We headed down to the ranch at Dilley, Texas Thursday night after work. Only seven of the group could make it down that night; three more came down Friday after their obligations in the metro-plex were taken care of. One of our group, Alfred, was able to make it down early enough to get in an evening hunt and took three pigs and two turkeys before the rest of us got down there. This was a trend for him the rest of the weekend.



Friday morning I bounce everyone in camp out of bed around 5:30, get the stands assigned and caffeine consumed and off for the morning hunt. It was a beautiful morning with a little fog; the only thing is with all the rain down there lately, the mosquitoes are outrageous. Thank goodness for Therma Cells and Extra strength Off. It wasn’t long after first light the gun shots rang out and after the morning and the tally was five pigs down. We gathered everyone up took the pigs to the cleaning rack and went to set down to breakfast and chill for a bit. As the solar tables said prime time for game movement was between 11 and 1, I put some hunters back out in stands. At about 1:30 we gathered everyone up again and Alfred added two more pigs to the total. After these get put into the cooler most went to take a nap or just chill for a while. Two more of the group showed up around 3 pm and we got them settled into the camp. About 5 PM we get the stands assigned and loaded everyone up. It was a little warm, but not as bad as in the past, still just a beautiful day. Soon the gunshots rang out and at the end of the evening hunt ten more pigs and three more turkeys hit the ground. Once again, Alfred had the hot hand and accounted for three of the pigs and two more turkeys to completely fill out his tags. We dropped them all off at the cleaning shed and headed to the kitchen for a dinner of smoked ham, mashed potatoes and green beans. Afterward we enjoyed a good mild cigar and a couple of bottles of 14 Hands wine or other adult beverages.



Sometime around 1 AM the group broke up and headed to bed. I got up around 5 AM Saturday to bounce everyone up. Coffee made and we get everyone to the vehicles to head out. It was a cool crisp morning with the promise of carnage in the air. Not long after sun up the sweet sound of gunfire rang out across the ranch. As we gathered everyone up, the morning count was four pigs, two turkeys, a raccoon and a ferocious killer squirrel. This squirrel had been reported to be bullying the bunny rabbits and sparrows and taking the other baby animal’s lunch money. Ron rid us of this menace of the woods with an outstanding 185 yard shot from his 7 MM STW. At least the mangled carcass that he brought back to camp was conveyed to all of us as the reputed hideous squirrel of the woods. I know I will be able to sleep better knowing that that the menace has been dealt justice, thank you Ron, thank you. Another notable event was Eric Jr shot a turkey at 265 yards, shot right through both eyes, and then turned around and shot a big boar. That acorn didn’t fall far from the tree as it goes to shooting skills.



Not to leave Alfred out of the story, as he was a big part of it this weekend, he added two pigs to his tally and had to pass on another turkey as he was tagged out. After we dropped all animals at the skinning rack, off we went to breakfast and to some good tales. As the solar tables said prime times were mid day, we set some of the guys back out, only one pig was taken at lunch. The rest of the afternoon was spent sleeping or setting around talking guns, sports and hunting. As the evening rolled around we gathered for the trip to the woods, did I tell you how bad the mosquitoes were? Some of them were so big they had airplane light mounted to themselves. On the way out, Dennis took out a javalina that was hanging out on the main road. He put the smack down on him, or so we thought, as he was making his gun safe, the javalina shook his head a couple of times, got up and walked into the woods. I was flabbergasted that he got up? I guess that’s hunting. After the sun had set and everyone was safely back at camp we added seven more pigs to the score card, one turkey and a coyote. After we dropped the pigs and turkey off at the cleaning rack we headed to eat pork chops, bar-b-que chicken, long grain rice and baked beans. After dinner, we set around recounting the days hunt, enjoying a good cigar, a bottle of Bogle wine and other adult beverages. Many tales/exaggerations later, the group wandered off to bed to pass the night away.



Sunday morning wakeup call had a lot fewer takers, as only five people answered the call. It was another truly gorgeous day, cool, crisp and just a perfect end to a great weekend. Even though it was a small group that morning, gun fire still rang out. As we gathered up the faithful hunters, we added a turkey and another coyote to the tally. I want to thank the group that stayed back at camp, as they had started cutting up the pigs to put in the ice chests. That sure sped up breaking camp, since the hunters just had to eat a quick breakfast and get to packing up.



This was a really great weekend. Met some new friends and re-united with old ones. Laughed, told tales and just had an overall relaxing, fun time. The rains down there have greened up south Texas. The deer looked good, bucks were showing antler growth, and turkey hens were separating, likely to begin nesting. Not a lot of toms strutting, I guess we missed that window of opportunity?



As a side note: I would like to now convey the title of the “Butcher of Dilley” to the now infamous Alfred, as he was red hot this weekend. Wherever he went, animals flocked to him and begged him to end their pitiful existence. He accounted for twelve pigs and four turkeys, one outstanding weekend and one I doubt he will likely, not forget anytime soon.

Looks like a great time!

Sounds like a great weekend. Especially for Alfred.

Sounds like you guys had a blast. We're hoping to get out this spring to poke a pig as well around east TX. But until they stop charging so much for a "hog hunt", I guess there really isn't much of a hog problem here in TX.

quote:

Originally posted by daniel77:
Sounds like a great weekend. Especially for Alfred.

He was being smiled upon. Weekends like this make it hard for the ones to come measure up. Poor Alfred. LOL

Good work men. BTW, I had a fella give me a case of Bogle, not too shabby.

Sounds like a great hunt. Well done.

Nice job on the gobblers and pigs.

Congrat all around! What a great outing....

Bob