BBHE 2021 was a GREAT Success

 BBHE 2021 was another HUGE success. 

Neil was the first person to ring the bell with the harvest of not one, but TWO does, in the same hunting session. He is the first person to do this at BBHE. John Picket almost did it, but his deer, while taken in the same morning, were taken at two different places on the property.

Marting was the second person to ring the bell with a NICE 7-point buck. This earned him the distinguished honor of the Master of the Game award this year.

Charles and Kit both shot a deer (does) but neither were able to recover their deer. Very sad, but this happens from time to time.

We continued the tradition of the BBHE Ribfest again this year. We had some special guests at the Ribfest this year; Becca Miller, Tiffany Miller, and June Miller. What a treat that was.

After his third consecutive hunt at BBHE, Charles Vinson has graduated from a guest hunter to a BBHE Core Hunter. This doesn't mean anything in the real world, but at BBHE, it means that he gets his floating head added to the main page of the blog. 

Here are some memories from the event.

BBHE 2020 - SUCCESS!!

 BBHE 2020 was a HUGE success. We harvested 4 deer from the property and we all have plenty of venison in the freezer that will hold us over until BBHE 2021. We also added cameras to two of the hunting locations so we can see what is lurking around out there all throughout the year. This year we had Kit, Martin, Neil, and Charles. It was one of the best years ever. I will really try hard to get caught up on the hunting videos. I haven't produced a video since 2015, so I have my work cut out for me. Unfortunately, we did not take a group photo, so this is all I can share right now.

Chronic Waste Disease (CWD)

CWD is a big deal and slowly spreading through Arkansas. You can read about it here: https://www.agfc.com/en/hunting/big-game/deer/cwd/cwd-arkansas/

So, up until this year, we were in Zone 1A and we were outside of tier 1 on the map. We are now in Zone 6 and we are still outside of tier 1. However, they have created a tier 2 for this year, and we are right dab in the middle of that one.

Here is the good news. Although CWD is headed out way, it isn't here yet. We hunt in Crawford County and there has not been a single reported case of CWD in the county.

Here is the even GOODER news. In an attempt to control the spread, they have increased the bag limits so for the out-of-state hunters (which is everybody in our group), this means one extra deer. AND, they no longer count a button buck towards your bag limit of two bucks. This is especially exciting to me since most of the does I shoot seem to always have a healthy set of balls.

That's all for CWD.

Time to Start Planning BBHE 2020

Kiddos, we won't let something as silly as COOVID stop us from responsibly enjoying deer season. So, as of today, I am happy to announce that BBHE 2020 is ON!!!!!!!!!!! This hunt is going down baby. It's going down like a fat kid on a see-saw.

 Right now, the plan is to travel on the 12th, set up stands and scout on the 13th, and hunt form the 14th through the 20th. We still need to fine-tune these dates. Some time in those days, we will have the 11th annual BBHE 2020 Ribfest. Again, nothing has been finalized. I just want everybody to start getting in the groove and begin planning their time off for the big hunt. We are just 10 weeks out. Kit

DID SOMEBODY SAY RIBS?

The Miller/Clement appreciation Ribfest is scheduled for the 13th of November.

Don't be Fooled

Off Season Prep

Off season isn't all fun and games. There's work that needs to be done.

Ram versus Deer

HOLY COW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Wait until you see this video of a ram and a buck locking horns. Who's going to win this one? ram said, "You goin' down MOFO" The buck said, "Bring it on little man. I eat punks like you for breakfast" - GAME ON!!

Thanks Chris Toliver for sending this one over.

Ballow's Famous Texas Chili

I just received a case of my favorite chili seasoning mix. This should last me from BBHE until the end of the cold season. THIS is what makes BBHE chili taste so awesome!

OK, so now that I study it a little more, I may have to get one more case before Spring. 

Guest Hunter Profile - Jonathan Burnett

So, who is this guy we'll be hunting with? Good question.

Jonathan Burnett (JB) is a master stone mason from Richmond Virginia. I met JB at the beach in North Carolina about 5 years ago.

JB is a U.S. Marine Corps veteran (we appreciate your service), an avid podcast listener and an insatiable listener of self-help audio books.

JB is dedicated to his family and in my opinion, one heck of a family man. I wasn't sure we were going to ever be able to pull him away for this hunt.

