Since the beginning of the year, I have looked at numerous places to go hunting for exotics and finally the timing came up right and I got to make a visit the #1 choice on my list of places to go, Big Oak Bowhunting. To say I enjoyed my trip would truly be an understatement. From the time I stepped out of my truck when I got there till the last time my foot left the grounds of the property to get in my truck to leave out (even though I really really didn't want to leave), it was truly a wonderful experience. Marty and his whole crew made sure that every minute I was there I was enjoying myself and really made it feel like I was part of the family for the whole weekend. I had high expectations going into the weekend and to say that they were met would be an understatement. All that being said, here's a quick recap of the weekend.
I arrived on Friday afternoon along with some much needed heavy rainfall that the area was receiving. After getting unpacked and half way settled in, we took a quick trip around the ranch to make sure the storms hadn't knocked any trees into the fences and to see if we couldn't see any critters. I was after a management sika with a side of bacon or two if the chances arose
. First night out, even in the on and off down pours, saw several critters and one sika that would have made the cut, but he decided he didn't want to come in. Just before dark, a group of hogs decided to come in and I made good shoot on a eater pig! Marty and crew showed up to take up the trail and before long we had a hog in the back of the ranger. Even though I didn't get a chance at a sika on the first night, my anticipation for the next mornings hunt were as high as ever!
Saturday morning rolled around to find me in a new set-up for the mornings hunt. Even before light was fully piercing thru the timber enough to see clearly, animals were already making there way into my set-up. As the morning light increased I was able to make out all that I had in front of me. Fallow bucks, axis does, a couple whitetails, and even some sika. As much as I would have liked the first sika I spotted to fit within the mangagement status, he just wouldn't do it. He was a GIANT and he tormented and tempted me at close range for over 30 minutes! The next sika to appear was something I was looking for, an older 3x3. Try as I may, I could never get the shot oppurtunity I was wanting as all he was interested in was running around and chasing anything that didn't have horns. A few more sika bucks came thru, but none of which were what I was after. Around 8:30 or so, Marty pulled up to see what kind of damage I had done and I told him all I had seen throughout the morning. He had told me about a one buck in particular he would really like to try and get me on when I first arrived at the ranch and as luck would have it, he spotted him on his way to get me. So we came up with a plan to try and get on him. Normally if there is a plan involved and I'm part of it, it usually goes south quick. But as luck would have it, our plan came together and I was able to get a shot. The shot was good but he didn't bleed a whole lot. Bagley the wonder dog came to the rescue and led us right to where he'd bedded down. The buck stood up from his bed so I snuck another arrow right in the pocket. He took off thru the timber, but only made it another 20 yards before calling it quits for good. I was stoked! He was a HUGE bodied critter and had really massive horns for a sika. After putting the tape to him, he actually ended up scoring Gold Metal!
Saturday night rolled around and I was after another pig. As luck would have it, a group came in right at dark. Finally one I picked out gave me a perfect shot, but unfortunately I hit him just a touch high. Marty, Bagley, and the rest of the crew did all the could to help me find my pig. We followed blood for quite some time, but finally came to the conclusion it was a little high and the pig had survived.
All in all, I had an absolute blast all weekend. Even had I not been successful hunting, I would have truly just enjoyed my time getting to hang out with Marty and hear about all the tales from his worldly travels, setting on stand seeing all the different animals roaming about the piney oak woods, or setting around marveling at all the critters on the wall! I can't wait to make a return trip to Big Oak to chase after who knows what next time around. If you have any inkling to go bowhunting for exotics or hogs for that matter, Big Oak definitely needs to be on the top of the list! Thanks again to the whole crew at Big Oak Bowhunting!!
Shiloh Butts
I arrived on Friday afternoon along with some much needed heavy rainfall that the area was receiving. After getting unpacked and half way settled in, we took a quick trip around the ranch to make sure the storms hadn't knocked any trees into the fences and to see if we couldn't see any critters. I was after a management sika with a side of bacon or two if the chances arose
. First night out, even in the on and off down pours, saw several critters and one sika that would have made the cut, but he decided he didn't want to come in. Just before dark, a group of hogs decided to come in and I made good shoot on a eater pig! Marty and crew showed up to take up the trail and before long we had a hog in the back of the ranger. Even though I didn't get a chance at a sika on the first night, my anticipation for the next mornings hunt were as high as ever!Saturday morning rolled around to find me in a new set-up for the mornings hunt. Even before light was fully piercing thru the timber enough to see clearly, animals were already making there way into my set-up. As the morning light increased I was able to make out all that I had in front of me. Fallow bucks, axis does, a couple whitetails, and even some sika. As much as I would have liked the first sika I spotted to fit within the mangagement status, he just wouldn't do it. He was a GIANT and he tormented and tempted me at close range for over 30 minutes! The next sika to appear was something I was looking for, an older 3x3. Try as I may, I could never get the shot oppurtunity I was wanting as all he was interested in was running around and chasing anything that didn't have horns. A few more sika bucks came thru, but none of which were what I was after. Around 8:30 or so, Marty pulled up to see what kind of damage I had done and I told him all I had seen throughout the morning. He had told me about a one buck in particular he would really like to try and get me on when I first arrived at the ranch and as luck would have it, he spotted him on his way to get me. So we came up with a plan to try and get on him. Normally if there is a plan involved and I'm part of it, it usually goes south quick. But as luck would have it, our plan came together and I was able to get a shot. The shot was good but he didn't bleed a whole lot. Bagley the wonder dog came to the rescue and led us right to where he'd bedded down. The buck stood up from his bed so I snuck another arrow right in the pocket. He took off thru the timber, but only made it another 20 yards before calling it quits for good. I was stoked! He was a HUGE bodied critter and had really massive horns for a sika. After putting the tape to him, he actually ended up scoring Gold Metal!
Saturday night rolled around and I was after another pig. As luck would have it, a group came in right at dark. Finally one I picked out gave me a perfect shot, but unfortunately I hit him just a touch high. Marty, Bagley, and the rest of the crew did all the could to help me find my pig. We followed blood for quite some time, but finally came to the conclusion it was a little high and the pig had survived.
All in all, I had an absolute blast all weekend. Even had I not been successful hunting, I would have truly just enjoyed my time getting to hang out with Marty and hear about all the tales from his worldly travels, setting on stand seeing all the different animals roaming about the piney oak woods, or setting around marveling at all the critters on the wall! I can't wait to make a return trip to Big Oak to chase after who knows what next time around. If you have any inkling to go bowhunting for exotics or hogs for that matter, Big Oak definitely needs to be on the top of the list! Thanks again to the whole crew at Big Oak Bowhunting!!
Shiloh Butts
Big Oak is an awesome place to visit or hunt.
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