Guiding Principles

We were very fortunate to have Mark Ballard as our Guide for our hunt.  Mark did a terrific job for us.  In his welcome and farewell remarks Mark reminded us of the the Hunter's Ethic, emphasizing our responsibility to the environment and to the animal being hunted. His farewell remarks included his observations on the changes he'd seen in us, as a group and as individuals, encouraging us to use the lessons we learned and the our experience in Texas to continue to enrich our lives back in Andover, NH and as we return to Proctor Academy for the spring semester.

We learned a bit about Mark during our stay.  We learned he is retired military, he is proud of Texas and he enjoys sharing his love of the outdoors and hunting with his clients.  Mark is the (I believe) co-founder of Freedom Isn't Free Veteran Hunt program..  The link to the organization's website is provided below.  I highly recommend a visit!

Freedom isn't Free Veterans Hunts

Much thanks and appreciation to Mark.  You helped make our Texas Hunt 2013 an experience we'll all remember for the rest of our lives.  

The Man with the Plan

Dave Kenney

How far we've come in four years!  Proctor Academy's Field & Stream activity began in 2009 with just a few students and some Genesis bows.  A good start, but those who know Dave know if he is in, he is all the way in.  Dave's passion for the outdoors and archery in particular--along with the endorsements of the students-- helped the program grow quickly.  He worked with local archery shops to outfit the students with their own equipment and began amassing an impressive collection of 3D targets for an on-campus range.

As the students became more skilled Dave signed them up for local 3D competitions.  In the summer of 2010 PA Field & Stream participated in the International Bowhunting Organization World Championships in Ellicottville, NY.  In the summer of 2011 the team traveled to Ellicottville for a second time.  A third IBO visit was not possible, but Dave did participate in the 2012 Vermont Triple Crown with an alum, a current student and a prospective PA student.

 At  the 2011 IBO World Championships the team discusses aquisitions for the campus range. 

We got the Gator!

In addition to the archery component, Field & Stream has participated in a number of service activities in the last four years, including helping the the spring trout stocking of local streams and assisting local Fish & Game Clubs with spring clean-ups.  Future plans include a focus on New Hampshire's Barry Conservation Camp.

Congratulations for a successful trip!  Thanks for all you do for the students of Proctor Academy.

Great Trip! - Richard

The trip was great.  A few of my sits didn't provide any opportunities, but by the end of the hunt I bagged a big one.  The pork was unreal, and I'm looking forward to some old fashioned Texas B-B-Q while I'm home on break, and the game dinner in the cafeteria when we return to school.
- Richard

Thanks for all the support!

Dave K. posted this as a comment to our first post.  I'm reprinting it here to reinforce how much we appreciate the sponsors and contributors that made this trip a possibility, and in the end a tremendous success.  Thanks again!

9 students, 3 Alumni, 3 dads, and me are headed to Texas for most, their very first bow hunt. With 16 people total this is a big trip, and I am thankful for all the support and help I have had from so many. Our sponsors for this trip include G-mac Archery, Morse Sporting Goods, Andover Fish and Game, Elkins Fish and Game, Pioneer Sportsman Club, Yeti coolers, Wac-em Broadheads, Proctor Academy and many more individuals who have given time or money to allow us to go. This is an incredible trip, and I am so pumped to be part of it!!

I'll add our thanks and appreciation to Bob and Vicki at the Cactus Creek Bowhunting Ranch in Nixon, TX, and to our guide, Mark Ballard.

Thanks for a great trip.

We're back home in NH.  Dave and the student-archers are enjoying the remainder of their break before Spring Term.  The dads and Charlie are, well, back to work.  I traveled back to Boston with Jay and Jake Hubbard, Kyle Corda, and Connor talking about what a great trip we'd had the whole way to the airport.  It was clear we returned from Texas with memories that will last a lifetime.  I can't say enough about the young men I shared the experience with. Thank you so much for your attitudes and your cooperation.  Helping to chaperon 10 high school students on a five day trip to Texas?  Is that how you want to spend a vacation was often the question asked before the trip.  Answer then, and even more confidently now -Yes, and  I can't wait to do it again.  

Thanks to Jay Hubbard, John Braley, and Dave Nolan.  It was a privilege to spend five days with you, and getting to watch what a powerful influence good men can be to their sons, and to their son's friends.  Thank you Charlie for all your help at the ranch.  It was great to see you again.  Same good man compliment certainly applies here.  Thanks to Mark Ballard who was our guide for our adventure.  What an awesome job you did for us, as a group and as individuals.

