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Weekend hunt at Big Iron Ranch - Big Fallow down #5344366 10/06/14 03:38 PM
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kdkane1971 Offline OP
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This weekend, my wife and I went to Big Iron Ranch to hunt with therancher. I was in search of a big, bruiser fallow buck I had my eye on since January of this year. Driving 5+ hours to chase a single animal was a risky proposition, but a fallow of this caliber had been a dream of mine for several years now, so off we went to hopefully find him. We arrived around noon, and met therancher, who greeted us with a big smile and welcoming handshake. At the camphouse we also met Troy and his assistant John, who would be the taxidermist if we were successful, and who was also there to help spot the big fallow and so we could cover more ground if necessary. The view from the camp house is incredible, and we were extremely impressed with the beauty before us. The fallow had started their rut a couple weeks before our arrival, and had become very unpredictable with their movements. I was expecting to be sitting in a stand, and had thus prepared my wife to spend her time reading or enjoying the scenery from camp, however with the fallow rutting and not following any discernable patterns, the decision was made to take a more safari style approach; to attempt to locate him while driving in the UTV, and hopefully get a shot, or else then get out and put a spot and stalk on him. So, instead of sitting at camp all day, my wife was able to join us on the hunt, and after a quick bite to eat, off we went on our search. We had until Sunday to get the job done, so we weren’t necessarily in any rush, but the weather was perfect for hunting, albeit a little warm. For the first couple of hours, we were not successful in finding our mark, although we did see Whitetails, Sika, a group of Fallow bucks, an Axis buck, and more. We went back to camp to re-group, and decided to split into two groups, with therancher, me and my wife going one direction, and Troy and John going another. About an hour into our split effort, we met up again and Troy and John said they saw what they believed to be the big Fallow buck. They had jumped him bedded down about 10 yards off the path on which they were driving, and pointed us in the direction he ran. We drove the ranger in the general direction they gave us, and about 10 minutes later my wife, who had been an eagle spotter all day (on her first hunting trip ever), pointed excitedly towards a group of mature oaks in front of us. As therancher stopped the UTV, I could see a big bodied, obviously fallow buck in the midst of the oaks, but could not tell if he was indeed the one we were after. He was up on his feet, on high alert and staring right at us. I quickly exited the ranger, and moved around to the driver side next to therancher, opened my shooting sticks and put the crosshairs of my Zeiss on him. The fallow was very much obscured, with two mature oaks in front of him, forming a V shape with his head visible, although most of his horns and body were not. There was an approximate 5 inch opening which revealed the front part of his chest, and he was quartering hard to us. It was not an ideal shot to say the least. therancher was sure he was the fallow we were after, and behind me I could hear Troy and John approaching in their UTV. Knowing he had been jumped by them previously, and also by us during this encounter, I felt that a mature animal like him would not stick around for long, and if he ran this time we might not see him the remainder of our trip, thus I made the quick decision to take the shot. From approximately 100 yards out, my 30.06 barked, and the 150 grain Winchester ballistic silvertip connected, passing through his chest and out the ribcage behind. The big fallow dropped where he stood, kicking the ground for a few seconds and then lay still. He was done, and we all erupted with joy at an all-around exciting and successful hunt. Even more fulfilling was the time we spent the remainder of the weekend with therancher and his lovely bride. Gracious hosts, amazing people, and both I and my wife are proud to now call them friends.







Re: Weekend hunt at Big Iron Ranch - Big Fallow down [Re: kdkane1971] #5344369 10/06/14 03:39 PM
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Special thanks to BBD84 and huntingguide83 for their help in setting up the hunt!

Re: Weekend hunt at Big Iron Ranch - Big Fallow down [Re: kdkane1971] #5344374 10/06/14 03:42 PM
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Great buck!! Congrats...


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Re: Weekend hunt at Big Iron Ranch - Big Fallow down [Re: kdkane1971] #5344378 10/06/14 03:46 PM
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Awesome animal!


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Re: Weekend hunt at Big Iron Ranch - Big Fallow down [Re: kdkane1971] #5344395 10/06/14 03:55 PM
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cheers Great fallow up


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Re: Weekend hunt at Big Iron Ranch - Big Fallow down [Re: kdkane1971] #5344540 10/06/14 05:10 PM
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look at the body on that dude!


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Re: Weekend hunt at Big Iron Ranch - Big Fallow down [Re: txtrophy85] #5344655 10/06/14 06:19 PM
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We all had a ball! Let me tell you, his wife is the most incredible spotter I've ever seen. She saw every animal before I did. I thought she and KD were pulling my leg the first few times she "saw" something. I leaned soon to believe her every time she pointed.

