Posts Tagged With: Hunt

Bear Hunt 2014 – Success!

Posted on September 11, 2014 by bigvalleylonghornranch
Larrys bear 2014

196.5 LB Boar shot with bow

September is a beautiful time to be in northern Wisconsin when the season transitions from summer to early fall. Usually by mid September, the maple leaves are turning brilliant colors and the forest has a delightful smell. Not to mention the hunting season begins. This was our time.

My youngest daughter and I began our bear hunt after an 8 year wait. Our host and guide, Mark of Whiskey Ridge, set us up in a cozy cabin on the lake with a million dollar view. The hospitality was second to none. They worked hard to find us a good bear and we did just that. The combined team effort was blessed and Julie and I both got beautiful black bears. The blessings from above never end.

Julie's bear 2014

184 LB Sow shot with .308 rifle

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2012 Antelope Hunt

Posted on December 27, 2012 by bigvalleylonghornranch

As this antelope approached me at 30 yards, I shot it with my bow in Natrona County near Casper, WY on August 16, 2012.  It scored 70 1/8 (inches) in the Safari Club International Record Book.

 

antelope 253

 

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My First Riffle

Posted on March 9, 2012 by bigvalleylonghornranch

 

I bought my first rifle in 1964, when I was 14 years old.  It was a 303 British Lee Enfield, military issue from WWII.  I purchase it from the army surplus store for $25, which seemed to be a lot of money at the time.  I was so proud of that gun.  It was banged up and slightly tarnished.  The iron site on the front was bent and I had to pretend it was sticking up so I could shoot straight.  But it was my gun.

 
That year, 14 of us ventured out to the woods for the beginning of the hunting season.  Back then, deer season was 3 days and if you saw something, you better shoot.  Otherwise, you might not have another chance.  Out of everyone, I managed to get 2 deer and 2 fox.  I was the only one to get anything that year.

 
It’s been a long time since I’ve fired my trusty rifle.  For the past years, it sat in the back of the gun storage.  I could only imagine what that gun has gone through in its lifetime.  I sure if it could talk, it would have amazing stories to tell.  It’s one of my favorite guns.

 

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‘The Funnel’ Story of a Hunting Shack

Posted on February 29, 2012 by bigvalleylonghornranch

In 1936, Clyde Matthews built a modest chicken coop to harbor his chicks.  Through the years, this chicken coop remained on the farm.  It wasn’t until November of 1975, when a small time farmer, with a dream, bought a few acres of land to call home.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Clyde was attached to this coop (having built it himself) so it wasn’t a suprise that he would want to keep it. Part of the deal included removing the building and relocating it 6 miles into town. There it dwelled until his death.

Sometime in 2004, before the home was sold on auction, I asked his estate for the coop.  Clyde had used the building as a tool and garden shed.  With help from my hired hand, I loaded it up and brought it back home.

My delma came when I had to decide what to do with it.  After special consideration, I felt the best use would be to retro-fit it as a hunting shack.  Originally, there was a chicken door, 3 side-by-side windows, and a main door.  Since the roof was okay, I spent most my time adding more windows, siding, gun rest, shelves, carpeting, seating, and for mobility, I added wheels and tongue (for those who don’t know – a tongue is the join connecting the trailer to the truck hitch).

I loaned my newly renovated shack to my friend Gene in Glen Haven.  Gene eventually built a larger shack to house sleeping quarters.  Once again, the chicken coop came home.  It sat around the house (rent free) until I was able to find the perfect place to put it.  And I found it.  A popular place, we simply call it “the funnel”.

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