Recently I had the opportunity to participate in another drawn hunt. I happened to be chosen for the PLE hunt in Travis county thus the $10 reference. For those uninformed $10 is the application fee charged by TPWD.

This year I cashed in some preference poimts with TPWD. I was pleasantly suprised to win this hunt. God blessed me with another hunt.

The hunt was for WT and hogs (which were scarce). Arrived the first day with anticipation and looked forward to the orientation meeting. Six hunters were chosen but only three showed up. Myself and a Father and Son team. The MIA hunters were going to miss out.

I had called earlier when I was notified of selection. Dealing with my disability I know to call ahead and make plans. The man in charge of the hunt started the meeting off letting us know about the area of our hunt. I was fortunate to meet Brandon Crawford. During the hunt he would help me out immensely.





The first evening hunt Brandon helped me out with my blind and corning the area. After being situated into the blind around 2ish I sat patiently and enjoyed the scenery. About 5PM I saw my first deer coming through the trees.to my left. The sun was going down but I still had time to shoot. I could tell it was a big deer. My first deer could be either sex. Meat was on it's way to my freezer, family, and friends.

That evening I was using my late Grandfather's 30-30 for the first time. I sent the bullet on the way. The deer dropped at 80 feet. I crawled out of my blind and grabbed my quad-cane. I proceeded on the way where the deer laid. After I worked my way through the cactus I looked for my deer. Yes my deer!



Antlers in the low light. I slowly bent down and ran my hand over the antlers. Counting 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, yes 9 points. Thank you God. The Lord guided the flight of my bullet. I was blessed to have this buck.

I finally got around to calling Brandon and asking for his help. He drove up and loaded up my buck and took it back to the cleaning area. Brandon then completely skinned and quartered the buck for me. Knives and I do not mix well.

I hunted the next two days with only the sight of turkeys and a brief glimpse of a doe. With the buck I was more than pleased. The trip home went quickly.

If it was not for Brandon my deer would still be on the ground in Travis county. Thanks again Brandon.






For those wanting stats here goes: 9 points, 137#, 17 1/2 inside spread, and 3.5 years old. This was a great place to hunt and I am grateful for my Buck.

FYI: If you use a cane be extra careful of the cactus. My right leg will vouch for that. Also gravity and gravel do not mix well.

Congrats on a great hunt and a nice buck.

Excellent job and a great story! Thanks for sharing.

Great buck and congrats.

Very cool. Nice buck and great story. Being partially disabled myself I can appreciate it. Crushed my leg 4yrs ago and still don't have feeling in foot so navigating rough terrain is a pain. Congrats and God Bless

Congrats on a great buck!

Man, that is a great story. My dad tries and tries to get draw on those hunts and is never successful. I think one of these years those points are actually going to kick in for him. He too has difficulty walking and uses a walker or scooter. One day I hope to accompany him on one of these trips. Congrats on a great buck.

Congrats nice buck!!!

Congrats.....Did you meet Brandon on this forum?

Thanks for sharing a great story! Glad you had a successful hunt.

Nice buck too!

Nice. 137# dressed or live weight?

I met Brandon after I was drawn for the hunt. Great place he runs. A 4000+ acre gem.

Congrats on a super buck and a great hunt. Thank you for sharing your story. I don't know if Brandon will read this or not but a big Thank You to him also. We are blessed to live in a state full of great people and story's like yours proves it. I said a prayer of thanks for your getting drawn on your hunt and for God for placing Brandon along also. Baker

Well done sir. A great buck and a great story!

Great story and a beautiful animal. Congratulations.

I am so grateful to the opportunities from TPWD to enter in "the woods" on occasion. Without the "drawn hunt" program, suffice it to say, I would/could not venture into "the woods". I do know that when I am drawn that it is meant for me to go. I do acknowledge God is guiding my bullet. After years of writing/shooting right handed becoming left handed is a challenge. All the people who have helped me I am eternally grateful. It took a while but eventually I removed all the cactus needles

Nice buck and great read. congrats!

great job buddy.

OUTSTANDING! Congrats!

Live.

Awesome buck.

That is a great story! Beautiful deer

well done sir , my hat is off to you !!

Congrats. Great story

Congrats to you, great buck, great story, thanks for sharing.