For the second year in a row the New York Boyz score big. 

This time of year is always so exciting for me. There is nothing on this earth that rattles me quite like a big gobbler coming into my call. This season proved to be no different then any other. 

  Last year Mellon Creek Outfitters enjoyed the best hatch and survival rate of any year in the past. It wasn’t uncommon for the guides to meet back at the lodge for lunch and compare numbers. After a few minutes talking we would realize that between the four of us we had seen well over seventy-five jakes. This happened so often that it became a daily joke. There are literally flocks with 20 to 40 jakes running everywhere. Although this is going to make next season on those beyond something very special it proved to make hunting this season a challenge at times. These “Super Jakes” as Walter Parrot called them were beating up on the old toms and keeping them quiet. After about three days of hunting early in the season we figured out that if we wanted to the long beards we were going to have to hunt at least a half a mile away from these jakes. We learned to not bother with trying to get a shock gobble because the old birds were silent. We just to rely on faith in knowing that these birds were around and would still come in. We were one bird shy of 100% success this year and I am certain that we could have been 100% successful if it were not for a choice made by my client and me.

   Pete D’Amour, from Indianapolis, In came down for a turkey hunt. When one books a turkey hunt with Mellon Creek they are allowed two birds; it was Pete’s second bird that caused our 100% success rate to fall short by one bird. On the day prior to Pete’s arrival I went out scouting and roosted a bird about four miles southeast of the lodge. Early that morning after breakfast we headed to down to the area that I had roosted the bird. Before we even got our vests on the bird was hammering away in his roost. Pete and I crept in close as quietly as possible and set up. This bird was going crazy with gobbles. He was gobbling at song birds, airplanes, my tree calls, and who knows what else. I don’t think it would be a stretch to say that he gobbled fifty or more times. About 6:50 I heard him fly down and the waiting game started. It wasn’t long before I saw a brilliant blue and red head moving down the pipeline in our direction. He gobbled again and went into full strut. Closer and closer he inched in our direction going in and out of strut. I could hear him drumming and by now my heart was in my throat. The big bird turned toward us and slowly closed the last thirty yards. Once in tight he got a little nervous; and we watched his snood retract back tight on his beak while turning to walk away. Pete is a great turkey hunter and I didn’t have to tell him that it was time to dance. I putted on my mouth call and the old birds head stuck up tall as he walked away. Pete took his shot and the morning hunt was over at exactly 7:05.He was a  great bird, and what an awesome display coming in strutting and drumming. The colors in these Rios are simply amazing and this one was no different, green, pink, copper, gold, and silver iridescents shinned off of his every feather. Even better I captured the entire hunt on video which I edited and sent to Pete. 

