Saturday, January 6, 2018

TEXAS - Elephant Mountain WMA - Mule Deer Hunt

ELEPHANT MT. WMA MULE DEER HUNT
 
The Good Lord smiled on this ol' man, and I got picked for the "stand-by rifle" hunt this past week, at Elephant Mt, Wildlife Management Area (TEXAS). This is between Alpine, TX and Big Bend National Park. I had never been to this area, but it is an "AWESOME" place. Very tough hunting (at least it was for this old fat guy). I met another hunter there and we teamed up, and were drawn together for the stand-by position. We had a great time. It was pretty cold and windy, as we were tent camping there. But definitely worth it.
Okay, here's a few details:
This hunt was provided courtesy Texas Parks and Wildlife draw hunt (lottery) system. This hunt is for three days, only, and only four spots are made available, each year. I have been trying for several years, to get drawn, however, have not been successful. Prior to the hunt, I called and was advised that there was one possible standby position available. I was told by the biologist that one spot would be available on the morning of the hunt. One spot could include up to two persons, max. He stated that anyone wishing to be selected, must be present at that time, and a drawing would be held.
Being very anxious, as I have never hunted in this area, nor have I ever had the opportunity to hunt Texas desert mule deer, I drove the 7 hours, "hoping" to get lucky. At the time of my arrival, there were 13 other guys there, just like me, hoping to get lucky.
Like I said earlier, the good Lord was smiling on me.
At orientation, we were advised for a buck to be legal, he must have an outside antler spread of at least 18 inches.
Prior to the drawing, I met another guy there, James, and we immediately "hit it off". We realized we both grew up in the Fort Worth, TX area. We teamed up, and were selected. After orientation, we were assigned to an area of approximately 2800 acres. This is very rough & rocky terrain, with the average elevation of about 4800 feet, above sea level. Also, everything that grows there in this high desert country is equipped with thorns "by the millions".
We quickly set up camp and set out to scout our area.
The first afternoon (January 2, 2018), I saw several deer, however, no "shooter" bucks.
The next morning (January 3), my partner and myself hiked up the mountain, where the biologist told us he had seen a couple of nice bucks, a couple of weeks earlier. The hike up the mountain required approximately 1 - 1/2 hours, just to get to the area we wanted to hunt, we split up and spent the entire day hunting, before we came back down. Again, I saw quite a number of deer, including bucks, I did not find a "shooter". However, for the first time in my life, I did see desert bighorn sheep, which was pretty cool. These were "obviously" off-limits, for hunting.
The next morning (January 4), I went to a different location, which I had not scouted previously. Before first light, I parked my truck beside the road, and hiked approximately 1/2 way up the mountain slope. From there I began still hunting laterally, across the slope. At approximately 7:45 AM, I spotted a buck up-slope from me, and after checking with binoculars I realized he was a small fork horn (four pointer). My rangefinder showed that he was at 254 yards. However, immediately I realized there were quite a number of does also in the area. Knowing that we were hunting during the rut, and as this buck was definitely "immature", and with the large number of does, there "must be" a good buck close by. After careful glassing with my binoculars, sure enough, further up hill, I saw him. I quickly looked around for a rest, so that I could possibly make a shot. The closest place was about 20 yards to my right, where there was a "drainage" from the mountain top, with several large boulders. I slowly eased my way to a boulder, where I got set up. However, once I got into position, these deer had spotted me, and had become nervous. They had begun to move further upslope. It took me a few moments, to find the buck that I had spotted a few minutes earlier, and when I checked with the rangefinder, he was now at 309 yards. Presently, he turned broadside and holding my crosshairs at the top of his back, behind the shoulders, with my shot, he dropped in his tracks.
Having spent the last couple of days in this area, at this altitude, I knew I had my work cut out for me. However, I wasn't quite prepared for this. It took me 50 minutes to climb up to where he had dropped. My handheld GPS unit told me that I was at 5020 ft. elevation, and 3/4 of a mile from my truck. When I looked back downhill, from where he was laying, I thought to myself "what in the world was I thinking". It looked like it was straight down. I am 61 years old, and too "fat" for this kind of activity. Where I live it is approximately 500 ft. above sea level. I definitely was not accustomed to this altitude. I knew I would have to take it very slow and easy. I was carrying my rifle and a backpack. From the top, I would set down my backpack and rifle, and would drag the deer approximately 10-20 yards downslope. Then I would climb back up and get my backpack and rifle, and repeat this process. By 1:00 PM I was approximately 1/4 mile from the road, and totally exhausted. At that point I had used all the water I brought with me and had shed 3 layers of clothing. The temperatures were in the 20s, when I set out. I took my orange cap and marked a tall cactus, left the buck at that spot, and hiked out to my truck. I drove back to the headquarters, and the biologist graciously offered to help me get the deer to my truck (what an awesome guy). He went back with me to the area and by 2:30 we had this buck loaded in my truck. I was a happy & relieved man.
Even now, it seems surreal. It is hard to believe that I got selected and then was able to score a great buck.
I did a moose hunt in Alaska several years ago, and up until now that had been the hardest hunt ever "physically", for me. However, this one topped that. I can honestly say this is one I will always cherish. I worked my butt off for this one. But it was totally worth it!! My face hurts even now, I'm smiling so hard.
..........................................................................
 
