A Shot of Texas

Oil! All the way up here

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MAY/JUNE 2015

FINANCING L AND OWNER SHIP

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Let us return profits to you FINANCING

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2 Shot of Texas Magazine™ May/June Issue 2015

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A Shot of Texas Magazine™ May/June 2015

Teffany and Robert Kahn Founders/ Co-Editors

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Big Shots List Of Advertisers issue 15

$ 6KRW RI 7H[DV &OD\ 6KRRW +LJKOLJKWV 6WDII

$FWLYH &DPR 3URGXFWV Air Logistics Backlash &DSLWDO )DUP &UHGLW Carter’s Country Critter Gitters DEA Ranch FW Gartner *DPH*XDUG Grainger Ranch Recruiting *UDQGHU 6XSSO\ &RPSDQ\ Grizzly Coolers *XOI /DQG :LOGOLIH Hogs Back Ranch +XVNHPDZ /RQJ 5DQJH 2SWLFV ,Q¿QLW\ *URXS ,QQRYDWLYH 7XUQDURXQG &RQWUROV /DUFR ,QGXVWULHV /RQHVRPH &R\RWH 5DQFK MB Ranches 0HGLFDO 3OD]D 0RELOH 0H\HU &XVWRP %RRWV 0* $UPV 0REOH\ ,QGXVWULDO 6HUYLFHV My Core Control 3HUIRUPDQFH 7RS 'ULYHV 3LSHKDQGOHU 5HFRUG %XFN 5DQFK 5RVHODQG 2LO *DV 6KRZ 6RXWK &RDVW 3URGXFWV 7KDQGHND 6DIDULV 7RPRUURZ 5LYHU 5DQFK UEI Welker :)06 :RRGV &\FOH &RXQWU\ Valero Zoli International

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Kendall Rae Kahn Camo Girl Product & Ranch Reviews

Rod Daigle Senior Industrial Editor

Butch Ramirez Wildlife Photographer

Dan Verrips Wildlife Photographer

Larry Weishuhn ‘Mr Whitetail�

Field Writer

Shamus Dartanyon Political Editor

Jim Miller Bow Hunting Editor

Efrain Martinez Safety Editor

Jim Sessions Huskemaw Optics/Field Writer

20. British Columbia Bear -LP 6HVVLRQV +XVNHPDZ 2SWLFV 24. Roaring Reds Larry Weishuhn 2XU &ROOHFWLYH ,QGLIIHUHQFH 6KDPXV 'DUWDQ\RQ .DZDVDNL );7 7HVW 'ULYH 5HVXOWV 6WDII (QHUJ\ ,QYHVWPHQW LQ 0\DQPDU /LQ 6KX 7U\ D 'LIIHUHQW 3RVLWLRQ .HUU\ 2GD\ 6DIHW\ Âą &UDQHV DQG 2YHUKHDG :LUHV $QGUHZ 'RGJH 6WUDSSLQJ D +RJ 5RE .DKQ $GMXVWLQJ WR D %DUUHO 2LO 6WDII 50. Raising a Texan 5RE .DKQ

C 2014 A Shot of Texas Magazine.

All Rights Reserved. Printed in the USA. For current Media Kit, advertising or questions about our Traveling Trade Show contact Rob Kahn. Email rob@ashotoftexas.net 2IÂżFH RU &HOO

May/June Issue 2015 A Shot of Texas Magazine™ 3

AN A NTONIO’S Italian Restaurant BIIA AGIO DI COLANDREA MANAGE ER R/OWNER R/

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A Shot of Texas Magazine Spring Turkey Hunt .

Contact rob@ashotoftexas.net for details

A sh short Antonio Recordd hortt one hhour ourr drive westt ooff SSan A i llays R Buck Ranch. We have 20,000 acres of beautiful terrain that varies from open green pasture to a rolling brushy hill country. We hunt it all, giving you different experience with each and every hunt.

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• Fabulous lodging, great meals, and top quality trophies!

• Visit our website and read about us in upcoming issues of A Shot of Texas Magazine. Drop us a line when you read about us and we will send you a beautiful shooters bag. www.recordbuck.com • Over 60 Species of Exotics Phone: 830-966-2301 May/June Issue 2015 A Shot of Texas Magazine™ 5

Innovative Turnaround Controls is the industry’s premier Project Controls solution for your overall management needs.

7KH NH\ WR RXU VXFFHVV KDV EHHQ SURYLGLQJ 4XDOLĂŽHG 'HGLFDWHG DQG WUDLQHG 6WDÇş 0DQDJHPHQW We have been providing Successful Event management in the Petrochemical and Power industry since 2004 Our Experience is the result of long term employees with years of knowledge and experience in closing your event LQ D 6DIH 7LPHO\ DQG &RVW HÇşHFWLYH PDQQHU ITC is not considered a contractor, but a business partner dedicated to supplying our industry leaders with the best resources and tools to make them successful.

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Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (Aka “Drones�)

Are Improving Cost Efficiencies Of The Oil And Gas Industry

By Landon Phillips The oil and gas industry is known for embracing emerging technologies and the Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) space is no exception. Two Air Force fighter pilots traded their multimilliondollar aircraft for what we now call “drones� to become the leaders of the UAV service provider industry.

What do you get when you take two entrepreneurial jet jockeys and put them in FKDUJH RI D 6WDUWXS LQ WKH ÀHGJOLQJ FRPmercial UAV industry? You get Midstream Integrity Services (MIS.) Steven Fargo and /DQGRQ 3KLOOLSV KDYH RYHU ÀLJKW KRXUV LQ ¿JKWHU DQG WUDLQHU DLUFUDIW DQG DUH ORFNHG on to the Oil and Gas industry. They are lifelong friends who excelled in academics and dreamed of one day landing themselves at the controls of the most advanced aircraft on the planet. They succeeded. Steven earned his commission through ROTC at the University of Texas and Landon is a graduate of the United States Air Force Academy. They were both chosen to attend Undergraduate Pilot Training and graduated at the top of WKHLU FODVV 6WHYHQ ZDV FKRVHQ WR À\ WKH ) Fighting Falcon and Landon was chosen to À\ WKH $ :DUWKRJ DOVR NQRZQ DV WKH Tankbuster.) Between them, they served in numerous deployments around the world to include four combat deployments in support of the Global War on Terror.

Both continue to serve in the Air Force Guard and Air Force Reserve, but now focus their time building strategic alliances and perfecting their techniques in the realm of unmanned aircraft. MIS is an FAA approved commercial UAV operator based in San AnWRQLR 7H[DV DQG VKDUHV RIÂżFH VSDFH ZLWK )Oatrock Engineering and Environmental and several local oil and gas companies. Through close ties, Landon and Steven received invitations to attend conferences and speak to industry professionals about the advantages

of unmanned aircraft. Notably, they were recently guest speakers at the Gas Processors Association conference where they presented breakthrough technological advances developed in partnership with researchers at the University of Texas at San Antonio.

Without a doubt, UAVs are a disruptive technology that MIS uses to bring sizable cost advantages to their clients. Steven and Landon are happy to tell potential clients that they can do anything a full sized helicopter can do at a mere fraction of the cost; generally a targeted 40% cost savings over traditional manned helicopters. Services that MIS offers to clients include: • Visual Inspections of right of ways with computer aided threat detection • Methane gas detection with GPS location • Flare stack inspections with real time S KLJK GH¿QLWLRQ YLGHR GRZQOLQN DQG N resolution video recording • Cathodic protection data capture via RYHUÀLJKW • ' ODQGVFDSH PRGHOLQJ DQG ³À\WKrough� video production • Topographic modeling

• 3D point cloud generation (exportable to GIS programs) • Thermal camera inspection • Near IR camera plant health analysis (determines the amount of chlorophyll in a plant) At trade shows and conferences, Steven and Landon bring their workhorse drone for display. It is strikingly larger than most have ever seen at almost four feet across from tip to tip. It always catches the eye of passersby who frequently ask many questions. Their most common answers are listed below.

Q: What are the FAA rules?

A: The FAA requires that any company that wishes to use unmanned aircraft for commerFLDO SXUSRVHV EH VSHFLÂżFDOO\ DSSURYHG WR GR VR Each company must receive a “Section 333â€?

H[HPSWLRQ IURP WKH )$$ IRU WKHLU VSHFL¿F FRPSDQ\ DQG VSHFL¿F DLUFUDIW 7KH DLUFUDIW PXVW EH operated by a two person team, one of which LV UHTXLUHG WR KDYH DQ )$$ DLUPDQ FHUWL¿FDWH a sport pilot license or better. (Fortunately for MIS, Landon and Steven are very well connected with the pilot community and are building an enormous pool of pilots to work with.) :KLOH LQ ÀLJKW WKH DLUFUDIW PXVW UHPDLQ ZLWKLQ visual line of sight of the pilot and at an altitude of less than 500 feet. Flight within 5 miles of an airport is allowable only with a letter of agreement from that airport. MIS solves all of these problems for their clients.

4 +RZ ORQJ FDQ \RX À\ +RZ IDU FDQ you go?

A: MIS has proprietary technology that allows us to remain airborne far longer than our competitors. Utilizing a redesigned battery and power distribution system, MIS’s aircraft can remain airborne for up to an hour, almost three times the industry standard. Additionally, MIS is developing partnerships with companies that UHSUHVHQW WKH WLS RI WKH VSHDU LQ ÀLJKW GXUDWLRQ Flight distance is currently limited by FAA regulations; however, the aircraft are capable of much longer distances.

Q: Has one of your UAVs ever been shot down?

A: Not yet! But Steven and Landon jokLQJO\ WHOO XV WKDW 0,6 DYRLGV ÀLJKWV LQ UXUDO areas during Dove season.

Promo Video QR Code Link:

May/June Issue 2015 A Shot of Texas Magazine™ 7

We’ve said it before and we will say it again.

If your involved in Oil & Gas, Petrochem or Pipeline then you’re an avid outdoorsman or woman. On April 23rd there was no doubt as both outdoor and industry folks set up tents, fired up pits and loaded their shotguns.

Here are a few of the highlights.

IIn First Fi t Place, Pl TTeam Tower T Force F

3rd Annual Clay

ion Services Means with Infinity Construct William Berry with ITC & Vince that provided lunch for a crowd of 200 ms were two of our three BBQ tea

Zack Harless with Grizzly Made in America coolers

Ana Mendez with Medical Plaza Mobile Surveillance

8 Shot of Texas Magazine™ May/June Issue 2015

Trey Berniard with Cetgo als o brought his BBQ team and makes a mean bbris i kket slider

Charlie Marshall with Ruple Properties. If you’re looking for ranch Charlie is your man!

Master of Ceremonies Larry Weishuhn (Mr. White Tail).

It took only a few minutes to see, he had done this a time or two

Larry Pancake with Republic Forge monies and Italian Firearms Group and Master of Cere Larry Weishuhn

p Tina Harper with Hydrokinetics & Shanna Cam and cart rage making the rounds in the beve apparently having a great time too!

Deanna Daily with Guns & Oil Beer. You’ve heard of the “Go ne in 60 seconds”? Guns & Oil bee r smoked them. Need I say mo re?

David Bradshaw with the Patriot Warriors Foundation accepting and MK 22 donated by ISC and A Shot of Texas Magazine

Kent Savage with Capital Far m Credit manned a booth and shot with The Patriot Wa rriors Foundation Team

Shoot Highlights r Camps is always David Todd with Texas Outdoo w you saw him and kno him looking for campers. Let Ill send you a cap Rick Shepherd with Dynamic Labs and Camo Girl Kendall Rae Kahn

nical (In Blue) with Grand Prize Winner, Jerry Mo ntation (UEI) based in United Electrical & Instrume ta Rica for five days of Clute Texas is headed to Cos ted by Mark and Laurie tarpon fishing. He will be hos ts who so graciously Boo Meyer of Meyer Custom r right) drew the donated the trip. Rob Kahn (fa on on Tarpon fishing in lucky card. For more informati Meyer at 713-864Costa Rica call Mark or Laurie them in A Shot of saw you 3808. Let them know Texas Magazine

Laurie Meyer and the Henry .22 Magnum rifle donated by A Shot of Texas Magazine

Luis Moctezuma and Samuel Kaminsky . My Core Control is currently developing some new FRC clothing for industry

Camo Girl Kendall Rae Kahn, Keith Hurst of Tower Force and Rob Kahn. How do you like your new Kimber Keith?