 After we took pictures I made a comment on the video camera explaining Petes hunt and that we were going to get the second one. The “second one” proved to be quite the challenge with the bird winning in the end. The second morning of Pete’s hunt we set up near a roost in the center of the ranch. At daylight we literally had birds tree calling twenty yards behind us.  We had hens above us; and at least 10 gobblers within hearing of us. As daylight unfolded we saw jakes behind us, two hens, and heard a great battle in the brush. We could have easily sealed the deal on a two year old bird 25 yards in front of us but decided we wanted a bigger bird. About the time we let the two year old gobbler pass Chaise text me that he was watching a big tom strutting near a set of cattle pens about five miles away. Pete and I decided that we would go after the strutter. A short drive later we were set up within a hundred yards of the bird and I was doing my best to make him come in. I would call and he would gobble but he would never close the distance. When this happens I usually just shut up and nine out of ten times this will do the trick……….Not today or subsequently any day after. We watched as he walked out of sight gobbling ever hundred yards. That afternoon we tried at him again and never saw or heard anything from him. We did manage to call in twelve jakes to 20 yards and watched as they srutted, gobbled, and beat up on my decoys. At dinner that night Pete and I agreed that we would hunt this bird. As it turned out Pete is a lot like me in that he loves a challenge, so without knowing that it would be that big of a challenge we decided to hunt this bird until we got him. Well before daylight we were set up in the area where he had been strutting the morning before. As twilight brightened the eastern horizon we could hear the dozen or more jakes gobbling every breath. There was one gobble coming from their left about two hundred yards from them and four hundred from us. This bird never stopped gobbling so we pretty much knew he was a mature bird. After waiting him out for over an hour I told Pete lets move and get closer. We walked through a set of cow pens crossed a fence and set up near a water trough. To our left was a wall of whisatche brush that light wouldn’t hardly penetrate, to our right was a brush covered fenceline, and in front was a wide open area. The bird was in front of us and a little to the left hidden by the whisatche thicket. Common sense, mixed with experience told me that the bird would approach straight in front of us. He was on a fence row and might not want to cross it and he certainly would come through the thorn infested thicket to our left. I called and he gobbled, his second gobble was even closer. Pete and I looked at each other as if we were already congratulating ourselves on a job well done. The bird went silent and all of a sudden we heard him drumming. Wait a minute, he’s not in front of us, that drumming is coming from our right. Surely he didn’t just walk through a place that thick. We looked to our left and there was half his tail fan in full strut behind a bush. 22 yards away with one single piece of cover between us and him. What do we do now, if he walks out Pete can’t take the shot because I’m in the way. I was so certain he wouldn’t come from that direction I sat down directly to Pete’s left. He walked out, strutted, and walked back in the thicket. I started to make a fighting hen sound on my slate call and the bird turned around and came back. Pete about a one second opportunity but again he elected to not shoot for fear of hurting me. The bird moved off and hung up so we closed the distance. We did this until almost noon and he never came into range again.  Of course, by now, it had become personal so we went back that evening. We called in three jakes that walked within 10 feet of Pete. Had a great evening but we never saw the old bird. We waited until dark and listened for him to try and roost him. We heard birds fly up and planned our attack for the following morning. After much discussion we decided to set up near his strut zone about a hundred yards down the fence row. I made a tree call and heard nothing. I waited a good twenty minutes and made a louder series of yelps and heard a gobble somewhere way to our left. I thought to myself that must be a different bird. A short while later the gobbles become more frequent and started in our direction. Again at around 150 yards out the old boy hung up again. He really isn’t into chasing women, they come to him so he held his ground. We moved into the thicket near him and he didn’t budge. When he went in the brush we walked right to where he was and tried calling again. He was within 20 yards of Pete at one time but behind very thick brush. He flanked the brush edge and walked into his strut zone. I started walking away calling while Pete stayed put waiting for a shot opportunity. The shot opportunity never came as we ran out of time in order for Pete to make his flight home. This bird caused our 100% success rate to dwindle but we had an incredible time. I took my wife after the old boy this morning and he tricked me again. Sometimes it isn’t about the kill, but it is always about the game. 

  I had another client from NJ this year that enjoyed a very short but great hunt. We went to where I knew a bird was hanging out about 4:00PM and set up. I hadn’t called fifteen minutes when we saw the bird coming in at full strut to our left. He walked into 18 yards; I made a little putt on my call and my client sealed the deal.  

  I had other clients and so did Jimmy and Shelby. Everyone was successful and made new friends along the way. A big tom strutting his way into range is something that never gets old. There is still plenty of season left open in Texas and I have two more tags. I just can’t get enough. 

 Spring time at Mellon Creek has long been my favorite. Deep greens, wild flowers, and gobblers. Oh yea ! Did I mention the chance to hunt with some great people? This year proves no different. I would like to thank all of  M.C.O.s clients for the great memories. Spring Turkey season at Mellon Creek! It truly doesn't get better than this. 

This week Mellon Creek Outfitters enjoyed Michael Waddell’s Bone Collectors in camp. I had the pleasure of guiding Nick Mundt and we sure had a great time. One the first evening we just drove around the ranch and looked at deer. During that drive we discussed what he was looking for and how he wanted to hunt. Of course Boo Bishop, the cameraman was never far away. Nick mentioned that he really preferred using his bow but didn’t want to be difficult. Of course, I told him that if he preferred using a bow then that was exactly what we would use.

