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Author
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Topic: TX trip
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Q-Wagoner
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Member # 33
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posted March 01, 2007 11:22 AM
Here are only a couple of pics I had on my camera. Randy has the rest on his. We had a great time and met a lot of wonderful people.
We averaged $75 from Tommy King of Kings fur in Monahans TX. He cut us a check for $1266 for the fur we sold him. Not bad for about 10 days hunting.
I can't wait until next year!!
Good hunting.
Q,
Good hunting.
Q,
Posts: 617 | From: Nebraska | Registered: Jan 2003
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Leonard
HMFIC
Member # 2
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posted March 01, 2007 11:31 AM
Hey Quinton, thanks for sharing. I still can't get those Texas rigs, but what the heck, free country?
My question is, why so few coyotes?
Okay, one more question: how many cats were taken at night, and were you rolling while working the light with sound?
Good hunting. LB
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EL BEE Knows It All and Done It All.
Don't piss me off!
Posts: 32368 | From: Upland, CA | Registered: Jan 2003
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TA17Rem
Hello, I'm the legendary Tim Anderson, Southern Minneesota Know it all
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posted March 01, 2007 11:41 AM
Q; great cat pic's, thanks for shareing...
By the way i thought Randy would of posted some by now. Do you think he maybe took off for texas again? I heard he really like the food at the D-Q... ![[Big Grin]](biggrin.gif)
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What if I told you, the left wing and right wing both belong to same bird!
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Q-Wagoner
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posted March 01, 2007 11:54 AM
All the cats were taken at night this year. Our time could not be divided so we had to pick one or the other. Night hunting for cats is more effective. No we didn’t roll with the sound on. That being said we will next year to some extent. Bobcat sounds used every 100 yards will be a great asset. You just need one look. LOL I didn’t do the math but about 50% was called and the other half was spotted and shot.
There are coyotes in the area but not many. We never hunted a ranch that had not already been called. That contributed to it to some extent but for the most part it is WS that keeps the coyote numbers down. Privet trappers and choppers also. We woke up one morning to a chopper gunning a pasture a mile away from our bunkhouse. They killed 10 cats and 4 coyotes in a couple of hours. They said they killed 52 cats that week in the area and I don’t know how much other stuff.
My rig is a cross between a Texas chair and a South African Rig. You really need height in that country. Mesquite is very thick in most areas and you absolutely have to have height to see down in it if you want to be successful. Next year I am going higher.
I think what contributed to our success the most was our shooting this time. There were only about 3 shots missed between the both of us the entire trip and under the conditions I doubt that anyone else could have done any better. My rig is like shooting off of a bench rest so that helped out a bunch.
Yes Tim, every day that is where we had breakfast at 1pm. LOL
Good hunting.
Q,
Posts: 617 | From: Nebraska | Registered: Jan 2003
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Q-Wagoner
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posted March 01, 2007 12:23 PM
To save a little confusion, I will expand a little on the subject. Texas is different period. There are areas with tons of coyotes and there is area with lots of cats. You will find areas that have both but whenever you have a lot of coyotes your cat numbers will not be as strong as in other areas.
We were cat hunting primarily and not coyote calling so we hunted the cats the most effective way we knew how. That consequently was probably the worst way you could hunt coyotes. Had we been targeting coyotes we would have changed our techniques drastically. If we hunted coyotes the way we were hunting cats all we would have been doing is educating coyotes at an alarming rate. Most callers down in that country hunt everything pretty much the same way and the style is not at all favorable for coyotes. For cats, fox and coon however it is productive. That also will contribute to the skittishness of the coyotes.
We could have targeted coyotes but why spend 10 days shooting a dozen or so $10 coyotes when you can target $75 bobcats? Next year we are going to dedicate part of our time to coyotes, as they are more destructive on sheep and lambs. In return we will be allowed to take all the cats we want. Cats are dumb so I am not to worried about educating them while hunting coyotes.
Good hunting.
Q,
Posts: 617 | From: Nebraska | Registered: Jan 2003
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Leonard
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Member # 2
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posted March 01, 2007 12:46 PM
I understand, completely. Targeting cats, the method in which you use the light, things like that, tend to spook coyotes. Mixed bag hunting, take them as they come, including grays. Cats are not light shy, at all. Usually.
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EL BEE Knows It All and Done It All.