May/June Issue 2015 A Shot of Texas Magazine™ 9

T

he third annual Shot of Texas Clay Shoot on April 23rd can only be described as an All American Day with good shooting, great friends, wonderful food ‌ and the honoring of our wounded heroes who valiantly served to protect our freedoms.

Pipeline Predictive Monitoring – A Total System Solution The heart of the System is ICS’s EnterpriseSMS platform which has been employed Many vendors helped make this shoot pos- RQ QXPHURXV ODUJH VFDOH SURMHFWV VLQFH sible, and we appreciate your support in stop- to monitor, analyze, report on, and control ping by their booths throughout the day. We OLWHUDOO\ WKRXVDQGV RI ¿EHU RSWLF DQG HOHFWURreceived so much feedback on Alex Camp- mechanical components. By combining the bell’s (Campbell Solutions) Pipeline Predic- powerful features of the EnterpriseSMS with tive Monitoring display that we thought it DQ DGYDQFHG VWXG\ RI ¿EHU RSWLF PHDVXUHPHQW would be a good idea to share their new tech- science a Pipeline Predictive Monitoring solution was derived that collects and calibrates nology with all of our members.

Predicting where and when a pipeline data from any kind of enterprise technology, might leak is a complex problem that is talk- stores this data and develops information ed about by nearly all of our readers. The from it, processes the information to produce solution depends on a system’s ability to high-value, actionable intelligence, and presmonitor minute changes from many, many ents the intelligence in real-time to allow the sensors reporting the condition of the pipe user easy control over their own technologies and the ability to associate these evolutionary and subsystems.

7KH ÂżYH SRLQW 7HFKQRORJLFDO 9DOXH 3URSchanges to calculate like risk situations. In the same way, detecting leaks involves accu- RVLWLRQ EHORZ VXPPDUL]HV WKH DGYDQFHG ÂżEHU mulating large quantities of data and analyz- optic technology, data gathering, and computational capabilities of EnterpriseSMSÂŽ to ing it to determine the occasion of a leak.

What if someone could create a software provide a means to: • PREDICT: Monitor the structural health platform that could manage data collection, data storage, and data analysis while also of critical locations along a pipeline with the EHLQJ DEOH WR XWLOL]H SUHVHQW DQG IXWXUH ¿EHU intent of predicting when the monitored locaoptic sensor technologies? And what if a soft- tions are approaching fatigue limits or immiware could merge that data analysis with all nent failure. • ASSESS: Provide a real-time assessment of the other data coming from the rest of the pipeline instrumentation? And wouldn’t it be of the onset of a failure mode by analyzing the great if the software solution could present creep strain rate. ‡ $/(57 3URYLGH LPPHGLDWH QRWL¿FDWLRQ those results in real-time? Well ‌ that’s just of a failure or imminent failure at a monitored what one company has done.

Houston-based Integrated Command Soft- location or, where possible, an indication of a ware (ICS) spent several years developing a nearby failure. •ANALYZE: Provide a database that conJURXQG EUHDNLQJ ¿EHU RSWLF 6\VWHP 6ROXWLRQ that can meld multiple hardware and sensor tains a virtualization of the operational history WHFKQRORJLHV LQWR D XQL¿HG SDFNDJH WR DFFXUDWH- of the pipeline based on monitored locations ly predict the onset of a pipeline leak or rupture. and that can be accessed for analysis. • PRESENT: Provide graphical, geospaThat’s right – you could be warned before a OHDN UXSWXUH DFWXDOO\ RFFXUV WKDW D VSHFL¿F SLSH tial, textual and analytical user interfaces that DUHD HOERZ RU ÀDQJH QHHGV WR EH SK\VLFDOO\ H[- will enable users to monitor and assess the condition of the pipeline. amined and repaired.

10 Shot of Texas Magazine™ May/June Issue 2015

(DFK RI WKRVH ÂżYH FULWLFDO SRLQWV UHTXLUHV way more explanation than can be addressed in this article.

At present the only technology that can be considered totally ready for market is the Flange Monitoring application (see photos below) which may require two, four or more fiber optic bolts per flange.

Since each fiber optic bolt is individually monitored (point detection) the results found in the laboratory testing should be repeatable on any pipeline. ,QLWLDO ¿HOG WHVWLQJ RQ GLVWULEXWHG VHQVLQJ ¿EHU KDV DOORZHG YHU\ DGYDQFHG GHYHORSPHQW for the software’s ability to predict leaks, ZKLFK JLYHV ,&6 D KLJK OHYHO RI FRQ¿GHQFH in successfully completing a real-world project. At this time ICS will not bid on a complete pipeline project without disclosing that D SURRI RI FRQFHSW SURWRW\SH EH LQVWDOOHG ¿UVW to assure all parties that the technology meets their performance standards.

ICS has reached the point where they are actively seeking a two-mile stretch of pipeOLQH IRU ¿QDO WHVWLQJ DQG LQ DQ LGHDO ZRUOG LW would be an existing pipeline in close proxLPLW\ WR +RXVWRQ 7KH ¿EHU DQG ¿EHU RSWLF sensors would not intrude in any way on the pipeline’s normal operation, except for FKDQJLQJ RXW D IHZ EROWV RQ HDFK ÀDQJH WR LQVHUW WKH ¿EHU RSWLF VHQVLQJ EROWV ,&6œV JRDO LV WR ¿QG D SDUWQHU ZKR ZRXOG ¿QDQFH D WZR PLOH SDLG SURWRW\SH IRU WKH Flange Monitoring application and, in return, ICS would charge nothing to install one or more leak prediction technologies.

This looks very interesting folks. Anyone interested?

For additional information, or a Flange Monitoring demonstration, please contact Alex Campbell - Campbell Solutions at (281) 830-5666.

May/June Issue 2015 A Shot of Texas Magazine™ 11

W

e had less than 36 hours to get a shot at a fallow buck, so I had my ÂżQJHUV FURVVHG :H PDGH RXU GULYH RXW from Georgetown Texas and headed south.

7KH GULYH VHHPHG ORQJ DQG XQFRPIRUWDEOH still exhausted from the business trip prior.

Luckily I sleep two thirds of the way.

THE 36 HOUR HUNT 6PDOO KRXVHV JUHHQ ÂżHOGV DQG EOXH VNLHV DQG ÂżQDOO\ ZH DUULYH DW WKH 'DQFLQJ (ON $OH[DQGHU Ranch. Pretty name huh? I thought so too.

To our right was a beautiful wedding hall, and too our left was our little yellow lodge.

Warm and comfortable with everything I needed in a base camp.

It was already 3:30 and I was ready for the evening hunt. Unfortunately our guide and Ranch Manager Jonathan Ericson greeted us shortly thereafter informed me that we would wait a couple of hours more and let the heat dye off a bit.�

Nothing moves in this heat� he said. So we all got settled in and I spent the next hour cleaning my %HVW RI 7KH :HVW [ FDOLEHU ULÀH :H UHVWHG XS XQWLO -RKQDWKRQ FDPH DQG VFRRSHG XV XS He dropped us at s stand pretty close to the house, we hunt often as a family and this stand was so big that I asked my parents Ron & Tef Kahn to join me. I all got situated in our stand with Mom at the video camera and Dad with the binoculars. The heat had calmed and weather was nice. No too hot, or too cold , just perfect.

A couple whitetail grazed by almost immediDWHO\ VR , VWDUWHG WR SUDFWLFH DLPLQJ ZLWK P\ [ +XVNHPDZ ULĂ€H VFRSH DQG LPDJLQLQJ WKH VKRW WKDW we hope would come soon. BASS. My cousin Joe Palacios from Laredo who is a fanatical white tail hunter with a one shot only mentality taught me that phrase. It means to Breath, Aim, Steady and then squeeze the trigger (BASS)! ,Q WKH GLVWDQFH , VDZ D EODFN GRW , ÂżJXUHG it was a pig so I looked through my scope in a hurry. Nope it was a turkey hen headed straight and all by herself. About an hour past and nothLQJ H[FHSW ÂżYH ZKLWH WDLO GRHV DQG WKDW WXUNH\ who had now come and gone. )LQDOO\ D PRYHPHQW LQ D PHVTXLWH ÂżHOG WR P\ left. A fallow deer body that seemed large enough to be a buck. His head remained behind that tree WUXQN IRU DW OHDVW PLQXWHV :DV KH MXVW ZKDW ZH

ZHUH ORRNLQJ IRU" PLQXWHV LV D ORQJ WLPH IRU me to stand still and I’m not sure exactly what this animal was doing but I do know that its head stayed behind that tree. When he did appear he was a bit too small to shoot. Oh Well!

We let the fallow pass in hopes that something else would arrive. Another hour passes and the sun is about down now and a hog decides to make an appearance. BAM! I love pork sausage.The hunt was over.

I was anxious, the evening hunt was over and now we only have only the morning to try again. I didn’t want to go home empty handed.

The only thing I wanted empty was that chamber. Jonathon came and picked us up, dropped us back at the house and said he would be back in the morning around 7.

We made some sandwiches and hit the rack.

Finally the morning came, I was cozy, comfortable and not quite ready to get out of bed when our guide arrived.

No time for breakfast .and I’m ready to bust VRPH EXOOHWV ,W ZDV VWUDLJKW WR RXU QHZ Kawasaki FXT for the safari style hunt we had planned .We got our Mule FXT from my friend Paul Woods at Woods Cycle Country in New Braunfels, Texas earlier that week. The new Kawasaki FXT runs circles around the competition. It is wider, faster and boasts the best suspension in side by side ATVs. We headed out on the ranch cruising slowly searching and spotting for any signs of wild life. A beautiful black buck leaped through the air just ahead, I had never seen a hoofed animal run so fast. Jonathon made a sharp cut back to the right to position the Mule for a shot. We cut the engine and sat silently. The black buck had disappeared in the thick brush. My Dad , asked Jonathan if he should walk through the brush in an attempt to push the animal out for a shot? Jonathon agreed.

Dad disappeared into the brush and a about ten

12 Shot of Texas Magazine™ May/June Issue 2015

minutes later we saw him signaling that he was long gone. Back into the Mule and off to try again. We spotted him once again but he was on a mission to keep moving. Still no Fallow.

We rode around for another hour, only seeing things that were not on my list of trophies. I’m usually very good at being patient and passing up animals, but I won’t lie, frustration began to fold up inside me. Another 45 minutes pass, and I’m keeping my cool, trying to not let the disappointment show. A totally unexpected group of nice 0RXÀRQ UDPV DSSHDUHG DW DERXW \DUGV DQG were moving away. One in particular caught dads H\H ³, JRW D JRRG RQH KHUH´ KH VDLG ³ \DUGV are you up for it�? I smiled at him.

Now was my moment to eye them through P\ +XVNHPDZ [ VFRSH :H ZHUH IDU enough away to where I could step out of the front seat and get into the bed of the ranger without alarming them. A bag of corn acts as my rest. I was now looking down the barrel RI P\ [ WKURXJK WKH VFRSH , WDUJHW the ram I want. I dial my scope to 375 yards and take aim. Now remember I said to myself,( BASS) breath, aim, steady & squeeze. I made sure I keep my head down after that shot, I didn’t want to hear dad say anything about me jerking my shot or lifting my head for a peek. I guess my eyes blinked just enough that I didn’t see the animal go down like everybody else did. Nice shot Ken! :H KDG D KDUG WLPH ¿QGLQJ KLP LQ WKH WDOO JUDVV EXW ¿QDOO\ ZH GLG ,W ZDV D SHUIHFW VKRW EHDXWLIXO animal. I can now say I have shot and killed a WURSK\ PRXÀDQ UDP , PXVW VD\ WKDW , WKLQN WKDW this will be my favorite mount. It was a great experience at the DEA ranch, and I can’t wait to go back next time!

