Rios on the Ranch

IT WAS COLD. Very cold. Certainly, too cold for Texas. As I shivered in my blind, the wind seemed to blow right through me, but I was bound and determined to score on a nice Rio Turkey with my bow and arrow this morning.

I could hear the gobbler getting closer and closer. A last-minute check on my equipment gave me confidence that I would soon have a big tom on the ground. Louder and louder the gobbles came. First a double and then a triple gobble.

This tom was hot for some action, and I was happy to oblige, just not with the action he expected. I could hear his footsteps just outside the blind as I prepared for a close-range bow shot.

A few months ago, my good friend, Chester Moore, invited me back to Texas for what he called the first annual Hunt/Fish Podcast. Basically, it was a turkey hunt with some fishing included, while enjoying the good company of a few writers and podcast guys. Of course, I immediately agreed and wasted no time dusting off the old bow and shooting many arrows so that when the moment of truth came, I would be ready.

Chester and I arrived at the Double Draw Ranch near Junction Texas and was soon greeted by the friendly face of Gene Hennigan, owner of the Double Draw. I knew after a conversation with Gene that this was going to be a great time, and I was not disappointed. We were the first to arrive.

After a short tour of the ranch, we decided to get an afternoon hunt in, if time allowed. Our plan was set. For the first evening, we would hunt together.

We agreed that if the bird came right in, I would take it with the bow. However, if the bird decided to hang up out of bow range, which they often do, Chester would fill his tag with his shotgun.

After a few hours, and not hearing any gobbles, we decided to split up to cover more ground. As the wind picked up, I stayed in the blind, and Chester took cover in a cluster of trees about 200 yards closer to the tree line. No birds that night although Chester did see some in the distance.

Back at the Double Draw Ranch, our host, Gene was preparing an outstanding meal; one of many I might add. My normal cuisine does not include Mexican fare, but after a few days of delicious Mexican food, I think I might have spoken a little Mexican before I left for home. Or at least I tried to.

The crawdads were so hot, it took a day or two for the swelling in my lips to subside. But it was good.

There was a chill in the air that first afternoon. However, when morning came, I soon realized that I did not bring enough warm clothes to Southwest Texas. After all, isn’t it supposed to be nice and hot there at the end of April?

I had on everything I could and still shivered in the blind. I would have welcomed the “chill” in the air. Now it was just freezing cold.

I heard lots of birds that day—all day. However, they never showed themselves despite all the sexy calls I was making. Apparently, the males decided to wander off with the females instead of coming into my setup and my plastic hen. Oh well… that’s why they call it hunting and not shopping.

Tomorrow is another day, and the weatherman promised warmer temperatures. He lied.

Back at the ranch, the rest of the hunting party had arrived. To my surprise, there were guys from all over the United States. How cool is that? Colorado, Montana, Ohio, Oklahoma, New York and Texas were all represented.

Most of us had been hunting turkeys for years, but we had four guys who were new at this sport. That made it all the more enjoyable when they got so excited about seeing the birds. I told them just wait till they come in gobbling, and you know you are going to get a shot. Your hearts will explode out of your chest! You veterans reading this know exactly what I’m talking about.

Of course, this trip meant that we would all be involved in doing different podcasts including one that included everyone there doing a “round table” discussion. I have to say, sitting down and talking to these guys brought a feeling of camaraderie that’s very rare to find

Here were 11 hunters with the same interests and many different backgrounds. Some devoted their time strictly to podcasting. One came from a television show background in Oklahoma. All in all, spending time with these guys and breaking bread together was just as enjoyable as the turkey hunt itself.

Before I go any farther, I should finish the story from the beginning of this column.

That tom was so close to my blind that I heard every footstep. Then suddenly he gobbled at my decoy. Believe me when I say it was LOUD!

I said to myself “Self, if that turkey takes just a few more steps, he is going to have a bad day.” There I was at full draw anxiously waiting for that tom to offer me a shot. All was suddenly quiet, except for the real hen that continued to call to him. After a few choice words that I cannot print here, I realized that the only one having a bad day was me. No turkey.

The funny thing was that out of 11 hunters, not one of us brought back a turkey. Most of us saw them. All of us heard them everywhere, but the hens made this hunt a real challenge.

A special thanks to a few people. First, Chester, thanks once again for inviting me for this hunt and podcast. It was all very enjoyable.

Secondly, I need to give a shout out to Derek York for putting this first annual Hunt/Fish Podcast together and taking care of every detail. Thanks Derek.

To all the guys who shared a story or two and a lesson on calling turkeys…thank you. Last but certainly not least, a huge thank you to Gene Hennigan for letting us hunt the Double Draw Ranch. It was a real treat to see all the different animals on the property and a pleasure to have met you, a true gem of a man that I can now call friend.

Email Lou Marullo at ContactUs@fishgame.com