Our latest outing, hope yall like it!!!

Off to a good start!

As most of you know, this year has been hell for Texas. This drought has has taken a toll on not just deer but all wildlife as well as nature itself. To break it down for you, this time last year we had 40"+ of rain - this year, 8". Over 70% of natural water sources are gone, grass and forage for wildlife, don't even think about it. If you do find a source of water and food for deer, you better have your bow knocked n loaded. I believe there will be a tremendous deer die off come this winter do to this all. On the contrary, this year more mature and nocturnal bucks will be killed do to the fact of traveling to find these sources. The way I see it, it'll be like the rut is all season long - when the big boys show their faces. It's 6 days into season and I've hunt 5 and have already encountered hunts where I've seen 20+ deer within a 50 yd area of visability. Anyways, I just wanted to throw that out there, put it all on the table, and let you know where us Texas boys are having to deal with.

After hunting opening weekend, (4 hunts) I gave my ranch a break for a day to let everything settle down and blow my scent out of the areas that I had been hunting. On Tuesday I had had a long morning at work and was really stressed out - I needed to get away. After lunch my plan was to ease out a little early from work and try and get my trail cams to see if I had any new bucks in the area and also which stand I was going to hunt next. Well that all fell through, I had clients that I needed to tend to and honestly needed some sleep. Five thirty rolled around when I had had enough of work. I went home, ate dinner, change into some compfy clothes and watched a little TV. I was bothered by not making it out to the ranch in time to check my cameras when I got this random impulse to watch my areas from the truck on a hillside above to see what trails the deer were using. By this time it was already 6:45pm once I had parked my truck - about 300 yds away from my stand. Once I pulled up, I cut the truck off, and peaked over there ridge line down into the deep draw/thicket area. To my amazement I saw a great buck working his way towards my stand. I didn't know what to do! I had my bow with me but I was wearing basketball shorts and a cut off t-shirt (how was I going to make this happen?). To make the story shorted I basically ran down to my stand, got in it, and prayed for that buck to walk by. Twenty minutes later I saw movement behind a cedar tree and it was coming my way. another ten minutes passed before I could tell it was a good 10 pt that I had been getting on camera all summer long. As he walked the trail he kept his head down and his business to himself. There was a spilt in the trail where he would either walk 25 yds or 45 yds in front of me. Naturally he took the further. With one soft grunt he stopped. I drew my bow back, held steady as I could and let her fly. The lighted nock soarded and took what felt like a minute to get there. About mid flight I noticed the arrow going way left towards the base of the bucks neck ( I had dropped my bow arm too soon.) The arrow sliced through the bucks next like hot butter and went past the deer a good 20 yds. Instantly I saw blood pouring out of him - I had cut his jugular. After waitng an hour I pursued my treasure hunt for my buck. Finding a little blood here a little there worried me so I pulled off and waited another 30 mintues. This went on for a couple hours and over 300 yds from where I had origionally shot him at. By 3 am I had trail this buck over 600 yds and to a cross fence on our ranch - I lost all signs of blood. I pulled out and decided to go back the next evening. The next morning I called Kyle (BOOTS) to tell him the story - he asked if I would like him to pursue the tracking for a couple hours to see if he could find him for me. Not 5 mintues into his tracking he found my buck . It was not 30 yds from where I had stopped the evening before. As upset and sleepless as I was the night before - all was set aside. I had my buck.


I still have a few more tags to fill, but I'll say - it's off to a good start!

121" P&Y

The sleeping boar catches the arrow

During the heat of the day all good hogs find a cool place to hunker down and take a nap. If your quiet and observant you can find them in their beds. But beware, they are always in defensive positions and finding a shot angle is always a major obstacle.

On this occasion I was carrying the camera while Johnno investigates a flicker of movement.... a hogs ear swatting at the horse-flies.

Swamp Sleeper from Aaron Tomkins on Vimeo.

Postcard from Aus

G'Day to ya'll, from the Far Southern Chapter of Team Wildworks. Thought I'd share a pic from a trip to the far north-eastern end of the land downunder. One of the things I really wanted to do on this trip was to have an encounter with a special kind of beasty. We call them Scrub Bulls, otherwise knows as feral cattle. The far north is a vast landscape and over the years has seen populations of these wild and wary critters evolve and survive in some of the most remote areas of northern Australia. Although considered a pest animal and having the potential to alter ecosystems and carry disease, their reputation as a game animal is almost equal to that of the Asiatic Water Buffalo, that Australia is famous for. I was keen for the chance to see how I'd go with bow in had on their turf.
I got my chance, and was humbled to be able to make it count. Hope you enjoy the pic.

I'm Back!!!

I know that it has been awhile since I posted anything, but this evening I made it out for a hunt with Ghillie here in Hamilton. Our plan was to find a couple of doe to put in the freezer, but we ran into a big wad of feral hogs instead. We heard them before we ever saw them and we were able to stalk up as they were moving towards a stream to water. The first hog that I saw was this beast! He saw us at the same time and started heading right towards us with his guard up! Now a 300 pound boar coming at you at 60 yards is not something that conjures up a comforting scenario, so I did not waste any time raising my .308 and placing my cross hairs on his chest. It has been almost 6 months since I have taken to the field and I was a tad bit nervous, I could feel my breath getting heavier as I tried to maintain a steady bead. The shot felt good and the boar dropped instantly in his tracks. I looked over at Ghillie, who smiled and said, "YOUR BACK!" As the the distinct aroma of gun powder filled the air, I must admit that I have missed this!!!

Doin' a little management

Well the rut is full on just about everywhere in Texas right now. I've been filming my buddy Blake for two months now just about trying to get him a biggin' on video. Although we always seem to fall short on it, we keep at 'em.

Yesterday was just another day in the woods. We decided since we have been seeing more bucks driving around due to the rut that we keep doing that instead of sittin' in a tree stand. After cruising around for about 45 minutes, and after seeing about 50 deer, three does darted across the road. In high hopes we glassed all around the area for a buck. Blake then hollered at me. Not 60 yds away was a good management buck staring us down. I hopped out of the gator braced my gun, and squeezed the trigger. They don't run too far with that old fashion neck shot :)

There is nothing more rewarding to me than shooting a management buck, knowing I just made the ranch better.

GHILLIE

Blake's 8 pt

Blake's 8 pt

Up to date

Here are a few things have I have managed to take within the past month along with my dad and buddy Blake.


Ghillie's 8pt - 110" 140 lbs




Mark's 8pt - 110" 158 lbs




Ghillie's spike - 9" spikes 120 lbs




Ghillie's doe (bow) - 80 lbs




Ghillie's hog (bow) - 40 lbs



Blake's 8pt - 115" 125 lbs




WILDWORKSMEDIA.COM

No Fences. No guns. Just face paint.

"Live Hunt" on the Bowsite...

Hey everybody,

I've been doing live hunts on the Bowsite website here in KS the last two weekends. This is a video from the last couple of days, thought some might want to follow along...

http://forums.bowsite.com/tf/regional/thread.cfm?threadid=185734&MESSAGES=40&state=KS

No Bait.. No Fences... No face Paint either ;)