Tell them about the eagle.


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Re: Weekend hunt at Big Iron Ranch - Big Fallow down [Re: kdkane1971] #5344713 10/06/14 07:07 PM
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Congrats on a great fallow and a successful hunt up


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Re: Weekend hunt at Big Iron Ranch - Big Fallow down [Re: kdkane1971] #5344717 10/06/14 07:11 PM
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Great fallow!


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Re: Weekend hunt at Big Iron Ranch - Big Fallow down [Re: kdkane1971] #5344785 10/06/14 07:59 PM
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Great Fallow and story!!!

Re: Weekend hunt at Big Iron Ranch - Big Fallow down [Re: therancher] #5344806 10/06/14 08:08 PM
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Originally Posted By: therancher
We all had a ball! Let me tell you, his wife is the most incredible spotter I've ever seen. She saw every animal before I did. I thought she and KD were pulling my leg the first few times she "saw" something. I leaned soon to believe her every time she pointed.

Tell them about the eagle.


So Friday afternoon, therancher told me about eagles that nest on the Guadalupe River, as well as the history regarding goat farmers and how they would kill eagles both before, and after the ban. It was a cool and interesting piece of Texas history and wildlife, and made for a good listen as well. Fast forward to Sunday mid-morning, we are cruising along in the ranger when my wife, and spotter, gives us a finger point and "look at that"! To our amazement, about 10-15 yards from the UTV was a juvenile eagle of some sort, mottled brown with some white markings, on the ground making a running takeoff like large birds do. We stopped the ranger and found the remnants of a wild turkey, freshly killed and about 95% eaten, under a low hanging tree. It was a really cool sight, and perfect follow-up to the story from Friday.

Last edited by kdkane1971; 10/06/14 08:09 PM.
Re: Weekend hunt at Big Iron Ranch - Big Fallow down [Re: kdkane1971] #5344829 10/06/14 08:18 PM
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Nice Fallow..congrats

Re: Weekend hunt at Big Iron Ranch - Big Fallow down [Re: kdkane1971] #5344832 10/06/14 08:18 PM
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Awesome fallow deer! Great mass and nice points. Rancher you have another one like him?


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Re: Weekend hunt at Big Iron Ranch - Big Fallow down [Re: TB338] #5345009 10/06/14 10:21 PM
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I've got a couple of nice mature white ones with great frames and points, but that one had the broadest paddles.


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Re: Weekend hunt at Big Iron Ranch - Big Fallow down [Re: kdkane1971] #5345053 10/06/14 10:46 PM
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Great looking animal.

Re: Weekend hunt at Big Iron Ranch - Big Fallow down [Re: kdkane1971] #5345055 10/06/14 10:49 PM
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Congrats! up texas



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Re: Weekend hunt at Big Iron Ranch - Big Fallow down [Re: kdkane1971] #5345108 10/06/14 11:21 PM
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Nice fallow! I love all the long points

Re: Weekend hunt at Big Iron Ranch - Big Fallow down [Re: kdkane1971] #5345283 10/07/14 12:36 AM
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Love those white fallows. They make a beautiful mount. Congrats!


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Re: Weekend hunt at Big Iron Ranch - Big Fallow down [Re: kdkane1971] #5345359 10/07/14 01:04 AM
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Ahhhh... I remember the taste of Fallow burgers!!!!! Congrats!!!

Re: Weekend hunt at Big Iron Ranch - Big Fallow down [Re: kdkane1971] #5345379 10/07/14 01:10 AM
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Great fallow congrats


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Re: Weekend hunt at Big Iron Ranch - Big Fallow down [Re: kdkane1971] #5345844 10/07/14 08:49 AM
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Thats a very nice Fallow Congrats! Safe to say you made the right decision on taking the shot!


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Re: Weekend hunt at Big Iron Ranch - Big Fallow down [Re: kdkane1971] #5345879 10/07/14 10:39 AM
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Great looking buck, well done sir! He will make a beautiful mount! Baker


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Re: Weekend hunt at Big Iron Ranch - Big Fallow down [Re: kdkane1971] #5346107 10/07/14 01:14 PM
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Great looking buck. He's going really stand out on your wall. Congratulations!!!


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Re: Weekend hunt at Big Iron Ranch - Big Fallow down [Re: kdkane1971] #5348492 10/08/14 04:22 PM
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cheers up


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Re: Weekend hunt at Big Iron Ranch - Big Fallow down [Re: kdkane1971] #5351055 10/09/14 10:00 PM
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He's a bruiser, his neck is massive. Gotta love hunting them when they are all rutted up


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