Oldest boy and I are packed and about ready to head out the door. We'll be traveling a couple hours or so down to South Texas as he was lucky enough to get drawn by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Youth hunt at the Chaparral WMA (crown jewel of Texas public deer hunting). Sources on the ground indicate the rut has been in full swing for the past week.
Got my deer grunter (Thanks HuntnCarve) and a set of antlers as there's an excellent possibility of rattling one in.
We'll be looking for a buck that's 4yrs or older. Perhaps later this week I'll have some pictures of a good representation of our South Texas wt bucks. :biggrin:
Good Luck FOs! I know you guys will enjoy your hunt. Be Safe.
Dave
Good luck and have a safe trip. I know you mentioned the possibility of this hunt earlier and it looks like the hunting gods smiled on your son this year. Have fun.
Jerry
Good luck! Hope you have tons of fun. :eyebrownod:
Have a fun and safe trip. Take lots of pics!!
Congratulations on the draw! Good Luck & be Safe!! Can't wait for the trip report!! :yoyo: :yoyo:
:yoyo: Good luck FOS and congratulations to the boy! Another great experience in the making!
Checking in from Cotulla Tx on my iPad.
Saw four young wt bucks this afternoon. Oldest was 3.5yrs
Oldest boy shot himself a javelina @ 151 yards with the Kimberly 84M .308 loaded with 150gr. accubonds. Damn things STINK. My hands still smell....
Pictures upon return.
Oh man I could enjoy that :yoyo:
Stay safe, and we eagerly await your return, bearing pictures. :eyebrow:
It sounds like a great time, Enjoy for us and let us see the pics.
Chaparral is infested with javelina! We saw 17 today.
Saw four bucks. All young. No more 3.5 yr old
I'm not seeing any signs of rut. No response to grunting nor ratteling. No response to doe and buck lures/urine.
Will see what tomorrow brings.
Muy Grande, or no mas grande?
I wish you guys the best of luck.
Hope you get a BIG one !
Well, the hunt ended this morning at 11am. There were 12 youth hunters, and no one dropped (nor saw) a "Muy Grande". I think the rut ended sometime last week as everyone on the hunt stated emphatically that they saw no signs of rut. Bummer. :sad:
We saw a nice 4.5yr old buck last night an hour before sunset. He was a 6x4 narrow spread short tined buck. We elected to pass as we know there's better out there in that brush. At 10:43am we decided to start packing up as the hunt was scheduled to come to a close at 11am. As we're sorting gear and preparing to leave, a buck stepped out onto the sendero. A quick peek through the binoculars showed him to be a 3.5yr old 4x4.
The boy not wanting to leave empty handed, decided he was going to drop the buck. a 150gr. Nosler Accubond from the Kimber 84M .308 Winchester dropped said buck at 262 yards. My son (Joe) heads out to claim his buck while I fetch the truck and load up our gear. I hear another shot, so I drop what I'm doing and sprint back out to the sendero. My son said he must have spined the buck as when he got within 120 yards it attempted to regain it's feet and run off. So another quick shot to his neck put an end to that.
Biologist aged the buck at 3.5 yrs
8pt (4x4) scored 109 gross
Not what we had hoped for, but a buck to end the season non the less.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v239/FOsteology/Boys/Chaparral_2011/P1000998.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v239/FOsteology/Boys/Chaparral_2011/P1010001.jpg)
As mentioned earlier, the place is simply overrun with javelina. It was not uncommon for us to see up to 22 of them at once. Usually there would be a group or two of 7-8 in sight throughout the day. Mean little sob's..... they like to fight!
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v239/FOsteology/Boys/Chaparral_2011/P1000980.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v239/FOsteology/Boys/Chaparral_2011/P1000983.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v239/FOsteology/Boys/Chaparral_2011/P1000985.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v239/FOsteology/Boys/Chaparral_2011/P1000986.jpg)
Some pictures of the terrain. Believe it or not, most of the Chaparral WMA burned up 4-5 years ago. With a bit of rain (which we saw virtually nill this most of this year) greens it up quick. If the cactus, mesquite, and various other thorn brush doesn't poke you, the dang rattlesnakes and javelina will bite you! :laf:
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v239/FOsteology/Boys/Chaparral_2011/P1000988.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v239/FOsteology/Boys/Chaparral_2011/P1000989.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v239/FOsteology/Boys/Chaparral_2011/P1000991.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v239/FOsteology/Boys/Chaparral_2011/P1000992.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v239/FOsteology/Boys/Chaparral_2011/P1000993.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v239/FOsteology/Boys/Chaparral_2011/P1000994.jpg)
Last set of pictures show the sendero's. Since the vast majority of south Texas is covered in extremely thick heavy brush (and infested with rattlesnakes), the most popular method to kill deer is to create long dirt roads (called sendero's) and place an elevated stand in the middle, and watch for deer crossing. A bit of golden nuggets of joy spread on the sendero ups the chance of deer and other wildlife stopping long enough for a shot. Shots can be long, as most sendero's are several hundred yards in each direction.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v239/FOsteology/Boys/Chaparral_2011/P1000995.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v239/FOsteology/Boys/Chaparral_2011/P1000996.jpg)
Maybe that isn't the buck you were looking for, but it looks really good to me. As for the pig - nice picture, but I remember what you said about the smell. :puke:
Interesting information on the way they clear so you can shoot.