 Our camp with Elephant Mountain in the background.
This is a beautiful place.
 
 
 This is the spot where I found my buck,
at the top of the mountain.
 
 Photo taken a few feet from where I found my buck,
at the top of the mountain
 
This photo was taken back at camp,
with Elephant Mountain in the background
 
 
And a great big "Thank You" to
Texas Parks and Wildlife,
for making opportunities like this available!!
 
 

Friday, July 18, 2014

Recent Bird Sightings

 
 Recent Bird Sightings
 


 Green Jay - Yancey, Texas

Black-Bellied Whistling Duck (in the fog)
Jourdanton, Texas
 
Roadrunner - Jourdanton, Texas
.....................................................................................
 
And these next 2 birds (3 photos) are supposed to be found in Florida. I guess someone forgot to tell the birds.
 
Gray Kingbird - Yancey, Texas
 

Swallow-Tailed Kite - Dayton, Texas
 
 
 

Wednesday, August 7, 2013

Our New Home - Jourdanton Texas



OUR NEW HOME
Brenda & I Love our new place
Just a few photos we want to share



















Sunday, September 23, 2012

Cape May New Jersey Lighthouse

 
 
CAPE MAY, NJ
LIGHTHOUSE
 
 
 



 
 
 
 
 THE GUARDIAN




The Cape May Lighthouse is a lighthouse located in New Jersey at the tip of Cape May, in Lower Township's Cape May Point State Park. It was built in 1859 under the supervision of U.S. Army engineer William F. Raynolds, was automated in 1946, and continues operation to this day. It is the third fully documented lighthouse to be built at Cape May Point. The first was built in 1823;[1] the second in 1847.[1] The exact locations of the first two lighthouses are now underwater due to erosion. There are 199 steps to the top of the Lighthouse. The view from the top extends to Cape May City and Wildwood to the north, Cape May Point to the south, and, on a clear day, Cape Henlopen, Delaware, to the west.

 

Operation

The lighthouse is owned by the state of New Jersey[1] after ownership was transferred from the Coast Guard in 1992, which maintains it as an active aid to maritime navigation. The State of New Jersey leases the structure and grounds to the Mid-Atlantic Center for the Arts (MAC).[1] MAC raises funds for the restoration and upkeep of the structure and allows visitors to climb to the top. On the way, MAC has placed interpretive exhibits about the lighthouse's history, the lives of the former keepers, and other maritime history of the Jersey Cape.

