Judith Peebles has enjoyed hunting all her life, so when she had the opportunity to go on a Texas trophy whitetail hunt, it was an easy decision. In a column last year, I recounted Judith’s success hunting boar in the Tennessee mountains. Well, she’s been at it again, only this time it turned out to be the hunt of a lifetime.
Judith answered an ad in an NRA magazine and sent in her deposit. She was selected for a Women on Target hunt. This organization, sponsored by the NRA, organizes hunting clinics, shooting tournaments, and women only hunts. They host a dozen or so hunts for pheasant, goose, deer, or bear at sights all over North America. A limited number of hunters are permitted on each trip and the group size varies depending on the quarry.
Judith headed for the K3 Ranch in Hunt, Texas, near San Antonio. She left behind her husband and favorite hunting partner, her son Ryan, with their blessings and full support. She flew into San Antonio the first weekend of last December.
“I had always hunted with my family, so this was something new. I had never hunted with other women before, so I was really looking forward to the experience.”
After arriving in San Antonio, she took the 2-hour drive to the 1500-acre hunting ranch. From the onset she felt a little out of her element with temperatures in the 80s and a Texas desert landscape far different than Indiana.
“There were nine women at the ranch from all different places. There was a writer from Buckmasters, a 69-year-old from Oregon, two ladies from Tennessee, and the rest were from Texas. They all varied in ability as well. There was even one who had learned to shoot a rifle for the first time two weeks before.”
Upon arrival at the ranch, Judith was greeted with some unfortunate news. Wildlife biologists closely monitor each hunting ranch, and as Judith put it, the biologists have the authority of a sheriff and the run of the entire place. Her ranch site had promised a trophy whitetail hunt, but after the local biologists had inspected the area, the ladies were informed that they were restricted to shooting one spike buck and a doe. The guides informed the ladies that they could still pursue a trophy animal, but it would have to be an exotic animal. Several exotic species of deer run wild throughout the Southwest. Escaping from ranches and quickly adapting to the dry temperate environment, these species flourish. “There were three of us that decided to hunt for an exotic trophy: Marla (the woman from Oregon), Dawn Samson (the writer from Buckmasters), and me. I could shoot a spike buck or a doe in Indiana, so why choose that?”
The Clay County native decided to try for an Axis deer because the meat is delicious, and the guides said that they are as wary and challenging as the whitetail. The Axis deer had been imported to Texas from India in the 1930s and flourished since. The Axis deer, also known as chital deer, are beautiful animals. Their coats are reddish with spots, and the antlers are tall. Unlike whitetail deer, they don’t have set travel routes which makes them impossible to pattern. Furthermore, the Texas whitetails come to feeders and can be hunted over them while the Axis shy away from the feeders. Judith had her work cut out for her.
“It didn’t really matter. I wasn’t there to hunt for trophy deer, I was there to hunt with other women and enjoy the experience. It was great. Each night we had a campfire and it was neat talking to these other ladies from all over the United States.”
Judith’s guide, Jay, took her out the first morning to an elevated box stand from where they could scan the area.
“I had a great guide; it was just like hunting with my son since Jay was about the same age.”
Armed with the same Winchester .243 she used when she hunted mule deer in Colorado as a girl with her father, Judith patiently watched as Jay told her to pass the first morning on an Axis deer that came within range. The second morning, the same thing happened. A nice stag came within range, but Jay shook his head.
“I knew to trust Jay. Marla had shot a very nice one, but he said there were bigger ones. I had no idea what was considered big and what wasn’t, so I just trusted my guide.”
The third day was cooler and more deer were moving than the previous two days. That afternoon, Jay and Judith picked a new elevated stand and watched trophy whitetail, sika deer, and a nice Axis in velvet pass by, but again, Jay said no. Around 5 p.m., he saw some movement in the brush with his binoculars and told Judith it may be a shooter. Tense moments passed as the deer got closer and closer. “As the buck got closer and closer, Jay’s face got brighter and brighter. All he would say was, ‘Oh my, oh my, oh my’.”
Judith readied her .243 when Jay told her that this one definitely was a shooter. The buck was at eighty yards when Judith brought up the rifle and sighted the deer in her scope. “Jay said, ‘Any time you’re ready,’ but I shot before he could finish the sentence.”