  During our early November rut Chaise (manager of Mellon Creek Outfitters) had built a brush blind in an area that he had seen some big bucks. I told Nick about a buck in that area and we decided that we would rebrush the blind and hunt it the following morning. After breakfast we were dropped off at this blind around fifteen minutes before daylight. We had sat in the blind maybe forty-five minutes when a nine point buck walked out. This buck walked about fifteen yards from us and began feeding. He kept picking his head up and looking over my right shoulder; I knew he heard something coming through the brush. The next thing I know I see something out of the corner of my eye and all I can do is whisper,” Don’t move.” The buck we were looking for was twelve steps in front of us and looking right at us. I swear that buck must have stared at us for five minutes. He was so close I was afraid that he would see the steam coming from my breath. Finally, he began feeding toward the 9 point and allowed Nick to draw. By the time Nick was at full draw the buck turned broadside at 19 yards. A very well placed shot behind the shoulder had the buck down about 80 yards from our stand. While Nick was explaining to the camera what had just happened, the original nine point started heading toward our blind. We all remained very still and the buck kept coming. I was ranging for Nick and I vividly recall saying,” 54………..47………….33…………..24………..15. The buck walked without stopping to 15 yards from us. He too turned broadside and Nick let the arrow fly. Another perfect shot and this buck was down in 20 yards. Not a bad first morning; two bucks down in ten minutes. That evening we were riding around and Nick got a nice boar hog with very good tusks. The following morning we were going to glass a field when we saw this really big boar feeding around a wallow. With the truck hidden we began about a 300 yard stalk. With the wind in our favor we were able to take a 38 yard shot. Again, Nick placed his arrow in just the right spot and it wasn’t long before we were trying to load 200 pounds of boar. After lunch a doe fell to Nick Remington 270. The following morning we sat in a blind over looking a seven-hundred acre oat field. Nick counted 172 deer in the field an hour after daylight. We were trying to get management bucks and does with Nick’s crossbow but we never had a shot present itself. That afternoon we decided to go back to that blind in the oats and see what happened. After being there about an hour a buck came into 22 yards. Nicks crossbow put an end to him and Boo got some great footage. Shortly there after Nick took a nice boar hog with this .270 at about 200 yards. As we were getting out of the blind I noticed a group of hogs feeding out into the field about 200 yards away from us. It was getting dark and the light was too dim for camera or scope at that distance so we had to get closer. We quickly moved closer to them where Nick could get on his shooting sticks. Four shots, four hogs down. A Great finish to a great few days.

 I know that Michael, Nick, and T-Bone have become very popular figures due to the TV show. I can say that they were all a real pleasure to be around and Nick is as good a guy as there is. He may have missed his calling though; had he chosen stand up comedy he would be retired. I look forward to them coming back next year

 The Bone Collector scored at the Mellon this past week with all three of the boys harvesting great deer. Nick and Dan scored first with a double, 2 bucks ,maybe! 10 minutes apart. T bone and Dustin harvested two great deer one being 17 points. Chaise and Mike had a great hunt as well getting two more great deer.We would like to thank all the guys for coming down and enjoying another great week on the Mellon. Everyone of the guys were great and I know were all excited to see the show, it should be a good one.  
            
                                               