Design

The tower is 157 feet 6 inches (48.01 m) tall, from the ground to the tower's cast iron spiral staircase. There are 217 steps from the ground to the top, with 199 steps in the tower's cast iron spiral staircase. The lighthouse has two separate walls. The outside wall is cone-shaped, and is 3 feet 10 inches (1.17 m) thick at the bottom, and 1 foot 6 inches (0.46 m) thick at the top. The inside wall is a cylinder with 8.5-inch-thick (220 mm) walls which support the spiral staircase. The walls were designed to withstand winds several times above hurricane force.

The above text "borrowed" from Wikipedia

Friday, May 18, 2012

Vermillion Flycatcher



VERMILLION
FLYCATCHER



I HAVE SEEN THESE ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS
OVER THE PAST FEW YEARS AND HAVE SPENT
A LOT OF TIME TRYING TO GET A DECENT PHOTOGRAPH. AS THEY SPEND MOST OF THEIR
TIME IN WIDE OPEN FIELDS, OR VERY HIGH IN
THE TREE TOPS, THEY ARE VERY DIFFICULT
TO GET CLOSE TO. I WAS PRETTY LUCKY TO
GET THIS CLOSE TO ONE.
FINALLY!!!


Monday, May 7, 2012

US BORDER PATROL, ON THE JOB




♪   ♪   ♪
ANOTHER ONE BITES THE DUST





♫♫ANOTHER ONE GONE,♫♫
♫♫ ANOTHER ONE GONE, ♫♫
ANOTHER ONE BITES THE DUST♪♪♪

I saw all the vehicles come tearing into the area and all the commotion. This was as close as I dared to get.

Sunday, May 6, 2012

BIRDS OF THE LOWER RIO GRANDE VALLEY PART - 4



BIRDS OF THE LOWER
RIO GRANDE VALLEY
PART - 4

These next photos were taken
from the balcony at my hotel in
Mission, TX


RUBY THROATED HUMMINGBIRD

 
HOUSE FINCH
 
AND THE ONE THAT GOT AWAY
For several days, I saw a pair of rare (for South Texas) Hooded Orioles
in and around the palm trees, near the hotel balcony.
I tried on numerous occasions to get a photo.
This is as near as I got.
Still pretty happy with the rare sighting of these birds

BIRDS OF THE LOWER RIO GRANDE VALLEY PART - 3



BIRDS OF THE LOWER
RIO GRANDE VALLEY
PART - 3


ANHINGA
 
BLACK BELLIED WHISTLING DUCK
 
AMERICAN COOT
 
GADWALL
 
LEAST GREBE
 
KILDEER
 
LEAST TERN
 
LITTLE BLUE HERON
 
MOORHEN
 
NORTHERN SHOVELER DUCK
 
SPOTTED SANDPIPER
 
BLACK NECKED STILT
 
BLUE WING TEAL &
BLACK NECKED STILT
 
PAIR OF BLUE WING TEAL
 
WHITE IBIS



BIRDS OF THE LOWER RIO GRANDE VALLEY PART - 2



BIRDS OF THE LOWER
RIO GRANDE VALLEY
PART - 2

"KETTLE" OF
BROAD-WINGED HAWKS
During migration thousands of these hawks congregate in huge numbers,
called "kettles". This group also has a few Swainson's Hawks in the mix.
On this particular day there were approximately
10000 hawks that eventually joined this "kettle".
Very impressive!

 
MISSISSIPPI KITES
And equally as impressive, on another day, I found this
"kettle" of Mississippi Kites, in migration.
Although not quite the same in numbers.
This group was probably several hundred Kites
 
CHACHALACA
     

WHITE-WINGED DOVE

INCA DOVE 

ELF OWL
These are extremely nocturnal, and I waited until well after dark to get a look at this one.
Not a great photo perhaps, but I was happy to get a look at this rare owl.
A full grown adult is only 5"- 6" tall.
 
"THE STATE BIRD OF TEXAS"
NOTE: Just in case you are from a foreign country, this is a Mocking Bird!