Catch up on Ron’s Texas dispatches by clicking here.
I love sunrise here in the panhandle of Texas. The sun comes creeping over the horizon with not a mountain or tree to obstruct the view. Beautiful yellow to amber to fiery orange spreads across the skyline, giving the promise of a new day . . .
Friday morning—our last full day to hunt. The week has gone by in a blur. We’ve hunted four different farms/ranches in three different counties, walked and driven untold miles. From way before daylight till way after dark, we’ve burned our proverbial candles at both ends.
While farming and ranching are the major industries here, hunting on these properties, when in season, is another source of income. Hunting rights are held for family and friends or are leased, and there’s very little public land available to hunt. We’ve been privileged to hunt on some spectacular farms and ranches over these last few days—a big thank you to all those owners/lease holders who have made us feel so welcome!
This morning we are hunting on a farm owned by the Russell Williams family. Lying 25 miles or so from Dalhart, this “section” (one square mile) has been planted in corn, most of which has been harvested. This provides an essential food source for the deer.
A great first mule deer.
Cropland in this part of Texas is irrigated. These irrigation rigs are fed from a hub in the middle of the field and produce the “crop circles” you see when flying over. Left in the corners of the fields is a mix of broomstraw and other naturally occurring weeds and brush. The close proximity of food and bedding cover holds deer on these properties and makes for great places to start the day. That’s where we find ourselves this morning.
As the day begins to break, we spot several mule deer does skylighted against the horizon. We move around to the east side so as to have the rising sun at our backs. Moving up to a brushy fence line, we spot a small group of nine muleys on their feet feeding.
Catching my breath, my first thought was, Could this really be happening? There were two bucks in the group, one just larger than the other. Jeremy had the shooting sticks set up and ready for me. Waiting for a clear shot, we whispered about which one to take.
The last doe had just walked in front of our buck when he turned and gave me a perfect broadside target. Again, the Christensen Arms Ridgeline did its part. My first-ever mule deer buck was down!
Celebrating with Jeremy.
As I walked up to the deer, I was reminded once again of just how very blessed I am. To have the opportunity to hunt in West Texas with one of my dearest friends and to harvest three fine bucks in a week was more than I could’ve dreamed. Jeremy and I will hunt again together some day, somewhere, but never will there be another week like this.
Postscript: The Russell Williams family was kind enough to let us hunt their farm on our last day in Texas. The mule deer, my first, was a great way to end my trip. They are involved in something greater than their farm, though.
After a mission trip with their church to Myanmar, they were greatly burdened for the plight of the many homeless children there. In 2016 the Williams launched Purpose Coffee Company, an independent, stand-alone company whose sole “purpose” is to support underprivileged children in Africa, Southeast Asia, and Central and South America. All of the proceeds from their coffee company, both online and in their storefront, are funneled back to the regions where their coffee is imported. These funds provide shelter, food, and education for orphaned children. Most of their helpers are volunteers who have the same heartbeat for these children.
A trip to their shop introduced me to their ministry and, I can tell you, a great cup of coffee. If you’re ever in Dalhart, Texas, or anywhere in the area, you owe it to yourself to make a stop at Purpose Coffee Company. You’ll be glad you did!
