friend to pick up his stuff. Well, the son/friend grabbed MY stuff as they didn't know the difference!

At the end of the day, we worked it out and I am getting my stuff back, what a relief. We now have a very pathetic attempt at blocking that road into the camp with some T-posts and cable, but it's better than nothing!

Now I can focus on what is important...

Crockett lease... robbed!

2013-08-06T11:13:00.002-05:00

Took me a few days to write this, as I am still a bit in shock about it after only being on this lease 4 or 5 weeks...

I went to the lease this past weekend to do some work, and help my buddy Mark setup a new blind. When we finally went to my spot to fill feeders, put up a new feeder, etc. we found that I had been robbed! Initially, I thought the hogs might have knocked over my feeder and it was out of view as we approached, but then we realized it was gone. Some crook decided to steal one of my low boy feeders full of corn and a Moultrie game camera!

What kind of useless piece of $%#$# does this stuff? I have been robbed or attempted-to-be-robbed 4 times in that past 2 years (laptop from truck, truck tailgate, truck side door, and feeder/camera) and I am sick of it. Crime has become such an epidemic, that people no longer steal to cover the basic needs of themselves and their family... its ridiculous. The feeder was full of 300# of corn... so clearly it wasn't a single person. Now, admittedly, we currently have a new road into the lease (thanks to a timber company creating an egress from the property) and it does not have a gate on it... but even still, my spot is almost a mile and a half into the woods by 4 wheeler.

Side note, I stole one time in my life when I was like 5 or 6 years old... a small plastic horse from the toy isle of a grocery store. When we got home, and my mom saw that I had it, she drove us back to the store and made me hand it to the manager and tell him what I did. Let's just say I learned my lesson. Clearly, these people lacked a proper upbringing to educate them on right/wrong and remorse for wrongdoings.

I apologize for the language, but at the end of the day I hope karma bites these pieces of garbage square in the ass.

The end.

New lease in Crockett

2013-07-23T17:30:00.000-05:00

Thanks to my good friend, Mark, we have another spot to hunt this year after the much maligned loss of our lease at season open last year.

We are up in Crockett, TX and have a solid 1200+ acres. This piece of property has some elevation changes and is used as a privately owned timber property, so there are selective cut lanes throughout. The timber company grades roads after a cut, so access in and out of the property is pretty easy.

At the moment, I have 2 box blinds and 2 tripods setup. One of the tripods is a bow blind for the coming season and will be my first go at that. Will post on that at a later time.

Below is a pic of my big box blind looking down a lane, and it has 5 directions to really keep an eye on. 2 in front, 1 out of both sides, and a lane directly behind! I only have one feeder in front 70 yds at the moment.


My son is silly!

Back in business! Photos from game cams at the new lease.

2013-07-22T16:01:00.000-05:00

Here are the highlights... a write-up of the setup soon.

Duck Hunt on last day of season!

2013-01-29T11:41:00.000-06:00

My good friend and hunting buddy, Mark, took me to a sweet spot on the last day of the season! Not 20 minutes from my house. He told me there was a small pond surrounded by trees in a 12 acre cow pasture that he had access to. He told me there were tons of ducks piling into that spot. My waterfowl luck hasn't been so great in the past few years, so I wasn't all that optimistic, but I am always game for a hunting opportunity!

Well, to say the lease, we hammered them. We were done 30 minutes after shooting time began. It would have been sooner if I was "on" at the beginning. All told, we each took limit, totaling 12 birds (6 wood ducks and 6 gadwalls). The pond we were hunting on was shallow on one end (up to the waist), and way over your head on the other end. As we didn't have a dog, Mark brought his "retriever" (aka fishing pole with a top lure) that we used to get the birds! Brilliant! Took us a little bit to get them all, but we got em. Great hunt, Mark!

Mark also gave me some waders he used for his kids, and my daughter is ready for next season!

Enjoy the photos:

Mark the retriever

The haul (6 woodies, 6 gadwalls)

Wood duck pair

Next season!

Thanksgiving Goose hunt 2012

2012-11-28T11:16:00.001-06:00

Had a fun hunt on our annual post Thanksgiving shootout! Not as many birds in the area, perhaps because it wasn't cool enough yet. We still took 5 geese and totally whiffed on an 8-pack of pintail and only took 1 of them. So, 6 birds in total.

Interesting about the pintails, there were 8 of them. It was about 9am, sunny, and partly cloudy with a mild front moving in. The stubble wheat field was DRY as a bone, and they came in locked & committed without any calling. Our guide was calling in some specks at the time, so possibly they keyed on that, but still, they sat right on us.

We love hunting with Ryan and Butch from Butch's Guide Service, but anyone know of some good guides down in the Eagle Lake, Garwood, El Campo, etc??? We have had a few slow years, and looking at other potential operations for guides.

Kansas Pheasant hunt 2012

2012-11-15T16:14:00.000-06:00

My crew and I experienced another amazing hunt with Don's Guide Service in Glen Elder, KS! Don and his wife Cheryl are wonderful hosts and got us on wild Kansas pheasants.

We got there on Sunday evening right as the first real cold front was moving through northern Kansas, and it was in the upper 20's at 4pm. Dinner was on the table and the drinks were in hand. By Monday morning for our first hunt, it was 17 degrees with a 15mph wind! It did warm up to the 40s each day, and in the low 50s on Wednesday.

We had 7 hunters in our crew. 7 hunters, 3 days, 4 birds per day limit... so we were shooting for 84 birds. We came up 1 short for the hunt! Great hunt!

Enjoy the photos!

Lease lost for good.

2012-10-31T10:39:00.002-05:00

Found out last night that the property owner has committed a sale on our lease. The buyer asked for us to be completely OFF in 3 days!!! Are you kidding me? Well, our lessor successfully negotiated us to have 2 weeks... how generous. So, we get to hunt opening weekend, and attempt to get ALL of our stuff off the property ASAP.

I am pissed. That is all.

The bucks come out right before season!

2012-10-15T10:19:00.000-05:00

As it seems to happen every year on my lease, the bucks come out RIGHT before season starts. You don't see a hide or hair of them on camera until literally a few weeks before season. I have never had a picture of a buck in velvet... ever.

But, they aren't disappointing... they are back and ready to rut. Lots of pre-rut activity on camera, including a great "exchange" between a nice 9pt and a small spike! Spike got his butt whooped (shocker).

Enjoy the pics: