Linnea

This trip to Texas was an amazing experience that I am so happy I was able to have. Every day was filled with fun and opportunities to learn new things. On the last hunting day, I still had not gotten a pig, and had not seen many animals up close. Dave Kenney helped me spot and stalk on the last day of hunting so that I could have an opportunity to shoot. Even though it was freezing cold outside, I was getting caught on cactus needles and trees, and I spent much of my time hunched over, I still had a ton of fun. Spot and stalking isn't only about being able to find the animals you are looking for, it is about being able to use your natural surroundings to your advantage and having patience. Dave and I were out for an hour or so before I was able to draw back my bow and take a shot, and when I did I was so happy that the time we had spent walking around in the bushes ended in success. Texas was amazing and I am so happy that I was able to experience it with so many great people.

Burke

The first hunting day was the best for me. It was real cold and I was positioned inside a wooden blind and had my eyes pealed on the feeder. I was getting really cold due to the wind and was bored out of my mind until a clan of rams came and gave me company. The feeder then went off and a massive herd of hogs came. I picked out the juiciest and fattest hog and let my arrow fly, but I missed. I could not get my arm back far enough so I cramped up and pulled the trigger too early. I was so mad, so I prayed to god for another chance and about an hour later another group of hogs trotted over. I picked another out and extended my bow outside the blind this time and dropped the hog. I had such a good shot on him that he did not run more than 15 yards.

Max

This was my first hunting trip, and even though the weather was cold and rainy, we all got to hunt   and have a good time.  The weather was not what we expected in South Texas.  We learned whatTexas mud is like.   

David

I went to Texas last year and it was insane! The energy was kept up through the entire time we were here, everyone was so pyched to be here whether they got anything or not. This year was no different, everyone loved being here in Texas and loved having this amazing opportunity to do such an amazing program with some of the most amazing guys and girls.

David is one of the students who hunted more than hogs.

Rowan

I had a great time on the Proctor Bow Hunting Trip. I spent hours in tree stands observing the beauty of the wildlife and waiting for hog. Above I am getting hydrated after a long day of stalking and tracking the Catalina that you can see below.this being my first time hunting, I learned a lot about hunting and how to stalk and follow the trail of your animal. 

Polar Vortex II

We're dealing with some decidedly un-South Texas like weather.  Fortunately everyone heeded Dave's e-mails regarding warm clothing, we're able to hunt pretty much on schedule.

This is our second year at Cactus Creek.  Nixon is a little more than an hour East of San Antonio.

Our fire pit is int the foreground.  Adults are in the closest cabin, students in the other.  

This old horse trailer is used for a blind.  Not a good place to sit for hogs; other animals come up this way

These were all taken yesterday afternoon.  As you can see we have pretty much solid cloud cover.

Welcome to Texas!

This was at the Salt Lick BBQ. I couldn't help but drool non-stop in front of all that meat!

The group's first day in Texas was long, but it was awesome. We ate tons of food, encountered all sorts of Texan fast food chains, and spotted plenty of wildlife at night.Red stags, black bucks, and a lot of rams. One of the guys even found a rattlesnake. Thing was still rattling even when it was dead! Definitely gonna skin one of them if I get the chance to, and make a necklace out of it with a hog tusk. Everyone is looking forward to getting their first hog. Looking pretty good!

Salt Lick BBQ

Lynne suggested we have a real Texas BBQ experience before we set off for the ranch on Saturday.  After we finished grocery shopping late Saturday afternoon.  We got a little nervous we first came in sight of the restaurant.  The parking lot is bigger than the PA field house lot, and it was looking pretty full.

There was a two hour wait for seating.  Not looking good on our schedule.  But, in addition to the restaurant they have Take Out service with open seating.  In the right side of the picture below you can just make out the stage for the musical entertainment.

Take Out wait was only 15-20 minutes.  We joined the line and started making our choices.  Brisket, Pork and Beef Ribs, Sausage, Turkey.  Two sides included, bread and pickles upon request.  Life is good.

We immersed ourselves in the atmosphere of the place while we waited for them to cook our dinner.

An epic BBQ experience.  Thanks for the suggestions Lynne.

Saturday Activities

Our first day--well, half day by the time we're loaded up and heading out of the airport--consists mostly of preparation for our time at the ranch.

First stop, Cabela's in Austin.  Everyone needs a Texas hunting license.  Last minute gear checks are made.  Bows are checked to make certain nothing is out of alignment from their time in the luggage compartment of the Boeing 737.

Linnea tried out bowfishing at an exhibit outside Cabela's for the day.   Two misses on the plastic Gar in the kiddie pool, but only just high.  Sighted in we'd have had fish for dinner. 

