Adobe Lodge Hunting Camp

Home Camp

2006 Deer Photos

And Hunt Reports

Note: Home Camp hunts are listed in reverse order with the most recent hunt listed first.  
Also note:  click on an image to enlarge it to get the details of the photo.

Hunt # 8    Dec. 9-13

12-11-06    For the first time this season, every hunter in our Home Camp on this hunt is a first-timer.  Well - kinda/sorta.  Alan McKeithen has hunted the McManus Camp, but this is his first-ever hunt at the Home Camp.  He's not giving up his place at the McManus Camp, however.  When this Home Camp hunt concludes on Wednesday, he'll move his gear over to the McManus Camp for another hunt with Beaver.  Does this guy have an Adobe Lodge hunting addiction, or what?

The weather is decent now but kind of chilly when the wind blows.  It is still dry and we are praying for rain (an ongoing activity in West Texas).  But the deer coming into camp are fat and healthy.  You'll see mostly bucks at the feeders, so the hunters tell us.  And our guides say the rattling is still working at times, but we ought to be late in the rut by now.

We have some new trail camera photos posted.  Go to "Latest News" and up at the top of that page, click on "Trail Camera".   You'll see many bucks that are typical of this 2006 season.   

12-13-06  Under bright blue, sunny (doggone-it, we need some RAIN) skies (with no wind), Hunt # 8 ended at noon today with these results:  nine hunters put eight bucks on the board, plus 10 antlerless deer.  A couple of javelinas were taken, also.  What's happened to the bobcats?  Guide Roy McFadin was the only one in camp to see one of the felines during the four days.  Surely we haven't found every last bobcat in the country.  A neighbor went varmint calling on an adjacent 1600 acres and took fourteen bobcats.  So there's still plenty in the country.  Maybe next hunt we can show some more kitty photos. 

What a great group this Hunt # 8 turned out to be.  We had a ball with all these first-timers and got to know some great new hunters.  We got four new bookings for '07 from them, too.  So looks like we'll get to see some of them again next year.  Alan McKeithen, of course, insists that we keep him booked forever at the McManus Camp, but he's trying to find a way to bring his daughter to the Home Camp.

Mark Winkelman took a bunch of photos during his time here and generously make us a copy.  You can see some of the sights he captured with his trusty digital.  Just go to "Latest News".  He even stepped the resolution down to make it easier to post to the web.  What a guy.  Thanks, Mark.   

Hunt # 7   Dec. 4-8

12-5    Early yesterday morning, we got word that Pon Lawdermilk, our good friend and faithful cook for many, many years had just died.  We have posted under "Latest News" some thoughts on Pon and his passing.

For years now, this Hunt # 7 has been known as the "Newsome Hunt".  John Newsome from Shumway, IL, takes all available slots on this date and treats his family and employees to an Adobe Lodge hunt.  John and Pon had become very good friends, and Pon had even visited John back home in Illinois.  Ironically, on the drive down to Texas, John and the others in the group had called Pon to check on him and they had planned on seeing him while here.  Joyce, Pon's wife, said that in hearing all the old, familiar voices on the telephone, Pon was brighter and more full of cheer than he had been in days. 

But Pon died just hours later.  Some things are just too hard to explain.

So despite this tragedy, Hunt # 7 will continue on.  There was a missed shot at a super-good buck on the first afternoon, and several of the hunters reported seeing some near-shooters.  So we'll see how the coming few days play out. 

12-8    Mornings are definitely colder now after several dry fronts.  We saw temperatures of 13 and  22 on a couple of days, so that's chilly enough for us Texans.  Doesn't seem to bother anyone from up north, however. 

The hunt ended with the ten hunters putting nine bucks and eighteen does on the board.  Three javelinas were also taken.  Tom Anderson, Dyersburg, TN was hunting with guide Snake Allen.  Snake had seen a "monster" in one particular area and both hunter and guide gave it the old college try, but it was just not meant to be.  Snake would see the buck while Tom was hunting a blind.  But when they would walk, stalk and rattle, the buck wouldn't show.   So the buck won this round and Tom went home without him.

