We had a fantastic trip to Keyhole Outdoors in Brady TX. (www.keyholeoutdoors.com/) This is a low fence ranch and the rifle opener began Sat. Nov 3. I got to the ranch with my bow on Friday afternoon, and Dickey Key let me go to a Double Bull blind and sit that afternoon. We were in an oak mott that was just filthy with acorns and deer came in and out all afternon. We saw a number of good 8 and 9 pointers, but an 11-pointer that was obviously an older deer from his body size came in to about 100 yards. He never got closer, but we watched him bed and then get up and leave the area. We knew he was a for sure shooter.



The next morning we went back and saw some small bucks and does. That afternon we switched stands due to wind and saw plenty of deer and a suber 5x8 3-1/2 year old buck. An ancient 6 pointer with a huge body snort wheezed and ran the 13 pointer off. He was beautiful and I would have shot him, but he will be a super buck next year. That day my buddy Eddie Stevenson brought in a super high old 8-pointer...



We tried a new stand the next morning and afternoon with sightings of a few good 3 year olds but nothing huge. I did arrow a nice Rio gobbler that afternoon at 21 yards. He had a 10-inch beard and 1 1/8" spurs. Sorry, I didn't have my camera with me and got no photos. Joe Arterburn from Cabela's took a really nice buck that afternoon as did John Barsness of Successful Hunter magazine...





The next morning we decided to go back to the Double Bull and try it again. We had some of the same young bucks around and the area was torn up with rubs and scrapes. About an hour after daylight, I peaked out of the back of the blind, and I saw our 11-pointer from the first night. He was 50-60 yards behind us, but he was on a line that would put him right in front of me if he continued.

After a while, he stepped in front of the blind at a mere 16 yards. I drew and waited for a good angle. He was barely quartering to, and I wouldn't take the shot. I held so long that I set my bottom cam on my knee to rest and wait. Finally he shifted around and gave me a broadside. I let the arrow fly from my BowTech Guardian, and it was an absolutely perfect shot. He ran out in the brush and was done. I scored him at an honest 137 - everyone was thinking he was 140+.


I shot both the gobbler and buck with the Rage 2 blade, and the entrance holes were phenomenal. I am hooked on that broadhead.


It was really cool taking the great buck that close on ground level, and the footage we got for Outdoor America is super. The Lumenok really made the shot dramatic. I highly recommend Keyhole Outdoors to anyone looking for a high quality LOW FENCE FREE RANGE Texas deer hunt. Bow hunters will definitely have a great opportunity to get a P&Y or much better buck, and with a rifle, you can be very choosey. It is such a blast to go out and see tons of bucks on virtually every sit. I am definitely going back!!!

Tim H.

Very, very, nice deer there.

GREAT photos too!

Congrats. Looks like a lot of fun!

Cheers,
Canuck

Tim, thanks for the update and the usual great pictures. Looks like ya'll pretty much loaded the boat. Great 11 pt. how old?

Glad you enjoyed Texas from a "low fence" perspective and the "shows" continue to show Texas as "high fence" deer ranching which all S. Texans know is utter hogwash.

Come back soon and let us know when ya'll will have it on tv.

PS No snakes?

looks like you had a great time - congratulations!

We made a big deal out of the ranch being low fence - over and over for the TV aspect to let people know you can kill good deer down there outside a fence.

Not sure, but I think it will run first quarter of 2008 on Outdoor America...

Most of Texas has had unusually abundant rainfall this year and the racks show it. You picked a great year to hunt Texas.

Awesome hunting story and pics.

Congratulations and thanks for sharing!

X

I hunted with Eddie and the Remington folks with Dickie for Rio Grande turkeys a couple of years back, great operation, had a blast. Eddie is a great companion in camp, a true sportsman and hard-hunting guy, and Dickie was a bunch of fun. I'd hunt with them any time.
Walt Hampton

Those are some nice looking bucks, good job!

Looks like a nice time.. Congrats!

www.keyholeoutdoors.com

NIce Bucks!Congratulations!