Dave K. took this photo on Monday evening when they came to get us after our last sit of the hunt.  This and our team photo are my favorite pictures from the trip.  I wasn't really sure how much I'd enjoy sitting in a hard plastic chair on a metal stand 10 feet in the air for three hours hoping a pig will come close enough for me to take a shot.  Turns out I enjoyed it a lot.  My final thanks is to Dave Kenney.  It was through his hard work I have an answer to that question.  And I know there are 10 young men back from Texas who now know a lot more about themselves too.

George Saunders

Last Day - Ready to leave

An amazing experience is nearing its end.  We had a bout of strong Texas wind as another memory to carry back to Procor.  The boys were awesome, the camp terrific, weather couldn't have been better.  We were fortunate to have Mark Ballard as our guide.  Two final pictures from Texas as we head to the airport.  More posts will follow from NH after we get home.

Many thanks to our host for our hunt!

Thanks to Mark (standing on Dave's right), the dads and to Charlie.  The boys have been in good hands!

Last Day

I got my first hog today.  I have been having a lot of fun this trip and have seen many different animals.  Today we tried a "spot and stalk" method and a few guys had some luck.  The first hog I jumped was laying in a cactus and I didn't see him until I was a few short feet away from him.  Later on I got the hang of the new way of hunting these hogs opposed to a tripod and by the end of the day I had harvested my first animal with a bow.
Henry

Getting on some Black Buck

WOW!  It's hard to share with everyone just how fantastic this trip and experience was.  Sorry for not writing on the Blog sooner, we were out hunting... a lot!

It was a hunting trip of so many "firsts" for so many fine young men (and us Dad's...).  Of coarse it was incredible hunting bow with my son for the first time, taking our first trophy(s) together, sitting in the blinds, tree stands,  stalking, etc. (I'm sure David appreciated my having to be totally silent so I couldn't give him any life lessons!).  It was equally as fantastic having an opportunity to see all the Proctor guys achieving significant firsts all over the place and approaching every opportunity with incredible zeal.  I was more excited seeing these guys hit their very first game than any of my own wonderful individual experiences. Each one of these guys made big progress in developing their individual skills sets.  Much of the on site success of the trip was made even better by our guide, Mark.  He was absolutely incredible, knowledgeable (and willing to share it), patient and most likely one of the hardest working guides I have ever had the pleasure of working with!  

And we have all of these memories because of Dave K and our wonderful sponsors.  Dave's love for the sport is infectious as is his sense of humor and ability to put other's needs ahead of his own (even his hunting!).  THANKS DAVE and thank you to our sponsors for belief in Dave's plan and thank you to Bob at the Ranch for taking such good care of us.

Alex

It was defiantly a great day to be in the woods. There was plenty of action all day long.  I can't what until I get the chance to come do it again.

Almost

Today I spot and stalked nearly all day. I was a quiet as possible but the boars were so timid from being hunted all weekend. I had a shot in this picture, but the boar vanished into the brush right before the shot. Tonight around 11:00 pm I am going out to get my boar or dear with the guide. I am really excited but nervous due to the fact it will be pitch black except for the spot light. I really hope I get one. Overall this trip has been incredible. I have never hunted before and I had a really great time. Thank you Dave Kenney and all of the people that made this trip possible. It has been an unforgettable experiance. 

By Kyle Corda

Day 3

Today was the last night. We got up very early and went to our hunting spots. It was the hottest day of the week. At first I not see any boars and had to head back. We then walked out in the woods to see if we could track and shoot any boars. I saw a big boar but when I went to shoot a gun shot went off when I was aiming.  Near the end the of the day we went back to our hunting spots one last time. After a few hours of  waiting I saw a huge herd of boar. I shot at one and just shot under it. I shot again and shot over it. I was then all out of arrows and the boars then left. At the end of the night we sat around a fire and talked. 