Later Kendall Rae Kahn Camo Girl

Off. 409-866-9155 Email: leroy@larcoind.com

Off. 409-866-9155 Email: leroy@larcoind.com LARCO INDUSTRIES Structural Steel Fabrication www.larcoind.com

LARCO INDUSTRIES Structural Steel Fabrication www.larcoind.com

natureblinds.com

T R O P H Y

W H I T E T A I L S

Don’t let the name fool you Welcome to Hogsback Ranch, Wisconsin’s trophy whitetail deer and elk hunting destination. Our hunting preserve specializes in providing quality, trophy whitetail and elk hunting opportunities with fully-guided, all-inclusive hunts on a wide variety of terrain. Modern lodging and amenities included. We take great pride in providing our customers with world class hunting opportunities and big Northerm White tails.

The Man Behind the Bucks: Nathan Wininger Phone: (715) 572-1724 or (715) 572-5938 WWW.HOGSBACKRANCH.COM

Mike Barcelo Ranch Sales

830.377.7965

R A N C H E S

Owner Financing

w w w . m b h u n t i n g r a n c h e s . c o m mike@mbhuntingranches.com

May/June Issue 2015 A Shot of Texas Magazine™ 13

QUICK FACTS: The Future of US Ethane Crackers amidst the Oil Crisis With the introduction of ten ethane cracker projects in the US over the next years, around of output from these projects would need to be exported to make them commercially viable. While the cost advantage ethane crackers enjoy over naphtha may have decreased with the declining price of oil, North America still offers a competitive edge over Western Europe and Asia.

5

90%

A year ago the outlook for the USA’s petrochemical industry offered great promise. Inexpensive gas prices led to a boom in the US petrochemicals market and operators sought to reap the rewards of record high ethane cracking margins. The net result of this was the introduction of ten new ethane cracker projects in the US market in just over a year, thereby potentially increasing the country’s ethylene manufacturing capacity by up to 50%.

New investments were largely driven by the potential for export abroad, with some experts indicating to Petrochemical Update that around 90% of output from the new projects would need to be exported to make the crackers commercially viable.

ETHANE CONTINUE TO ENJOY A COST ADVANTAGE OVER NAPHTHA According to Dr Kevin Swift, Chief Economist and Managing Director at the American Chemistry Council (ACC), “six months ago we believed that America enjoyed a 50-60%costadvantageoverWesternEuropeannaphthacrackers.Nowwearelookingata 30-40% cost advantage”.

14 Shot of Texas Magazine™ May/June Issue 2015

The Infinity Group A Legacy of Performance • Electrical & Instrumentation • Civil & Environmental • Maintenance & Turnarounds • General Mechanical • Definitive Service to the Chemical, Petrochemical and Refining Industries

g n i t a r b Cele ! s r a e y 62

622 Commerce Avenue, Clute Texas 77531

www.inf-grp.com

BIG Bulls

Of Comanche Trace N

ew Mexico, ah the Land of Enchantment, home of Monster Bull Elk, Mule Deer, Antelope & Bear. We were hunting on a private ranch northeast of Raton, watching over the Arkansas River Valley. Ironically we could see hundreds of miles from our look out over Bear Canyon. This was one of those areas I’m sure, Comanche Indians watched for prairie travelers coming out on the Santa Fe Trail headed toward Taos and Santa Fe with their American made goods to trade and sell.

I was brought back to reality, when I heard an old bull screaming his guts out, challenging any bull nearby to stay the hell away from my herd of cows, then I spotted the bull walking out into a high park, steam rolling out of his nostrils with each and every bugle

from this old dominate bull. I looked over toward Cole Mock, my guide and stated, “that’s the bull I would love to put an arrow into” Cole, looked at me and stated, “You and every other Bowhunter that as been on this ranch” That’s Ole “Brass Balls” and he has dodged everyone so far for the past 4 years! Why the name? Because he has the “Grit in his Crawl” to challenge any Bull in the mountains and he has the deepest bugle of any bull we’ve ever heard. This morning was the perfect morning, 30 degrees, frost on everything, no wind and slightly overcast the perfect morning. Yet, we were at least a half of a mile of the nastiest terrain you’ve ever seen from that bull, a lot of territory to travel for an old fat man! We sat, from our lookout, glassing, listening, waiting for a bull closer to us to make that challenging bugle, noth-

16 Shot of Texas Magazine™ May/June Issue 2015

ing and so was the way my first morning went, hunting big bulls of Comanche trace.

That afternoon, Cole ask me if I mind hunting out of a ground blind on a waterhole, which had been established 3 weeks ago and of course I said, “NO” lets go, we were off to a drying lake that had some of the nastiest stuff you’ve ever seen, sloppy mud, what little water remained was full of crap, urine and huge elk wallows everywhere. The evening tempts had jumped up to the middle 80’s, lots of sunshine, low humidity and working on a new moon. We had not been in the blind no more than 30 minutes when a flock of Merriam hen turkeys came in for a drink following them was several Jakes, with the Jakes displaying, strutting after the hens, like it was spring time in the Rockies. Talking about breaking up the evening hunt,

this was a pleasant change of pace and surprise. Around 5:30 PM we heard a Bull bugle, then all quite? Nothing for over 30 minutes, then we had 2 young / raghorn bulls to come out of the timber and start fighting this went on for over 30 minutes, we tried to film most of this but the blind was positioned so that we could not get much on film, but these raghorns fought and pushed each other around for a half of an hour which was really neat.

Then around 6:00 pm a huge herd bull 7 X 6 came out of the timber and ran off both of the young bulls toward our blind.

These rag horns, walked right past our blind into the lake of mud and slop to get a drink then hit the wallows. The rest of the herd hung out about 100 yards from the wallow, around 6:30 pm a couple of doe Mule Deer came in behind us and blew the world up

blowing and snorting at us as the wind had changed directions and was blowing straight into the Mule Deer does. Day one was a great day, seen 15 to 20 Bull Elk, Bears, Turkeys, Mule Deer & Whitetails but no shots taken.

During the late night a front moved thru, wind was howling 25 to 30 mph, overcast and the temperatures had dropped, and it was cold! Cole suggested that we go to South Side of the Ranch, to a huge deep canyon. Where the wind should not be a huge problem, we were sitting along a ridge just below the canyon rim watch-

ing the openings and parks; the sunrise was just unblieveable orange sun between the purple clouds was spectacular.

We spotted elk everywhere but everything was bedded down.

By 9:00 pm everything was still bedded, we tried to climb down and stalk a couple of different herds but the wind was a killer! We finally decided to call it quits for the morning.

We went back to Bear Canyon, had our lunch on the side of a ridge watching, glassing and listening for Elk, nothing.

That afternoon, we still had high winds, and decided to travel further down into Bear Canyon walking and calling for bulls. We did see a Hybrid Mule / Whitetail deer 8 point.

Buck, what a beautiful trophy,

we traveled onward into the canyon looking for a hot bull.

Around 4:00 PM it started to rain, the bulls cranked up bugling in every direction. We were working down a nasty wash to get onto this Bull that was screaming his head off. When we got to the area where we had heard the bull, he shut up. We sat for about 30 minutes then we heard the bull glunking, we knew the Bull was close; we had a park in front of us about 100 yards across to the timber where the Bull was hung up. We sat it out, doing low cow calls and using a “Hoochie” MaMa call

this really cranked the bull up, he was HOT! Bugling, Chuckling, Glunking and Rubbing the heck out of the Trees! Here he came down off of the side of the hill, in his haste to get to the cow the bull pushed out a huge Chocolate Bear that was running for his dear life to get out of the bulls way. The bull busted out of the timber, he was hot and was running toward us looking for that hot cow, the bull got to within 30 yards circled downwind and just disappeared, and the wind was in our favor? I just don’t know what happened?

That’s hunting Bull Elk. As we worked out of the drainage back toward our truck, it was still raining the Elk were coming out of the wood work.

Day Three broke cold, clear and the Bulls were screaming their butts off in every direction this was all before daylight in Bear Canyon This was our day, I felt it. Cole, Dr. Phil and Buddah my cameraman were all pumped up knowing with the first really cold morning things were going to break big time.

We were sitting on the Comanche Trace lookout, where I knew Comanche raiding parties, had one day, yesteryear sat watching for wagon trains traveling the Santa Fe Trail, I was there! We spotted a really good bull in a park; he was screaming his butt off. We knew this bull was a shooter and we hit the ground running, 2 hours later, with much egg on our face that ole bull had just made us look really bad running us around in the Dark Timber, then sneaking out on the back side.

We heard another herd bull crank up, again we was off and running, we hit an Oak Motte, got down, Cole was calling his butt off, sounding like an Old bull, that dominate bull would come to within 100 yards, then hang up in the Dark Timber, not wanting to leave his cows.

While all of this was going on, Dr. Phil was out running around about 75 yards behind us sounding like a young bull!

It was a real show to see and hear. Without warning, another bull came down off of the mountain to our left, walking out into the park screaming in our face, blowing snot, and steam out of his nostrils.

Beautiful, awesome, this bull walked across the park stopped at 43 yards, I knew this was a real good bull in the high 290 class as the bull turned his head to look back toward the Dominate bull bulging. I drew my bow, settled the 40 yard pin right behind the shoulder, Buddha, stated,” I’m on him” I shot my deadly payload to-

ward the bull, when the arrow hit, it sound just like you had hit a door facing with a Louisville Slugger the sound was loud and ugly! The Bull spun around took off for the mountains, and as the bull ran across the park, it seemed like he was running in slow motion. The Arrow had entered thru the edge of the shoulder blade and took out both lungs. The Bull never knew what hit him. I was one happy camper, with a really nice bull and some excellent eating. I just have one thing to say, you’re never too old to go to the Big Shining, and hunt the majestic Elk. Don’t waste another day book your next bowhunt for elk now before its “way too late.”

Buena Caceria / Good Hunting: Jim Miller

EQUIPMENT USED: ARROWS: VICTORY VAP 350’S (LOST CAMO) ARROW REST: AXION PULSE (LOST CAMO) BOW: MATHEWS Z-7 MAG BROADHEADS: GRIM REAPER RAZOR-CUTS 1 & 3/8’S INCH CUT BOW CASES: LAKEWOOD CASE BOOTS: RUSSEL SHEEP HUNTER BOOTS BACK PACKS: TENZING 1140 CLOTHING: GAMEHIDE (LOST CAMO) COVER SCENTS: ATSKO FLASHLIGHTS: ELUSIVE WILDLIFE TECH GAME SCOUT CAMERAS: SPY POINT IR-7 SIGHTS & STABILIZERS: AXION ARCHERY TARGETS: HIPS TARGETS VANES: AEROVANES FROM FIRENOCK

May/June Issue 2015 A Shot of Texas Magazine™ 17

18 Shot of Texas Magazine™ May/June Issue 2015

AIR

LOGISTICS

CORPORATION

May/June Issue 2015 A Shot of Texas Magazine™ 19

BRITISH COLUMBIA BEAR I

By Jim Sessions

had always wanted to hunt black bear in Northern Canada. Although baited hunts are a very effective method of bear hunting, the idea of hunting over bait just didn’t appeal to me. In researching various hunting opportunities, I discovered that British Columbia was my best bet for spot and stalk hunting and the real opportunity for a trophy boar. Through contacts with The Best of the West TV show, I was able to put together a hunt with Paul Tre ϔ Colombia for the Spring of 2012.

, ZDV YHU\ LPSUHVVHG ZLWK 3DXO IURP RXU YHU\ ¿UVW discussion. Let me explain. As the hunt coordinator for The Best of the West TV show I have the opporWXQLW\ WR PHHW DQG YLVLW ZLWK PDQ\ RXW¿WWHUV IURP across North America and beyond. Paul’s intimate knowledge of his guide area and the animals within its boundaries is extraordinary. This is a function RI KLV EHLQJ D IXOO WLPH RXW¿WWHU LQ FRQMXQFWLRQ with running a large trap line throughout the winter months and being an expert on wolf trapping, snaring and control work. He spends a great deal of time in his guide area throughout the year and manages both his predator population (wolves, grizzly bear, black bear and coyotes) and ungulate populations (moose and elk). As a result of his management practices, Paul’s hunts are highly successful and trophy quality is excellent.

