After dropping off some stuff at our lease in NE Lasalle County, ventured on and went down to Duvall County Saturday. 2,000 acre or so HF ranch. They will be concentrating on whitetails, have a ton of work to do to rebuild the herd and so, the exotics need thinning - hence my invite. Owners are 72 year old father and his son. The son had his wife, two HS children and two buddies there. All great people and the company was enoyed thoroughly. The kids give you faith in the future as these two have their heads on straight.

The two buddies were looking for axis does, but never got a shot off. All those "trapped" animals on that place and they just couldn't seal the deal. They left thate\evning with nothing but memories. I spent all day Sunday pretty much on foot, had one golden opportunity at a perfect Nilgai cow, never got a shot off and did not seal the deal. When looking for her, I surprised the two buffalo on the place and, my oh my, do they create a rumble in the brush. Just glad they went the other way. Never saw any of the Oryx on the place. Herd of forty or so, but they must know where to hide.

Monday morning I gave up on my fruitless still hunting expertise and sat in a blind. Saw 6 or 7 Nilgai cows out a distance that were just passing through and gone quickly. I got out and went after them. Stealthy as a Mohican, I trailed them until there they were - gone again. Coming back into the wind, I spotted what I originally thought was a cow, but turned out to be a young bull. Dumb guy saw me after a while, but kept looking at me up until 50 yards away when I saw a big bull looking at me. Blood was pumping even though I wasn't there to shoot a bull. Got goofy and started dancing while those two boys just tood there wondering what the heck was going on. That right there made the trip worth it. Turned around to resume hunting and looked back after five steps and both were still there. Got back to the original set up and careful peeked at each sendero where I eventually saw a Nilgai cow looking right at me (should've never left the blind). Took a quick free hand shot. Didn't feel good about it, walked up about a 100-120 yards looking for blood and found none. Felt a presence and through a small window in the brush, I could see her head and only her head. Put down my sticks, repositioned a couple of times and smacked her in the noggin at about 40-50 yards. Walked directly up to her to find out it wasn't her after all. The one I shot at originally was definitely a cow and this may have been her bull calf. It was about the same size as the one I had the stand off with and did have some size to him. The owners were happy for me.

Went out that afternoon to the same spot looking to find an axis doe for the two gents who went home empty handed. Ran off groups of Aoudad three times. At sundown, looked up and there was a Axis buck at just the start of velvet and a doe with a yearling. Sized her up and planted her there. Picked her up, skinned and gutted her for the other guys. That was worth something also.

The next day at 8AM, the game relocation crew came in. One helicopter, two stock trailers and four ATV's. Pro tip - never buy a used four wheeler from anyone in this business. They got going and boy did things get Western. I have been around a little or so, but that there was a real rodeo. Although very careful with the animals, there were some Neanderthal "actions" going on. I was impressed. Shooting nets out of helicopters, the hog tieing, retrieval and all. Captured 25 Aoudad or so, 20 Blackbuck and one fallow doe. The ramrod thought he would have everything sold within 48 hours and they would split up the proceeds. Everyone was happy and I was extremey entertained.

That's a great story Hud, and sounds like a real good time. Good stuff.

Life IS good.

Sounds like a great few days!

Between that, Vday and Bday, you been busy. Do you ever work? Asking for a friend.....

Here's the guys getting ready. When the trucks stopped, everyone got out and were continually doing something. Some at a faster pace than others, but always doing something.


This is right after take off and about as high as the chopper ever got. Must've been quite the thrill in that there four seater.


High shoulder shot remains extremely effective. Doesn't look like it in this photo, but this girl was heavy bred - any day in fact.


The sunset Sunday was, plain & simple, amazing.

^^^^

great write up and story ... dancing for a couple of Nilgai bulls ... almost sounds like the title of a CW song

good stuff!

Very cool, glad you got to enjoy that

2 for 1 on the bred axis doe.