JB says that his main goal on this trip is to learn how to skin an animal. The idea that he is a meat eater and doesn't know how to take an animal from hoof to hearth is unacceptable to him.

I am super excited to have JB as a guest hunter this year. (He's the goober in the middle)

Mixed Emotions

It brings me great sadness to announce that Yagermeister Martin Riedel will not be joining us again this year for BBHE. He will be sorely missed, however, if we get another buck like we did last year, he may be prohibited from returning. (Only kidding Don Martin)

On a happier note, Martin will not be joining us because one of his sons will be married in Germany. That's why he can't join us.

I will post wedding photos as soon as they become available

BBHE 2019 - We Got Us a Live One

This year my good friend Jonathan Burnett has accepted the invitation to join us on the hunt. He bought his license last week and his plane ticket today.

THINGS ARE HEATIN' UP BABY

BBHE 2019 Kickoff - 10th Anniversary

Good Morning Buzzard Bluff Hunters!!

Yes, it is that time of year again, only 66 more days. Time to start thinking about what we are going to eat while we sit around the campfire and telling lies about what we did while hunting and killing animals. Yep, this kind of stuff isn’t for the faint of heart. Only the men of men have what it takes to belly up to this bar and trade licks with the likes of us. For those who have the “Right Stuff” and can survive until the next meal, you will be rewarded with sustenance that will fuel your engines and build your stamina so you can re-enter the arena and fight again.

If you’re thinking something fancy-schmancy, then you should probably sit this one out and come back when you become a real hunter. Our motto is, “If it doesn’t hurt when you eat it, then it aint worth eating.” Our coffee is served with a knife and fork, the beans are scraped from the bottom of the pot, and all of the meat is served jerky style. If you’re not up to the challenge, then you might consider moving back in with your mom and letting her cut your meat for you. There is no space around the campfire for people like you.

This year, the menu will probably look very similar to the menu from last year because the response was overwhelmingly positive. We consider a positive response any meal that doesn’t end with uncontrolled projectile vomiting, botulism, or salmonella. Last year everybody was POSITIVE that all of the food was not fit for human consumption.

However, nothing is set in stone. If you have any special requests, or if you feel up to lifting your lazy butt off that log and cooking something special for the boys, then now is the time to voice your opinion. To request a change to the menu, simply mail a letter to BBHE, c/o Vice-President of Gastro Stimulation, P.O. Box 275896, Rudy, Arkansas. All requests must be received in the office no later than noon on the second Tuesday of the third week of October. All requests that do not arrive in time for the deadline will be processed into toilet paper to be used during the 2019 hunting season.

Cooler space is limited so it is important that the Gastro Stimulation department have an accurate head-count so that the correct amount of supplies can be flown in. The menu committee needs to know who will be attending which meals. If you sign up for a meal and are unable to attend said meal, the food supplies that you ordered and did not use will be air dropped onto the windshield of your car sometime between Monday and Friday of the week following the annual hunt, between the hours of 7:00am and 10:00pm. You will be responsible for all damages that may result from the air drop.

The same rules apply this year as they did last year. For all of you numb-skulls that have already forgotten the rules, I will review them again.

1. The cook does NOT have to clean dishes, pots, pans, and eating utensils after each meal. He has sacrificed much to ensure that you have a camping culinary experience that is second to none. If you don’t care enough to do a little clean-up after the meal, then he may, at his discretion, urinate or spit in the next meal he prepares for you.
2. Anybody who complains about the quality of any meal will be required to prepare the next meal. (“It tastes like shit, but GOOD shit”)

That is all for now. It is time to start polishing your guns, sharpening your knives, and pulling your hunting clothes out of the closet. Shine your boots and get ready for the 10^th Annual Buzzard Bluff Hunting Extravaganza.

WHO'S GOIN' HUNTIN' WITH US?

NEW BILL ALLOWS THE KILLING OF FERAL HOGS WITHOUT A LICENSE

OK, so I am going to sound like a hill billy, but apparently you needed a license to kill wild hogs before now. Who woulda thunk? What exactly is a hunting license, anyway?

https://texashillcountry.com/killing-feral-hogs-license/

In an interview from February 2019, Texas Senator Bryan Hughes of Mineola said that the existing law for the killing of feral hogs could be read to mean that there is a requirement of proof that they’re causing damage prior to killing them. However, a new bill—Senate Bill 317—which he has authored, states that they can be killed whether there has been damage or not, and a license won’t be required. The bill has since been approved by both houses and will move on to the desk of the governor for final review and signing into law.