After arriving in Prince George, British Columbia Paul met us at the airport and we loaded all our gear LQ KLV WUXFN DQG ZHUH RII WR ,Q]DQD 2XW¿WWHUV PDLQ lodge and base camp. The accommodations were clean and comfortable. Marilyn Trepus provided the meals, which were highly nutritious, healthy and generous. After a good night’s sleep, we set up WR VKRRW RXU ULÀHV DW WKH UDQJH ZKLFK LV ORFDWHG RII the front porch of the lodge. Paul had just received KLV QHZ ULÀH DQG +XVNHPDZ VFRSH IURP &RUODQH 20 Shot of Texas Magazine™ May/June Issue 2015

May/June Issue 2015 A Shot of Texas Magazine™ 21

Sporting Goods out of Dawson Creek, B.C. He told me that he had researched various scope companies and was very intrigued by the Huskemaw Optics line of products.

Paul stated that, “the guys from Corlane explained in detail the functionality, quality and advantages of the Huskemaw scope�.

We had a very productive shooting session, which included a thorough explanation of our scope and how it all comes together as the most precise and user friendly system DYDLODEOH 2XU ULĂ€HV DQG RSWLFV ZHUH VOLJKWO\ DGMXVWHG DQG ZH IHOW FRQÂżGHQW LQ RXU DELOLW\ WR PDNH WKDW ÂżUVW VKRW FRXQW $IWHU OXQFK DQG a power nap, we loaded up and began our quest of hunting the large boar black bear of Northern British Columbia. The vastness of WKLV FRXQWU\ LV KDUG WR GHVFULEH EXW VXIÂżFH WR say that we had plenty of country to explore.

It is heavily forested with intensive clear cutting of beetle kill forest which provides access into remote areas.

We started our hunt by driving logging roads, glassing both old and new clear cut areas and hiking into remote locations Paul

had previously scouted and hunted. We FRQWLQXHG VHHLQJ WR EHDUV D GD\ DQG made a couple of well orchestrated stalks.

We had a good team, as we stalked within DERXW \DUGV RI D EHDXWLIXO FLQQDPRQ EHDU on the third evening. Paul is a master of reading sign and we continually examined scat, tracks and newly grazed clover (feedLQJ DUHDV %ODFN EHDUV GHÂżQLWHO\ ZHUHQÂśW the only creatures roaming this vast tract of wild country. We saw Lynx, several grizzly, moose, elk, mule deer, pine marten and numerous other species. Did I mention Paul had drawn a grizzly tag? On the fourth afternoon, we came around a sharp corner and one of the biggest and most impressive grizzly bears I have ever seen threw his head up and dove into heavy cover. We keep cruising through this area and hiked into some open parks close to our initial encounter, but never saw him again.

Later that same evening we glassed a massive boar black bear feeding on new clover along the side of an old clear cut. We were quick to get in position. With the camera run-

22 Shot of Texas Magazine™ May/June Issue 2015

ning, the distance was ranged at 300 yards DQG , ZDV SURQHG RXW ZLWK P\ ULĂ€H GHDG steady resting on Huskemaw shooting sticks.

I jacked a shell in the chamber and was ready WR VHQG D FDOLEHU JUDLQ 9/' EXOOHW into his front shoulder. He crossed the logging road and turned slightly exposing the point of his massive shoulder. The Hunt 6PDUW UHWLFOH ZDV ¿UPO\ ORFNHG RQ KLV VKRXOder and I broke the shot. He stood on his back feet, spun around twice and fell silently WR WKH IRUHVW ÀRRU , KDG MXVW VKRW WKH ELJJHVW black bear of my hunting career. He was everything I had come for and more. His pelt was in excellent condition and he measured œ ´ 3DXO PHDVXUHG KLP IRU WKH 0RXQWDLQ +XQWHU 5HFRUG %RRN DW ´ In the months to come, I kept in touch with Paul, curious to know if he had implemented the hunting/guiding strategy we had discussed during my hunt. Paul had explained to me that in previous years Inzana experienced about a 50% miss/wound rate.

Although the wound rate was a small part of this percentage, he was very frustrated

at the miss rate. He explained to me that they would spot a bear and then move in as close as possible for the shot. I immediately recognized what was happening. Most of his hunters were getting more excited with each step and were not mentally prepared to take a shot, even at close range. My suggestion was to stay back from the bear, allowing the hunter to remain calm and get set up for a steady shot utilizing Huskemaw shooting sticks. This would allow for a FRXSOH RI GU\ ÂżUHV RQ WKH EHDU LQ PRVW LQstances ensuring that the hunter’s ‘wobble area’ remains on the core vitals. Most of his hunters had agreed to use his shooting system and had practiced at the lodge range before going hunting. As Paul discovered, SUDFWLFH EXLOGV FRQÂżGHQFH DQG WKH KXQWHU EHFRPHV IDPLOLDU ZLWK WKH ULĂ€H DQG VFRSH He reported back to me that the six hunters KH SHUVRQDOO\ JXLGHG ZHQW IRU RQ RQH shot kills!

Paul and I decided to do another bear hunt the following spring. He was very pleased with The Best of the West show we had proGXFHG DQG IHOW LW SURYLGHG ,Q]DQD 2XWÂżWWHUV with a valuable marketing tool. We were back for round two and Paul had drawn another Grizzly tag for his guide area. I took

RXU %HVW RI WKH :HVW 6LJQDWXUH 6HULHV ULÀH chambered for .300 Win. Mag. This would DOVR EH RQH RI WKH ¿UVW ¿HOG WHVWV IRU WKH 1Rsler’s new bullet, the ABLR - AccuBond Long Range. We were experiencing a little earlier �green up� than last year and we saw bear sign everywhere.

7KH ÂżUVW EHDU ZH HQFRXQWHUHG ZDV D ODUJH male grizzly with a beautiful coat. The range ZDV FORVH \DUGV DV WKH EHDU URXQGHG D willow lined bend in the overgrown two track road. Paul was set up and broke his shot as the bear turned slightly giving Paul the point of the shoulder. The bear spun around and dove into the thick willows. He only made it \DUGV EHIRUH SLOLQJ XS We continued our hunt with a third hunter from the United Kingdom who took a beautiful color phase cinnamon bear a couple of days later. His bear was a true 7 footer with a full coat. The bar had been set and I was ready to go home empty handed if we FRXOGQÂśW ÂżQG D WUXH JLDQW 7KH ODVW DIWHUQRRQ of the hunt was upon us and we continued to see sign indicating the presence of several large boars in different parts of the guide area. We were travelling to an area that held promise and spotted a very large black bear off a logging road that was busy grazing on

newly sprouted clover. We came to an abrupt stop and set up very quickly as the bear was aware of our presence and was moving into cover. I only had time to kneel into position and break the shot. The bear spun around a couple of times, lined out for cover and dropped 30 yards from the initial impact site.

The Nosler ABLR bullet performed superbly RQ DOO FRXQWV , ZDV XVLQJ D FDOLEHU grain bullet which we found under the skin on the far shoulder. It had travelled through ´ RI ERQH DQG WLVVXH FUHDWHG D PDVVLYH ZRXQG FKDQQHO DQG UHWDLQHG D ZHLJKW RI grains. The bear was charcoal black, measured right at 7 feet and was entered into The 0RXQWDLQ +XQWHU 5HFRUG %RRN DW ´ I am having this bear mounted, full body, down on all fours with a front paw raised as if he is digging up an old buffalo skull from a moss covered base. Both bear huntLQJ H[SHULHQFHV ZLWK ,Q]DQD 2XW¿WWHUV KDYH been very rewarding in many ways. In fact, I travelled north again this past February to experience a wolf hunt and trap line advenWXUH ZLWK 3DXO DQG 0DULO\Q 6XI¿FH LW WR VD\ ZH SXW D VLJQL¿FDQW GHQW LQ WKH FDQLQH population of North Central British Columbia. Please look for this story in a future issue of A Shot of Texas Magazine.

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May/June Issue 2015 A Shot of Texas Magazine™ 23

Roaring Reds!

Larry Weishuhn

“Y

D UUULGG\ PDWH"´ TXHULHG 6KDQH -RKQVWRQ 6OLJKWO\ EHQW RYHU P\ KDQGV RQ my hips I was trying to catch my breath. “He’s in the next canyon, do ya KHDU KLP"´ , ZRXOG KDYH UHVSRQGHG EXW WKRXJKW LW EHWWHU WR EUHDWKH WKHQ talk. I simply nodded, took a deep breath and then followed Shane through the next near impenetrable wall of gorse. As I did, I turned to be sure Blake Barnett, my cameraman/ ÂżHOG SURGXFHU ZDV DOVR IROORZLQJ +H ZDV 2XU DSSDUHQW GHVWLQDWLRQ DV D UDWKHU VWHHS EUXVK\ FDQ\RQ DERXW D TXDUWHU RI D PLOH DZD\ DQG DERXW D TXDUWHU RI D PLOH DERYH XV

Several times that morning we had glassed monstrous red stags and each time when I said, “That one will do!� Shane simply would shake his head in a negative manner. “Mate, you said you wanted one that would go 400 and that one is about 380 to 390, not big enough. And I’ll not let you shoot one until we find one I feel pretty certain about.� my outfitter/guide re-

minded me. He had said the basic same statement about twenty times that morning. The same had occurred the evening before. But he had also “cautioned� me the day before that we would see many stags and hinds, numerous of which according to him would seriously tempt me.

Backing up a little. Blake and I had arrived on New Zealand’s South Island three days

24 Shot of Texas Magazine™ May/June Issue 2015

earlier, this not long after a devastating earthquake had hit the island, destroying much of certain parts of various towns, including the hotel we were scheduled to spend our first night in. But not to fear Shane and his beautiful and gracious wife Vanessa owners of Four Season Safaris, had all things taken care of in spite of obstacles thrown their and our way, by the time we arrived.

Vanessa was at the hotel the next morning and we were soon on our way to the Four Season’s headquarters and the comfortable guest house their clients stay at when hunting. Gear stowed, Shane soon arrived so we could make certain my rifles were sighted in. For this particular trip I had chosen a Ruger Model 77 Hawkeye in .300 RCM, topped with a Zeiss Conquest variable and shooting Hornady ammo. I had also brought a Ruger Model 77 RSI (Mannlicher stock) .270 Win, again topped with a Zeiss scope shooting 130 grain Hornady ammo. I had brought the .270 to hunt chamois and tahr with after I completed my red stag hunt. Both guns were still shooting dead on at 100 yards, just as I had expected them to.

Shane said we’d have just enough time that afternoon to drive to the hunting area, a huge rather steep sided mountain, the slopes of which were cut with deep, brush canyons.

We had planned my hunt for mid-March to coincide with “the roar”, the red stag breeding season. Red stags make a deep almost bray during their their “rut”, completely different sound made by our elk, a cousin of the stag, which many North American hunters are familiar with. To quote the European, New Zelanders and nearly anywhere else red stags exist, “Our stags utter a manly, masculine roar, while your American elk make a high pitched feminine whistle....” I have to admit I dearly love the roar of the stag. First time I heard red deer roar many years ago on my first hunt to New Zealand, I thought initially those roars were made by strange domestic bulls, not terribly unlike those made by the cattle I grew up around. But I also have to admit those roars back then sent chills up and down my spine, just as they do today.

As Shane, Blake and I approached the hunting territory, we stopped the vehicle and opened the door we were met by what sounded like hundreds of roars. Matter of fact it almost sounded like a din of roars, hard to distinguish from one another, other than the very close roaring stags. Shane must have seen me smile. “Impressive, ay mate?” All I could do was nod an affirmative!

