Weather: Cold. Duck Season: Hot.

Guide Sam G and partner Chris D put the smack down on the ducks on Friday morning, 12-18-2009. Ducks poured into their hunting hole all morning, and both partner and guide shot limits. Among the ducks seen were teal, mallards, wood ducks, and pintails. The pintail drake that was harvested was another first for LG2 ranch. Already more ducks have been taken than last year. So far, 8 wood ducks, 8 mallards, and one pintail totalling 17 ducks have been shot in just 3 hunts. This is 5 more than last year, and its just halfway through the season! The fact that there was a good hatch this year, there has been plenty of water, and it has been the coldest winter since the ranch was purchased all play a key role in why the season has been so good. More cold weather is expected, and over 14 inches of snow was recently reported at Texas LG2 ranch. Guide Sam G will be taking Mark G and other interested hunters to Lake Proffitt on the weekend following New Year's day. The guide is optimistic about the upcoming hunt.

World Premiere of the 'Big Buck Report at Texas LG2 Ranch' -- Episodes 1 & 2

In order to add a little more video to the Texas LG2 Ranch website, hunters Phillip and Mark got a little creative during a Sunday morning hunt. The two filmed the first two episodes of the ongoing series "Big Buck Report at Texas LG2 Ranch." In the pilot, "The Buck Report," Mark gives viewers a recap of the hunting season so far. It was a little windy, so you'll have to turn the volume up. In Episode 2, "The Badger Hole," Mark guides the viewers on a scenic trek to the West Stand for some spotting. On the way, the two hunters run into a badger hole. Will the badger attack?!? Find out by clicking on the embedded video.

Also, to check out the new Texas LG2 Ranch YouTube channel, head over to www.youtube.com/texaslg2ranch. And just in case you missed it, Doug's Big Deer video has eclipsed the 1,000 views mark!

Episode 1 -- "The Buck Report" with Mark G and hunter/journalist Phillip, live from 100 paces north of the pecan orchard!



Episode 2 -- "The Badger Hole" with Mark G and hunter/journalist Phillip, live from 40 paces east of the West Stand!

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.