Hunt # 6   Nov. 29 - Dec. 3

12 - 3   As Hunt # 6 unfolded, we didn't get to post any photos or write any reports because we were too busy shivering in the cold.  Oh, the first afternoon of the hunt was pleasant enough, but Thursday a front blew through with 30-40 mph winds and the temperature didn't get above 32 all day.  Miserable for us Texans who are more used to triple-digits.  Friday and Saturday saw 20-degree mornings, but the afternoons were almost shirt-sleeve weather.  But, it got cold again on Sunday morning. 

With a group of seven in camp, only two of which were first-timers, the hunters were willing to wait for a "butter-melter" and finally five good ones were taken.  Two hunters, Ray Reynolds and Eric Knapp didn't put a buck on the board, but Eric admitted to having passed a shooter on Day Two while looking for a better one.  Ray, too, went home buck-less but couldn't have been happier because he got a dandy bobcat - his first-ever.  The hunters collected twelve does and all were good-old-big'uns (or is it big-old-good'uns?).  Way to go, guys.

For the first time in at least fifteen years, we didn't get to see Reed Steinmetz on this hunt date.  Reed, from Reamstown, PA has been an all-time favorite around the Adobe Lodge.  Health problems kept him home this year, but Bill Knapp suggested we send him a "Wish You Were Here" card and we did.  Reed is a legend in the hunting community having taken every North American critter except maybe a polar bear.  And his hunting experiences are enjoyed by all.  He is a wealth of information about the sport.  Reed founded the Eastern Chapter of the Foundation for North American Wild Sheep.

Hunt # 5    Nov. 24-28

11-26   Mild weather rules.  Mid-50's at night; mid-70's during the day.  A bit windy out of the southwest, but not too bad.  Hunt Five is short one hunter.  Ronnie Rivers dad, Donny, had to cancel out due to health problems, but we were encouraged to learn from Ronnie that his dad is on the mend.

So we have seven in camp - three vets and four first-timers and family groups predominate with two father/son pairs, a husband/wife, and one solo hunter.

With the rut now in full force, deer movement has been fair-to-middling according to the reports of hunters and guides.  Corn feeder activity is kind of lack-luster and deer are often seen well away from the feeders.  Must be the abundance of the fillaree weeds, but it's getting dry now, and everything needs a drink.

11-28   Hunt Five ended at noon today with these results:  seven hunters took six bucks and ten does.  Another doe was a DNF (did not find).  Although the entire group was on the lookout for cats (mountain and bob), none were seen.  Ronnie Rivers was the lone hunter who did not score.  He hunted a productive blind this morning but unfortunately a pack of javelinas showed up and the deer didn't.  Ben and Brenda Camp, who had both tagged out on bucks, were hunting for does and wouldn't you know it, they saw nothing but bucks.  Brenda said one was an exceptional eight-pointer.  So that's hunting. 

Hunt # 4    Nov. 18-22

11-22    Our fans have been asking:  why haven't you posted any photos lately?  Answer:  until the last quarter of the # 4 hunt game, we had gathered precious few photos.  Why?  Doggoned if we know.  It was a strange hunt.

Some of the hunters saw an extraordinary number of good bucks, but being returnees and very, very patient, they were willing to wait it out.  Strangely, there were other hunters who saw very, very few bucks.  No matter which ranch or which blind they hunted, their report was the same.  "We saw only a few small bucks."   And the weather was decent, too.  Not too windy, nor too hot, nor too cold.   With all this happening during the  moon change, sometimes you just gotta wonder.

So after five of the eight "half-days" in the hunt, we only had two bucks on the board.  But once again, the bobcats took a licking.  Got two of the kittys, plus a fox.  So at this point, there were more varmints on the board than there were bucks.  Holy Smokes.  What kind of deer camp is this, anyway?

But our veteran hunters came through with a nice photo finish and the Hunt # 4 group of eight hunters wound up taking seven bucks, eighteen does, plus the critters mentioned above.  Twelve of the does weighed in at a hundred pounds or more.  The harvest of nice, big does is the one management tool in our bag, and this group did an outstanding job helping with the doe harvest. 

