DOVES GALORE

The trip to the Krooked River Ranch, which is located, an hour North of Abilene was uneventful. Uneventful until I topped the hill looking down into the valley where the ranch’s lodge is located. I left New Braunfels Monday morning heading to meet a group for a dove hunt on the Krooked River Ranch. As I turned north out of Abilene, the topography was gently rolling, mesquite covered hills. The further that I got from Abilene the flatter and more open the country got.

I followed the winding roads leading to the ranch. The directions that I had were good and the signage to the ranch was sufficient to find the ranch. The topography had not changed much for the past 10 or so miles…then I reached the point where the road dropped into the valley of the Krooked River Lodge…what a sight! As far as I could see, there were rolling hills and densely covered ravines. The path cut by the North Fork of the Brazos River could easily be identified. The elevations change from the top of the hill to the river bottom looked to be about 300 feet. I stopped the truck to enjoy the view.

The lodge was just above the bank of the river. The Owner of Krooked River Outfitters Roy Wilson met me. After a few minutes of instruction, I was shown my room, given a hot-grilled burger and we were off to the dove fields. On the way to the field, Roy explained the goals of the ranch. The Krooked River Ranch is a 42,000-acre hunting Mecca. It is home to an abundant population of whitetail deer, doves, quail, ducks, hogs, geese and predators. They have a modest harvest of whitetail bucks each year to insure a quality hunting experience for their hunters. They harvest a good number of bucks in the 140-150” class and a few that surpass the 160” mark each year. Roy offers packages on all of the game available as well as some fantastic off site hunting opportunities. Also, just outside of the bunk house there is a fine skeet range to be used by the guests of the ranch.

There were about 15 hunters in the party. We were spread across the southern end of about a 1,000 acre sunflower field. DOVES GALORE…as soon as I got out of the truck, I was engulfed by flights of doves numbering from a few birds…to dozens at a time! As soon as I unloaded my black Lab, Gracie, she was off to retrieve a bird for another hunter…and then another and another! Before I had even loaded my gun, Gracie had retrieved 4 doves.

I went out to the middle of the field and the games began. Quickly, I could see that a limit of birds was certainly available to all hunters. At times there would be so many doves in range that it was difficult to pick out just one. As a field shoot can be, the shooting was challenging. There were plenty of birds and if the hunter was patient, more than a limit of birds would float just above our heads. But, who can resist the challenging shots on the outer edge of a shotgun’s range? NOT ME! So, perhaps, my shooting averages were lower than normal…but who counts the misses? Soon there was a satisfied lab and a limit of doves.

Most all hunters harvested a limit of doves and the ones that didn’t had a sore shoulder to show for their attempt! Roy and his fellow guides quickly cleaned and packaged up the doves. They were packaged in individual packages with the hunter’s name on the package and then frozen…first class.

The lodge and facilities of the Krooked River Ranch were outstanding. Roy’s wife Becky runs a first class kitchen and serves outstanding food. Starting with the appetizers and ending with steak and baked potatoes…it was all very tasty. The lodge has four casino style gambling tables, a shuffleboard table, pool table and a VERY large big-screen TV. There was always plenty to occupy our downtime. The staff at the lodge was quick to teach us newbys the ins and outs of Texas Holdem!

The next morning Roy woke us at 6:00 AM. There was a continental breakfast served in the lodge and then off to the dove fields. The temperature had dropped to 52 degrees…a welcome change for us south Texas boys. Once out of the truck, it was a reenactment of the afternoon before…DOVES GALORE! Gracie was forgiving of the misses and proud to bring each feathered package back for the bag. Anyone who hunts with a dog understands those pitiful looks that man’s best friend can give when you miss an easy shot. Gracie looks up at me with her traditional lab look with heavy eyebrows and seems to say, “I guess that one was a breeder…too?” A limit came quickly…actually, too quickly as there are few things that I enjoy more in my life than a good flight of doves.

Then it was back to the lodge for another great meal prepared by Becky and staff. If the dove hunting had not been excellent, the hospitality and accommodations of the ranch would have been worth the trip. However, I must insert one note here…beware of Becky as she can be a little touchy if just only one packet of jelly is kindly tossed her way! An innocent bystander like myself might be the victim of eggs flying in his direction!

As I topped that hill leaving the ranch, I stopped again to look at the beautiful river valley. Wondering when, not if, I will be able to return for more hunting action. Before I arrived at the home, I called my son to tell of the great action and my desire to take him to the ranch.

If you are interested in hunting with Roy Wilson of Krooked River Outfitters, you can contact him, or his wife Becky at 325-773-2457 or . To check out their services, go to www.krro.net for a complete listing.

jsw 09/20/06

DOVES GALORE