Big News

Wanting life beyond our own is humanity in its simplest form. Jeremy and I are no exception to this simple rule. We’ve dreamed of giving life to a perfect combination of the best of us.

Raising a child will not be without its challenges. Due in June, I doubt I will be much use by April and May when we’re receiving and doctoring cattle. With just the two of us to get things done, the baby will have to go along as things need doing and help out as soon as he (or she) is able.

Although this is something we have discussed for quite a while, I must admit when I saw those two pink lines I felt a twinge of fear. It was soon replaced by excitement, but not before I contemplated that raising a child is a daunting responsibility. I think if parents-to-be aren’t a little bit overwhelmed by the task at hand, maybe they don’t fully grasp the challenge they are about to embark upon. It’s one that we accept and are looking forward to. Especially now that the nausea has somewhat abated.

This is the dating sonogram done around 10 weeks. The sonographer typed the word "BABY" next to it so there wouldn't be any confusion. I thought it looked like I was growing a peanut.

A Buck 20 Years Coming

This year we had the privilege of hunting with Les Butters from Arizona. When he booked he told Jeremy he wanted to kill a 200 inch (or bigger, obviously) mule deer. He knew it would be tough, but wasn't interested in shooting anything smaller. Jeremy told him we would sure try our best to find him one. During the early muzzleloader season in September, Les, Jeremy and Jerad glassed, glassed and glassed some more but with corn standing, were unable to find the 200 inch dream buck Les was searching for.

He returned during firearm season this week to continue the search. The first evening he found what he'd been looking for. This buck:

His goal, one he'd been working toward for 20 years, was accomplished. He shot with a muzzleloader, this deer, which measured 202 7/8.

"Droopy" the Giant

Rifle season for deer is off to a great start. On opening morning, Georgia hunter Ernest Gilbert shot a new ranch record Whitetail buck. And a very unusual one at that.

Last year, we had seen this buck and got some pictures of him on the trail camera. He was impressive then. We were confident with another year of growth he would be a monster.

That was definitely the case. It seems that, while in early antler development in velvet some type of trauma caused this disruption in the growth of his left side. He certainly made an impression when we saw this picture of him on the trail camera this year.
"Droopy" he was dubbed and categorized as definitely a shooter. When Ernest arrived the day before, the buck was rutting hard and several miles from where he had been living. By the next morning, he had moved again and was intent on a doe. Ernest was able to shoot him from about 150 yards.

He measured 187 4/8" making him the largest whitetail harvested off the ranch.

Antelope Season Wrap Up

We had an excellent pronghorn season. We acquired a couple of new ranches this year that proved to be great hunting. We had 8 hunters this year and all 8 got their antelope. The average score for all 8 was 77 and the average height was 14 7/8 inches. The smallest buck scored 72 6/8 and the biggest scored a whopping 84 1/8 and was 16.5 inches tall. This antelope is the largest buck we have ever killed on the ranch. I will let the pictures do the rest of the talking.

Sagebrush Hunts, LLC has a limited number of openings available for pheasant hunts this season. Hunt all wild birds over excellent dogs in southwest Kansas.

Day Hunts
Pheasant Hunt $250/ day

*Day Hunts include a guided hunt over dogs and lunch

Premium Hunts
Pheasant Hunt $350/ day

*Premium Hunts include:
A guided hunt over dogs along with
first class meals and lodging at the ranch.

*All prices based on 2 or more hunters
*Your dogs are welcome

www.sagebrushhunts.com
806-333-4358

2010 Antelope Season: Part I

The cow is a success!

On opening day of antelope season in Texas, our first four hunters were all successful. Jeremy had recently purchased the Outfoxed Zebu Cow Blind designed to make it easier to stalk up on the antelope and despite some skepticism it worked well. Three of the four antelope were shot with the aid of this blind.

The next four hunters will be here at the end of the week. Hopefully the streak continues.

Shipping Day

Cattle are shipped!

Check out my blog on Working Ranch on this topic.

High Water

Last night we got a hard and fast rain. On the north west corner of the ranch it rained 2 3/4" accompanied by a lot of small hail. It caused the normally dry creek above the spring to fill with fast-moving water. Consequently it filled our creek and ran into the pond. The pond (above) was completely dry but is now full to the brim. In the four summers we've lived here, we've never even seen so much as a trickle in the creek above the spring, so it was quite the sight. A true blessing!Above is the where the Felt Road curves at the state line. Hopefully no one needed to get down that road!
Here's a creek coming from the north across our fence line.
Jeremy holding the hail. Behind him is the creek right before it comes into the spring. It was full of dead grass and hail.
Here's the screen Jeremy's grandfather Earl designed to catch trash and limbs to keep stuff from clogging the pipeline in the spring. This is the first time it' s been put to use.