Hunt 3  -  Nov. 13-17

11 -14   Hunt Three began yesterday afternoon with the weather being as good as is ever gets around here.  Seventy degrees, no wind, beautiful sunshine.  The weather forecast calls for a possible freeze in a couple of days - our first of the season - so with the rut just beginning, and colder weather coming, this ought to be a good hunt.

We have three veterans and four first-timers on this hunt.  Our tally board shows that three of the hunters live in Texas, and that's an anomaly for sure - we hardly ever get a Texan to hunt with us.  (Perhaps they know us too well.)  But here's the answer:  of the three, there is not a Texas accent among them.  Yep, they all came from somewhere else.  Ah-haa !

Neil Mock, who hunted with us in 2004, is from Dumas, TX (of all places), and he drew first blood with a mighty fine buck on the first afternoon of the hunt.  Most all reported seeing plenty of bucks the first afternoon. 

11-15     Our beautiful weather has gone south.  Wind, wind, and more wind is now the order of the day.  After a couple of nice bucks came in at noon on Tuesday, the wind quickly picked up and dust started blowing.  Nevertheless, another buck was taken during the afternoon.  Strong winds are unpleasant for hunting, but you just never know.  One memorable day a few years ago, we saw six bucks come into camp during an absolute dust storm.  Go figure a whitetail deer.  We've given up on the subject.

11-17   With two bucks yet to go on the final morning, John Rohrer found the one he'd been looking for but Rich Belotti did not.  So seven hunters collected six bucks and ten does, but get this:  we put two javelinas, two gobblers and another bobcat on our tally board.  Hunt # 3 found a super-special bunch of hunters having a ball hunting, so we are calling it a success. 

Hunt 2    Nov. 8-12

11-11    Hunt Two has six veterans and one first-timer.  Coming from such diverse places as Long Island, Florida, and the Mississippi delta, this group has been together for three years running now, and they have a ball together.  A couple of PA hunters are here, too.  The only missing ingredient in the mix is our old buddy, Ray Hudgens from Jupiter, FL who just couldn't make it this year.  Despite the absence of his "ignition spark" to the spirit of the camp, everyone is still having a great time.

For example, the Clara brothers who own and operate a couple of Italian restaurants on Long Island, treated the whole camp to a sample of their wonderful cooking one day at lunch.  We enjoyed pasta shells stuffed with a delicious creation, the whole thing swimming in a batch of sauce that you just don't find here in the wilds of West Texas.  What a deal.  Makes us want to come to New York for some more of this fare. 

The hunt started slow, as hunts do when most of the hunters have been here before.  But it probably had more to do with the abnormally hot weather.  The first two days saw record temperatures in the low 90's - hardly classic deer hunting weather.  Thankfully, a dry front moved through on Friday and cooled things down a bit.  We are supposed to see 40 degree lows for the next couple of days.  The rut seems to be right around the corner.  Rattling is working sporatically.  Cooler weather ought to jump-start the process. 

11 -12    Hunt Two ended at noon today with these results:  seven hunters took six bucks and twelve does.  But the real news of the hunt was the number of bobcats.  There were two females taken, but get this:  Frank Clara hit one but couldn't find it; Mike Clara (who took a good female) and Chris Lennon each missed a cat; Ed Barrell got a beauty and saw another; and Gerald Zimmerman missed one.  So it looks like we are up to our ears in these kitty-cats.  Good grief.  We gotta bear down on these cats.  Come-on hunters. 

Doe hunting is tough, according to the reports of the hunters.  All they see are bucks.   Does aren't coming to the corn feeders.  We haven't yet had a hard freeze, and when it comes, that might change things a bit. 

Chris Lennon, the only hunter to not put a buck on the board, saw a spectacular monster which he described as extra high and extra wide.  Just couldn't quite get any kind of a shot, but Chris was thrilled to get a good look at that exceptional buck.  Made his hunt, he said.  That's our kind of hunter and we always appreciate that attitude.