Next stop was HEB Plus for provisions.  Lots of fruit and cereal.  And granola bars and other snacks for our time in the blinds.  Not much meat. But we did get BBQ Sauce and Marinade. We're planning on grilling our own pork for the next three days.  

Arrived Texas

No direct flight from Manchester to Austin, so we boarded Southwest and headed to Chicago first.  No problems enroute put us on the ground in Texas at 12:15 local time.

 First stop is baggage claim  - all the luggage made the transfer in Midway.  Good on the bags -

Thumbs up on the bow cases too.  It's rental car time!

Most of the team gets comfortable outside the terminal while and waits for rental car pick-up.  Everyone seemed most happy with the 65 degree swing from when we departed PA at 4:30am and the early afternoon temperature in Austin.

It's GO Time!

It is an early morning for the team.  The mini-bus departed campus at 4:30am.  We're at Manchester-Boston Airport waiting for our flight to Austin via Chicago.

A huge thank to to Doug Windsor for driving the team to the airport this morning!

Sunrise in Manchester!

Breakfast in Manchester.  The in flight peanuts might not do it for this crew!

Archer Profiles

Lucas

Years shooting: 2

Brand of Bow: Hoyt Pro Hawk

Arrow: Gold Tip

Broad head: Wac-em Triton

Lucas is another returning customer to the Texas Hunt.  He had success last year and is looking forward to this year's visit to the Cactus Creek Ranch.

These are from our 2013 trip.  Good luck in 2014 Lucas!

Video Hunting

Last Thursday was Head's Day at school.  That is, the Headmaster declares no classes for the day.  Dave managed to slip a bus off campus before the No Travel Order was issued as the day's snow storm picked up and the snow started accumulating.

The destination was a local archery shop with a video range.  Not Martin Scorsese quality cinematography, but from the soundtrack it sounds like fun!

Archer Profile 3

This post introduces two of the adults on the trip this year -

Dave

Years shooting: 8

Brand of Bow: Hoyt

Arrow: Gold Tip

Broad head: Wac-em Triton

Sponsors: Morse's Sporting Goods, G-Mac Archery, Wac-em Archery, Dead Center Archery 

The PA Archery program and the Texas trips are a result of Dave's passion for the outdoors.  Dave's passion for archery is surpassed only by his desire to share that love and getting other people involved, especially kids.  

Here is Dave (far left) with members of the 2011 PA Field & Stream at the IBO Worlds in Ellicottville, NY checking out some potential acquisitions for the school 3D Range.  One of those two alligators came home with us.  Nine students competed that year, seven in Compound classes and two in Traditional classes.  Another IBO trip is in the works for 2014!


George

 
Make/Model of Bow:  Martin Exile

Arrow:  GoldTip Pro Hunter

Broadhead:  Wac’em  Triton

Number of years in archery: 2

Sponsors:  G-Mac Archery, Dead Center Archery

Dad to a PA student, George is another of Dave's recruits into archery. He was on the Texas trip last year and is looking forward to another visit to Cactus Creek Ranch.  As you can see from this picture, it sure beats a day at the office.

Archer Profiles 2

David is up next

Years shooting: 2

Brand of Bow: Matthews

Arrow: Gold Tip

Broad head: Wac-em Triton

Sponsors: Mom & Dad

David is a return customer to the Texas hunt.  David has more hunting experience than most of the students. He and his dad hunt for Pheasant and Chuckers.  This year he will be using his new bow, photo provided

ne

 And Max 

Years shooting: 2
Brand of Bow: Hoyt
Arrow: Gold Tip
Broad head: Wac-em Triton

Sponsors: Mom & Dad

2014 will be Max's first trip to Cactus Creek.  He joined the PA Archery Team last year.  Max did well in the 3D comps last spring and qualified for the IBO Worlds.

Archer Profiles

This is the first in a series of profiles to introduce the participants in the 2014 Texas Hunt.

First up is Carl:

Bow:  Hoyt

Arrow:  Gold Tip

Broadhead: Wac'em Triton

Sponsors: Mom and Dad

This Carl's first year shooting and his first hunt.  Carl has taken advantage of all practice sessions since he picked up his new bow at Morse Sporting Goods and is making great progress.  We have two or three more practice opportunities before March to get ready for the pigs!

Meet Linnea:

Years shooting: 3

Bow: Browning & Hoyt

Arrow: Gold Tip

Broad head: Wac-em Triton

Sponsers: Mom and dad

Linnea followed her older brother into the sport.  Linnea has done a number of 3D shoots, including the 2012 Vermont Triple Crown. This will be her first hunt, and she is the only female on the trip this year.