Quote:
Originally Posted by
2Quills http:///t/393907/so-i-bought-a-gun-few-interesting-facts-about-that#post_3505750
Hmmm...I don't know anything about a Boone & Crockett record book. Perhaps that was before my time. To be quite honest, this guy does a rather substantial amount of business since he's ridiculously motivated and determined. But It would be a tough task to satisfy 100% of people 100% of the time for anyone. I don't think that he would make any bones about thinning a heard if it was time to be done. But there are hunts that can be had that give you a much greater challenge other than paying low dollar for something cheap if that is what you're after. And I'm sure it would rival or surpass anything that the average hunter is going to go out to state or private land of someone who they know who will let them shoot there for cheap. These guys breed white tail deer with 20-30 points (yes I said 30 point bucks) and people pay upwards of $12,000-$14,000 to get one. And they will make it a real hunt for you.
Aside from the hunting side of things they actually do in large part believe in the preservation of species. Pretty much all of their animals are purposely bred and selected for hunts with that in mind. So it's not just completely senseless slaughtering of animals going on here. I know that he's sold some animals to one of the zoos down here on a few occasions. And if you like wild life and enjoy seeing something that you might not see every day then it's a cool place to go.
My wife and I both work directly for and under him as we are his two must trusted associates that essentially run his property management business yet we both do a lot for the ranch as well. Aside from that I think we have right around 300 mortgage loans that he is the financier for. My guy's and I turn anywhere from 2-6 houses in a month as well as maintain a few dozen rentals. These businesses turn out a fortune each in their own. But the ranch makes the most.
Just a little insight for you about me. Guns have simply always been a part of my life since I was born. My father and grandfather both served and both were enthusiasts but not very huge on hunting. My old man was crazy about it, even used to love carving and finishing his own stocks to make replicas of vintage muzzle loaders. Grandfather president of a gun club for several years. I'm not a huge hunter either but I know how if I ever have to. I just don't feel like I need too. For me guns have fallen in and out of popularity but they have always been a family affair. I'm probably not the trigger happy lunatic that you think I am, bionic.
And whether some folks realize it or not there are a lot of people who have a great deal of time, money or even their whole careers built around what some folks are suggesting we just simply do away with. Are they simply going to be the next industry casualty to add to the list? Or is the real question here if it would be wise to put so many people out on a whim in hopes that you might actually end up with some sort of definitive result to show for it? History is not on your side.
Go look at their web site. For 9 grand they'll "guarantee" you a 190 point or higher Boone & Crockett deer. A 200+ can be "quoted".
How can you guarantee an animal like this unless you're breeding them somewhere on the property, and keeping them away from other hunters that are out there on one of the lower costing shoots? I have no problem with the preservation part of these exoctic animals. However, it is what it is -- a breeding ground for making huge profits on specific animals that the "common" hunter may never see on a standard hunting lease in this state.
"Baiting" is commonplace these days when it comes to deer hunting. I have multiple buddies that spend months sticking out feeders on their property in specific locations to attract the deer and hogs in the vacinity. It's the ultimate Pavlov's Dog theory. Get the deer to feed at specific places at specific times for a couple of months, then set up blinds 100 yards or so from the feeders and wait like a sniper for them to show up at their predetermined times. At least a couple of them give them a sporting chance by using a bow instead of a rifle. I went out one time with a friend and his daughter to a feeder, and when we got there, the deer heard the Jeep and came running. His daughter was standing there hand feeding several of the doe. He told me that he only takes doe's as a last resort to use up tags, and he uses them as "bait" to bring in the bucks. At least I get venison steaks and venison jerky any time I want.
I may sound like an anti-gun nut, but I was practically born with a gun in my hand. My first gun was a single-shot .410 when I was 8 that I used for dove, quail, and squirrel. I'd spend the summers and fall at my aunt/uncle's farm where if we weren't frog giggin' and running trot lines for catfish, we were hunting squirrels, hogs, raccoons, quail, dove, deer or anything else we could use as food. When I waas in high school and college, I worked part-time at my brother's gun shop. That's where I got to play with every "toy" imaginable. I shot more frequently back then because my brother and I could reload our own ammo for probably around 5 cents per shell. We'd spend the Thanksgiving holidays over in the Big Bend area (specifically Terlingua) hunting mule deer on foot. That's where my AR came into good use. My biggest buck was 250+ pounds, and I had to leave almost half of it on top of a butte because the idiots we were hunting with that had the ATV's got "too cold" and went back to camp. Nothing like dragging 100+ pounds of backstrap and hind quarters almost 2 miles back to base camp in 30 degree weather. I actually had more fun with the rattlesnake hunts we'd do during "down time" from deer hunting. We'd find anywhere between 10 - 30 rattlers anywhere from 2 feet up to 5 feet. Skin them and use the meat in my chili. I had a taxidermy in Houston that would give me a minimum of $20 for each full skin, $10 for a head, and $5 for a rattle. My brother still has this 6 1/2 foot skin tanned and mounted on a board that we pulled from underneath this large rock. That was the one time I actually had second thoughts about hunting those critters.
