Well, I am the client Crazyhorseconsulting had come hunt with him last weekend. I never could convince him I was from Kansas. First I will say that I had an absolutely great time. I could not have been treated better than Randall and Lora treated me! I have come away with some good friends.

Randall did the guiding and Lora did the cooking. And what cooking it was! Lora would come to the cabin to do the cooking and I would always find the menu posted on a chalk board for the next day or that afternoon. On the first night, I got Stuffed Scorpions (a shrimp dish that Lora made look like scorpions), faux mignon (bacon wrapped ground steak with chopped veggies), gumbo AND dirt (crushed oreos and chocolate pudding).


That was just one meal. The rest of the meals were equally appealing, even to the extent we had prime rib and baked potatoes one night. I could not eat it all.

As for the hunting, it was also great. I arrived at about noon Thursday, the day before the hunt was to begin. As I had heard before, Randall insisted we hunt that evening, at no charge. It was an evening/night hunt. We waited in the stand and saw a few deer. When it was full dark at about 8:00PM, we saw the group of pigs come in. As they moved around, I put the crosshairs on one of the larger pigs and let it rip. To my surprise we saw nothing go down and heard no squealing. Yes, I had missed clean. While I was beating myself about the head and shoulders for missing the shot, Randall kept trying to make me feel better. He would tell me that it was different hunting under the light of the feeders and a lot of people have trouble with it the first time. Like I said, he tried all he knew how to make me feel better. I could just hear himself saying to himself, “I sure hope this was a fluke ‘cause so far this guy can not shoot”, or something to that effect. I just assured him that I knew I screwed up and it would not happen again.

The next morning, I changed rifles from my Colt Light Rifle in 30-06 to my semi-custom 6.5x55 Winchester Model 70. Both sighted in fine at Randall’s range at the cabin. Maybe I am superstitious that way, but if I miss with the rifle, I give it a rest. The morning stand was overlooking a feeder that was a little over 100 yards away. We got there and saw the usual deer and doves. (If you want a doe hunt, this is the place to go) At about 8:00AM we saw a small band of pigs coming from our right to the feeder, which was on a small plateau. I did not let the lead sow get to the top to feed. One 140 grain Sierra SBT GameKing, and it was all over for her. She weighed a little over 100 pounds and will be some great eating.



That evening we went to a third stand on another piece of property and had no luck. Plenty of deer, just no pigs this evening.

The next morning, Randall had some obligations that I knew about ahead of time, so I went to the same stand where I shot the pig the morning before by myself. The weather was great. It was clear and in the 70s. I was just happy to be out and looking. As I overlooked the feeder, I saw a lot of animals come in. Doves, Quail, a coyote hurried by and several deer. Then there was the moment I knew I was probably not going to see any deer this morning. The feeder was visited by the resident population of Bison. It was truly great to watch these majestic animals. I really think all some of them wanted to do was to scratch themselves on the feeder.



So I went back to the cabin at 9:30. It was Saturday, so I had to go to town and watch the Texas vs OU game. My wife was a Texas graduate and I did have my orders!

That night and the next morning we saw nothing but the usual deer. Randall was getting frustrated, I could tell. He kept saying things like. “I just really like watching my hunters kill stuff”. I was happy as a clam, but he was wanting more to show up.

The last evening, we went back to the stand where I missed the first night. I thought I would give the Colt another chance. We sat again until dark and again, the deer came in. I had seen some very nice bucks on this trip, along with the does. They are always nice to watch. At about 8:00PM again, the deer raised their heads again and were off. It signaled the time for the pigs to show up. Instead, a single figure wandered in the shadows. It seemed that it did not want to come into the full light. I put my scope on it and waited for a better light for the shot. Eventually he made a mistake and let the light shine on one side. The Winchester 150 grain Power Point dropped the pig in his tracks. After congratulations from Randall, he told me that I would be very happy with this boar. He was bigger than the usual pigs. And he was. He went just over 200#. He must have been laying at the tank a few yards from the feeder because he was muddy on one side. Typical big hairy boar. I am 6’1 tall and 270 so you can see this boar is big.



What I did not know until much later in the evening when Randall was skinning out the pig was that Randall had a serious case of nausea and was determined to take me out anyway. He was a true professional that went above and beyond.

The next morning was the planned day to leave. It was lightly raining but I got everything together to go without incident. Randall came by and said I had to stop by the house. It turned out that Lora had a goodie box to take with me. It included all home canned foods. I had cactus jelly, canned asparagus, pickled eggs from her chickens along with soup and other fine eats. It was an unexpected treat.

Hugs and handshakes were exchanged and I was on my way home with e cooler FULL of pork and the knowledge that I will most assuredly be back to visit my new friends.

We really enjoyed the time we spent with you Sir.

Hunts like this one is why I enjoy guiding folks. Making new friendships and sharing time in the field are the important parts of life.

Great report.

Thanks for sharing! Glad you had a great time!

I still have fond memories of a hunt with Mike DeTorre and "jeffe" when I was on a lease down south---jeffe blood trailing a pig, me in tow in shorts 'n tennies staying close to climbable trees. Then I had to pass my pistol to Mike to administer the "coup de grace"

Good huntin' there. Sounds like a great time with some excellent Texas hospitality from Mr. and Mrs. Ran'l.

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Lora and I enjoy meeting folks from different parts of the country, and I enjoy seeing/helping them be successful on their hunts with us.

Over the years, even as much of a hard ass as I come across on this site, Lora and I have made some good friendships and shared some great hunts with some genuinely good people.

I am very fortunate in being able at this point in time, to live the type life I have always dreamed of.

Sounds like a great time!

Hard to beat Texas hospitality!

Congrats to the both of you!