Out Scoutin' Around

Jeremy and I got a chance to do some antelope scouting and while he looks through the scope I like to look through the camera lens. I got a few pictures of some bucks. Enjoy! This guy was a bit preoccupied.

Movie Time

Antelope season is right around the corner and Jeremy and I have been seeing some big bucks. It's got me all nostalgic for fall -- cooler weather and good hunting. Below is a video from a 2008 pronghorn hunt when Barry Patton and his brother Brian came hunting. Staying inside to watch this video is a great way to prolong your time in the air conditioning.

2010 Antelope

We still have a couple hunts available for 2010 Texas antelope season. These hunts take place on our ranch near Dalhart, TX during the first two weeks of October. If you would like more info on these hunts please contact us at sagebrushhunts@hotmail.com or by calling 806-333-4358.

Check out this big buck we found dead yesterday near one of our water tanks. Its a shame he didn't make it to season but don't worry there are more out there!

Steers, Horses and Prairie Dogs

We've been busy the last month with steers, horses and prairie dogs. I know that's an odd combination, but we don't exactly live a typical life.

Starting the first week of April we've been receiving steer calves for the summer grazing season. We're scheduled to get the last few loads this weekend and we will be fully stocked. The calves are weighing about 350 to 400 lbs. We've had to doctor a few but overall their health has been good
We bought a new horse in February, "Chic", and I've shown her a couple times now. She is a nice show horse, but hasn't spent much time outside of the arena. She has had a bit of a culture shock adjusting to ranch life, but she is starting to get somewhat useful.

Finally, prairie dogs? Yes, this summer Jeremy has expanded Sagebrush Hunts to include prairie dog hunts. Although we keep the prairie dogs poisoned out on our ranch, there is a lot of public land around here were poisoning isn't allowed. Hence, there are plenty of prairie dogs to shoot. We've been offering the bunkhouse (above) as a place for hunters to stay and Jeremy provides them with shooting benches and a map of nearby prairie dog towns. We've had a lot of interest in these hunts and dates are filling up fast.

Also, Sagebrush Hunts is now on Facebook. Check it out by clicking here.

There's never a dull moment around here!

Whitetail Hunts Available for 2010 Season

We still have 2 Whitetail hunts available for the 2010 Season.

The first hunt is an archery Whitetail hunt in eastern Colorado.

These Colorado Whitetail hunts are conducted on my partner's family's farm in southeast Colorado. This hunt will be along the Arkansas River with mostly stand hunting and some spot and stalk hunting. These hunts are fully guided 6-day hunts with more days available if you would like. Price reduced to $2500 + a $500 kill fee. Act fast as the deadline is quickly approaching.






The next hunt is a rifle Whitetail hunt in Western Kansas.

The Kansas hunt is on my family's own ranch. These hunts are primarily spot and stalk hunts with some blind hunting.

On this hunt last year we killed a 178 inch Whitetail.

This is a 5 day fully guided rifle hunt with meals & lodging on the ranch. This hunt will take place during the December rifle season. Price reduced to $3500.

References are gladly furnished upon request.
Feel free to call or email me for more info.
www.sagebrushhunts.com
sagebrushhunts@hotmail.com
806-333-4358

Goodbye Winter!

Spring is in the air! The winter olympics just ended, the wheat is trading in its brown cloak for a brighter green color and yes, a simple scratch of the horses' necks leaves me covered in hair.

I am especially excited for spring this year, as we've had an unusual amount of snow since the first of the year, most of which hung around for more than a month. It was fun while it lasted, but I'm looking forward to the green grass which will soon be peeking through, thanks to the winter moisture.

The snow is now scarce, slowly receding in the shadows and low spots, a small reminder of the nearly 30 inches we've had since the middle of January. In remembrance, here are some of my favorite winter shots. Now, if only I still got a spring break.

Hunting - One Last Time

On the last day of quail/pheasant hunting season in Kansas, we decided to take advantage of a couple spots no one had hunted. The conditions were perfect after a snow earlier in the week. Jeremy, Nick (Jeremy's future brother-in-law) and I headed out, with Gunner of course. They were armed with shotguns, I with my camera. We had a great time.



(click on the pictures to view them larger)