Monday Jan 11: Today was the first day of the first adult hunt, there will be two hunts this week. We have five blinds, four of which are across the river, which means we drive out of the park, across the Rio Frio and then back into an old section of the park. We drove the route twice to be certain we had the location of the blinds marked in our minds – even took the GPS unit along and flagged the drop off points.
After lunch today, the hunters came in for their initial briefing and drawing for the 20 blinds. We took them out for the afternoon/evening hunt at 3 and then made the run again after 6:30 to pick them up. One of our hunters was the only one of the group to get an Axis deer.
For this ‘hunt’ one of the “Friends of Garner” (the park support group) is doing all the cooking for the volunteers and staff involved. We did have to pay ($25 for twenty one meals) but he puts out a big breakfast and different supers every day. Judy and Lois help in the kitchen and clean-up while Bill and I are out taking care of our five hunters.
Tuesday Jan 12: Loaded up the five hunters a few minutes before 6 and took them out to their blinds. We have to check the weapons (bolt back or barrel broke open) before they get in the back of the truck, hold it until they get seated and then hand it to them. When we get to a blind, we reverse the procedure and then walk them to the blind and point out the “shooting” zone. Though we deliver our last hunter at 6:30 AM, they can’t begin ‘hunting’ until after sunrise – 7:04. Later today between runs to check on the hunters (we check them at 10, 12, 3 and then bring them in at 6:30 PM) we want to wash the trailer and get the windows cleaned - - - finally.
Wednesday Jan 13: Managed to get most of the crude washed off the trailer and Judy washed the windows on the outside. What a difference!! Monday evening, one our hunters shot a small Axis doe. We were the first truck to have a successful hunter. When we made the last run last evening (Tuesday) one of the lady hunters had shot a buck, a pretty good sized one for Texas deer. Our truck now has two and two other trucks each have one. It’s raining this morning so not all of the hunters went out. This is the first group’s last time out. We get a new group in this afternoon and start the process all over.
Took the new group out this afternoon and the truck could not make it. We have a 1998 Chevy dually pickup and the tires are not made for driving in Texas clay. We made it out, but with the hunt directors help, have altered the route so we can avoid several sharp turns into up hill grades.
The late pickup went off without a hitch with the altered exit route, although the hunters got more than a little wet. It rained all afternoon and no one saw any Axis, those deer know it’s raining too.
Chuck had prepared chili for dinner, again using deer meet. The deer has a different flavor and texture than the white tail from Ohio. Anyway it was good and we have enjoyed all the meals. Judy and Lois usually aid in the cleanup and some setup for each meal. It’s going to be strange beginning on Saturday when we have to feed our selves and there are no hunters.
Thursday January 14: It drizzled and rained all night and we are still having electrical problems. Am beginning to believe that the converter is going bad and we will have to replace it. The 12V lights are at times very dim and this morning the refrigerator was just clicking away trying to light. Will be checking on line and order a replacement panel and it does not look too difficult to install. We had an adventure this morning taking our group of hunters out. We did not even make it to the first blind across the river before we were stuck. We drop into a little wash and that old dually just would not make it out. The assistant manager had to come rescue us with his personal jeep. This soil is lots of clay and when it gets wet it becomes very ‘greasy’ and the wheels will not bite. When we finally made it back, the entire crew in the dinning hall stood and applauded! We will be getting a 4X4 for the remainder of our trips.
This is that mud pit we must pass through twice each trip.
For the remainder of our trips we have a 4 wheel drive. Even with it, once the wheels get in that slim, there is now way to control your direction of travel.
This is the dually we were using. Yes I guess you could say it was “4 wheel drive.”
And we did order a replacement ‘board’ for the inverter. In the mean time one of the other volunteers (he’s 87 and his wife is 86) is loaning us a 12V battery charger so everything is working…..for now.
Chuck prepared our, what he called, “biblical meal” – last super – and was it good. Steak, oven potatoes, salad and biscuits were on the menu. We all agreed that the price we paid for the week of meals was well worth it.
Friday January 15: Last day of the hunt and we only had one go out. It threatened rain last evening (predictions were for 5 inches between 6PM Thursday and 6PM Friday) and we had some lightening and a little rain, but not much. Apparently the threat was too much for a number of the guys.
As it stands only 7 deer were taken during the week.
After lunch we chatted with David, Assistant Manager, about our tasks for next week. There is a lot of brush to be cut up and run through the chipper. The park had a contract for the trimming, but they just left the cuttings where they fell. He said if he had his way, we would begin the painting projects (several restrooms need it), but he will have to talk to Greg, the lead ranger. He said as we are willing to paint, and it’s hard to find folks to will paint, he would like to get us on that job.
Will see on Monday what is in the plan. For now it’s a free weekend to do some exploring and see some sites. We are sure some things have changed in the past 5 years.
Even though we do not have any Sprint service in the park, we’ve found a way to at least make some calls using the computer. Skype has a program to make free calls – computer to computer – and you can ‘buy’ time to make calls to land and cell lines. So far we’ve made five calls using the program and it works fairly well. Voices don’t sound quite the same and there is a slight delay at times, but it works for out going calls. In coming we have to rely on email. At least we can connect to the internet here using the AT&T air card.
