Time again for the annual Rhodes Family Hunt here in beautiful (but very dry) south Texas. After hunting the Tecomate last year, we decided to give our own ranch and the Elliff family's Nuestro Sueno (thank you Bill) a try and see what we could come up with late in the season.

Bobby Rhodes and Dad were the first to strike here at Campos Viejos with his heavy-antlered main-framed 10 point. He had forked G2's (one had broken) including one that had a great character crook in it. The buck had been on the wrong end of a fight about a week previously and had a huge wound in his right rear. It hadn't slowed him down though, and they had a tough time getting him shot with all the chasing he was doing.

Bobby's buck scored 154" (including broken tines).

Mr. Rhodes and I were hunting next door at Nuestro Sueno and after not seeing what we were looking for the first few hunts, changed locations and happened upon his big browed, main-framed 11 with a common-base and kicker off the right side. We almost switched targets at the last second when a larger framed buck followed this one in, but after deciding that his scored better, Mr. Rhodes dropped the hammer on him.

Final score 157 3/8".

Now Billy had already taken his buck on one of his monthly visits to the ranch back in October (attached photo). But seeing that one had long since gone to the taxidermist, he was worried that the family photo at the end of the hunt just wouldn't look right. Billy Rhodes...team player.

He was able to take his tall-tined 9 from Nuestro Sueno the next day...final score, 137.

Numerous Javeys and does also had a bad week during the trip and I'm pretty sure that most of the bass in the pond are sore-lipped today. Great time and a great hunt.

Good Hunting.

Hardy

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