Lucas

Final Hunts

My Dad and I hunted from the tree stand all morning, and only saw a few small pigs.  After one group went out for a spot and stalk session, it was finally my turn to hit the ground and look for some pigs.  Jake Hubbard, Kyle Corda, and I all set out into the woods.  We stumbled upon a pig, and I finally got the shot I'd been waiting for. After returning that one to the cooler,  I set out again, this time a stalked a hog along the edge of the pond, and missed just over its back.  It was an awesome trip, and I hope to return next year.  I want to thank everyone who made this adventure possible.  Especially David Kenney, my parents, Mark, our guide, and all our sponsors.
Connor

The Proctor Archers

Lucas

Kyle

Eli

David

Alex

Tim

Jake

Connor

Richard

Henry

Last day, feeling blessed.

The kids,alumni and dads have been amazing. This trip was a dream a year ago and now that we are nearing the end I can't believe we did it. Great place and guide have made this hunting trip the best ever. I will remember this trip for the rest of my life. Thank you to all the supporters and sponsors this would of never happened with out you. One hunt left this afternoon and we are living the dream!
Dave Kenney

Group Photo!

Back from the morning sit.  Good day?  See below for your answer.

Time well spent

Jake and I sat on stand last night. We had some goats around us all evening. They were cool. They were standing on their hind legs and pushing down trees. They looked like guys in goat suits standing up in the brush. Just before dark we had a group of pigs come in. I told Jake to take a shot but he said, "Dad I haven't practiced at this range and I am not going to take a shot I have not practiced,". I was very proud. He is an ethical hunter. It was a great night. It is a great time and the time he is under my roof is dwindling.
Jay

Day 2 - Afternoon Hunt

It is very early on Monday morning.  We are getting out to our stands about one hour sooner today.  Last day of the trip and everyone is excited to swap spots and get a shot at a pig.  Below are a few photos from my afternoon sit.  No pigs, but there were ten rams in my area for about an hour.  I'm not hunting rams, so I didn't shoot, but it was way cool to watch the animals feed for about 40-45 minutes without them knowing I was there.

The view from my stand, which is a chair on a platform about 10-12 feet high

The view to the West.  In this stand it really feels like you are in the trees.

View to the South

Art Shot.  Me and my shadow.  Nine years of  reading Chuck's Corner taught me something!

George

P.S.  It is actually 5:45am in TX.  I think the posts are posting with Pacific Time.

Charlie succeeds again

In addition to hogs the ranch offers other hunting opportunities.  Charlie took advantage and bagged a Fallow Doe.  Dave is the photog for this one!  We're all bedding down for another early day in our blinds and on our stands.  Sleep well!

First Couple Hunts

During my first couple hunts here in Nixon, Tx, I have seen a variety of different animals that I have never seen before. Last night I was able to get a small hog, that weighed somewhere around 40 pounds, it was a pretty cool experience. Overall this has been a great couple days and I look forward to the rest of the hunt.


Tim Braley

Spot and Stalk Failure

After a morning of not seeing a single boar in my stand, I was eager to go through the woods and hunt while walking with Jake H. We started on the road and worked our way through the entire plantation. It took some time and was really hot. We saw about 20 boars and a large group of axis dear. It was a lot of fun but unfortunately we missed both of our shots. The boars are tough to shoot while in a bush of cactus. I really had a great time trying to spot and stalk today. Tonight I am going back into the stand in hopes to get a boar.
By Kyle Corda

I missed...

My first hunt was spent at station 2, in a tripod.  I climbed into the stand under the watchful eye of a ram.  While I sat, at total of six  more rams gathered in the clearing beneath my stand.  Those rams ate the entire first round of corn.  I saw my first group of pigs about a half hour after the second feeder deployment.  I had no clear shot on any of those, and so I selected to not fire at any.  After another twenty or so minutes, second group came in, I waited for a clear shot, but they were mixed in with the rams.  I waited, and unfortunately missed low on a small pig.

This morning, we spent three or so hours in a blind and saw no animals.  We are now preparing for tonight's hunt.

Connor Saunders

Success

Though the pigs were not out in mass today a first time hunter has successfully brought down a piglet. I could not have participated on this trip without the assistance of some many people, especially Dave Kenny and my family. Though I am not going to be here as long as everyone else I can still look back on this trip sometime in the future and remember the excellent time that I had here in Texas.

Eli

I feel like I have a second family here in Texas. Also getting really pumped to do some spot and stalk hunting.

