King Ranch Turkeys: Now, remember this is illegal and no one should attempt what we did. But I must confess this is a story, one I regret telling, but all the details are might be...

Robert J Samples Loc: Round Rock, Texas

Now, remember this is illegal and no one should attempt what we did. But I must confess this is a story, one I regret telling, but all the details are might be true. This was in the Rio Grande Valley and two of my buddies and one guest decided to go early one morning and go duck hunting over near Raymondville. We had it of good authority there were a lot of ducks in the shallow ponds in the area.

So, the four of us drive over and get there at one pond at Dick’s uncle’s place. There were swarms of ducks, many were still on the pond. Ducks have found that they have some protection from varmints like coyotes, bobcats, and foxes by staying out on the water until they decide to visit the fields where some harvesting has dropped grain on the ground.

When we got there, I suggest two of my hunters take a position on the left side, and two to the right. However, since ducks were all over the place, I suppose getting formations together to leave. So, my partner went on to the left, but I stayed in the middle and began calling with a duck call, which was effective and kept more ducks low in the air over the pond and in range of our shotguns. It didn’t take more than about 10 minutes until I called for a cease-fire due to the number of ducks we had already shot down. I didn’t want to go over our daily limit.

After this, Dick suggested we go over to his uncle’s house and have some coffee since he would be up by then. We did and sure enough, Dick’s wife even fixed us breakfast. While we were eating breakfast, uncle told us about seeing a large flock of turkeys that regularly crossed the road from the King Ranch to other property south of the road.

We jump back in the car and drive over to where he had seen them. As we neared the area there must have been around 30 turkeys crossing the road. I drive on past and quickly turn around. I then stopped and put two hunters up on my front fenders and one with all windows lowered on the right side since when we started shooting some would go in different directions.

I instructed my inside shooter to try to pick out those birds with beards. So, we come back like Al Capone or Bonnie and Clyde, and when in range the two front hunters open fire. I did not see any target I could shoot and my hunter in the car didn’t shoot either. I asked him why he didn’t shoot any birds. He admitted he couldn’t see any beards! Well, it didn’t matter, my gunners up front had killed 5 or 6 birds. I am sorry we didn’t take one back to reward Dick’s uncle for the information. I hadn’t shot either because I had my hands full just driving the car and putting my two gunners in a good position.

These were Rio Grande turkeys and were a little dry, but still tasty, having a diet of acorns and nothing commercial. Later, I went back, set out some goose decoys, and killed two geese. While some of this hunting takes a lot of planning and getting to where you are going to hide in some portable It just isn’t worth it unless you are fond of birds or game with a wild taste.

1965 or 1966. I expect the 55 or 56 years that have passed since then have been covered by legal time limits. At least two, possibly three of my partners are dead. I am not much of a prize now if the Texas Game and Fish wardens want to arrest me. If I am wanted, all this story has been a figment of my imagination! Just Sayin…RJS

bknecht Loc: Northeast pa

Robert J Samples wrote:

Now, remember this is illegal and no one should attempt what we did. But I must confess this is a story, one I regret telling, but all the details are might be true. This was in the Rio Grande Valley and two of my buddies and one guest decided to go early one morning and go duck hunting over near Raymondville. We had it of good authority there were a lot of ducks in the shallow ponds in the area.

So, the four of us drive over and get there at one pond at Dick’s uncle’s place. There were swarms of ducks, many were still on the pond. Ducks have found that they have some protection from varmints like coyotes, bobcats, and foxes by staying out on the water until they decide to visit the fields where some harvesting has dropped grain on the ground.

When we got there, I suggest two of my hunters take a position on the left side, and two to the right. However, since ducks were all over the place, I suppose getting formations together to leave. So, my partner went on to the left, but I stayed in the middle and began calling with a duck call, which was effective and kept more ducks low in the air over the pond and in range of our shotguns. It didn’t take more than about 10 minutes until I called for a cease-fire due to the number of ducks we had already shot down. I didn’t want to go over our daily limit.

After this, Dick suggested we go over to his uncle’s house and have some coffee since he would be up by then. We did and sure enough, Dick’s wife even fixed us breakfast. While we were eating breakfast, uncle told us about seeing a large flock of turkeys that regularly crossed the road from the King Ranch to other property south of the road.

We jump back in the car and drive over to where he had seen them. As we neared the area there must have been around 30 turkeys crossing the road. I drive on past and quickly turn around. I then stopped and put two hunters up on my front fenders and one with all windows lowered on the right side since when we started shooting some would go in different directions.