That first afternoon we stalked numerous stags, including two that both had one long drop tine to compliment their massive many pointed and crowned racks. “Not

old enough!” was Shane’s verdict on both of them. We also spotted a huge stag with double drop-tines. My eyes lit up, Shane noting and knowing my interest in drop-tines said.

“No mate, that one too is too young and not big enough!” He also must have seen the desire in my eyes... “Let’s head back to camp, food and drink awaits!”

Next morning we were back on the slopes just as the sun was coming up, surrounded by roars! We spent the morning looking over no less than 30 or so different stags. One according to Shane was “tempting”. To be frank I would have been thrilled to shoot that one. He had no less than 12 points on one side and 13 on the other, was long-tined and massive, as well as wide. But after setting up the Zeiss spotting scope, Shane, shook his head and said, “We can do better...”

That afternoon was almost an exact repeat of the morning. But in the process of

looking for red stag we also encountered several massive, many-pointed and widely palmated fallow deer. I didn’t yield to temptation of breaking off the stag hunt and pursue fallow deer, but I came close!

However that afternoon I resolved, should I take a red stag, a tahr and a chamois, I’d return to hunt one of these palmated antlered beauties.

That evening over a meal fit for a king complimented by a wee bit of the nectar of grapes we talked of the morrow’s hunt. We had thus far only covered a small portion of Shane’s hunting country. The morrow we would push farther west. Before I had arrived Shane had seen what he considered a “big stag” in the area. There was no guarantee he was still in the area, but my host suggested it would be worth the effort, and it was possible other big stags had drifted that way as well.

Continued on page 42

May/June Issue 2015 A Shot of Texas Magazine™ 25

OUR

COLLECTIVE INDIFFERENCE

WILL END UP COSTING US‌DEARLY

By Shamus Dartanyon

R

ick Shenkman is the author of the book “Just How Stupid Are We? Facing the Truth About the American Voter�. The title pretty much sums up the content but what most resonated with me is his quote “voters are misusing, abusing and abdicating their political power�. American voter apathy is front and center in this book and Shenkman argues that we must reform ourselves. I couldn’t agree more, but in this case I have to pessimistically opine that it just won’t happen, at least not until we have endured another 9-11 style attack. Given our general indifference towards anything other than our obsessions with our smart phones, the Kardashians, American Idol or Dancing with The Stars, the average American voter has basically tuned out and it is only a matter of time until we become victims, again.

Not only have we abdicated our political power, but I believe we’ve also abdicated any right to EH VXUSULVHG DQJU\ RU KRUUL¿HG ZKHQ ZH ¿QDOO\ WDNH HQRXJK WLPH to look up from playing Angry Birds to realize that we’ve surrendered all of our constitutional ULJKWV YLD SUHVLGHQWLDO ¿DW RU WKDW we’ve just been attacked by ISIS in Wichita.

Apathetic and indifferent is exactly how this administration wants us to be. That way they can continue to subvert the constitu-

tion and blatantly lie to our faces, because we will continue to let them! We, by virtue of our lack of outrage, are basically condoning this president’s attack on our country, our way of life our business and our allies. How many times does someone have to lie to you, cheat on you or steal your money before you say “Enough�!

It’s like enabling an abusive spouse, as long as you continue to do nothing in the face of outrageous behavior, the perpetrator will continue said behavior.

A great example of our abdication of the ability to call BS is our non-response (Fox News notwithstanding) to the Obama administrations absolute refusal to use the words “Islamic Terrorism� when discussing ISIS or any other of the literally dozens of militant Muslim groups who’ve decided that they only way to serve their “god� is to burn people alive or behead them with a dull knife, on camera to boot. It’s almost amusing, if it weren’t so horrifying, that our president won’t utter words that might “offend� Muslims while ISIS itself insists that they are in fact Islamic and motivated to wage jihad and subjugate all non-believers in their militant, barbaric, medieval form of Islam.

Why U.S. State Department spokesperson Marie Harf wasn’t laughed off the podium or imPHGLDWHO\ ¿UHG EXW DFWXDOO\ FRQtinues to be taken seriously by the media after she said when

26 Shot of Texas Magazine™ May/June Issue 2015

referring to ISIS “we can’t win by killing them – we need to get them jobs�. I don’t know about you but I almost choked on my martini olive when she said that.

Or how about her brilliant analysis of militant groups and her statement on MSNBC that the Lords Resistant Army, a band RI UDGLFDO &KULVWLDQV LQ $Irica led by a whack job named Joseph Kony are also a radical group but they are Christians.

Now if you didn’t catch it, let me point out that she goes out of her way to mention that this group is in fact “Christian�, all the while the U.S. State Department won’t mention “Islam “and “terrorism� in the same sentence. Same goes for Obama, while avoiding offending Muslims, has no problem mentioning in a recent speech at the National Prayer Breakfast that “People committed terrible deeds in the name of Christ� and went on to bring up slavery, the Crusades and the Inquisition as if somehow trying to justify ISIS’s bad behavior. Am I the only one screaming at my TV when I hear crap like this?

Let me point out an inconvenient nugget of information that might not be too helpful to Ms. Harf’s “analysis�; The Lord’s Resistance Army is funded by the government of Sudan, who’s leader Omar Al Bashir is not only Muslim, but a card carrying member of the Muslim Brotherhood.

I’ll take it a step further. I’d like some responsible journalist to ask a couple of questions of Ms. Harf when she spews such idiocy.

Question 1: How many people have The Lord’s Resistance Army burned alive, decapitated, buried alive, sold into slavery or if they were lucky enough, shot in the head?

Question 2: How much territory has the Lord’s Resistance Army conquered?

Question 3: How many people have been murdered by Islamic terrorists since 9-11?

Question 4: How many people have been murdered by Christian terrorists since 9-11?

You probably already know how the numbers will look. Google the questions if you’re really curious, but essentially radical Muslims have killed thousands upon WKRXVDQGV VLQFH :KHUHDV Christians, not so much. And for you liberals who insist on bringing up the one terrorist attack not perpetrated by Muslims, Timothy McVeigh-Oklahoma City Bombings, please note that McVeigh did not once refer to Christ as his motivation to kill all those people, it was his response to the debacle in Waco where David Koresh was killed in his armed standoff against the ATF. So while this administration is wringing its hands and falling all over itself to not offend Muslims, we are in fact making it easier for these animals to attack us again. And until that happens, the majority of voters will continue to be more worried about what Kanye said at the Grammy’s than what ISIS is planning next.

Be afraid. I am.

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May/June Issue Issue 2015 2015 AA Shot Shot of of Texas Texas Magazine™ Magazine™ 27 27 May/June

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FW Gartner Thermal Spraying

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bet a lot of you do not realize that Kleenex is not a word it’s a brand. Kleenex ŝƐ ĨĂĐŝĂů ƟƐƐƵĞ ƌŝŐŚƚ͕ Žƌ ŝƐ ĨĂĐŝĂů ƟƐƐƵĞ <ůĞĞŶĞdž͍͘ &ĂĐŝĂů ƟƐƐƵĞ has been referred to Kleenex ĨŽƌ ƐŽ ůŽŶŐ ƚŚĂƚ ŝƐ ƐƚƵĐŬ͘ dŚŝƐ ŝƐ ŶŽƚ Ă ďĂĚ ƚŚŝŶŐ͘ /ƚ ƐŝŵƉůLJ ŝƐ ǁŚĂƚ ŝƚ ŝƐ͘ /Ŷ ƚŚĞ ŚƵŶƟŶŐ ǁŽƌůĚ͕ WŽůĂƌŝƐ ŚĂƐ ďĞĞŶ ƚŚĞ ŵŽƐƚ ƵƐĞĚ ǁŽƌĚ ǁŚĞŶ ƌĞĨĞƌƌŝŶŐ ƚŽ Ă ƐŝĚĞͲďLJͲƐŝĚĞ ds͘ EKd EzDKZ ͘ /͛ŵ ŶŽƚ ƐƵƌĞ ǁŚLJ ŝƚ ƚŽŽŬ <ĂǁĂƐĂŬŝ ƐŽ ůŽŶŐ ďƵƚ ĨƌĂŶŬůLJ / ƚŚŝŶŬ ŝƚ ǁĂƐ ǁŽƌƚŚ ƚŚĞ ǁĂŝƚ͘ dŚĞ ŶĞǁ <ĂǁĂƐĂŬŝ &yd ŝƐ ƚŚĞ ďĞƐƚ ds /͛ǀĞ ĞǀĞƌ ĚƌŝǀĞŶ͘ KǀĞƌ ƚŚĞ ůĂƐƚ ƚŚƌĞĞ ŵŽŶƚŚƐ

ACP

ϵϭ ƐƉŽƌƚƐŵĞŶ ŚĂǀĞ ďĞĞŶ ĐŽŶĚƵĐƟŶŐ ƚĞƐƚ ĚƌŝǀĞƐ ŽŶ ďŽƚŚ ŇĂƚ ĂŶĚ ŚŝůůLJ ƚĞƌƌĂŝŶ ŶĞĂƌ :ƵŶĐƟŽŶ dĞdžĂƐ͘ tĞ ƚĞƐƚĞĚ ƐƉĞĞĚ͕ ƉŽǁĞƌ͕ ĐŽŵĨŽƌƚ͕ ƌŝĚĞ ĂŶĚ ĞŶŐŝŶĞ ŶŽŝƐĞ͘ KǀĞƌǁŚĞůŵŝŶŐůLJ ƚŚĞ ŶĞǁ <ĂǁĂƐĂŬŝ &yd ǁŽŶ hands down. dŽ ĐŽŶĚƵĐƚ Ă ƚĞƐƚ ĚƌŝǀĞ ĐŽŶƚĂĐƚ ^ŚŽƚ ŽĨ dĞdžĂƐ DĂŐĂnjŝŶĞ Ăƚ ϱϭϮͲϳϰϲͲϮϳϮϵ͘ tĞ ĚƌŝǀĞ ĂůŵŽƐƚ ĞǀĞƌLJ ǁĞĞŬĞŶĚ͘ /Ĩ LJŽƵ ĐĂŶ͛ƚ ĐŽŵĞ ƚŽ ƵƐ ǁĞ ǁŝůů ĐŽŵĞ ƚŽ LJŽƵ͘ zŽƵ ĐĂŶ ĂůƐŽ ǀŝƐŝƚ tŽŽĚƐ LJĐůĞ ŽƵŶƚƌLJ ŝŶ EĞǁ ƌĂƵŶĨĞůƐ ƌŝŐŚƚ ŽĨĨ / 35. Contact Paul Woods at 830-606-9828. Tell him we sent you.

SeStemEer through the th :hile \ou¶re there \ou ma\ want to harvest an Axis 'eer or other (xotiF animal.

HERE’S WHAT WE WILL BRING:

Fine whiskey for tasting.

Handmade Cigars.

Sporting clays tournament with great prizes from Grizzly and Made in America Coolers.

Live entertainment Saturday night.

DATE:

Active Camo Products

Friday, September 11-13.

Arrive 12 noon on Friday and depart Sunday at noon PLACE:

t3FDPJM 3FEVDUJPO 3FEVDUJPO O " J[JOH J 3JGMFT 3JGM t"DDVSJ .BYJNVN 3FDPJM 3FEVDUJPO XJUI t4NPPUI "DUJPOT t4DPQFT BOE .PVOUT t$BNPVGMBHJOH t$VTUPN 3JGMFT t4IPPUJOH JO XJUI 2 8 1- 5 16 - 3 5 3 7 $POPHSBQIFE -PBE %BUB www.ActiveCamo.com www.ActiveTuningSolutions.com

the “MasterBrake” & “HuntersBrake”

Record Buck Ranch Utopia Texas is just an hour drive from San Antonio.

Enjoy Five-star accommodations on 25,000 gorgeous acres.