My client this week was Mr. Mike Davidson from Dallas, Texas. After meeting Mike and going to the range we headed out for a quick evening hunt. For the most part I just wanted to get to know him, show him some deer, and get an idea of what he was looking for. That first evening we saw around twenty bucks and ejoyed a beautiful evening. Mike had a great time seeing so many deer and I very much enjoyed showing them to him. Considering that I didn't find that high and heavy eight point for my last client, I told Mike about him. I explained the deer as best I could in hopes that Mike could paint a mental image of this buck. After passing on more then ten very respectable bucks we saw a very heavy and wide eight point near a creek. I thought very seriously about giving Mike the green light but, I kept thinking about that other buck. When I said that we should hold out for the other deer Mike said," You mean he is better then that one." I told him that he was for sure. With that we headed towards the lodge. While Mike finished lunch I went to the area where old high and heavy had been frequenting. I built a brush blind in an area where I thought he might show; plus, from this blind we could see roughly 1500 yards to our left and a good 700 to our right. Around 2:30PM we headed towards the blind. We had been sitting in the blind for around 30 minutes when I notices three doe feeding out into the clear cut some 1000 yards away. I had seen this buck before on five different occasions and he was always with a group of doe. I kept watching the brush line south of the doe with my binoculars. Finally I saw antlers sticking up out of the grass. Considering that we were a goods 900 yards from this buck I wanted to make sure it was him before I committed to a stalk. After what seemed like an eternity the buck raised his head. I saw his left side but couldn't see anything else. Mike had bought a management hunt so I had to make sure this buck had no more then nine points. I also had to see his brow tines. This buck had unique brow tines and at this distance these brow tines would be the only way I could know for sure it was him. I would lose him in the grass and he would reappear and I couldn't see his brow tines. Then, he looked up at a doe. I told Mike that it was him. I decided to cross the open area and walk down the edge of the brush in the shade. We would have to move slow and glass him often. I wasn't too worried about him spotting us but I was concerned about the doe. Slowly creeping down the edge we got to within 172 yards. I strained my eyes trying to find him but couldn't see him. I told Mike that I was going to have to move out away from the brush to see where he was. I crawled out into the open about 15 yards and saw. When I got back to Mike I told him that the buck was there and feeding out into the open. He stepped out facing us and feeding. Mike thought about trying a shot but we decided to wait for the buck to turn. After a couple minutes he turned and Mike shot. The buck dropped in his tracks and never moved a muscle. Boy was Mike excited. We started walking to the buck recounting the stalk. As we walked up to the buck he was better then even I thought. I knew he was high and heavy but he was higher and heavier then I thought. He had bladed G2's and chocolate horns. I was thrilled at how happy Mike was with his buck. We took pictures and headed back to the lodge to record all of the data on the buck. Mike was a true pleasure the hunt with and I very much look forward to hunting again with him next year.
                                                                                                                                                               