Jerry
Didnt go home empty handed and had a dang good time in the process. :congrats:
Boy those pictures sure bring back memories. Only hunted Texas once, but I'll never forget that terrian. Loved every minute of it. :wink:
Good stuff Fo, and thanks for sharing. Nice job Joe!!!!
Sounds like you had a great Father/Son outing. Congrats to Joe on a real nice buck! Thanks for sharing the adventure with all of us!
Dave
Sounds like a great hunt to me. That's bigger than any whitetail I've killed and I've never shot a pig, so I am plumb envious of that. Sure is interesting country in those photos. Thanks for the story and pics.
Crikey I didn't know them lil buggers had teeth like that :shock2:...Id rather hunt one of them then a deer ha-ha, nice buck too! Id love 2 hunt Texas some day but I might die in that heat being a New Englander :biggrin:
Hey FOsteology,
Just found this website.
Also hunted last week's youth only at the Chap. Son got lucky on first hunt and convinced me to cut our stay short, so we didn't get a chance to meet.
Tough to meet everyone though.
Thought TPWD did an outstanding job hosting the kids.
Congrats on your son's 8 and the Javi.
It was our first trip there too and we had blast.
Would post son's pic, but don't know how.
He actually got a pretty good one.
Heard there was one other 140+ killed to and was hunting for a pic of when i stumbled on this site.
Hunted Ano Neuvo. What pasture were you guys in?
Hey East Tex,
Congrats to your son. I'd be happy to post your son's picture of his deer. Just send it to my screen name at yahoo dot com.
We were hunting in pasture #10 North Jay. The Jones family (kids from Nebraska) were hunting next to me in #9 (South Jay). The youngest son in that party shot a 6.5 yr old buck that scored around 120
I think if the hunt had been scheduled the week before, there may have been more mature deer seen.
A gentleman and his adult son that I'm acquainted with via another Forum will be hunting the Chap in a couple weeks. Will be interesting to see the results from the adult hunt.
Will try and send pic tomorrow.
I met the family from Nebraska.
His older boy passed a buck the 1st evening that he wished he had shot.
The other buck Dan (tpwd biologist) said that scored well was killed by the tall lanky teenager that looked like his tall lanky dad.
Real good folks. Wish I could remember their names. Drove a gold chevy 4X4.
Kid was excited for Josh's buck and went out of his way to pat him on the back.
Ano Neuvo is right across the fence from North Jay #10, so we were hunting neighbors.
Ya'll weren't camping in the RV camp were you?
Tell your son congrats on a nice looking buck, and at the zero hour.
I hunted javelinas once around Laredo, and it was a blast! Get em close, blow on a squeeler call and the pack charges in looking to 'help.' My nephew (about 18 at the time), flung one arrow and was last seen haulin the mail in the opposite direction! :laf: He still hasn't lived that one down.
East Tex,
No, we stayed in Cotulla. Folks from Nebraska stayed there as well. Spoke with the oldest boy Brenden for awhile. He saw two bucks he was contemplating shooting. He was having a devil of a time as he's used to much larger bucks.
Dave,
I agree. Best to hunt javelinas up close as they're pretty easy to sneak up on. With a call you can really fire them up! They'll charge in ready to fight!
Okay FOs.
Gonna give it a go at my 1st attempt to post a pic.
(I are un Aggie so wish me luck)....
Info:
We hunted Ano Neuvo from a pop up down wind of a scrape in a sendero that had no stand.
(figured older deer may be too familiar with their stands)
Saw 11 deer total including this buck and a super wide but thin 8 he elected to pass.
Big buck initially came out 45 minutes before dark at about 400 yards (and your're right...not at all interested in the does) but he was rubbing a bush close to but not at the scrape. I had him identified as a mature shooter (even by 1st day standards) with my Elk binnoculars. He used scope only and had to trust my judgement.
All deer left about 30 minutes before dark. .
He started losing hope of big guy coming back when dark started settling in.