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Posts: 32368 | From: Upland, CA | Registered: Jan 2003
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Q-Wagoner
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posted March 01, 2007 01:02 PM
We learned a LOT this trip through trial and error. Depending on drought, rabbit numbers WS control work and other influences that will effect Bobcat numbers I honestly think we can double our take. Cats are cats. After they eat what do they do? Yes sleep. LOL The first two or three hours after dark were by far the most productive and then it fallowed by long dry spells. Just before light things started happening again. It is breeding season and they were a little more active but we will divide our time more efficiently next time.
Good hunting.
Q,
Posts: 617 | From: Nebraska | Registered: Jan 2003
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Leonard
HMFIC
Member # 2
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posted March 01, 2007 01:12 PM
also for clarity, and not to steal your thunder! You can see where a California rig is a lot warmer in the winter, and you can duck under branches as you drive, even close the hatch in rain or snow, plus we can sleep three, right there by putting stuff underneath the platform. That rack around the entire top is rock solid, and that's a McMillen Benchrest stock on a 22-250 Ackley. LB
[ March 01, 2007, 01:14 PM: Message edited by: Leonard ]
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EL BEE Knows It All and Done It All.
Don't piss me off!
Posts: 32368 | From: Upland, CA | Registered: Jan 2003
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Q-Wagoner
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posted March 01, 2007 01:39 PM
That is a very nice set up Leonard. I would like to have something like that as it would definitely have its advantages. Number 1 would be staying warm. When you are not moving the cold just sinks to the bone. Luckily west Texas doesn’t get extremely cold like what you are use too. If I were hitting northern Nevada or the California deserts you can bet I would have an enclosed rig. As it stands now Texas is my only option for night hunting out of a vehicle and I need to be high in the air to be effective in the brush country. Further west the brush is not as thick so an enclosed outfit would probably be the ticket.
Thanks for the pics.
Q,
Posts: 617 | From: Nebraska | Registered: Jan 2003
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varmit hunter
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Member # 37
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posted March 01, 2007 02:39 PM
Q.Proud to have you in Texas. If you would have given me a shout I would have brought you some shrimp gumbo.
Uhh you didn't mess with any of our sheep did you?.
Here is a picture of my pasture prowler.
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Make them pay for the wind.
Posts: 932 | From: Orange,TX | Registered: Jan 2003
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R.Shaw
Peanut Butter Man, da da da da DAH!
Member # 73
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posted March 01, 2007 02:43 PM
Thought I would add a few pictures.
We saw this several times. You don't dare shoot one in this situation. Instead, cut-em loose and let them be reduced to a rib cage in less than 48 hours.
A picture of how we were set-up to skin.
Just pictures.
Posts: 567 | From: Nebraska | Registered: Jan 2003
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R.Shaw
Peanut Butter Man, da da da da DAH!
Member # 73
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posted March 01, 2007 02:50 PM
Ran outa room.
Fur selling.
We also killed a pegleg cat. I dont have that picture for some reason.
Randy
Posts: 567 | From: Nebraska | Registered: Jan 2003
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Q-Wagoner
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posted March 01, 2007 02:53 PM
Ohhhh shrimp gumbo would have been very nice. I lived off of gut bombs at the local Town and Country and of course DQ. LOL Nice set up you got there. Between you and Leonard I really have my wheels turning. LOL God did bless Texas. It was like leaving home. We made some great friends and made some great memories. That is what life is all about.
Good hunting.
Q,
Posts: 617 | From: Nebraska | Registered: Jan 2003
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Leonard
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Member # 2
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posted March 01, 2007 03:53 PM
Something else for you to think about, Q.
That heater is bolted to the front wall and there is no danger of tipping over, but it sure is nice to warm up your hands, and it is directed right at the feet of the lightman, when rolling.
The gambrels fits in the one inch square tubing, which is mounted on both back corners. Look close and you can see the holes for height adjustment, just slip anything in there, like a loose bolt.
You might notice also, that it's a walkthrough. Driver/shooter can get in the back in a hurry, when he is buzzed, or for stands, nobody has to get their feet muddy.
Good hunting. LB
edit: Another thing I might point out, if you look at one of the previous pics. That's Aaron standing in the hatch, behind the lazer. He's in Basic, at Fort Leonard Wood, right now. Anyway, you can see the lazer, which is used to mark a down animal, while we continue to hunt. Just turn it off once it's locked down, then when finished, turn it back on, and have the shooter walk it out, without assistance from the light man. We believe that it's important to have two guys marking the animal on those long shots; saves a lot of stumbling around in the dark.
PS Randy, that looks like a fair size coyote sandwiched between the coon and the two cats?