This week when I looked at the list I saw that I would be guiding a youth hunt. I love taking anyone hunting, but I especially enjoy taking a young person. I like to see young people involved in hunting. Of course young hunters are much less likely to try and do my job for me as well. A guide never hears a young hunter say things like, I think we should do it this way or let's not get up that early. For the most part kids are excited to be hunting, curious about hunting skills, and listen for advice. This would prove to be true again when Morgan Menke arrived with her father Ray. Morgan and her Dad arrived mid-afternoon. With only a couple hours of daylight left we went to the range to check Morgan's rifle. With only one shot I knew that her 6mm was sighted in. We drove to an oat field about a mile away to glass and see what was there. Within ten minutes we saw probably thirty bucks. We saw a few eight points, which is what Morgan was after, but nothing that I thoughted warranted the hunt being over in the first hour. I had seen a buck two days before this hunt was to start and I wanted to go look for him. I had guessed this buck in the mid 140's with tall tines and heavy antlers. The buck we were looking for was using a mowed area along a main road towards the center of the ranch. When we didn't see him I started driving back towards the lodge for supper. About three miles from the lodge I found a buck that was a serious cull. With a spike for a left antler and a fork on the other side and no brow tines he had to go. I told Morgan that it was fine that she take him and that it wouldn't count towards her buck. The ranch is under MLD permits, meaning the state issues Mellon Creek Ranch tags. By using these tags Morgan could take this cull and not use her tags on her hunting license. With a well placed 6mm bullet the buck was in the back of my truck. We had dinner and I went to bed. I arrived at the lodge earlier then usual the following morning. I hoped to have breakfast and get to the area I had seen that buck before daylight. Morgan's father walked out and told me that she was sick. I really felt sorry for her because I knew how excited she was. I decided to go scout for another guide and wait to see if Morgan felt better. Jimmy Brown, the man in charge of all the booking called a doctor in Victoria. Dr. John McNeil saw Morgan and wrote a prescription for some kind of medicine that turned out to be a miracle drug. That afternoon we got in the truck and went looking around. I knew she was weak so I ellected to sit on a road intersection and watch deer. I assumed that she didn't feel like bouncing around in the truck. She slept most of the evening so my assumption must have been right. The next morning with Morgan feeling much better we headed to the place where I had seen the big 8. We saw him just as he was stepping in the brush. I hid the truck and we walked about two hundred yards to a place we coulds hide and rattle. Just as I was getting her set up on my shooting sticks he walked back out.  The buck was following a doe and walking in our direction. I told her we would let him get closer, big mistake. He made it to within 118 yards of us and started running after the doe. He and the doe ran right by us and disappeared into the brush. We waited an hour but he never came back out. Explaining to Morgan that I thought we needed to move on we walked back to the truck and drove east. Dustin, another guide here at Mellon Creek called me on the radio. He said that he had a nice eight point feeding down a pipeline. We drove to where Dustin was sitting and looked at the buck. The wind was wrong to make a stalk from where we sat; I would have to drive way around and come at him that way. Once in position I looked through my binoculars and guessed our distance at about 1500 yards. I explained to Morgan and Ray that we would hug the edge of the pipeline and walk in the bucks direction. With dry blood weeds head high we began our stalk. Luckily the buck kept feeding and we made it to within 150 yards. I was wanting to get closer but knew the buck would hear us moving through the dry weeds and grass. Just as I was going to set up my shooting sticks the buck picked his head up and started walking in our direction. I quickly and quietly motioned for Morgan and her dad to move back deeper into the brush. I told her that when he got even with us I would stop him. Likewise I said that she would only have a neck shot and a quick one. I knew he would be close and run if she didn't shoot fast. Not liking the way this was working out and not knowing what I could do to make it better I stood there right beside Morgan. Within a minute he appeared and I grunted. "Can you see him Morgan" I whispered? Yes sir, she said. I grunted and he stopped and looked in our direction. With no more then a foot of his neck above the blood weeds I had just enough time to think, man that is a tough shot. The 6mm shattered the morning silence and the buck dropped in his tracks. Morgan was so excited and so was I. What a stalk, what a hunt, and how it all happened made it even sweeter. Later I stepped off the shot and we were only fifty-two feet from the buck. We never did get that one I was after but there will be more to come on him in a later blog.
                                                                                                                                                         

 DR LeRose flew down from Chicago for a 5 day trophy and cat hunt. He arrived in camp at around 1:30pm on the 1st that afternoon after sitting in a blind Dr LeRose shot his Trophy Buck a very nice 11 pointer with kickers on both his G2s on the way back to camp he harvested his doe. The next morning he woke up and got a 204 pound hog and last night his cat. WOW what a great hunt. This morning we took Dr LeRose to the airport less than 48 hrs in camp and a Grand Slam. Congratulations to Dr LeRose and his guide Chaise for an outstanding job.




   
 
 

 The boys from New York flew down on Tuesday and what a week it was. With a warmer week than last it didn't  slow anything down at the Mellon all 6 hunters harvested some great management bucks. What a great group of guys, im not sure who had more fun them or us. Great companionship and lots of laughs it really dosent get any better than that. Thanks a lot guys and we are all looking forward to next year. 


                              
 

 Opening morning hunter Tom Oneal & guide Dustin Mueller took this fine buck. The hunt began early Tom and Dustin set up on an area of the ranch Dustin had been scouting for some time. Shortly after setting, up Dustin, began rattling , 2minutes into it they got there first look at the buck Tom would eventually harvest. At 500yrds it was to long of a shot and Tom didn't want to take the chance . Dustin hit the horns together a few more times and the monster came closer 120yrds, Tom took the shot and the buck was down. We all want to thank Tom for making us look good and cant wait to have him back next year. Great job Tom