January 27 - Hunting Report

At five in the morning today I woke and stumbled around in the dark room looking for the light switch. Once I found it and got my things together I walked into the kitchen area to find my dad sitting at the table in the wake of a cup of coffee. I then tottered over to the coffee pot and emptied out a little coffee into my own cup to help launch my morning. The temperature gauge read 43 degrees and a light mist fell sharply onto my cheek as I walked outside to wake the quail hunters in the bunk house. The opening quail hunt last week was a lot like this one as far as weather is concerned. These conditions may not be our ideal weather for a cozy hunt, but it hasn’t stopped the action. There is plenty of quail this year thus resulting in some great hunts, however, I can only imagine what it would be if the sun would split through the clouds and warm the countryside. Saturday was a pleasant sunny day. The nice weather brought out the golf clubs and my golf ball retrieving border collie. We can always find a way to pass the time.
Blues and Bobs. It seems as if there is a covey around every corner and beneath every cactus this year. I guess the rains from last year helped everything prosper as I have been seeing all season. We had a group of quail hunters that were here from Thursday to Sunday. We would hunt during the morning, have some lunch at camp, and then hunt the afternoon. I was counting covies during the hunts and most days would average about 20 to 25 covies. On a day with nice climate I would expect to see around and above 30 covies a day. About half of these covies we jump are bobwhites and about half of them are blues. It is just amazing to see that many birds flourishing throughout this ranch. Some of our hunters that have been quail hunting with us for over 15 years are amazed of the amount of birds and the size of their grouping.

I have been out on the ranch this season since November and my dad has been out here since August. We are going to be wrapping up the quail hunts this month and closing down camp soon. I am now geared up to get out on the water and chase reds and trout this spring and summer. I am already starting to book a few trips for the summer fishing season. Check your schedules this summer and reserve your next South Padre Island fishing trip. It is going to be another great year in Padre. This coming summer is going to give way to new beginnings, a fresh start. It will be one for the books.

The Good Ol’ Days are Now…

CAPT. TODD CASEY
SOUTH TEXAS CHARTERS
956.371.3465
www.spifishing.com
www.southtxhunts.com

Smiling on the Porch

There is a hunger within us
To roam away from the streets
That is home to traffic, buildings and suites
I hope one day, I can feel the peace
That I get when I’m praying upon a clear blue sky
Surrounded by nature and memories of mine
Great things natural and wholesome today
Can be found on a sendero, or nearby bay
I may be country…or maybe a salt
I have always been, and it’s my own fault
Someday…
I’ll sit on my porch worn and aged
I will smile…
Remembering the cactus and sage.

Todd Casey