|
North Texas Success
By Chris Cobbett
Northwoods Adventures TV
|
Sometimes I think Texas
gets a bad rap. So many people assimilate Texas with
the small bodied high fence deer of the southern part of
the state. Those people are overlooking one of the best
sleeper hunts in the nation. Myself, Nate and two of our
friends Devon and Chris packed up last week and headed
just north of Amarillo to hunt with
Skillet Creek
Outfitters. The owners Frank Sparling and James
McClellan are great pals of ours and come up every year
to chase fall bear. I discovers this jem a few years
back and have been hooked ever since. The guys only take
a few people a year, they don't charge trophy fees
(shoot the biggest badest mother you can find), and they
are affordable at 1800 for a 4 day hunt meals and
lodging included.
|
|
|
Day 1
Well as with any adventure there are bumps in
the road. Due to bad weather and the airline
being run by not smart people, we had made it to
Amarillo by morning (cool pun), but our luggage
(guns included) was touring the country looking
for us. Never to waste a hunt, we begged and
borrowed some rifles from the locals. The first
morning proved fruitful for everybody but me.
Nate saw 5 shooter bucks, but all out a bit
further than
he wanted to shoot with an unfamiliar gun. Devon
saw two 8 points and several does, Chris Calais
shot a 250lb hog, and I saw nada.
That night was about the same. We all saw deer
and some nice bucks in the mix, but we were
reserved about shooting without our own guns.
Day 2
With our luggage back and guns in hand things
were looking up. This day got started right off
the bat. I got settled into the same morning
spot as day one. James was sure the big boy
would cruise by. As the sun started
coming up I noticed moment in the treeline about
140 yards out. I was in a cut wheat field and
facing where the deer were. Two deer came out
and it took only seconds to figure out it was a
shooter. As soon as James said he
had it on camera I let the Howa .300 win mag
bark.
We loaded up the deer and headed to breakfast.
Frank's truck was outside and I noticed a huge
buck in the back. Chris Calais had smoke a
bruiser just after sun up as he tried to skirt
though a creek bottom.
Nate and Devon had also seen some bucks but
nothing close enough to shoot. That night I sat
with Nate, we saw lots of deer but no shooters.
Frank set the scouting cam before we left to see
what would come during the night.
Day 3
The action was hot as soon as you could see.
Devon and his new cameramen (Mr. Tagged out
Calais) were in the deer from the word go. 9
does and one 8 point gave chase all morning but
Devon elected to hold out for something a bit
bigger. Nate and I were covered up in deer.
However, we only saw one shooter and the
encounter was over before it got started.
That night Devon and Chris were once again
covered in bucks and does chasing all over the
place. A slightly larger buck made and
appearance and it did not take the guys long to
capitalize. Devon fired and the deer was
dead before he hit the dirt.
As for Nate and I...... Well at 10 minutes to go on the game clock, here
comes Mr. Big from the last night's scouting cam photos. This 150 class
El Whopper come down the hill side and is on a course to give us a 100
yard shot. I was rolling some great footage and Nate was locked in. If
it sounds too good..... it was. At the last minute the deer got spooked
by something and bolts for the hill. He stopped briefly at 240 yards and
Nate
took a swing. The shot was high and the deer kept chugging. One more
quick shot at 270 (also high) and the deer of a lifetime was gone. That
night we
all felt the lose of a missed opportunity. We have all been there and
know how low it can be.
Day 4
Chris and Devon were left at camp this morning (bad idea) and we forgot
to take their bullets. Unfortunately for them, a group of Rio Turkeys
cam by camp. They are in season and can be shot with a rifle in Texas.
Well you
guessed it, ole "whack and stack" chased um down.
Nate was still in the slumps. So when he noticed a group of wild hogs
coming our way, I gave him the thumbs up to get back on the saddle and
shoot one. It took about a milli second and he was gun up. The ham on
legs
got to about 100 yards and caught our wind. Porky scrambled and Nate
busted him up on the run at 240 yards. His spirit was lifted and the
hunt for big bucks was back on.
That night we split up. Frank went with Nate to stalk draws and hunt for
ole mossy. I "got" stuck guiding Armada (Frank's wife). I know it is
rough, but I am a team player and just trying to help out (insert
sarcasm
here). Armada is a deer slayer. Her last buck score 156 and some
change. Aside from being funny, and a hoot in the blind, she is a
serious hunter and can drop the hammer when the pressure is on. Armada
and I sat a piece of land I knew well from hunting with Frank in the
past. We got set up on the high ground and spent most of the afternoon
glassing the draw and a island of trees in the middle. with about 45
minute till dark, I noticed 2 does come from the island and work through
the draw. I ran some tape and went back to glassing. I could see a bit
better where I was, as I had poor Armada stuffed behind a big yucca
bush. About 10 minutes later I saw a huge body coming from the island.
The deer
picked up its head and I just about had to change my diaper. The monster
walked around for about 10 minutes and I rolled some of the best footage
I have ever got. The deer was making scrapes and lip curling checking
for hot does. What an experience. I told Armada to get ready, a shooter
was coming. After a bit of confusion, we got our act straight and she
got off a shot. The buck did a nose dive and only went a short way. The
deer was the talk of the town that night and rough scores about 155.
|