The buck took off running right toward them and went down twenty yards from her stand. “It was a beautiful deer, just beautiful, but Jay was more excited than I was. I didn’t realize what I’d done.”
Judith is having the trophy mounted and the beautiful hide tanned. The rack of the Axis deer is enormous stretching 32” from tip to skull. There is a 31” spread between the main beams, and the dressed weight was 180 pounds. Judith was told the rack would be in the top 3 percent of its class. The local taxidermist asked her, “So, are you coming back?”
Judith replied, “I don’t think I can do any better.”
“Nope … you couldn’t,” the taxidermist responded.
Judith summed up the experience best in her e-mail to me: “I was very fortunate to take such a nice animal. He will have a wonderful spot on my wall, overlooking the Indiana record buck I took in November 2000 when I was hunting with my dad. Each and every time I enter my family room I will be reminded of all the wonderful times I had hunting with my father and the absolute awesome experiences that he allowed me to have with him and still to this day by introducing me to the wonderful world of the outdoors.”
To learn more about the NRA’s Women on Target program, go to www.nrahq.org/women/wot.asp.
Jeff Gambill can be reached by email at sgambill@aol.com.
Valley Hunter
Valley Hunting: Peebles thrilled with hunt in Southwest
- Valley Hunter
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Redneck Quaker: Mascari gets thrills from turkey hunting
Annie Mascari is a beautiful, vibrant, 26-year-old lady that loves the outdoors.
She comes from a large family of four brothers and a sister and lives the teachings of good family values.
Olivia Rightly let me know that I “should talk to my teacher at St. Pats School, Ms. Mascari, because she’s taken a turkey.”
As I shook Annie’s hand, I could feel the energy she has for life. As proof, the first time she went up in an airplane, she jumped out of it!
She’s also quite the hunter. Mascari picked up a used PSE bow for $30, one for a left-hander because her left eye is dominate for shooting. The Page Arrows are her choice for broadheads. -
REDNECK QUAKER: Valley hunters to be featured on Outdoor Channel show
Little did a buck in his prime at 41⁄2 years old realize he would become famous on not only trail cameras, but a television show as well.
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REDNECK QUAKER: Veteran hunter bursting with pride as son gets first harvest
When Langdon Pounds said “Dad, I want to go deer hunting with you,” Jonathan Pounds took him seriously.
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REDNECK QUAKER: USA Shooting unveils 2012 Junior Olympic shotgun team
Tom Berg, executive director of Hoosier Outdoor Writers, says there’s another impressive press release. Member of H.O.W., James Keldsen from Walkerton, Ind., has informed him of his son, Jakob, being named to the 2012 USA Junior Olympic shotgun team.
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REDNECK QUAKER: Here’s one big, but true, fish tail
Here it is a hot overcast summer’s day on the banks of the Wabash River. With no rain in sight it is a lazy old river practically stalled on its way to the big waters on south.
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Redneck quaker: Successful South African adventure
As two rednecks were telling hunting stories one evening, a little lady named Allison Winchell crawled up on her daddy’s lap while pointing at the other gray-haired and bearded man asking if he was Santa Clause, with him replying “Yes, I am honey and you can have anything you want.”
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REDNECK QUAKER: Wabash Valley duo gets hooked on bow fishing
I would like to introduce you to a couple of fine, very polite young men, Eric Taylor and Craig O’Neal.
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Redneck Quaker: Young couple makes outdoors part of recreation, careers
I had the honor of meeting an outstanding “Lady of the Outdoors”, 24 year old Krysten McDaniels. She has been hunting for seven years and she has a resume of animals she has taken only most men dream about with either a bow and arrow or a muzzleloader.
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REDNECK QUAKER: Hoosiers try their hunting skills down under
How would you practice with a bow and arrow to harvest a kangaroo? Jump up and down while shooting or mount a set of springs to your shoes?
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REDNECK QUAKER: Excited turkey hunters report birds gobbling their heads off already
It’s “Turkey Time”. Didn’t spring come fast this year? Yes, a month early.
