The heavens opened up in the past 24 hours at Stone Ledge and we got a real soaking with more than 2 inches of much needed rain. All of it soaked in and there was no runoff. As the bucks are entering the “rapid growth” phase, the rains have come at the perfect time. The temperature was cool this morning (in the 60′s) and the animals were moving well all day.

Hunting season here begins in just over 3 months. Lots to do in a short amount of time. We still have some openings in October and a few in December. Want to hunt with us? Don’t delay. Check us out at http://www.stoneledgetexas.com and make sure to listen to what our hunters say about Stone Ledge.

The new TV episodes have started and we’re giving away tickets to the Buckhorn Saloon and Museum in San Antonio every week. All you’ve got to do is sign up on my email list and watch for your name to be posted on the front page of the site. Good luck!

Although the chance of rain was only 30% at Stone Ledge, we were lucky this afternoon and got 1+ inches in a little over an hour. It was a nice heavy soaking hill country rain (that we needed badly). In spite of the steady downpour, my favorite huntin’ buddy and I saw 1 black buck male (almost a shooter), 6 whitetail bucks (one real good one), 3 whitetail does, 1 Sika buck (good one) and one HUGE Axis Buck. Miss Katy was trying to wrestle the .243 from me. It really was a huge Axis. He sauntered in and stood on his back legs, rubbing his giant rack in tree branches. On the way in we “offed” a porcupine. All in all a really good weekend. The whitetail antlers are really beginning to show “promise” now and I’ll bring the video camera with me next time.

Our new TV episodes begin this week (mostly hunting stories). I think you’ll enjoy them. You can follow me on Facebook. See  you there.

What IS Fair Chase anyway? And what are YOUR opinions about Fair Chase?

“Fair Chase” will be the main topic on this Saturday’s radio show and YOU are invited to join us.

Is it okay to hunt behind a high fence? Is it okay to hunt near a feeder? Is it okay to hunt from deer blinds, wear cover scents, use deer attractants, GPS units, etc?

Where do YOU draw the line?

And no matter where you draw the line, do you think it’s okay to force the same set of requirements on others who hunt in areas of the country that may differ greatly from yours?

“Fair Chase” is an important issue for every outdoorsman and I invite you to share your thoughts on the AWO Show. Just call in to the show this Saturday (6/26) between 5:00 and 7:00am Central Time. Our listener line is 877-956-9566.

If you prefer NOT to call in live, you can sound off on the topic right now (24/7) on my voicemail line: 210-319-4351.

If we take your call or use your voicemail message on the air, we’ll send you an Outdoor TV Classic DVD for free.

No matter what your thoughts are on Fair Chase and no matter how passionate you are, I really do want to hear from you.

Again, to make a comment BEFORE Saturday’s radio show, call 210-319-4351 any time and leave me a recorded message.

To visit with me live, just call 877-956-9566 from 5:00-7:00am Central Time this Saturday morning. And to listen to the show online, just log on to www.AWOShow.com.

This should be a lively show. I look forward to hearing your thoughts about Fair Chase Hunting (even if you’d like to rant a bit)!

Alan

PS I just posted a new video clip of a big bunch of Axis deer I taped at Stone Ledge. Check it out on my Facebook Page.

This is a picture of me, my twin brother Keith and our Dad about 1956. We couldn’t help but be brought up as hunters! I hope everyone who reads this will take the time to let their dad know how much they are loved and appreciated. I owe so much to my Dad for taking the time (for loving Keith and me enough) to immerse us in Nature at an early age. Happy Father’s Day everybody!

I hope you’ll join me on the radio on Saturday morning from 5:00-7:00am CT as we salute our great Dads on this special weekend. You can listen here on the site or call into the show at 877-956-9566 to win some cool prizes. See you on Saturday. I’ll have the coffee going.

And JUST IN….Here is a link that will take you to 4 current maps of Open and Closed Fishing waters in Southeast Louisiana: http://www.theoutdoorwire.com/story/1276851115pmhb9zepzzh

Today’s Radio Show winners are:

Shannon from Oklahoma

Brian from Texas

Clyde from Pennsylvania

James from Texas

JD from Louisiana

Thanks to everyone who called in on this special Father’s Day weekend edition of the AWO Show! I’ll keep you posted on “happenings” during the week.

Alan

First Fallow of 2010

Another serpent from Stone Ledge. That makes 4 that we’ve killed in the past week with others we just couldn’t get to in time. Exotic hunters are shooting this morning. Hope they connected. Will try and post pics in awhile.

Snakes Alive!

You heard right. It was a crazy day. Much of Kimble County was out of power for many hours. When it came back on, it blew a big fuse on the power line just below the lodge and started a wildfire. Thankfully, the Volunteer Fire Dept. from Junction made it here quickly. They (and our hunters who also volunteered to put out the fire) were successful in extinguishing the spreading blaze. It was crazy and stressful for a while. Damage could’ve been much worse. Just got a text from one hunter saying “Big Axis Buck Down!”. Will try and post pics here and on Facebook soon.