COOSEFAN Report post Posted May 11, 2011 Howdy folks, I'm back from an amazing trip to Texas! I couldn't possibly write a story that fully and accurately described how insanely awesome Texas is! This was my first trip and I now completely understand why Scottyboy loves that state! My dad, Jim Sr., brother, Matt, and close friend, Wayne, and I jumped in the truck last week and headed to Texas. We had shotguns, rifles, bows and fishin' poles and most importantly, an invite to hunt a friends ranch outside of Albany, Texas. The owners of this ranch are amazing people and were very gracious to let a group of blood thirsty hunters have full reign of their property and amenities! The ranch was absolutely huge and overwhelming. The stock tanks were full of bass, crappie and perch, and the feilds were full of Rio Grande Turkeys and giant Hogs! The Turkeys were still gobbling and we called in a few. We each had multiple tags for Turkeys and if we could shoot better we would've had more birds by the end, but all said and done we still went 4 for 4 on the beautiful Rio's! The Hogs were a BLAST to hunt and I quickly learned how tough they are to kill with a bow, especially those giant boars! I put 2 arrows in a huge boar after stalking to 18 yards of him and only to watch him walk off acting pissed off and un-scathed! Even after breaking out the 7mag I realized I didn't have enough gun to get the job done quickly on those tough critters! Actually, after walking up to my first Hog, a big sow, I turned to yell that I found her and she jumped up and charged me!!! I didn't even aim and luckily slammed another round into her at 10 yards! What a rush!!! Any chance we got we would fish the ponds and caught a bunch of fish. Dad had a giant bass break his line right at the bank and I'm sure that will haunt him for a long time. He caught plenty others but I could tell he will always remember that huge bass jumping and breaking his line! Here's basically the photo essay of the whole adventure, enjoy...I know I did! JIM> I ran out of room for pics! I'll upload the rest now. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DUG Report post Posted May 11, 2011 Wow! Looks like you had a great time. Those hogs look huge. Thanks for sharing! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
COOSEFAN Report post Posted May 11, 2011 Thanks for checkin' out the pics! JIM> Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Chef Report post Posted May 11, 2011 Very nice Jim! Looks like you all had an absolute blast! Those are some pretty nice sized hogs to boot. You guys sure know how to take a vacation. How was the food? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
COOSEFAN Report post Posted May 11, 2011 Very nice Jim! Looks like you all had an absolute blast! Those are some pretty nice sized hogs to boot. You guys sure know how to take a vacation. How was the food? Hey Chef, the food was awesome! Those Texans know how to eat and they ain't skimpy on the portions! We ate dinner one night in town at a place called "The Beehive" and I'm pretty sure it's a famous place to eat or drink at for most folks that hunt that part of Texas. I had one of the best steaks I've ever had at that place! We were by ourselves for a night at the ranch and had to fend for ourselves, which meant nasty balogna sandwiches and microwaved hot pockets. Thanks, JIM> Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Basser15 Report post Posted May 11, 2011 Very nice! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Coues Kid Report post Posted May 11, 2011 great pics look like you guys got to fish a killer bass pond good job on the turkeys hogs look huge. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Schmitty Report post Posted May 11, 2011 The Beehive or the old "Fort Griffin" steakhouse is AWESOME! Those Iranian fellows sure know how to cook a steak! i've always got to watch my nephews as they try to steal the $1 bills off the wall in the bar. That part of TX is a neat place and full of game. The Shackelford County courthouse is one cool old building as well. I think it's been 4 years now that I've been going out there to cull does/hogs and predators with my brother and nephews as his coworker's family owns one of the bigger ranches in the county! I'd love to get out there one spring to chase Tom's! Congrats on a great trip! Schmitty Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bonecollector Report post Posted May 11, 2011 Cool pics. Man those are some big hogs. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
stanley Report post Posted May 11, 2011 Wow!!!! That looks like an awesome trip!!!!!! Great pics as always. Thanks for sharing! S. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kilimanjaro Report post Posted May 11, 2011 Yes I do love TX. It's home, afterall! Looks like a fun time was had. That part of the state can produce some bruiser bucks. Pity you had to see it at it worst. Its drier than a popcorn fart right now. That area of the state is burning really badly. It should have been as green as a golf course out there with bluebonnets covering the grass. I was out there 2 weeks ago and I was appauled by just how dry it really is. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tjhunt2 Report post Posted May 11, 2011 I don't know that you ever posted a just normal post with normal pictures and this is another of the above average size game and good times had by all again. Absolutely amazing to say the least. I have always wanted to go shoot some hogs and I hear Texas is over run with them. Thanks again for sharing and taking us along on your little vacation with Matt, Pops, your friend Wayne, and yourself. Did you bring some meat home and how was it? TJ Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
COOSEFAN Report post Posted May 13, 2011 Schmitty... We've got a few $1 bills hangin' on the wall in the bar now too! I thought it was crazy how the outside appearance of the building didn't match the inside and class of the restaraunt at all. I would've never guessed I could walk insided that old building and order oysters on the half shell or shrimp scampi! I loved it! Scottyboy... It looked green to me, but i'm a desert rat so it doesn't take much to impress me! LOL! TJ... Thanks! We didn't kill any small hogs and were hesitant to bring back the big ones because we've heard they aren't that good to eat. We did bring 1 full hog back tho to give it a try and it's at the processor right now being made into chorizo and hot italian sausage! I'll let ya know how it turns out. Thanks, JIM> Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
deerhunter Report post Posted May 14, 2011 Now thats a good vacation. I bet those hogs heads would make some great european mounts. Thanks for the pics!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Zackman Report post Posted August 4, 2011 Looks like a great time. And like you got a bunch of critters! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