After lunch today, the hunters came in for their initial briefing and drawing for the 20 blinds. We took them out for the afternoon/evening hunt at 3 and then made the run again after 6:30 to pick them up. One of our hunters was the only one of the group to get an Axis deer.
For this ‘hunt’ one of the “Friends of Garner” (the park support group) is doing all the cooking for the volunteers and staff involved. We did have to pay ($25 for twenty one meals) but he puts out a big breakfast and different supers every day. Judy and Lois help in the kitchen and clean-up while Bill and I are out taking care of our five hunters.
Tuesday Jan 12: Loaded up the five hunters a few minutes before 6 and took them out to their blinds. We have to check the weapons (bolt back or barrel broke open) before they get in the back of the truck, hold it until they get seated and then hand it to them. When we get to a blind, we reverse the procedure and then walk them to the blind and point out the “shooting” zone. Though we deliver our last hunter at 6:30 AM, they can’t begin ‘hunting’ until after sunrise – 7:04. Later today between runs to check on the hunters (we check them at 10, 12, 3 and then bring them in at 6:30 PM) we want to wash the trailer and get the windows cleaned - - - finally.
Wednesday Jan 13: Managed to get most of the crude washed off the trailer and Judy washed the windows on the outside. What a difference!! Monday evening, one our hunters shot a small Axis doe. We were the first truck to have a successful hunter. When we made the last run last evening (Tuesday) one of the lady hunters had shot a buck, a pretty good sized one for Texas deer. Our truck now has two and two other trucks each have one. It’s raining this morning so not all of the hunters went out. This is the first group’s last time out. We get a new group in this afternoon and start the process all over.
Took the new group out this afternoon and the truck could not make it. We have a 1998 Chevy dually pickup and the tires are not made for driving in Texas clay. We made it out, but with the hunt directors help, have altered the route so we can avoid several sharp turns into up hill grades.
The late pickup went off without a hitch with the altered exit route, although the hunters got more than a little wet. It rained all afternoon and no one saw any Axis, those deer know it’s raining too.
Chuck had prepared chili for dinner, again using deer meet. The deer has a different flavor and texture than the white tail from Ohio. Anyway it was good and we have enjoyed all the meals. Judy and Lois usually aid in the cleanup and some setup for each meal. It’s going to be strange beginning on Saturday when we have to feed our selves and there are no hunters.
Thursday January 14: It drizzled and rained all night and we are still having electrical problems. Am beginning to believe that the converter is going bad and we will have to replace it. The 12V lights are at times very dim and this morning the refrigerator was just clicking away trying to light. Will be checking on line and order a replacement panel and it does not look too difficult to install. We had an adventure this morning taking our group of hunters out. We did not even make it to the first blind across the river before we were stuck. We drop into a little wash and that old dually just would not make it out. The assistant manager had to come rescue us with his personal jeep. This soil is lots of clay and when it gets wet it becomes very ‘greasy’ and the wheels will not bite. When we finally made it back, the entire crew in the dinning hall stood and applauded! We will be getting a 4X4 for the remainder of our trips.
This is that mud pit we must pass through twice each trip.
For the remainder of our trips we have a 4 wheel drive. Even with it, once the wheels get in that slim, there is now way to control your direction of travel.
This is the dually we were using. Yes I guess you could say it was “4 wheel drive.”
And we did order a replacement ‘board’ for the inverter. In the mean time one of the other volunteers (he’s 87 and his wife is 86) is loaning us a 12V battery charger so everything is working…..for now.
Chuck prepared our, what he called, “biblical meal” – last super – and was it good. Steak, oven potatoes, salad and biscuits were on the menu. We all agreed that the price we paid for the week of meals was well worth it.
Friday January 15: Last day of the hunt and we only had one go out. It threatened rain last evening (predictions were for 5 inches between 6PM Thursday and 6PM Friday) and we had some lightening and a little rain, but not much. Apparently the threat was too much for a number of the guys.
As it stands only 7 deer were taken during the week.
After lunch we chatted with David, Assistant Manager, about our tasks for next week. There is a lot of brush to be cut up and run through the chipper. The park had a contract for the trimming, but they just left the cuttings where they fell. He said if he had his way, we would begin the painting projects (several restrooms need it), but he will have to talk to Greg, the lead ranger. He said as we are willing to paint, and it’s hard to find folks to will paint, he would like to get us on that job.
Will see on Monday what is in the plan. For now it’s a free weekend to do some exploring and see some sites. We are sure some things have changed in the past 5 years.
Even though we do not have any Sprint service in the park, we’ve found a way to at least make some calls using the computer. Skype has a program to make free calls – computer to computer – and you can ‘buy’ time to make calls to land and cell lines. So far we’ve made five calls using the program and it works fairly well. Voices don’t sound quite the same and there is a slight delay at times, but it works for out going calls. In coming we have to rely on email. At least we can connect to the internet here using the AT&T air card.