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REDNECK QUAKER: Release the coonhounds — it’s time to compete
We are going on a UKC (United Kennel Club) coon hound night hunt or field trial.
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REDNECK QUAKER: Moose hunt in Quebec is sucessful
Bob Lynch was looking for a reason to spend more time with his dad. So after convincing his wife it was a bonding thing, the hunt was on.
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REDNECK QUAKER: Bobcats prowling woods of Parke County
If you find a big spotted cat with a short tail and pointy ears eating out of the dog food bowl on the back porch — leave it alone and don’t try to pet it! Yes, it could be a bobcat!
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REDNECK QUAKER: Young hunters experience thrill of their first deer
Get this picture in your mind: A beautiful young lady, sitting at the dining room table overlooking the meadow below her home, and a large buck steps into the glen.
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REDNECK QUAKER: Valley hunter recounts tale of a special turkey season
Joe is at the top of my list for he is outstanding in all ways of life. A devoted sportsman true to his word. I hope my son grows up with his qualities!
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REDNECK QUAKER: Stacy Kueber travels the country to bag a turkey grand slam in one year
Guys, if you like to turkey hunt listen up, for I am going to tell you about a man that accomplished the grand slam in one year.
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Waterfowl hunting season opens across Indiana
Dust off the calls and decoys, Indiana’s waterfowl hunting season began Oct. 15 in the North Zone; Oct. 22 in the South Zone; and will begin Saturday in the Ohio River Zone.
Waterfowl hunting season in Indiana is divided into three zones: North, South and Ohio River. Each zone has different a season for ducks and Canada geese. Light (snow/Ross) geese, brant and white-fronted geese are regulated statewide. -
REDNECK QUAKER: Young lady has enthusiasm for the outdoors
I don’t know who is glowing with the most pride, Lily or PaPaw Mike Burch. You be the judge from that picture.
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REDNECK QUAKER: Lost Creek shoots great way to hone skills, take home prizes
The last spot shoot at the Lost Creek Township Conservation Club was about a month ago and was sponsored by the Sycamore Ridge Strutters Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation.
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REDNECK QUAKER: African trip makes for lasting memories
South Africa, a land that will never be tamed or civilized by man. It is a hard place to live for it is very unforgiving.
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REDNECK QUAKER: National Archery School Program a winning situation for all
Kenny Kays has nerves of steel for he has waited for me very patiently for over a month to get together and tell me about a wonderful program the Graysville school in Sullivan County is starting for the kids. From me working over time and weather laden with tornadoes, along with no electricity at home.
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REDNECK QUAKER: The Breitweiser family loves the outdoors
Hannah just got woke up from a sound sleep at 5:30 this evening; no she didn’t sleep in that late, the senior prom took place last night, need I say anymore.
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REDNECK QUAKER: Newport prairie an area worth saving
I can stand on my soap box for a long time when it comes to debating habitat.
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REDNECK QUAKER: Dedicated hunter harvests rare red-colored turkey
About the time you think you have seen it all, you better look again.
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REDNECK QUAKER: It didn’t get away: Father, son haul in 48-pound catfish
The men in the photo could have won about any tournament with this 48-pound flathead catfish.
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REDNECK QUAKER: Shaw follows family outdoors tradition
I recently spoke to a young man — Brody Shaw — about all the year’s and animals he has taken, along with fish.
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REDNECK QUAKER: Parke County men have technique to coyote huntin’
You talk about rednecks, nobody can hold a candle to these boys. When I pulled into Roger Dale’s house, there are stock cars everywhere, a pile of coyotes in the yard and the wood burner going in the house and garage.
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REDNECK QUAKER: Hunting memories to remember
I have a girlfriend of the old age of four years old and she stole my heart with her big brown eyes while we were waiting at swim practice.
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REDNECK QUAKER: Examining morel issues with passionate hunters
Here I sit with Alan Reed at Starbucks Coffee about to figure out how and where mushrooms grow.
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REDNECK QUAKER: The Theory of Mushrooms: Spores, tree roots and wood
Here we sat at a Terre Haute Torpedo’s swim meet and an avid mushroom hunter sat down next to me, so “here goes” on his theories on mushrooms. Jim Mattick lives for mushroom season.
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