January 21-23, 2008...more info to come

January 5-10, 2008

Sunday January 5/6: Traveled to McAllen, Texas from San Diego via a Red Eye to Atlanta then McAllen. I was traveling to McAllen for Bob White Quail with Randy Jones and meeting Randy's Former Major League Coach and show guest Jack Bloomfield.  Arriving in McAllen the crew was greeted with High winds.  Jack Bloomfield met us at the airport and we headed to grab a bite before heading to Bob white country.  On the way Jack took us to his friends, Calvin Benson, Ranch.  Calvin's ranch is more of a wild preserve than a hunting ranch now.  It resembles and African Safari with Zebra, Gymbok deer, Ibex, Asian Buffalo, Wildabeast, Red Stag, Ring Tail Deer, Armadillo and Cattle coexisting.  It was a great drive around his property to see all of the great species he has.  Arriving at the gate to Las Islas Ranch at 4pm, it was a non-descript setting until driving farther down the dirt road and a beautiful Ranch house and sleeping quarters came into view.  A modern establishment with mounts of deer, mountain lion and quail throughout the main entertaining area and a fire ring outside with porch seating.  Very Classy look.  There were hordourves served upon arrival of Bacon wrapped pheasant with cream cheese filled jalapenos.  Very Tasty!  I met with the Staff to go over the shoot schedule for the morning then retired to my room to get the camera equipment ready for the morning hunt.

Monday January 7: I woke about 5:45AM, grabbed a quick snack of Biscuits with honey, grabbed the gear and headed out on quail hunt.  Randy and Jack found a few covies early on and had some great pointers helping us out.  It was great to see the dogs work.  The Wind was a little strong so when the quail got up they were like B-52's.  Randy and Jack were having a tough time hitting birds.  With the wind, Randy and Jack were shooting behind them too often.  The morning hunt lasted from 6:45 till 11am.  I taped some good footage of shooting with a few take downs.  After lunch I walked around the property of Los Islas and filmed the outside of the house, clay-target range and grounds.  I had Randy talk with the ranch biologist, Scott, about the type of hunt we were doing.  Scott said we were doing a "Traditional South Texas Quail Hunt."  Traditional South Texas Hunt involves hunters riding into the fields on Trucks.  Trail Riders on Horses search for covies and radio to the truck.  Hunters then walk the fields where covies are seen.  Dogs are also used to flush out birds and recover shot birds.  After the biologist interview I had Randy interview Jack to answer questions about Jack's baseball career and to recap the morning hunt since the hunt involved the two of them being too far away for good conversation.  After this I had Jack and Randy go to the skeet range for another segment.  The afternoon hunt started about 4pm.  A few more birds and good conversation with Jack and Randy, I told Randy he has 15 minutes of useable daylight left and he quickly closed the show.  By 6pm I had packed up the gear and myself and the rest of the crew were off to Arrowhead Ranch for a Bob white quail hunt with the ranch owner and his college age daughter.  It will be great to get youth involved!

...Arrowhead ranch story to come soon...