Hunt 1 - Nov. 4-7

11-5    The Texas deer season is now officially underway.  Our earlier hunts were conducted under the "Managed Lands - Deer" (MLD) program whereby we can legally hunt with a rifle during October.  We'll return to the MLD program for some post-season hunting in January, but opening weekend is a big deal here in Texas with numeous hunting rigs seen out on the highways.  So here we go.

Hunt # 1 finds a party of six and and a party of two, all from PA.  Grover Hess and son, Greg, who hunted with us way, way back there in 1987 are here with numerous other family members.  Tom Biehl and son Hunter first hunted here in 2001, and Tom has returned every year since then.  It's always great to see our former clients once again. 

Weather is decent but a bit humid and windy.  It is warm now with daytime temps around 70-something.  Doesn't seem to have affected deer movement because at this half-way point in the hunt, already there are six good bucks on the board plus numerous does. 

11-7    Hunt # 1 ended today at noon with a photo finish if there ever was one.  Greg Hess admittedly fumbled an opportunity last night to finally put his tag on a buck.  This final morning, as luck would have it, a herd of cows decided to move through the area where Greg was set up over a feeder.  Guide Buryl Williams made a "command decision" and gathered up Greg for a walking/stalking tour.  Sure enough, Greg got his buck, but left precious little time to get back to camp and into his airport clothes.  Made it, but just barely.

So Hunt One ended with these stats:  eight hunters took eight bucks and 17 does.  Tom Biehl and Grover, both veteran Adobe Lodge hunters had never met each other, but they both decided to re-book for '07 and they'll drive down together from PA next year.  Can't wait to see both of them again. 

Elmer Zimmerman 1938-2006

Hunt C - Oct. 29-Nov. 2

10-31-06    As Hunt C began, our thoughts turned to our long-time friend and hunting client Elmer Zimmerman from Lancaster, PA.  Elmer was to have been on this hunt, but he lost his battle with cancer a few weeks ago.  We've lost track of the number of times we were blessed with Elmer's presence in camp.  He was a "hunter's hunter" and we always looked forward to his visits.  He will be missed.

Hunt C finds six Florida hunters back for the second year in a row, and they brought along a shoe-selling friend, Bill Day, who is the source of all their good-looking footwear.  So we have a total of seven and we mourn the absence of Elmer. 

Weather now is pleasant and the hunters report seeing plenty of good bucks.  But our veteran hunters, who now know the drill, don't shoot the first buck they see.  They've learned to hold out for something special and that's plenty o.k. with us.  However, a hunter has to be prepared to pull the trigger.  All hunts don't have a story-book ending.  Remember Bill Rutherford last year who collected our Buck of the Year by taking the very first buck he saw.  The same thing happened with Bill Knapp back in '97. 

11-4-06   Hunt C ended at noon on Nov. 2, and we apologize for the delay in getting photos of this hunt posted to the website.  Unavoidable, but our webmaster is "back in the saddle again". 

The seven hunters put four bucks on our tally board plus a total of 15 does.  The good news is that they also collected a total of three bobcats.  Our 2006 hunters are making a dent in the feline population around here and we hope our offer of free bobcats this season will produce even more kitty-cats as the season progresses.  Mountain lions, bobcats, feral house cats are all on our hit list. 

Hunt C hunters reported seeing numerous shooters during the four days.  Clearly they were holding out for something special, and that's good.  The hunter who passes numerous "pretty-good-bucks" and is prepared to go home without a buck is clearly hunting for all the right reasons.  We, too,  like to see the big'uns come in to camp, but sometimes they just don't.  Despite the fact that none of the first three hunts of the year produced a 100% success on trophy bucks, two of the three groups so far have already booked back for 2007.  So that's very encouraging and lets us know they were not disappointed with their adventure.   Bill Day, for example, saw a spectacular buck on the second day of this hunt but just never could quite get the shot he was looking for.  After seeing that one, he wasn't going to be satisfied with anything else.  What's wrong with that?  