Call the ranch at 830-966-2301 or email rob@ashotoftexas.net 832-922-1508 cell 512-746-2729

Trusted Professionals Serving the Industry Proud Proud Members Members of of May/June Issue 2015 A Shot of Texas Magazine™ 29

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:K\ 0\DQPDU" ͻഩ>ĞƐƐ ƚŚĂŶ Ϯϱй ŽĨ ƚŚĞ ϲϬ ŵŝůůŝŽŶ ŽĨ ƉŽƉƵůĂƟŽŶ ŚĂǀĞ ĂĐĐĞƐƐ ƚŽ ĞůĞĐƚƌŝĐŝƚLJ ĂŶĚ ĚĞŵĂŶĚ ŝƐ ŐƌŽǁŝŶŐ ƌĂƉŝĚůLJ ĂƐ ƚŚĞ ĞĐŽŶŽŵLJ ĞdžƉĂŶĚƐ͘ ͻഩ ƵƌƌĞŶƚ ĚĞŵĂŶĚ ŽƵƚƐƚƌŝƉƐ ƐƵƉƉůLJ ĂŶĚ ŝƚ ŝƐ ĞdžƉĞĐƚĞĚ ƚŽ ǁŽƌƐĞŶ ʹ ƌŽƚĂƟŶŐ ďůĂĐŬŽƵƚƐ ĂƌĞ ŶŽƚ ƵŶĐŽŵŵŽŶ ŝŶ zĂŶŐŽŶ͕ ƚŚĞ ůĂƌŐĞƐƚ ĐŝƚLJ ĂŶĚ ĐĞŶƚĞƌ ŽĨ ĐŽŵŵĞƌĐĞ͘

Author Lin Shu takes A Shot of Texas Magazine Worldwide

ͻഩ ĐŽŶŽŵŝĐ ŐƌŽǁƚŚ ŝŶ DLJĂŶŵĂƌ ŝƐ ďĞŝŶŐ ĐŽŶƐƚƌĂŝŶĞĚ ďĞĐĂƵƐĞ ŽĨ ŝŶƐƵĸĐŝĞŶƚ ŝŶĨƌĂƐƚƌƵĐƚƵƌĞ͕ ŵĂŝŶůLJ ůĂĐŬ ŽĨ ĞůĞĐƚƌŝĐ ƐƵƉƉůLJ͘ ͻഩ>ĞŐĂĐLJ ŐĂƐ ŐĞŶĞƌĂƟŽŶ ŇĞĞƚ ŝƐ ŽǀĞƌ ϮϬ LJĞĂƌƐ ŽůĚ ĂŶĚ ƚĞĐŚŶŝĐĂůůLJ ŽďƐŽůĞƚĞ ʹ ĂǀĞƌĂŐĞ ŇĞĞƚ ŚĞĂƚ ƌĂƚĞ ŝƐ Ăƚ ůĞĂƐƚ ƚǁŽ ƟŵĞƐ ǁŽƌƐĞ ƚŚĂŶ KƉƉŽƌƚƵŶŝƚLJ ƚŽ ŝŶǀĞƐƚ ŝŶ Ă ƌĞŐƵůĂƚĞĚ ƐĞƌǀŝĐĞ ĐŽŵƉĂŶLJ Ăƚ Ă ƌĞŐƵůĂƚĞĚ ƌĂƚĞ ŽĨ ƌĞƚƵƌŶ ʹ ĚŝƐƚƌŝďƵƟŽŶ ƐLJƐƚĞŵ ůŽƐƐĞƐ ĂƌĞ ŽǀĞƌ ϮϬй ĂŶĚ ƵŶĂďůĞ ƚŽ ƐĞƌǀĞ ƚŚĞ ƌĂƉŝĚůLJ ŐƌŽǁŝŶŐ ůŽĂĚ͘

ϮͿ EĞǁ ďƵŝůĚ ƐŝŵƉůĞ ĐLJĐůĞ ŶĂƚƵƌĂů ŐĂƐ ƉůĂŶƚƐ Ăƚ ƐƚƌĂƚĞŐŝĐ ƐŝƚĞƐ ŶĞĂƌ ĞdžŝƐƟŶŐ ŶĂƚƵƌĂů ŐĂƐ ƐƵƉƉůLJ ĂŶĚ ƚƌĂŶƐŵŝƐƐŝŽŶ ŐƌŝĚ͕ ϯͿ ^ŽůĂƌ ƉŽǁĞƌ ;ƉŚŽƚŽ ǀŽůƚĂŝĐͿ ŝŶ ĂƌŝĚ ĂƌĞĂƐ͕ ĂŶĚ ϰͿ ^Ğƚ ƵƉ ůŽĐĂů ĚŝƐƚƌŝďƵƟŽŶ ĐŽŵƉĂŶLJ ƚŽ ƐĞƌǀĞ ŝŶĚƵƐƚƌŝĂů͕ ĐŽŵŵĞƌĐŝĂů ĂŶĚ ƌĞƐŝĚĞŶƟĂů ŵĂƌŬĞƚ͘ ͻഩDLJĂŶŵĂƌ ŽƉĞƌĂƚĞƐ ŝŶ ŚŝŐŚ ƉƌŝĐĞĚ ŶĂƚƵƌĂů ŐĂƐ ĞŶǀŝƌŽŶŵĞŶƚ ƌĞƐƵůƟŶŐ ŝŶ ŚŝŐŚ ƉŽǁĞƌ ƉƌŝĐĞƐ ƉƌŽǀŝĚŝŶŐ ĐŽŵƉĞƟƟǀĞ ůĂŶĚƐĐĂƉĞ ĨŽƌ ƌĞŶĞǁϮͿ EĞǁ ďƵŝůĚ ƐŝŵƉůĞ ĐLJĐůĞ ĂďůĞ ĞŶĞƌŐLJ͘ ŶĂƚƵƌĂů ŐĂƐ ƉůĂŶƚƐ Ăƚ ƐƚƌĂƚĞŐŝĐ 6WUDWHJ\ ± ƐŝƚĞƐ ŶĞĂƌ ĞdžŝƐƟŶŐ ŶĂƚƵƌĂů ŐĂƐ il and Gas ƐƵƉƉůLJ ĂŶĚ ƚƌĂŶƐŵŝƐƐŝŽŶ ŐƌŝĚ͕ ͻഩdŚƌŽƵŐŚ ŝƚƐ ĂĸůŝĂƚĞ͕ ϯͿ ^ŽůĂƌ ƉŽǁĞƌ ;ƉŚŽƚŽ ǀŽůƚĂŝĐͿ ŝŶ ĂƌŝĚ ĂƌĞĂƐ͕ ĂŶĚ 'ƌĞĞŶĮĞůĚƐ WĞƚƌŽůĞƵŵ ŽƌƉ͘ ϰͿ ^Ğƚ ƵƉ ůŽĐĂů ĚŝƐƚƌŝďƵƟŽŶ ;d^ys͗'E&Ϳ ǁĞ ĂƌĞ ƋƵĂůŝĮĞĚ ĐŽŵƉĂŶLJ ƚŽ ƐĞƌǀĞ ŝŶĚƵƐƚƌŝĂů͕ ƚŽ ďŝĚ ĨŽƌ ŽŶƐŚŽƌĞ Žŝů ĂŶĚ ŐĂƐ ĐŽŵŵĞƌĐŝĂů ĂŶĚ ƌĞƐŝĚĞŶƟĂů ďůŽĐŬƐ ĂŶĚ ƉůĂŶ ƚŽ ǁŽƌŬ ǁŝƚŚ ŵĂƌŬĞƚ͘ DK' ƚŽ ĚĞǀĞůŽƉ ŝƚƐ Žŝů ĂŶĚ ͻഩDLJĂŶŵĂƌ ŽƉĞƌĂƚĞƐ ŝŶ ŚŝŐŚ ŐĂƐ ƌĞƐĞƌǀĞƐ ƚŽ ƐƵƉƉůLJ YƵĂƉƌŝĐĞĚ ŶĂƚƵƌĂů ŐĂƐ ĞŶǀŝƌŽŶŵĞŶƚ ƐĂƌ͛Ɛ ŐĂƐ ĮƌĞĚ ƉŽǁĞƌ ƉůĂŶƚƐ͘ ƌĞƐƵůƟŶŐ ŝŶ ŚŝŐŚ ƉŽǁĞƌ ƉƌŝĐĞƐ ƉƌŽǀŝĚŝŶŐ ĐŽŵƉĞƟƟǀĞ ůĂŶĚƐĐĂƉĞ ĨŽƌ ƌĞŶĞǁĂďůĞ ĞŶĞƌŐLJ͘ Contacts:

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6WUDWHJ\ ± Power

ͻഩYƵĂƐĂƌ ŝƐ ƚĂƌŐĞƟŶŐ ƚŚĞ ĨĂƐƚĞƐƚ ĂŶĚ ŵŽƐƚ ĐŽƐƚ ĞīĞĐƟǀĞ ĂůƚĞƌŶĂƟǀĞƐ ĨŽƌ ƉƌŽǀŝĚŝŶŐ ďĂĚůLJ ŶĞĞĚĞĚ ĞůĞĐƚƌŝĐŝƚLJ ƐƵƉƉůLJ ŝŶƚŽ ƚŚĞ ƐLJƐƚĞŵ͘ ͻഩYƵĂƐĂƌ ǁŝůů ƉƌŽǀŝĚĞ Ăůů ƚĞĐŚŶŝĐĂů ĂŶĚ ŝŶͲ ŽƵŶƚƌLJ ƐƵƉƉŽƌƚ ĂŶĚ ŵĂŶĂŐĞ ƚŚĞ ĚĞǀĞůŽƉŵĞŶƚ ƉƌŽĐĞƐƐ͘ ͻഩ^ƚƌĂƚĞŐŝĞƐ͗ ϭͿ ZĞƉůĂĐĞŵĞŶƚ ŽĨ ŽďƐŽůĞƚĞ͕ ŝŶĞĨĨŝĐŝĞŶƚ ŐĂƐ ƚƵƌďŝŶĞƐ Ăƚ ĞdžŝƐƚŝŶŐ ďƌŽǁŶĨŝĞůĚ ƐŝƚĞƐ ŝŶ zĂŶŐŽŶ͕

ͻഩYƵĂƐĂƌ ŝƐ ƚĂƌŐĞƟŶŐ ƚŚĞ ĨĂƐƚĞƐƚ ĂŶĚ ŵŽƐƚ ĐŽƐƚ ĞīĞĐƟǀĞ ĂůƚĞƌŶĂƟǀĞƐ ĨŽƌ ƉƌŽǀŝĚŝŶŐ ďĂĚůLJ ŶĞĞĚĞĚ ĞůĞĐƚƌŝĐŝƚLJ ƐƵƉƉůLJ ŝŶƚŽ ƚŚĞ ƐLJƐƚĞŵ͘ ͻഩYƵĂƐĂƌ ǁŝůů ƉƌŽǀŝĚĞ Ăůů ƚĞĐŚŶŝĐĂů ĂŶĚ ŝŶͲ ŽƵŶƚƌLJ ƐƵƉƉŽƌƚ ĂŶĚ ŵĂŶĂŐĞ ƚŚĞ ĚĞǀĞůŽƉŵĞŶƚ ƉƌŽĐĞƐƐ͘ ͻഩ^ƚƌĂƚĞŐŝĞƐ͗ ϭͿ ZĞƉůĂĐĞŵĞŶƚ ŽĨ ŽďƐŽůĞƚĞ͕ ŝŶĞĸĐŝĞŶƚ ŐĂƐ ƚƵƌďŝŶĞƐ Ăƚ ĞdžŝƐƟŶŐ ďƌŽǁŶĮĞůĚ ƐŝƚĞƐ ŝŶ zĂŶŐŽŶ͕

United States DĂƌŬ tŝƩ ϭϱϵϭϬ E ĂƌŬĞƌƐ >ĂŶĚŝŶŐ ZĚ͘ ,ŽƵƐƚŽŶ͕ dĞdžĂƐ ϳϳϬϳϵ h^ нϭ ;ϳϭϯͿ ϱϵϴͲϭϲϰϮ ŵĂƌŬ͘ǁŝƩΛƋƵĂƐĂƌͲƌĞƐŽƵƌĐĞƐ͘ĐŽŵ

Myan Lin Tun ϮϮ <ĂďĂ LJĞ WĂŐŽĚĂ ZĚ͘ zĂŶŐŽŶ͕ DLJĂŶŵĂƌ DLJĂŶŵĂƌ͗ нϵϱ ϵ ϳϯϮ ϱϵϭϵϴ h^͗ нϭ ;ϳϭϯͿ ϯϵϮͲϴϱϴϬ ůŝŶ͘ƚƵŶΛƋƵĂƐĂƌͲƌĞƐŽƵƌĐĞƐ͘ĐŽ

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Corpus Christi Police Athletic League (CC-PAL) Valero-Bill Greehey Refineries

5th Annual

Charity Dove Hunt â&#x20AC;&#x201C;

October 3, 2015

Sponsorship Opportunities Gold Sponsor $5,000 16 tickets to event UDIĘ?H WLFNHWV Company name in all publicity and event signage

Silver Sponsor $2,500 8 tickets to event UDIĘ?H WLFNHWV Company name in all publicity and event signage

Bronze Sponsor $1,000 \4 tickets to event UDIĘ?H WLFNHWV Company recognition at event

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32 Shot of Texas Magazineâ&#x201E;˘ May/June Issue 2015

Note: Please RSVP by returning this commitment form and your payment to Patsy Benchoff, Valero, P. O. Box 9370, Corpus Christi, TX 78469 or by email patsy.benchoff@valero.com.

