January 20th, Hunting Report

The Interstates will be lined with soiled trucks and travel trailers headed north from South Texas deer leases this Sunday. Four Wheelers and Jeeps, along with a deer blind or two will be lugged back home to take up space in the garage and back yard for the Spring and Summer. Today is the last day of buck season in South Texas and the last chance for a hunter to pursue the elusive antlered whitetail. Deer season is over after today except for a special doe season that lasts through February. Right now my dad and I are absorbed into organizing our upcoming quail hunts. This past weekend we had our first quail hunt of the season. Despite the miserable cold and drizzle we managed to have a successful hunt with some great action.

On Thursday, before the quail hunters arrived, my three year old son Nolan and I took a ride around the ranch. Gray clouds were thick and low, sliding in from the North, and a light mist speckled the dusty windshield of my old black truck. I had Nolan bundled up in several layers of clothing along with a hearty border-town blanket wrapped around him tightly. It was the perfect day to be out on the ranch. This is deer hunting weather. I have hunted for myself a little here and there throughout the year, but had not taken a buck this season. I was hoping to see a good one that got my heart pumping that day, so Nolan and I went to a cold deer blind to sit for a little while. I had seen a big 8 point at this blind a couple weeks prior with one of our trophy hunters. He is an old big deer with heavy bases and I have never taken a big 8 throughout my hunting livelihood.

“Where’s the big buck, dada?” Nolan would whisper with his big eyes melting my heart. “I don’t know. Maybe he will come out soon.” I didn’t expect to see that deer this day, but soon after we got into the blind he came out in a small clearing. My binoculars confirmed that the buck that was making his way through the tall grass was the old 8 point. I quickly grabbed my gun and steadied my aim as Nolan put his hands over his ears. On this special day, Nolan and I got our first buck together. It just goes to show that sometimes the moment exceeds the achievement. I have taken bigger deer as far as antlers, but this buck will permanently remain my most special trophy.

Everybody has memories in their life that are full of meaning and extraordinary. Sometimes it may be a memorable hunt, fishing trip or a special day with family. It could be the day a particular person you are falling for tells you “I love you”. It could be the day you stood by the ocean with good people listening to the continuous sound of waves crashing and realizing why you are here on earth. Special moments come in all shapes and sizes. Some last all day and some are sudden, but they all last a lifetime. These moments are the reason we can keep going day to day. I know next time I am faced with a demanding situation and a hint of frustration enters my mind, I can think of one of my life’s best instances. With that, all things are possible.

The Good Ol’ Days are Now…

CAPT. TODD CASEY
SOUTH TEXAS CHARTERS
956.371.3465

www.spifishing.com
www.southtxhunts.com