Take my best shot Cherry Creek a W i l d F o c u s P u b l i c a t i o n August-September 2012, PESTAFFORD @ WILDFOCUS.NET Cherry Creek Ranch roundup New breeder pen It s time to get back to work! There are signs to paint, scouting to do, fences to mend and blinds to inspect. Unfortunately, we are experiencing another drought in the Hill Country. Dry creekbeds, diminished spring flow and dust are the normal now rather than the slight resurgance of water we had enjoyed in February and March. There was a little rainfall recorded in late August of 2.5 inches, but that has since vanished. The hills are, however green with vegation contrasting with the snow on the mountain, as
CHERRY CREEK! PAGE 2 described by Hill Country Master Naturalist, often mistaken by many of us as iceweed or frostweed, a similar plant also abundant on the ranch. And the tiny blossoms of yellow are popping out on the broomweed giving a picturesque glow to the hills. The snow has a toxic milky substance in the stem and the broomweed an irritating dust so the cattle and deer avoid both. Much to my surprise, I also came across a small covey of Bobwhite Quail near Big Well House. The protein feeders are attracting the deer and feral hogs, although fewer hogs are being seen during daylight hours. The cattle have been moved, for the most part, to Saddle Creek Pasture to feast on the results of perscribed burns and to utilize the springs flowing from Flat Top Mountain and the valley at Leeville. In the beginning Quail near Big Well House Feral hogs at Five Fingers Snow on the Mountain at Middle Ridge
CHERRY CREEK! PAGE 3 BLINDS AND FENCES Over the years, the ranch has seen many changes. Roads have been improved, fences rebuilt and replaced and blinds and feeders, (both corn and protein) have been added. In 1972 when I came on the ranch, there were no blinds other than the dead cedars we would pile up in a circular fashion utilizing a log or a rock for a seat. Several years later, when we were allowed to hunt the front end of the ranch there was one blind stationed above Drunkard s Gulch that had been given to Udo by a neighbor. That particular structure was relocated to Percyville several years later. That area remains one of my favorites to this day. The way we were prone to hunt The original feeder at Cherry Creek PERCYVILLE BLIND DECEMBER 1984
CHERRY CREEK! PAGE 4 The entire ranch was low fence except for a 17 acre area where Udo kept about 30 or 40 Axis deer, and a much smaller area high fenced to keep his magnificient 11 point, a smaller offspring buck and a couple of does. When the small 8 point that we called white nose killed the ageing 11 point buck in a rut frienzied battle, Udo turned all the deer out. Shortly thereafter, he had eight Aoudads in the enclosure, but they soon decided they could clear the 8 foot fence and took their freedom. No Aoudads were seen for many years until a small group appeared in Carrot Canyon two years ago. They continue to roam the hilltops and canyons at will. PROGRESS Aoudads at Dellview Some will be with us for a long time Paul E. Stafford a Wild Focus Production 38 Antelope Trail Kerrville TX 78028
CHERRY CREEK! PAGE 5! Fences and cross fences specialized equipment traverse the landscape, and man power, and is allowing the cattle to be highly labor intensive. rotated from pasture to Pipe and t-posts often pasture, necessary require holes to be measures for good land drilled in the limestone stewardship. rock landscape. Work Now there are high all done by hand in the fences on the north end early years. of the ranch and the newest one runs for 6.5 miles across most of the entire eastern boundry. The latest fence to be installed in 2010 across From this, after decades of service... Flat Top mountain is about 1.5 miles long, has 260 t-posts, and 11 drill pipe posts along the ridge and is low fence. Fencing in the steep and rocky hills is difficult, requiring Fencing in the Hill Country is difficult and labor intensive...to this, to last decades more Paul E. Stafford a Wild Focus Production 38 Antelope Trail Kerrville, TX 78028
CHERRY CREEK! PAGE 6 Now there are thirty-two shooting houses dotting the landscape, ten capable of accomodating two shooters. There are also six tripod stands, and you can occasionally stumble across a ladder stand placedby one of the rarebow hunters on the lease. I have placed most of the bow stands, but admittedly have had little luck from them, other than the openness and sheer joy of the view. For some unknown reason, I do derive great pleasure in placing them in strategic locations. I suppose it is the satisfaction of working in the outdoors, alone and with no timetabe, demands or distractions. BLINDS AND FEEDERS A tripod at lower willow One of the early makeshift blinds at Cherry Creek Canyon Filling one of the Lamco feeders at the Axis Pen...and it s replacement
CHERRY CREEK! PAGE 7 Modern times...hunting has evolved into shooting. SAFER; MANAGED FOR QUALITY GAME IMPROVEMENT On the move! Madronne Reserved! Leeville Saddle Creek Evergreen Buck Canyon Saddle Percyville Sal s Tower Five Fingers The Glade
Out with the old... A new insulated Atascosa two man blind to replace the original tattered and worn one at Sal s Tower. And with a double handrail stairway. I anxiously await my special order with the elevator to carry my old bones up to a cushioned recliner lounge chair that I can snooze in.. FROM: UNTIL NEXT ROUNDUP THE COLLECTOR 1234 Main Street Anytown, State ZIP August 2011 Issue No. two MAIL TO: My hunting and sporting friends Paul E Stafford Wild Focus Photography