For any questions, please contact Patsy Benchoff w/Valero @ 361-289-3104; Sgt. David Morris @ 361-533-5407 and/or Dennis Havel w/Valero @ 361-815-4340.

Try A Different Position %\ .HUU\ 2Âś'D\

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ost of us can shoot a decent group from a shooting bench, but how about shooting off-hand or in a sitting SRVLWLRQ" ,Q WKH UHDO ZRUOG RI KXQWLQJ WKHUH DUH QRW PDQ\ VKRRWLQJ EHQFKHV RXW LQ WKH ÂżHOG WR VKRRW IURP There is the exception in South Texas with their high rise blinds or over a Prairie Dog town. But in most cases you will have to be able to make a clean shot using whatever there is to brace with. I was hunting in Montana for Pronghorn Antelope and had a shot at a good buck at just over 400 yards, but when I looked for something to brace from, there was nothing! I went over and sat down, braced on my front knee, and made the shot. Now I could QRW KDYH GRQH WKLV LI , KDGQÂśW SUDFWLFHG WKLV VKRW EHIRUH 6KRRWLQJ RII D EHQFK LV JUHDW IRU ÂżQGLQJ RXW KRZ DFFXUDWH \RXU ULĂ&#x20AC;H RU KDQGJXQ LV RU FKHFNLQJ D QHZ ORDG EXW UHDO ZRUOG VKRRWLQJ LV QRW GRQH IURP D EHQFK ,Q $IULFD \RX ZLOO most likely be shooting off a set of 3 legged shooting sticks. In Alaska, your shots will be made sitting or lying prone and using a bipod. When hunting Elk in the West, you will use any tree branch or boulder to rest on. Occasionally you might even have to shoot off-hand which is very hard to do, especially if you have never tried it before. Letâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s talk about several types of shooting positions and how to do them correctly.

Off-hand shooting is the hardest way to shoot accurately. There are ways to help yourself with this type of shooting. Always shoot across your body; this will help keep you on balance. Use your front arm and hand to brace off I like to bend my forearm DQG EUDFH LW WR P\ FKHVW DQG UHVW WKH ULĂ&#x20AC;H in my hand. Watch your breathing and try not to hold too long in this position. Take a rest if you have to hold too long or you will start moving the front of the barrel and then making a clean shot is hopeless. Having a JRRG OLJKW ULĂ&#x20AC;H KHOSV KHUH <RX FDQ UDS WKH sling around your forward arm to add extra support. Last you have to be strong enough WR KROG WKH ULĂ&#x20AC;H XS VR VRPH WLPH LQ WKH J\P wouldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t hurt.

A sitting position is a very stable shooting position. Sit Indian style with your front knee bent up. Brace your forearm off your knee and use this for a rest. Again shoot across your body to keep your balDQFH <RX ZLOO ÂżQG WKDW WKLV LV D YHU\ VWDEOH shooting position. Watch your breathing and take your time. Unlike shooting off hand you can hold this position for quite a while without getting tired.

Shooting Prone is one of my least favorite ways to shoot. This is the way you learn to shoot in the Army. It is a way to shoot very accurate but you feel much more of the recoil and will be in a very awkward position. Lie down on your stomach, EUDFH WKH ULĂ&#x20AC;H RQ \RXU EHQW IRUHDUP DQG brace the butt pad into your shoulder. Your ULĂ&#x20AC;H LV EUDFHG RII \RXU IRUZDUG DUP \RXU shoulder and your shooting arm. You can make very accurate shots this way but you

QHHG WR EH VKRRWLQJ RII D KLOO RU RQ YHU\ Ă&#x20AC;DW ground with nothing in the way.

Shooting sticks and bipods are a great way to shoot game. I love to shoot off them and you can make very accurate shots by using them. Using shooting sticks is very easy, just brace off the sticks like you would when using a tree branch. Always shoot across your body for balance and try to hold on to the VWLFNV DQG WKH IRUHQG RI \RXU ULĂ&#x20AC;H DW WKH VDPH time. If you will practice, this a few times \RX ZLOO ÂżQG RXW WKDW \RX FDQ VKRRW YHU\ ZHOO WKLV ZD\ , KDYH PDGH VHYHUDO \DUG shoots off sticks or bipods. Bipods come in several different heights. Some have short legs for shooting lying down, while others use longer legs for shooting in a sitting posi-

WLRQ ,I \RX DUH KXQWLQJ RQ YHU\ Ă&#x20AC;DW JURXQG or in an area where there is tall grass you will need the higher legs.

Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t just think that you can go out and hunt using a bipod or sticks without practicing with them. My wife found that she shoots about 3 inches higher shooting off sticks than when she is sighted in from the bench. This can ruin your whole day to discover that you are shooting high and missing the game. You need to practice shooting off sticks, bipods, or in a sitting position and remember to check \RXU VLJKW LQ 7KH EDUUHO RI D ULĂ&#x20AC;H RU KDQGgun will rise more when shooting off sticks than when you shoot from a solid benchrest.

Somehow we canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t get away from the practice makes perfect thing!

May/June Issue 2015 A Shot of Texas Magazineâ&#x201E;˘ 33

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5RDGNLOO Millions of vertebrates - birds, reptiles, mammals, and amphibians - are killed every year by vehicles traveling on America’s roads. For example, roadkill has helped reduce the population of a federally endangered cat, the ocelot, to about 80 animals. Slow-moving animals like turtles and salamanders are at high risk of roadkill, especially when they try to cross a road to reach mating or nesting sites on the other side. Wide-ranging large carnivores like wolves, grizzly bears, and mountain lions are also vulnerable, simply because they routinely have to cross a lot of roads.

Roadkill threatens humans as well as animals. Each year, more than 200 motorists are killed and thousands more are injured in animal-vehicle collisions, according to The Wildlife Society. The insurance industry estimates that the annual cost to society for these fatalities and injuries is $200 million. Individual motorists usually pay at least $2000.00 in vehicle repair every time they hit a deer. 90 percent of reported animal-vehicle collisions involve deer.

May/June Issue 2015 A Shot of Texas Magazine™ 35

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We offer: White Tail Deer Rio Grande Turkey Upland Game Birds Hogs and Predators 36 Shot of Texas Magazine™ May/June Issue 2015

CRANES AND OVERHEAD WIRES

T

here are many dangerous situations on a construction site, but operating hoisting equipment close to overhead wires is more than just dangerous, it’s a matter of life and death! The following guidelines should help us prevent potentially deadly contact:

Keep cranes a safe distance from power lines. For lines rated 50 kV or below, minimum clearance between the lines and PDFKLQHV RU ORDGV PXVW EH IHHW SOXV LQFK IRU HDFK N9 over 50 kV., or twice the length of the line insulator, but NEV(5 OHVV WKDQ IHHW

Use a qualified signalperson when the crane is within boom’s length of a line. The signal- person must warn the operator when the machine is approaching the lines since the operator may not be able to accurately judge the distance. The signalperson

should have no other duties while the machine is working near the power line.

Do not rely on ground rods for safety. They provide little or no protection. People touching the crane or load will still draw enough current to kill, even with the best

ground rods in place. In addition, don’t rely on proximity warning devices, hook insulators, insulating boom guards, swing limit stops, etc. as each has serious limitations.

Except for the operator, keep all personnel away from the crane when working near power line Don’t allow anyone to touch the load, crane, or crane hook until the signalperson indicates that it is safe to do so. Exercise caution when working near overhead lines having long spans.

These tend to swing laterally in the wind and contact can occur.

Use caution when moving cranes. Uneven ground can cause the boom to weave or bob into lines. Ensure a route is plainly marked when cranes must travel beneath power lines. ‘Rider’ poles should be erected on each side of the crossing approach to guarantee that the boom will be lowered to a safe position. Avoid using tag lines except when it is possible for the load to spin into the power line. All rope will conduct electricity.

May/June Issue 2015 A Shot of Texas Magazine™ 37

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Texas Big Game Awards to Recognize Texas Hunters and Land Stewards SAN ANTONIO Âą )RU \HDUV WKH 7H[DV Big Game Awards (TBGA), a partnership of Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and the Texas Wildlife Association (TWA), has been the leader in recognizing the contributions that landowners, land managers and responsible hunters make to managing and conserving wildlife and wildlife habitat on Texasâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; private lands. $OO HQWULHV IRU WKH 7H[DV %LJ *DPH $ZDUGV KDYH EHHQ VXEPLWWHG DQG PRUH WKDQ KXQWHUV ODQGRZQHUV \RXWK KXQWHUV DQG ILUVW WLPH KXQWHUV ZLOO EH UHFognized across Texas at this yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s TBGA Sportsmanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Celebrations. The top 30 big game animals taken this past season ZLOO EH RQ GLVSOD\ DQG UHFRJQL]HG GXULQJ WKH 6WDWHZLGH TBGA Sportsmanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Celebration held in conjunction with 7:$ÂśV WK $QQXDO &RQYHQWLRQ -XO\ WK DW WKH -: 0DUriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort and Spa. Species recognized across the state include white-tailed deer, mule deer, pronghorn antelope, desert bighorn and javelina. Also being awarded across the state will be the top scholarship recipients of the Carterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Country TBGA College Scholarship Program, as well as the best of the best field photos. In addition, thirteen hunters and their respective landowners will be awarded the coveted Texas Slam Award, given to hunters who harvest all three TBGA qualifying animals in the same season meeting the minimum scoring requirements.

To see some of this yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s entries, make plans to attend one of the TBGA Sportsmanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Celebration events scheduled across Texas.

7KH FHOHEUDWLRQ GDWHV IRU LQFOXGH â&#x20AC;˘ May 16, 5HJLRQV DQG 3RVW 2DN 6DYDQQDK 3LQH\ZRRGV and Coastal Prairies), Lufkin, Pitser Garrison Convention Center. â&#x20AC;˘ June 20, 5HJLRQ DQG (GZDUGV 3ODWHDX DQG 6RXWK 7H[DV

Uvalde, SSGT. Willie De Leon Civic Center. â&#x20AC;˘ June 27, 5HJLRQV DQG 7UDQV 3HFRV 3DQKDQGOH DQG Cross Timbers), San Angelo, McNeese Convention Center. â&#x20AC;˘ July 10, Statewide TBGA Sportsmanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Celebration, held in FRQMXQFWLRQ ZLWK 7:$ÂśV $QQXDO &RQYHQWLRQ :LOG/LIH -XO\ 6DQ $QWRQLR -: 0DUULRWW +LOO &RXQWU\ 5HVRUW DQG 6SD Under this program, awards are given to all â&#x20AC;&#x153;Scored Entriesâ&#x20AC;? that meet minimum regional requirements, first-time hunters, youth hunters, and landowners, and there are no entry fees. All program information, program history, entry rules, photos and sponsors are also featured on the TBGA website http://www.TexasBigGameAwards.org/.

