Cherry Creek Ranch roundup, 40 years of unmatched memories
November 2012
a W i l d F o c u s P u b l i c a t i o n PESTAFFORD @ WILDFOCUS.NET
Well, we all know the results of the first week of Deer season in the Hill Country.A drought, followed by light to moderate rainfall made the acorns drop like a burst bag of marbles and the forbs spring up like....well’ like springtime. The critters didn’t need (or want) our corn. They stayed safely in their natural feeding and bedding grounds while the hunters stayed uncomfortably warm in their box blinds. The good news was the camaraderie was as good as it gets, the food outstanding, and the addition of Grayson Russ a welcome to the heritage of Cherry Creek Ranch.
Paul E. Stafford, Dale O’Reilly, Mark Thurmond, George R. “Jack” Jones, Steve Lee, Jeff Hass, Al Thurmond, Brian Kilgore, John Gallina, Robert Alexander, Seth Landry. Kneeling in front, Tommy Schaffer, Gene Parker, Freddie Russ, Richard Gallina, Jon Letz with Riley and Trey Russ. Not pictured are Chris Russ, Ryan Russ, Donnie Humphries, Greg Stephens, Nat Harris, Brian Jones, Dave Stephens and Wayne D. Mancuso, who was still having another course of lunch, his fourth.
30 years, the Roast
After thirty years of hunting (drinking ,eating, cussing and lying) at the ranch, the guys above ridiculed, embarrassed, basted and roasted my ass.Most of the men in this group drank whiskey, smoked cigars, played cards, raised hell and stayed up to the wee hours telling stories and lies.
Dr. Willis “Bill” Dearing, Bob Russel, Brian Kilgore, D.D.S., Al “take what the land gives you” Thurmond, Jeff Hass,Pat Haselden, Hugh Konigsmark, David “Bubba” Hicks, Mark Thurmond. Kneeling (in homage) Daylan Holt, Darien Holt, Tom LeBlanc, Dale O’Reilly, Freddie “Coach” Russ, Reagan O’Reilly, Kevin Davis and Trey Russ with the author in the foreground. Not pictured are Chris Russ and Jon “Doc” Letz, coaching and working.
After ten more years of hunting, drinking, cussing and telling stories, Pat Haselden arranged to meet me after opening day of the 2012 season for a morning toast to my 40 years on the ranch.. Little did I know he invited all of the gang out for a raise of the cup. Needless to say, this was a surprising and humbling tribute to have the men quit their opening day hunt, drive from all parts of the ranch and join me at Five Fingers, something I will never forget.The difference between a Roast and a Toast, I suppose is that this second group, drinks malts, eats cookies and goes to bed at 9:00 p.m.
and now, as the other Paul would say, the rest of the story
As we all know, weather has not been to our favor. Precipitation finally reached the Hill Country with enough moisture to loosen the acrons from their hold onto the oaks, forbs jumped up from their caliche coverings and the feast was on. The deer, turkeys and feral pigs were treated to an abundance of food much more to their liking than bits of c o r n c a s t a b o u t f r o m galvanized feeders triggered by modern electronic timers.The results tell the story. One Spike Buck, two Tom Turkeys and two Feral Hogs between 16 hunters. However, the main ingredient remained in camp:, renewing of acquaintences and good fellowship, talk of football, baseball and politics, topped off with a generous helping of excellent meals.
Well, the boys decided to replace the tripod at Buckless Top with the ole Dellview stand which replaced the cedar limbs that Bill Dell had piled up near a tree which has been replaced with one of the newer two man stands Jon had built a couple of years ago.I guess they prefer the sauna effect like Kilgore is enjoying opening week in an enclosed blind.