Told him to hang tight we had 10 minutes of legal light and good optics.
Buck stepped out a couple of minutes later at 215 yards (which I thought was about 170 at the time, until we ranged it the next day).
He got very nervous but did an excellent job of taking deep breaths waiting for broadside, then holding steady and letting gun surprise break. (wind was from you to me so not sure if you heard our shot)
I convinced him to at least wait until dark to go look and the whole time he thought he had shot a 120 - 130 class buck, hoping it was a 10. He about fell over when we got to him. only ran about 40 yards drilled right behind the shoulder. His best and longest shot. We even got lucky and the bullet hit no bone, not even ribs so we got every bit of meat. Used my .270Mag which usually blows up a shoulder.
Official score was 142 7/8 gross - 141 1/8 net
6 1/2 yrs old
16 1/2 inside
Short brows - Good mass
(http://i574.photobucket.com/albums/ss184/scwhite_photo/Josh%20Chap%20Buck%20-%202011%20Youth%20Only%20Chaparral%20WMA/JoshChapBuck001.jpg)
(http://i574.photobucket.com/albums/ss184/scwhite_photo/Josh%20Chap%20Buck%20-%202011%20Youth%20Only%20Chaparral%20WMA/JoshChapBuck002.jpg)
(http://i574.photobucket.com/albums/ss184/scwhite_photo/Josh%20Chap%20Buck%20-%202011%20Youth%20Only%20Chaparral%20WMA/JoshChapBuck003.jpg)
Now THAT's more representative of the Chap! :biggrin:
Congratulations to your son (and the proud Dad). Love those "claws" and good mass throughout. Did Dan or Sarah age the buck? Hard to tell by the pic's, but I'm guessing 4.5yo mebbe 5.5 ??
Never mind on age, see in your post now.
Thanks FOs.
His luck can be down right disgusting sometimes.
That buck out did my career deer.
I was very proud and happy for him....but.........
..think he needs a lesson in humility sometimes at how difficult it really is and how much luck is involved...
Least he admits it, and says 'rather be lucky than good'....
What'd your son decide to do with his horns?
European or shoulder? It really is good buck by normal standards ya know.
oh, yeah....how's the meat on those javi's anyway?
We got a whif of the ones hanging in the locker. :whew:
Tell your son congrats on that trophy buck, E.Tx
Enjoyed the story, especially how psyched he was when he found him. Nothing beats hunting with your son!
My son is just having a horn on oak panel done. He's also cleaning the javelina skull so that he can set it next to his feral hog skull.
I've never been brave enough to eat javelina. I've heard that it's good....
I believe the main issue is ensuring it's skinned properly as you definitely don't want to pierce the glands in the lower back. It'll contaminate the entire carcass.
We donated the javelina meat. A couple of other folks did as well. We were the last to leave, and there was a deer left in the walk-in cooler. Not sure if it was donated or not. Buck was a young basket 8pt with spread well within the ears (maybe 10 inch spread).
Very nice Buck and good shooting, Just curious what did he weight, he looks pretty heavy.
Congratulations to the boy. :highclap: cc
Thanks CC,
buck weighed 150 dressed. not sure what that equates to live weight other than killing my back getting it hung up in the locker.
Since we brought it in with guts, wished we had asked them for a live weight, but they do have a biology research process they go through so I just did as told.
FOs,
In east tx we're run over with hogs. I have a buddy that boils out the skulls on any boars with nice tusks and cuts the base perpendicular so that they sit on a shelf pointing upwards.
He learned it in Australia. Looks real good.
Course the spouses won't let you put them in the den or anything, but at a cabin or the kid's room....awesome look. He has several in his study as bookends.
A 109 8 point rack will luck really nice on a plaque mount. Probably too late for this suggestion, but that buck would make a good european too.
Without the ears the spread appears much bigger. We like to do them ourselves as a way to stretch out the experience reminiscing about the hunt over a boiling pot.
Really not that much work as alot of folks make it out to me in my book.
Congrats again on your son's buck and piggie.
Liked the pics you added of the terrain too.
Sure was a great experience, and lots of fun seeing the kids get a chance to go after the big fabled Muy, huh.
What I enjoyed most about the hunt was the time spent with my oldest son. We haven't had an opportunity to spend a great deal of time one on one since school began, due to football and academic requirements.
That truly is a nice buck your son shot. Shoulder mount I presume?
On the weight, I think I read or heard somewhere that the internals are around 30% of the weight? :confused:
That would seem to make the buck around 190-195lbs on the hoof. We didn't field dress Joe's buck either, and had Dan weigh it as is as I processed the deer via the gutless method.
Joe's buck was 154lbs on the hoof if my memory isn't mistaken.