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May/June Issue 2015 A Shot of Texas Magazineâ&#x201E;˘ 39

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SCI JOINS BATTLE AGAINST RIFFLE AMMO BAN

T

his week, SCI joined other members of the American Wildlife Conservation Partners (AWCP), a consortium of 42 organizations representing more than six million individual members, in sending a letter to ATF Director Jones expressing concern about the proposed new regulatory “framework” the agency has put forward to justify the banning of common rifle ammunition. Such a ban could reduce the amount of Pittman-Robertson excise taxes collected on the sale of ammunition, which provide vital funding for wildlife management activities across the country.

In addition to the issues covered in the letter, SCI is also concerned that this proposed new regulatory authority could be extended in the future to ban virtually any centerfire rifle cartridge. 239 Members of the U.S. House have signed a letter opposing the ban, and this week they were joined by 53 Members of the U.S. Senate. The new “framework” is widely seen as a purely political maneuver to enact a White House gun control agenda that the Congress refuses to pass, and SCI will be lending its support to any and all measures opposing the ban. Watch this space for updates on this late-breaking, fastmoving battle.

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We started that morning at the bottom of the mountain, slowly made our way upward, but also always westward. That’s when we heard a much gruffer sounding roar, which according to Shane, sometimes although not all, indicated a truly big stag.

“We need to hurry. Usually stags lay down to rest about 10 in the morning. If we don’t get where he is by then, chances are he’ll be laying down. Once they lay down they seldom get up before two or so....”

As you might guess we arrived where we could peer into the canyon at about 10:02

and then more rain came. Time seemed to drag on, as if great nations developed, flourished and then were destroyed. Still the stag remained bedded, even though he occasionally let forth a mighty roar....

I’ve not worn a watch in many, many years, but I noticed Shane start watching his, “Ay mate, get ready the hour of rising approaches.” He cautioned both Blake and me. With that Blake made certain he would be able to film exactly what would happen in hopefully the next few minutes.

As he prepared, I made certain I had my

stag, the bigger he grew. At his side, I marveled at the size of his rack. Many points, long tines, extremely massive beams and palmated crowns. He was all I ever hoped for in New Zealand stag.

After hearty congratulations, followed by an extensive photo session, Shane turned to me, “We’ll have to pack him out Mate. No way can I get a vehicle within a quarter of mile of here....”

“How about I cape and gut him while you get to the vehicle. Then I’ll carry the head and cape to where you stop. Afterwards I’ll

am. The stag was already bedded. Peaking over the canyon’s edge we spotted the tops of his antlers; massive, long and many tined! Easing forward a bit we could see his lower antlers were just as impressive as the upper part. “That’s the one we’ve been looking for!” stage whispered Shane. He continued, “From right here if he stands up, we’ll only be able to see his head. Let’s move down the canyon a way, find a place where we will essentially be hidden, but where we’ll be able to see his entire body when he stands.”

A few minutes later we were set up in just such a location. We got comfortable and waited. Rain came, we covered up with rain gear. Rain passed. Lunchtime arrived, we ate our delicious sandwiches. The stag remained bedded. More rain came, passed

Ruger properly rested on my BOG Pod RLD shooting sticks. I was ready!

Several more minutes passed, then I heard Shane caution, “Get ready! He’s stirring.” No sooner had he uttered those words than I saw the bull start to rise. I waited for him to fully stand. Soon as he did I did I pulled the Ruger’s trigger and watched as the Hornady bullet struck his shoulder. In less than a heart beat I bolted in another round, and sent a second bullet into this vitals. The great stag simply pitched forward and was dead!

As he fell I bolted in a third round and kept my crosshairs on the downed stag, just in case he tried to get up. He didn’t!

A few moments later we had covered the 180 yards that separated us from the downed stag. The closer I got to my

go back with you and we’ll quarter him and bring him out piece by piece.” Shane thought that a good idea and left for the vehicle which was nearly 3 miles away. I quickly caped the stag, then gutted him, propped open the cavity and then shouldered the massive rack and heavy cape and started toward where I heard Shane honk the vehicle’s horn...

That night we toasted the great stag, and, even greater friendship with a glass or two of the southern hemisphere’s finest red wine and ended the evening with a wee dram of single malt!

With my red stag in the the salt in preparation for shipment to The Wildlife Gallery and the venison hung in the cooler to be properly aged, we set plans for the rest of the hunt, but as they often say, that’s entire ‘nother story!

42 Shot of Texas Magazine™ May/June Issue 2015

May/June Issue 2015 A Shot of Texas Magazineâ&#x201E;˘ 43

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Like a lot of you folks I have the duty of camp cook at our deer lease.

Occasionally, you will run across a delicacy like this nice fat hog which makes his appearance a little too close to dinner. Suddenly you’re feeling like pork loin appetizers but you don’t have time to process him completely. No worries. There is no need to clean the entire animal. Try this little trick.

By Rob Kahn

STRAPPING &

MARINATING A HOG!

You can remove the back straps right in the field and go straight to the ice chest Start by rolling the animal on its stomach.

Make two straight cuts directly down the spine and skin back just enough to expose

the back strap.follow-up with the mother cut along the ribs. It’s as simple. I Keep a bottle of good old-fashioned Italian dressing with me for just such an occasion.

Place the back strap directly into any con-

tainer or plastic bag and drench with a full bottle of dressing. The pork will be marinated by the time you reach camp (minimum 30 minutes).

Happy strapping.

Waupaca, Wisconsin

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Thandeka Safaris is a beautiful hunting destination situated in the Kalahari, 4km from the Botswana border,

Thirty two species Plains Game Dangerous Game Wing Shooting Bow Hunters welcome

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Contact info@thandekasafaris.co.za or rob@ashotoftexas.net for details and packages We are proud to be hosting A Shot of Texas Magazine’s Big Shot Outfitters SAFARI 2015, Contact Rob@ashotoftexas.net for details.

www.crittergitters.net Tel: 281-332-7912 May/June Issue 2015 A Shot of Texas Magazine™ 47

How Will Texas Adjust to $40.00 a barrel Oil?

M

o st importantly, the arrogance of the 1980s is JRQH 7H[DQV OHDUQHG WKHLU OHVVRQ 7KH\ KDYHQœW RYHUEXLOW WKLV WLPH ³EHWWLQJ RQ WKH FRPH´ *RG JDYH WKHP RQH PRUH FKDQFH DQG WKLV WLPH WKH\ SURPLVHG WKHPVHOYHV WKH\ ZRXOGQœW VTXDQGHU LW Texas economy transformed . . .

The state is once again coming off a period of well-deserved, hard-earned prosperity, at least partially driven by crude oil prices that attained a high plateau for so long. Texas may still produce over a third of the countryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s domestic supply of crude oil, but the state is no longer a â&#x20AC;&#x153;one-trick ponyâ&#x20AC;?.

While the rest of the country suffered from the nationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s longest-ever recession-caused at least partially by high oil prices-Texas has been a shiny, Lone Star bright spot. Credit the complete economic transformation the state has experienced over the past three decades.

Austin has transformed itself into a high-technology wonder zone. The topranked company in the Dallas area might still be Exxon Mobil, but the second spot is held by AT&T. By 2004 the portion of the Houston-area economy represented by upstream energy had been reduced to 31 percent from 69 percent in 1981. Diversified industries nearly quadrupled to 52 percent from 16 percent. Houston now accounts for almost 40 percent of the U.S. production capacity for basic chemicals used by downstream chemical operations.

Downstream petroleum activity, including refining and marketing, actually get a boost with lower crude oil prices (as

48 Shot of Texas Magazineâ&#x201E;˘ May/June Issue 2015

they lower the cost of supplies). And a diversified Texas economy grows with the rest of the U.S. economy, which benefits greatly from falling oil price.

Texans generally will have more money in their pockets for enjoying the nightlife in its fine cities, buying nice things in the local shopping malls, and just having fun doing whatever it is Texans enjoy doing--like seeing parts of Texas theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve yet to experience.

The arrogance is gone . . .

The 1980s boom in the oil patch meant caviar and champagne with cocky businessmen flying over half-erected skyscrapers in helicopters. But those burned by the oil price crash of 1984 havenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t forgotten the lesson.

Few homes are built on spec these days, unlike the crazy Eighties, and thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s no equivalent office-space overhang. Over half of the space built in 2014 was preleased. Banks are more closely supervised now than they were then, so wonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t be so overstretched on loan commitments.

Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t mess with Texas . . .

Texans will make it through this downturn for the same reason the state continues to prosper under any economic conditions, because Texans have pluck and Texans adapt.

Even if things do get tight for a while, Texan resilience in the face of these economic turnarounds should pull it through.

May â&#x20AC;&#x153;what goes up must come downâ&#x20AC;? adage, learned in the 1980s, be replaced with â&#x20AC;&#x153;nothing lasts forever.â&#x20AC;?

A Shot of Texas is EVERYWHERE! Plant Maintenance, Inspection and Engineering Society PMIE Conference & Expo $ 6KRW RI 7H[DV 0DJD]LQH FDPHUDV ZHUH LQ +RXVWRQ DW WKH 3DVDGHQD &RQYHQWLRQ &HQWHU RQ $SULO 7KH DWWHQGDQFH ZDV JUHDW DQG WKH KDOO ZDV ÂżOOHG ZLWK HQWKXVLDVWLF H[KLELWRUV Here are a few of the exhibitors that attended the show.

See Mobley Industrial Services Ad in this issue

Colton Shepherdâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s team at PMIE Conferen ce. Dynamic Labs was a Silver Sponsor at last monthâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 3rd annual A Shot of Texas Clay Shoot. Thanks to Colton & Rick Shepard for their support

May/June Issue 2015 A Shot of Texas Magazineâ&#x201E;˘ 49

Raising a Texan

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eff Foxworthy wrote a few things about 7H[DV ³,I \RX GLDO D ZURQJ QXPEHU DQG KDYH D PLQXWH FRQYHUVDWLRQ \RX¶UH SUREDEO\ LQ Texas”. He’s absolutely right, Texans are friendly DQG , KDYH FHUWDLQO\ H[SHULHQFHG LW ¿UVWKDQG :KHQ I think of Texas, I think of unbridled freedom.

50 Shot of Texas Magazine™ May/June Issue 2015

The freedom to choose the way we live our lives, the way we raise our children and the way we communicate with God. Spiritual goodness, freedom and strength of Texans can be traced all the way back to the Alamo. Why would 140 men stand against 10,000 unless the belief they had in Texas was so strong and so powerful that they were willing to die for it . Texans have a very clear sense of what is right and what is wrong. Gray areas are for wimps.

While the rest of the world writes rule after rule, regulation after regulation and law after law, Texans stand strong on our core beliefs.

Core beliefs start at childhood and the way we were raised in our homes. In the home of hundreds of thousands of other Texans those core beliefs began with mom and dad.

We did not have rules about keeping guns locked up.

As a boy there was a loaded gun in virtually every room of the house. Those guns were never touched. The reason they were never touched was because dad said not to touch them.” Manners are the only things that separate us from the monkeys son”, my dad used to say this to me all the time. Always hold the door open for ladies. Never ever strike someone weaker than yourself and never ever strike a woman. My favorite was,” tell me the truth and you won’t be in trouble”. This was a tough one but one day I tried it.

My dad had just come outside and asked us not to throw the ball around my mother’s potted plants. No sooner than he left our ball knocked over and broke one of those plants.

I was sweating bullets when I walked upstairs. I looked my Dad square and I and told him that I had just done what she had asked me not to do. I cleaned up the mess and replanted the pot. My dad kept his word like always. We have assembled some photographs of young Texans that we hope you will enjoy.

Robert Kahn

May/June Issue 2015 A Shot of Texas Magazineâ&#x201E;˘ 51

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