[ March 01, 2007, 04:09 PM: Message edited by: Leonard ]
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EL BEE Knows It All and Done It All.
Don't piss me off!
Posts: 32368 | From: Upland, CA | Registered: Jan 2003
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canine
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posted March 01, 2007 04:04 PM
Sure looks like more fun than pouring concrete!! ![[Eek!]](eek.gif)
Glad you guy's had a fun and safe trip.
Great job on the critters!! ![[Wink]](wink.gif)
JD
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Hunting The East "back to Basic's" Part 1
Posts: 162 | From: ohio | Registered: Jul 2005
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Q-Wagoner
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posted March 01, 2007 05:25 PM
You Californians have it figured out. LOL I have thought about the laser idea before but I wasn’t sure how to rig it up. I looked at those versa-ball rod holders that they use to position GPSs and rod holders and such. A laser would be indispensable in the thick brush for sure. If I ever make it to California I will have to stop in and look at your rig. I have a lot of other ideas and gizmos I would like to talk with you about also.
I need to post a picture of my rig in full battle dress. It is designed around a one-man operation. The shooter is the light man and the caller. I like hand calls the best and called in a few cats this trip but I had a bad cold sore so randy took over the calling duties for me on several occasions with the bandit.
I designed a bushing system that allows me to spin freely 360 degrees with the light on so there are no cords at all to get tangled up. I also put a break system on the chair to lock things up tight for the long shots. Randy popped a bobcat at 217 yards and I shot a feral cat at 272 yards. It works very well but I already have a half a dozen changes in mind for next time.
You got that right JD. We have to face reality now. LOL
Good hunting.
Q,
Posts: 617 | From: Nebraska | Registered: Jan 2003
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canine
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Member # 687
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posted March 01, 2007 05:57 PM
I heard that (reality). Unfortunately I have been pouring all winter long. Just now had a couple weeks off and some good hunting weather. This Feb. has been good for calling.
Back at it tomorrow though, trucks roll in at 6:30 ![[Roll Eyes]](rolleyes.gif)
JD
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Hunting The East "back to Basic's" Part 1
Posts: 162 | From: ohio | Registered: Jul 2005
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UTcaller
NEVADA NIGHT FIGHTER
Member # 8
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posted March 02, 2007 01:58 PM
Congrats Q looks like you had a really good time along with alot of success.That's alot of called cats that's for sure.Good hunting Chad
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Wiley E
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Member # 108
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posted March 02, 2007 04:37 PM
Nice pics.
Glad to hear you had fun.
quote:
Q: "We woke up one morning to a chopper gunning a pasture a mile away from our bunkhouse. They killed 10 cats and 4 coyotes in a couple of hours. They said they killed 52 cats that week in the area and I don’t know how much other stuff."
Why is WS killing bobcats? Just curious.
~SH~
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TA17Rem
Hello, I'm the legendary Tim Anderson, Southern Minneesota Know it all
Member # 794
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posted March 02, 2007 04:53 PM
I heard that they have a rabbis out break in the area they were in..
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What if I told you, the left wing and right wing both belong to same bird!
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Q-Wagoner
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posted March 02, 2007 06:57 PM
A lot of the local guys were not happy about the deal but like Tim said it was a rabies scar that really triggered it. We saw the chopper flying around on several occasions. A couple of gray fox were found with rabies a few weeks ago so they have been doing bait drops with vaccine one day and gunning the next? Bobcats have nearly the same status in Texas, as coyote’s only difference is you still need to tag the cats. TTFHA are working on that though. Anyway the main targets are gray fox but coyotes and cats are fair game also I guess. I don’t know all the specifics. They have to have the OK from the landowners to shoot and many of them may request the cats go also? I really don’t know.
I didn’t get to talk to the trapper much. He just stopped in to let the rancher know how they did and was off to the next spot.
Good hunting.
Q,
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Baldknobber
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posted March 02, 2007 07:39 PM
I was in Texas last week about a hundred miles east of where you guys were and rode with the Govt. trapper all week. I heard that there had been some confirmed cases of rabies out that direction. If the landowners sign up for bobcats, coyotes, or whatever to be taken on their land on the program then it is open season on whatever they are signed up for. I think that they have to sign up separately for the flying. The guy I was with is also one of the gunners, so it was a pretty interesting week visiting with him. We did alot of checking snares, traps, looking for feral hogs, and did some calling. Had a great time and learned alot.
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JTBMO
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