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J. Martin and I drove back to Freer to try to finish up the show that we were trying to shoot for CARNIVORE. Sure was disappointed not to find Mike, Clifton and Hensley at Wheeler's when I stopped in Tilden.
We were a little nervous about the weeds that had exploded since all of the great rains and the heat. I told J. Martin that we would be okay as we were going to catch the weather right and it was a little cooler.
Got up Monday morning and did not strike a cat, we got a couple of "wiggles" and no more. That evening about 6:30 when it was 90 degrees, struck a hot one. We ran him off and on in the worst jungle I ever saw for two hours and 18 minutes before the cat made a slip that we just could not recover.
We went to bed that night extremely worried that the dogs would be so spent that they would not hunt the next morning. But God smiled on us that morning and blessed us with 49 degrees, unheard of in Duval County in May.
After cleaning all the hounds eyes with a wet towel and trotting for a mile, the dogs seemed to loosen up, even Old Andy.
They struck a good track and had the cat running in short order. They did not make a bobble and after a great 46 minute race, the cat found a mesquite. Young Colter Kaspar took his Bowtech bow and drilled the sow cat threw both shoulders. We shot all the cut aways and were back at the lodge by 11:00 a.m.
J. Martin's dogs ran both cats about as well as a pack of hounds can run a cat in tough conditions and I tip my hat to them. We had a great time as always and I look forward to hunting with him again in a couple of weeks.
Adios,
Gary

Mr. Gary,

Sure sounds like you all had a good Hunt!

Mr. J has the Hounds tuned up it sounds like!

Glad he still has Ole Andy as I would not Know where a man could go find an ole BROKE strike and trail dog....we have had three calls this week from folks who are looking.

Dad and I can't wate to see the Show.

Wish you and a camera had been with us late this afternoon here in Florida. We ran a Sow Cat 1:15....saw her several times....the pack never further than 200 yards from the truck....then bayed her under a Palmetto 110 yards out....one heck of a Race.

Stay after em!

CJC

John
Sounds like you had a good race. The problem with trying to shoot video of many cat hunts is that the cover is too thick and you simply cannot see the dogs much less the cat.
Adios,
Gary

You guys weren't driving a white Ford four door, were you?
I passes one Tuesday about 1:00 between Tilden and Jourdanton headed north on 16 that had to be a cat or wolf hunter. I thought of you guys when I passed it.
Derek

Derek
That was J. Martin and I. Steve and Brian were in the next F-150 (Green) behind us. We noticed you as well and I told J. Martin that was a cat hunter or hog hunter. (Your rig did look too nice for a hog hunter).
Where were you headed and did you have any luck?
Adios,
Gary

Gary,

I shot about 15 min of B roll on SD during yesterdays Race! Several good shots of the Cat crossing the road, one really nice cut of her coming through the Palmettos with Brandy screaming right behind her and the Pack Roaring behind her!

I know it is tough to get everything perfect....but sometimes the Stars line up just right!

If you are interested We know a fellow who is using one of your Foxpros to call Bobcat in then putting the Hounds down to run the Cat. He says it is a surefire way to train young dogs in his country!

Come see us when U can!

CJC

I had my camper sitting in Freer at Poole Butler's old place and I needed it this weekend so I just made a flying trip down there and back. I tried to plan a hunt but there just wasn't enough time this trip. Wish I could give a better report.
Derek

John
I have a lot better medicine than a Foxpro, I use my Compucaller III. It will call a cat where there ain't one! Go to burnhambrothers.com and you will see what I am talking about.
I was using a Mini Blaster when I called the cat on Monday. A few years ago Phil Lyne and I called 21 bobcats and a lion in two nights in the Cotulla area. We had a couple of hunters with us and we let them shoot 9 of the bigger cats. The lion got away after standing broadside in the middle of a sendero at 33 steps for well over 15 seconds. I wanted to wrestle the rifle away and take charge of the situation.
Derek
I knew Poole Butler and would run into him from time to time. He used to do a lot of hunting on the Duval County Ranch west of Freer.
Adios,
Gary

Gary, I made it home and the wind been blowing ever since. I had a great time with the Clays. Glad u and J martin had some good running. i have found out lately that my dogs are having a little trouble trailing, but they can smell him good once jumped. i will be out in Batesville this week working and hunting. i will send a report.c u soon... mike

Good luck, maybe the weeds won't be quite as tough on those black brush, flint hills around Batesville. The wind is blowing here pretty strong as well. I got up at 4:00 a.m. and looked outside. The wind was not bad but by the time I got the dogs loaded, it was puffing pretty good. I drove 15 miles south to dump them and it was blowing 15-20 mph.
I was visiting with Robbie Hurt yesterday. He was averaging catching a cat a day from mid Jan. through Feb. Since then, things have gotten pretty tough. He did catch a cat Fri. morning. You are surely not by yourself having the tough time trailing.
One thing for sure, it will dry out in your country.
Adios,
Gary