Duck Season Starts Off with a Bang Bang Bang!

Thanksgiving morning brought the first waterfowl hunt of the 2009-2010 season. Sam G guided for good friend Chris D and the action did not stop until the two finally had to call it a morning.

After some scouting the day before, hunter and guide decided to hunt a wooded slough that was holding some ducks located on the southern end of Lake Proffit. The two were in their spot at 6:30 a.m. the next morning, just 10 minutes away from LST.

After doing a little calling, two green wing teal dropped into the wooded hole, not 15 feet from the two hunters. The hunters were not prepared for the "early birds", but did manage to get a shot off as the ducks flew away. Sam G said "I hope that was not the only two ducks we are going to see." Twenty minutes later he would get his answer.

Around 7 a.m., wings could be heard cutting through the crisp morning air. A group of 4 ducks came over the top and circled around to land. Then, another group of 3 ducks came over the top and circled to come in and land as well. The two hunters unloaded on both groups, with Sam G scoring a kill and wounding another duck. The wounded duck would later be finished off by Chris D. "Its a wood duck! And it's a drake," Sam G said. as he picked up his first duck of the season. It would also be the first wood duck killed at the LG2 ranch and a beautiful trophy. While the two hunters were reloading, a group of 3 mallards flew over the top, but neither hunter could manage a shot. However, they would not have to wait long before another group of wood ducks came in to land. Sam G scored another kill from the group.

Around 8 a.m., the action had slowed a little bit. Sam G began calling and a single duck flew over. It circled back around and Chris D took two shots, but the duck managed to escape. Sam G began calling again and a pair of wood duck hens came to drop into the hole. Two shots equaled two birds, a good ending to the morning.

All in all, it was a great morning hunt. Great weather, good company, and plenty of ducks. Hunter and guide ended their morning with a total of 5 wood ducks. More should have been harvested but there was some "rusty" shooting, and the two had to call it a morning early because Chris D needed to head back to Fort Worth.

The two cold fronts this week should deposit more ducks in the LG2 area. Duck season starts back up when the split is over on December 12, 2009.

Party at the Protein Feeder '09

Looks like Doug's camera caught a deer sausage fest taking place at the hottest big buck night club in town, the Proffitt Feed. Luckily for us, these bucks aren't camera-shy. By the bouncer's count, we had seven at the feeder at one time. Sure, they're all friends now, but throw a fine-lookin' doe in that mix and the antlers start flying!

Doug Snags First Trophy of the Season Before Trophy Snags First Doug

In the summer months, rattlesnakes often reverse the natural pecking order, forcing the hunters to become the hunted. One wrong step in the tall stuff, and its two sharp fangs to the shin. On August 20, Doug L. almost found out the hard way.

At about 10 p.m., Doug was heading back to the trailer from the barn. Just as he's about to hit the steps to the patio, he hears a rattle. Curled just one yard away from the deck was a 3 1/2-foot-long rattlesnake. As Doug explains, "I was one stride away from getting tagged when I heard him rattle." As the snake put it, "I was one stride away from getting dinner when I accidently rattled with excitement."

Doug got away before having to make his second trip to the Graham emergency room. Instead, he got himself the first trophy of the season. Doug's words of wisdom from the traumatic experience: "Makes you think twice about wearing flip flops out there."

Rain to Proffitt Lake: 'You're Welcome'

Well while South Texas was suffering from the worst drought in more than 50 years, Proffitt, Texas was receiving some of the best rainfall in recent years. It's looking mighty green throughout the entire 502 acres. It looks like the wildlife should be plenty fed by the time hunting season rolls around.

Proffitt Lake to Rain: 'I'm Thirsty!'

A quenched Proffitt Lake stretches far and wide in 2008. Area hunters hope rain returns the lake back to one of the most sought after drinking holes in the county. Photo credit/Teresa

With all this rain North Texas has been receiving in April and May, Bill and Elsie report that apparently it's been missing the ranch. The acre lake, recognized by Texas Parks and Wildlife as "the best place to catch a monster in Proffitt, Texas," has seen better days. Be sure to follow all the area weather out of our Newcastle Weather Center by clicking the link on the left. Here's to better, rainier days ahead.

Chupacabra

What looks like a dog, has a long rat tail, long hind legs, no fur, bluish black skin that shines in the sun, huge ears, large white fangs, and a head that is too large for its body? Guide Sam G and client Chris D do not know either, but this gnarly critter cut them off on the upper wheat field around 10 am on March 17 while the two were doing some preseason turkey scouting. The two ran down what they could only assume is a chupacabra, a popular urban legend down in south Texas. The animal seemed to be resting in a fallen deer blind between the upper and lower wheat fields when the "scouters" startled it while riding on a ATV. The alleged chupacabra then took off toward the western fence line, running about 30 mph. Sam G and Chris D got within 10 yards of the chupacabra while doing 25 mph on the 4 wheeler, but then the animal really kicked it up into high gear. Sam G stopped the ATV and Chris D took about a 100 yard shot with his rifle at the chupacabra while it was streaking across the upper wheat field. A long shot and a fast target equaled a miss, but burned a memory into both guide and client.

Chupacabras are said to be coyotes with a case of very bad mange, but sightings of these animals this far north are rare. Urban legend also labels them as "bloodsuckers", feeding on sheep and other livestock. They are most frequently sighted near the town of Cuervo, in south Texas. Also, the odd, almost alien looking animal seems to have characteristics that a "bald" coyote would not possess, further adding to the mystery of what exactly the animal is.

This is the second sighting of a chupacabra on the LG^2 Ranch. Trey L. had an encounter perhaps with the same animal near the front, 1 acre pond. It approached him one evening while he was dove hunting in late September, 2008.

After the experience, Trey L has two more hunters backing him up that the chupacabra of urban legends is living near the LG^2 Ranch property.

Spring Turkey Outlook

Yesterday was April Fools day, which can only mean one thing at the Texas LG^2 Ranch-that spring turkey season is right around the corner. One would have to be a "fool" to not want to get in on this action.

Guide Sam G and partner Chris D went out to the ranch for a little pre-season scouting in mid March to see if any gobblers were hanging around the 500-acre ranch. Deer hunters went all season this year without seeing a single turkey on the property, but things have heated up since then.

On Monday evening, the two hunters called in two large Toms using an electronic call while sitting in the black tower stand. The birds worked hard and circled the entire area trying to find the "hen" that was making such a commotion. However, they did not gobble once. The two turkeys then flew up to roost about 75 yards directly behind the Black Tower stand. Two more gobblers then flew up into the roost to join the first two, forming a group of three longbeards and a Jake.

Tuesday morning found the two guides at it again, scouting out hunting areas and checking feeders for tracks. There were four separate groups of turkeys responding to the electronic call, but none wanted to come in. The largest of the groups was roosting on the west fence line near the bottom wheat field. This may be the same group that is rumored to have over 20 Toms, Jakes, and hens. Turkey tracks were found in all feeders that were throwing at the time, with the black tower stand being completely covered in turkey tracks.

Gobblers were most responsive during the morning, but seem to be roosting with hens. Midday and afternoon hunting will produce birds wanting to come into turkey calls and decoys, but they tend to "sneak" up and not gobble too much before coming into the setup. If hunting in the morning, make sure you know where the birds are roosting in advance and try to get set within 100 yards of their roost.

The season opens this Saturday, April 4th. Good luck and safe huntin'.