The Gift Hunt - Texas
Three generations of Louis hunters.
Steve with a nice pair of toms.
Hunters: John, Steve & Kyle Louis
Cameraperson: Steve Louis
Fellow Archer's Choice posse member Greg Olson and his son Caleb and myself, Steve Louis, and my son Kyle, headed out for a few days of fun and sun in Texas. We had given my father, John Louis, a trip to hunt turkey in Texas for a Christmas surprise. So this would make it a three generation hunt.
We arrived in San Antonio to sunny, hot temps in the 80's, quite a change from Wisconsin in March. We got in late that evening so we rushed to check our gear and get ready for an early morning. That next morning could not arrive soon enough for the boys who were on their first hunting trip. We hit the blinds with our Hoyt bows, our TenPoint crossbows and shotguns. My dad was the first to score on a nice tom who dropped to a load of # 5's from his 12 gauge. Way to start us out Dad.
That evening was a bit slow with temps close to 90. But Caleb managed to bring in a nice tom and put him down. The next morning things really picked up. We headed out to a new ranch that I had hunted last year and knew it was full of birds. We were not disappointed. Five toms hit the ground and everyone was all smiles at breakfast.
That evening, my son Kyle and I headed out to a spot I had been waiting to get into. After a short wait in the blind, I saw three toms approaching. I had Kyle get his TenPoint ready. As they neared the blind, I could hear Kyle’s breathing getting heavy. This was his first hunting shot. The toms picked and strutted around just out of range for a few minutes, then walked off. We both took a deep breath and I said not to worry that there would be many more chances. Kyle said he was glad they left because he did not think he could hold still because his heart was beating so hard. That is what hunting is all about.
About 30 minutes later, 3 more toms headed our way. They wasted no time feeding toward the blind. Kyle quickly got ready and I got the camera focused. I said, "Let him have it whenever you’re ready." The shot scared me but it hit the tom perfect. He flapped around for a little bit then laid still. We exchanged high-fives and hugs. Kyle wanted to go get it right away, but I said we have tags and lots of light yet. Maybe we’ll get a double.
Sure enough about 45 minutes later two more toms headed our way. Now it was my turn. As they worked toward the blind I raised my Hoyt. When the lead tom dropped his head I drew. The Beman flew perfect and the big tom dropped right there. We had done it—a double.
When we got back to camp that night, we learned that my father, Greg, and Caleb had all shot toms. What a night, what a trip. In all, we shot ten nice toms. This is a hunt we will never forget.
Posse Member, Steve Louis