HUNT B - Oct. 24-28

10-26   At the half-way point in Hunt B, our seven hunters in camp have collected a total of one buck, five does plus a bobcat.  The hunters say they have seen lots of bucks, but very few triggers are getting pulled so far.  Guide Albert Zapata saw a mountain lion yesterday.  Five hundred yards away and moving out fast.  One of these days, someone is going to collect one of these critters.  Stay tuned.

During the first afternoon's hunt, there was a bit of rain but it didn't amount to much.  The clouds hung on  until noon on the second day, but no more rain came our way.  The third afternoon's hunt is being conducted in a bit of a windstorm, but with the recent rain, there is no dust - thank goodness.  The weather is supposed to improve but get a bit chilly early on Friday with the temperature in the lower 40's warming to 70-something.  Perfect hunting weather.

In camp we have a party of six and a party of one, all from North Carolina.  Four are veterans and three are first-timers with us. 

10-28    Hunt B ended at noon today and a photo of our tally board shows there were five bucks, one bobcat, one javelina plus a total of fifteen does taken by the group.  Neither Freddie Watkins nor Wayne Rabon could ever find that special "butter-melting" buck, but Wayne said he probably saw 40 bucks during the four days with about ten of them equal to the others taken.  No doubt the gusty conditions hampered deer movement somewhat.  Both hunters were holding out for a top-end buck, and that's what hunting is all about.  We love hunters who hunt for all the right reasons.

HUNT A - Oct. 19-23

Oct. 19-23 -  Hunt A had a slow start due to the late arrival of some of the hunters.  Seems there was a weather problem in Houston and their flight to San Angelo was cancelled.  Being determined and resourceful, the hunters simply rented a couple of vans and drove seven hours to arrive only a couple of hours late. 

But oops.  Their luggage was still impounded by the airline and they were unable to retreive it in Houston.  The luggage didn't make it to San Angelo until 11 p.m. on that first night.  So the first afternoon, the hunters used our guide's guns and everything went well.  No deer were taken that first afternoon.  Hunters like to get "the lay of the land" so to speak.  Thankfully, we were able to get luggage and guns delivered to camp by mid-night.  Such occurrences are but a small bump in the road and shouldn't prevent hunters from having a good time.  After 20+ years in this outfitting business, we've dealt with these things before and we are prepared.

West Texas weather has turned a bit cooler now, just in time for our first hunt.  It is around 50 at night and warms to around 70 during the day.  Supposed to get a bit cooler on Sunday, though. 

10-23  A cold front whistled through our area on Saturday night.  Got down into the lower 40's, but there was no moisture and warm weather returned nicely for the final hunt on Monday morning.  A couple of our hunters had to cut their hunt short and leave a day early.  Sadly they missed rib eye night - the climax of all our meals.  Jarrod Ezell, a chef-if-there-ever-was-one, put weight on the whole group during their stay.

But sadly, Hunt A ended on a very sour note when Jamie Kinsey's last-day buck simply could not be found, despite an exhaustive search by almost everyone in camp.  Jamie said when hit, the buck collapsed and was assumed to be dead.  As Jamie was calling his guide, Tillman Lawdermilk on the phone to give him the good news, the buck stumbled to his feet and ran off.  A second shot was sent his way, but it was unclear if the second shot was the cause of the buck again going down.  As luck would have it, the buck regained his feet once more and disappeared in the direction from whence he had come.  Despite copious amounts of blood, the buck was gone - long gone.  So sad.  It simply drains the spirit out of the whole camp.  Of course we will continue to look for him.  We've not yet given up on this deal.

So here's the final tally on Hunt A: seven bucks for the ten hunters; one "did-not-find" buck; one hunter left buck-less on Day 3; Scott Knox, the lone bow-hunter was surrounded numerous times by bucks, but could just never find that good shot he was looking for.  Eleven does were taken and all were nice mature animals.  Well done, hunters.

Here's some photos collected on our kick-off hunt for 2006:

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Contact:  Skipper Duncan              325 374-7024

                 skipper@adobelodge.com