Designed to give more freedom to those battling problems with the feral hog population in Texas, SB 317 received approval at the Texas Senate level on Tuesday, May 14, 2019. The state of Texas is presently home to one of the largest populations of feral hogs in America. There are an estimated 2-3 million of them in the Lone Star State. The majority of these appear to live in East Texas. They’re known for causing millions in damage to farm and ranch land and disrupting the natural patterns of native species. The state legislature has previously attempted to address the issue with legislation that allowed the hunting of feral hogs via hot air balloons and even helicopters. There have also been laws passed that would allow a landowner to kill them, as noted above, which appeared to be a bit ambiguous in its interpretation.


Pending the signature of the governor, this new bill will go into effect on September 1, 2019, and would allow a hog to be killed at any time, without a hunting license, whether they’re destroying property at that time or not. The writing of SB 317 was in hopes that this provision would empower Texas landowners to take further steps to protect their property from damage in advance. The difference between this and the current legislation is that under present law, it’s illegal for the same landowner to kill a hog which was simply present or crossing his property, unless the rancher or farmer was in possession of a valid hunting license.

Logging Update and Deer Season 2019

Hunters:

Only 192 more days until BBHE 2019!

As many of you know, Duke and Mike were supposed to have the loggers out at Buzzard Bluff to take down some of the really old trees and thin out some of the other areas. The weather stopped them from getting started before last year's BBHE. As of today, the logging still hasn't happened.

Here's the story. The logging company got started and they were almost immediately shut down by a local judge who didn't want the big logging trucks to destroy the newly paved roads. Neither the party wants to take on the liability of possibly having to pay for paving the roads again after the project. So, if they can't figure out a way to get the logs off of the property with smaller trucks then the property will likely be exactly as it was when we return for BBHE this year. That is my assumption and Duke agrees.

We all know that when the loggers come in and clear out that property, it will make the deer hunting GREAT because it will open up so much of the property. That place is pretty thick now and we have to fight to keep the roads open enough for us to get around.

However, even though the loggers didn't make it in to the land last year to clear the timber, we still took what I believe is the largest buck since we have been hunting at Buzzard Bluff. What a treat that was.

With all that in mind, it is time to start holding the date for anybody who wants to join us at BBHE 2019. I'm going no matter what happens with the loggers.

Arkansas Game and Fish released the 2019 hunting dates:

(If you are reading this blog post in e-mail and the images don't show up, go to http://buzzardbluff.blogspot.com/ for the full post with photos)

November 9 - Dec 1

Click on the image to enlarge it.

Our options are either the first week or the second week since Thanksgiving falls in the 3rd week. If anybody has a preference, please let me know so I can tie down those dates and start planning.

Here is the license fee and bag limit for an out-of-state hunter:

If anything changes regarding the logging situation, I will keep you informed.

What can deer really see?

This is a quick little video that describes how deer see the world.

https://www.carbontv.com/shows/whitetail-101/seasons/1/episodes/10/?jwsource=em

Deer Hunter's Christmas Tree

Chris Toliver sent me a photo of his Christmas Tree this year. As you can see from the photo, although he never misses an opportunity to brag about his trophy buck, his Christmas Tree looks a little "rubbed" up.

Merry Christmas from the dedicated hunters of Buzzard Bluff!!!

BBHE 2018 Off to a Bumpy Start

We are on the road to BBHE 2018, and we hit our first bump in the road. This is a sign that we are going to have a great hunt. All of the negative vibes went into the flat tire.

Bear on the Stapp Land

These photos were taken from a game camera of one of the members of the Stapp family. They own the parcel of land next to Buzzard Bluff.

YIPES!!!!!!!

Let's home that the bear was heading off to his/her cave to sleep for the winter.

Who is going to be in charge of this?

We need to set up a more permanent toilet solution at BBHE. Who is going to volunteer to get one of those trees to grow like this?

(If you are viewing this post in an e-mail, the image probably didn't come through. You'll have to go to the blot to see the photo)