First Bow-Kill

Most normal folks with any common sense whatsoever would be spending the last weekend of July inside their air conditioned homes watching a NASCAR race and drinking something very cold. But then again no one has ever accused any of us hunters as being normal and I am not so sure that's a bad thing.
When my good buddy Adam called and asked if I wanted to finally go break into bow hunting I of course couldn't say no, I mean man, this would be my first real try with a bow. We set up a weekend ram/hog hunt at the Bar E Ranch in Hondo, Texas and got ourselves ready and packed. I met Adam in Hondo at the Wal-Mart, got us something cold to drink and headed to the ranch.
The ranch is not far out of town and we would be joining 3 other guys who had been there a day or so already. We met Marvin, ranch manager, and he immediately began telling us about some 34 inch Texas Dall and Hawaiian Black rams he had seen and asked if we wanted to go ahead and head out? Say no more, 10 minutes worth of clothes changing and we were bouncing our way to the back of the ranch.
They dropped me off first and I climbed the tri-pod and got myself situated, thankful we got out there late because the heat was awful!! Not to mention the humidity since they had gotten 4.5 inches of rain the morning we arrived. I wasn't seeing much but a couple doe here and there but still enjoyed just being out there. About 7pm or so I hear this banging and clanging that sounds alot like the ranch truck we rode out on. So I start gathering my gear up and climb down out of the tripod. I wait by the road and still hear the banging but no truck. I look back up the road and see something white moving through brush. Yep, its sheep and I see horns!!
I make a mad dash back up the tripod, laughing at myself and hoping no one was watching to see this spectacle. The sheep make their way thru the brush, a really good ram with 4 ewes and a smaller young ram. They are making their way down the road and straight for my opening so I start running thru all the instructions my friends had given me, hoping I was doing everything right. My adrenalin was pumping as they moved to within about 20yds. I steadied myself and was preparing to draw when I hear this grunt over my left shoulder. I ease my head around to see an even bigger ram following the same path. He made quick work of the brush to catch up to the other sheep and before I knew it there he was ready to step into my shooting lane.
I drew my bow and even amazed myself how steady I was, the practice had paid off!! He walked into the opening and paused ever so briefly. I let the arrow fly and THUMP, he twitched and staggered and I saw a trickle of blood on that white fur. He slowly waivered off and within 25yds he staggered again and fell over!! My first bow kill was on the ground!!
I was so pumped and excited, raising my hands in the air and giving thanks to whoever would listen!! My arrow was just on the other side of the road, a clean pass through. I walked over to the ram and all the adrenalin came back, he was bigger than I thought. Not only did I finally get out and bow hunt, but now I had a sure enough trophy to show for it.
The guys finally came to get me and Marvin and Adam were about as excited as I was when they saw what I had taken. Marvin caped him out for me and got him in the walk in cooler before we all set down to a cold drink and some food. Oh, and the banging and clanging I had heard earlier, no it wasn't the truck. Some Red Stag over near where Adam was hunting were working over a protein feeder!!
There are few words to describe a hunting adventure with friends, and even more so when it involves a first time experience like this one did. I can't thank my buddies Adam and Kelly enough for helping me get ready for bowhunting. Yes guys, I think I'm hooked!!
Thanks to the Bar E for a quality hunting experience as well. We saw tons of game that weekend and the facilities for the hunters are second to none. Marvin, thanks buddy for putting me on one so early!! I will be back to go after that Fallow we saw or maybe get my Mouflon.

If you bowhunters want a chance at some quality game at an affordable price, give the Bar E a call or visit there website at www.bareranches.com

Hunt Dates: July 30 - Aug 1, 2004
Location: Bar E Ranch Hondo, Texas
Game: Ram/Hog Combo hunt
Weather: Sunny and hot!!
Gear: Buckmaster G2 Bow w/ Trophy Ridge Site
Easton Carbon Arrows
125gr Thunderhead Broadheads