I instructed my inside shooter to try to pick out those birds with beards. So, we come back like Al Capone or Bonnie and Clyde, and when in range the two front hunters open fire. I did not see any target I could shoot and my hunter in the car didn’t shoot either. I asked him why he didn’t shoot any birds. He admitted he couldn’t see any beards! Well, it didn’t matter, my gunners up front had killed 5 or 6 birds. I am sorry we didn’t take one back to reward Dick’s uncle for the information. I hadn’t shot either because I had my hands full just driving the car and putting my two gunners in a good position.

These were Rio Grande turkeys and were a little dry, but still tasty, having a diet of acorns and nothing commercial. Later, I went back, set out some goose decoys, and killed two geese. While some of this hunting takes a lot of planning and getting to where you are going to hide in some portable It just isn’t worth it unless you are fond of birds or game with a wild taste.

1965 or 1966. I expect the 55 or 56 years that have passed since then have been covered by legal time limits. At least two, possibly three of my partners are dead. I am not much of a prize now if the Texas Game and Fish wardens want to arrest me. If I am wanted, all this story has been a figment of my imagination! Just Sayin…RJS

Now, remember this is illegal and no one should at... (show quote)

Great story RJS, your eloquent manner of writing had be on the edge of my seat!

EZ Fishing Loc: College Ward, Utah

Robert J Samples wrote:

Now, remember this is illegal and no one should attempt what we did. But I must confess this is a story, one I regret telling, but all the details are might be true. This was in the Rio Grande Valley and two of my buddies and one guest decided to go early one morning and go duck hunting over near Raymondville. We had it of good authority there were a lot of ducks in the shallow ponds in the area.

So, the four of us drive over and get there at one pond at Dick’s uncle’s place. There were swarms of ducks, many were still on the pond. Ducks have found that they have some protection from varmints like coyotes, bobcats, and foxes by staying out on the water until they decide to visit the fields where some harvesting has dropped grain on the ground.

When we got there, I suggest two of my hunters take a position on the left side, and two to the right. However, since ducks were all over the place, I suppose getting formations together to leave. So, my partner went on to the left, but I stayed in the middle and began calling with a duck call, which was effective and kept more ducks low in the air over the pond and in range of our shotguns. It didn’t take more than about 10 minutes until I called for a cease-fire due to the number of ducks we had already shot down. I didn’t want to go over our daily limit.

After this, Dick suggested we go over to his uncle’s house and have some coffee since he would be up by then. We did and sure enough, Dick’s wife even fixed us breakfast. While we were eating breakfast, uncle told us about seeing a large flock of turkeys that regularly crossed the road from the King Ranch to other property south of the road.

We jump back in the car and drive over to where he had seen them. As we neared the area there must have been around 30 turkeys crossing the road. I drive on past and quickly turn around. I then stopped and put two hunters up on my front fenders and one with all windows lowered on the right side since when we started shooting some would go in different directions.

I instructed my inside shooter to try to pick out those birds with beards. So, we come back like Al Capone or Bonnie and Clyde, and when in range the two front hunters open fire. I did not see any target I could shoot and my hunter in the car didn’t shoot either. I asked him why he didn’t shoot any birds. He admitted he couldn’t see any beards! Well, it didn’t matter, my gunners up front had killed 5 or 6 birds. I am sorry we didn’t take one back to reward Dick’s uncle for the information. I hadn’t shot either because I had my hands full just driving the car and putting my two gunners in a good position.

These were Rio Grande turkeys and were a little dry, but still tasty, having a diet of acorns and nothing commercial. Later, I went back, set out some goose decoys, and killed two geese. While some of this hunting takes a lot of planning and getting to where you are going to hide in some portable It just isn’t worth it unless you are fond of birds or game with a wild taste.

1965 or 1966. I expect the 55 or 56 years that have passed since then have been covered by legal time limits. At least two, possibly three of my partners are dead. I am not much of a prize now if the Texas Game and Fish wardens want to arrest me. If I am wanted, all this story has been a figment of my imagination! Just Sayin…RJS

Now, remember this is illegal and no one should at... (show quote)

Thanks for the great story whether true or imaginary.

Robert J Samples Loc: Round Rock, Texas

bknecht wrote:

Great story RJS, your eloquent manner of writing had be on the edge of my seat!

Well, just between us, the details are exactly true! IT was all illegal, and I am now sorry we broke so many laws, but that the story. Just sayin....RJS

Robert J Samples Loc: Round Rock, Texas

EZ Fishing wrote:

Thanks for the great story whether true or imaginary.

If there is no warrant for my arrest, it is all really real down to the last period. In Texas, if you have done it, it ain't braggin. Just Sayin...RJS

Dan Singletary Loc: Keller, TX

Great story Robert, love hearing these stories and history around the King Ranch.
I'm ready for Thanksgiving now, a lot to be thankful for and Roast Turkey sounds really good.
Hope you have a good Thanksgiving too!