Hunting Stories

Heaven or Hell????
 

By Jim Autrey   Rancho Del Zorro is it a deer hunters heaven or ........? Robert Hoague, webmaster of bowhunting.net and I arrived about 4:00 p.m.  We had been invited to hunt on a 8,000 acre plus ranch that hadn't been hunted in about six years.  You can imagine the interest that this sparked in both of us. Upon arrival we were met by Raymond Patschke, who owned the ranch, and Chad Edwards, the foreman of the ranch.  After brief greetings, Chad suggested that we get ready and go get in a stand to get our hunt started.  It wasn't but just a few minutes and we were setting in a blind watching a grain field and crossing sendero. Before leaving for the stands, I asked if there were any rules or any kind of deer that we should not harvest.  Chad said there was a 10 point with two kickers and a 9 point with a 5 inch drop tine that they would like to keep, since they were were both young deer and the type of deer that they would like to keep for breeder bucks.  It is extremely important to make sure that you understand the rules before you hunt anywhere.  The weather wasn't what I had expected for Webb County in south Texas.  It was foggy and cold, with a forecast for it to become wetter and colder. We had been in the stand a very short period of time when we had a young 8 point buck come out to our left.  Then what do we see next????  Of course the 10 point with kickers comes out of the brush chasing two does.  This beautiful animal was all Chad had said he was as Robert and I watched him, at times no more that 75 yards in front of our blind.  But, it ended almost as quickly as it had started as he chased the does back into the brush from where they had come.  As the evening progressed there were more and more deer moving in all directions.  The sendero to the north hosted a large number of deer with more coming into the open each minute.  Then one of the prettiest deer I have every seen appeared.  It was a 10 point with long, wide, tall antlers G-3s probably twelve inches long.  There were several deer in the area that would score in the 150 BC range but this deer stole the show. The whole thing was like a dream come true.  Then about 300 yards down the sendero to our north a fight broke out.  These bucks were serious.  They fought for about five minutes pushing, shoving, scattering dirt and attracting other deer.  Every once in a while they would stop to catch their breath and go after it again.  The larger or the stronger of the two bucks decided that it was time to finish this little confrontation and with a tremendous surge of energy he pushed the other buck backwards, lifting him off of his feet and slamming him down on his back.  Belly up the loser tried frantically to get to his feet, after doing so, he left as fast as he could with the winner in hot pursuit.  The greatest thing about this fight is that it is all on video and will definitely be a segment on The Texas Deer Hunter TV Show. Back to the deer I have named Big Boy.  He is working his way closer and closer, and now he is about 75 yards and getting bigger and bigger.  What do you do?  This deer is what dreams are all about, but he has all the looks and characteristics of a young deer.  A long sleek body, rather small neck, a narrow nose, and legs that look long compared to his body.  Look at the pictures below and decide for yourself.     "Big Boy" "Fat Neck" The deer was 70 yards and broadside.  What do you do?  I raised my gun and let him walk.  This magnificent animal was mine and now he is mine to share with you.  Maybe next year!  He left, but kept on coming back time after time until we had the opportunity to engrave him in our dreams forever.  There were a lot of nice deer that first day, many of which would have been the largest deer that I have ever harvested, but none compared to "Big Boy."  He is still there. The picture above was taken on the last day of our hunt at Rancho Del Zorro.  So, I have a question. Is having the opportunity to see so many beautiful animals in one short afternoon, HEAVEN or is it H..........  I know every time, I close my eyes they always take me back to Rancho Del  Zorro. For More Information about hunting at Rancho Del Zorro:  Contact Chad Edwards e-mai ranchodel zorro@aciglobal.com or call him at 956-419-1906.