Day 2

Today we got up at 6:30 and went to our blinds and tree stands and waited. As soon as the truck that dropped me off at my tree stand left three deer came to my stand.. However, we can only shoot does. I saw one but its was head behind a tree so I could not get a good shot off. After a while they got bored and left. They then came back after the feeder went off came they came back. The doe still for some reason stayed behind the same tree. I did not see anything after that. The truck then came back and I had to leave. That is all that that happened so far today.

Day 1-RB

Slept in to about 7:30 then got left behind while some of the guys went sight seeing.  It was fine though because I had a bagel.  Seeing Charlies pig was cool and getting to practice cutting it and Dave's pig was some good practice. I'm gonna take a nice rest now before we at about 4 oh and the Pork was unreal. I cant wait to have some of my own.

Contently,
-Richard Branscomb

Charlie Strikes First - Photo!

Having switched from target points to hunting points everyone's bow needs some fine tuning of the sight.

Charlie clearly has his bow sighted in!

Our First Day

Today, we awoke for our first full day in Cactus Creek Bow-hunting Ranch. Needless to say, I was excited. Dave woke us up with news that Charlie had already harvested a pig, which was very exciting. We went out and learned about how to track them, and ended up finding the hog. It was then brought back to the camp, and we learned how to create the pork. I really enjoyed learning about how to butcher the pigs, and I look forward to harvesting my first hog.

-Jake Hubbard

Welcome to Camp

  After arriving last night, we took a quick ride around the ranch in the bed of he pickup trucks.  We saw a group of hogs.  Soon after we saw a large herd of axis deer, including a large buck.  We awoke at seven this morning and immediately went to pickup the hog Charlie had shot early this morning.  On the way we saw more pigs and two bison.  We returned to camp and prepared for this afternoon's hunt, shooting broadheads and gathering wood for tonight's fire.  We then learned how to skin and clean the killed hogs. We ate a delicious lunch of steak, corn bread, and beans.  Trying hog meat was awesome, and I can't wait to get out at 4 o'clock.  The accommodations are wonderful and everyone has been very welcoming.

Connor Saunders

Cactus Creek Bowhunting Ranch, Nixon Texas

Dave and Charlie are up early.  Charlie has the first success, and are joined by a group of the boys to help track the first pig of our hunt.

And a few adults.

Here is what a South Texas Cactus really looks like.  Five points to Lynne Kenney, who apparently immediately noticed my error!

George

Return

The trip to Texas is has been a wonderful experience for a returning Alumni on his first hunt. The trip thus far been a needed release from a year of almost no shooting and has allowed me to see old friends and meet new ones. It is also an opportunity to pick up a few new skills for a new hunter even if it be learning to prepare a pig or track an animal. Though I lack the skills of a professional hunter, I hope to return home with a story for my friends and family of how I managed to successfully bring down a pig on my first hunt.

Eli Clare

The First Time on the Hunt

Hunting has always been something I have wanted to try. Although I was always a bit skeptical on the whole killing the animal part. When we got to the ranch after a full day of travel, I knew it would be a great trip. The building we are staying in is much nicer then I expected and the owners are really friendly. Today we went out to track a boar that was shot this morning. We found it, then brought it back to the lodge where we cleaned it and got as much meat out of it as possible. Everyone is winding down after cleaning out yet another boar that was shot a little bit after the first.We are soon going to eat tons and tons of pork. Tonight I will go out on my own and hunt a boar with my bow. Its been a great trip so far.

By Kyle Corda

In Texas!

A busy day of flights, car rentals and all the other details of the trip from NH to Texas.  One contingent arrived via Austin, the main team into San Angelo.  The Austin group (Connor, Jake, Kyle, George and Jay) enjoyed a very nice Texas B-B-Q lunch, restaurant on the recommendation of Jay's brother before we made the drive to San Angelo.  Dave's team made a quick pass through Chik-Fil-A on the way to Wheeler's Feed & Outfitters.  For those unfamiliar, we need more Chik-Fil-As in NH!  Wheeler's hosted us as we checked our bows after the trip, licences were procured and other final pre-hunt preparations were made.

From Wheeler's we had a three vehicle caravan for the last 1.5 hour drive to Cactus Creek Bowhunting in Nixon, Texas.  Good news was a Dairy Queen for a quick pit stop before the ranch.  Who doesn't like Dairy Queen?

We're all settling in.  The new bunkhouse is finished so we're living large.  10pm and folks are feeling a little bleary eyed, except for the excitement and expectations of what tomorrow will bring!.