Jack County Monster Boar

Wednesday, April 7th, 2010 | Posted in Hunting

Febuary 15, 2010

Jacksboro, Texas – I left East Texas on a Friday after a night of rare snowing to go to our deer camp for a weekend of deer hunting with my dad.   I got to the camp a little early that evening, so I didn’t even change out of my traveling clothes, I just grabbed my 7mag and jumped on the 4 wheeler and took off towards a deer stand.

Big tracks in the snow..

On my way to the stand, I noticed huge tracks in the snow following the road, then they turned and headed towards a feeder.  I didn’t plan to hunt that stand, but I figured I’d at least go take a look and see.  I killed the 4 wheeler in the road and started crunching through the snow towards the feeder.

I followed the tracks towards the feeder until I rounded a corner and could see where the feeder was.  When I got the feeder in view, I could see an animal under it.  I crouched down, I put a big bush between me and the feeder, and walked right towards him so if it heard me, it wouldn’t be able to see me.  With snow everywhere, I was wearing a black Carhartt jacket, blue jeans, work boots, and a hat, no gloves, no face mask, no camo, nothing you would find me wearing on a normal planned hunt.

Walking in the snow was really dang loud, I didn’t think there would be any way I could sneak up on any wild animal.  I got about 50 yards from the feeder and I stepped sideways from the bush to take another look, and it was still there, still moving around and not alarmed.  I could tell he was big, but didn’t realize how big.  The brush was thick from that angle, but I could tell it was a hog for sure.  Our landowner hates hogs and wants us to kill as many as possible, so I aimed freehanded into the bushes, waited until he was either facing me or facing away, I couldn’t tell which, and shot right in the middle of the black blob through the brush. (more…)

Tags:
No Comments »

Contribute to The Sportsman Dispatch!

Tuesday, April 6th, 2010 | Posted in Uncategorized

The spirit of this site will come from the folks who write in. If you’d like to contribute an article or story to the site, of ANY size or topic, please contact sportsmandispatch.webmaster@gmail.com.

Tags:
1 Comment »

About The Sportsman Dispatch

Tuesday, February 2nd, 2010 | Posted in Uncategorized

The Sportsman Dispatch is a WIP publication concept for the outdoor sportsman pursuits: hunting, fishing, cooking, and outdoor gear.

In monthly/quarterly editions, this site will feature stories from “writers” around the world – feature stories on places and people, gear reviews, thoughts and rants, tactical advice, conservation news, recipes.. anything and everything that a sportsman identifies with, can use, or digests simply as fuel for the lifestyle fire.

After a formal launch, and as a functional business model, The Sportsman Dispatch will remain a free-to-the-public site generating operating revenues from site advertisement placements. These ads, primarily from outdoor industry companies and organizations, will remain small, organized, non-invasive, and flash/animation-free.

In the first editions of the Sportsman Dispatch, the editor and writers will diligently craft a working concept for a potentially revolutionary publication.

Tags:
No Comments »

The Belgian 12

Friday, January 29th, 2010 | Posted in Gear, Hunting

Round Rock, TX – “Well I just got that Benelli last year, I should just go with it again this year”, I say to myself, holding and looking up and down the possible opening-day-dove-hunt shotgun alternative.

The Belgian 12

A few years ago, my granddad traded someone somewhere for two Belgian guild-made side-by-side (SxS) hammer-guns made around 1930: an English stock 12ga., and a 28ga./7mm shotgun/rifle combo gun.  At the time, I was probably mesmerized with German or Spanish double-guns, and working toward justifying a $4000 expense attempt at entry into the world of fine SxS craftsmanship.  So I hadn’t ever asked to borrow or try these guns, even at the range.  I was also probably scared to fire them.

But now, as my gun wisdom/mantras had cycled over after a few years (note: and are sure to cycle again), I made my way to the gun safe and was imagining taking the old 12ga. out to hit some birds.  I wanted to shoot a dove with a SxS hammergun.  The gun’s action locked up solid, its hammers and triggers had little play.  Overall, the gun felt pretty good, and trustworthy.  It wasn’t my granddad’s trusty shotgun.  In fact, he traded guns often and he simply hadn’t traded this one away yet.  But it was $4000 cheaper than a Merkel, “shot the same shells”, and had enjoyed 70+ years of aging in its wood that gave it a feel and color as warm as some old whiskey.  I asked my granddad if I could borrow it.  Stupid question. (more…)

Tags:
No Comments »

Texas BBQ Religion (Part 1)

Thursday, January 28th, 2010 | Posted in Cooking

Explaining the Passion

It all starts with a guy staring at a plate of gray, dry, catering-style brisket. “We’ve lost it, along the way, somewhere”.

This gut-feeling, in contrast with any lucky experience with one of the last great places to find truly legitimate smoked BBQ (either someone’s home cooked, a BBQ cook-off sample, or only a handful of restaurants), can start a trueblood Texan on a journey to honor the craft and his state in the process.

The Good Old Pit

Someone has to carry on a tradition of un-compromised quality and devotion to perfection, in whatever sport, craft, or hobby.  Or, at least, the ones who do will keep that small wavering flame going for the ones who cared then, now, and will care in the future. (more…)

Tags:
No Comments »

Last Minute Cast Iron Supper

Wednesday, December 2nd, 2009 | Posted in Cooking

I got back late yesterday evening to my cold and empty Houston swamphouse.   About to park it on the couch and let the plasma trance begin, I spotted my clean and oiled cast iron pot sitting on the stove.   I felt like doing something productive, and had been hearing alot about braising/roasting..

I’m not really one for recipes, I read alot of them and try to remember ingredients but I never want to follow one when I get that kind of inspiration.  Here’s my recipe:

If its a little too late to be cooking dinner, cold outside, and you’re already wearing your evening pants, put on a hat and go to Kroger.  Buy two split chicken breasts, an onion, green onion, carrots, garlic, and chicken stock.  After seasoning the chicken by a quick spastic rummage through your cabinet, brown it in oil, and set it aside.  Then chop up the vegetables throw them into the spicy oil with some garlic.   When that gets carmelized, or starts to fill the kitchen with smoke, put the chicken on top, pour in some chicken stock, bring to a boil, back down to a simmer, and cover for 30 minutes.

 Late Chicken Stew

Late Chicken Stew

This was a great experiment and is an excellent method for outdoor/expedition cooking.  I can’t believe this is so easy, an its bound to be one of my favorites.   Stay tuned for monthly updates in a series titled Buying Random Meats, and Putting them into Pots.

Tags:
No Comments »