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PRESTON RANCH WHITETAILS
Two months of planning had finally paid off. We were going to hunt the Preston Ranch outside of
Menard, Texas. A community that has been extremely supportive of the Injured Soldiers Foundation
and the Coalition to Support Americas Heroes. This part of Texas is known not just for it’s big time
support of our Armed Forces, but also for it’s big bucks. And that’s what we were after. A father son
hunt. A chance to make a dream become a reality. The Kinney’s, Robert Sr. and Robert Jr. both
veterans, one of WWII, and Korea, the other, of Vietnam. I was contacted about these two
extraordinary men by my long time friend and hunting buddy Tony Dukes. TD, as I call him, emailed
me and said he had found a Vietnam Vet that was interested in coming on one of our hunts and that his
father had been in Korea. Could we make it happen, my only question was, when can they come. We
had the hunts and now we had the hunters. Preparations were made. Learning that both men were
crossbow shooters I contacted our friends at Ten Point Crossbows. Dave Robb, graciously agreed that a
top of the line QX-4 model was in order and had it shipped the next day. Now for the clothing, in come
our long time supporters Predator Camo. TD took over in that dept. talking with Frank about getting
some top of the line cammo for them to wear. Of course a true hunt of this calliber would not be a great
hunt without at least shooting it for TV. On one of our last hunts we had Brett Austin from double bull.
He had such a great time, he told the big guys they had to check it out for themselves, so who comes.
Brooks Johnson from Double Bull. The next step in this process would be transportation of our two
guests. The answer for this came in the form of Mr. Toby Keith, who donated the use of his tour bus,
fully stocked, for these men to come to Texas on. The gangs all here and the stage is set. The only
question is will the deer cooperate and will our hunters get their shot at a buck of a lifetime. The
pressure is on but everyone is confident that this hunt will be a success! After landing in Dallas I found
myself extremely underdressed for the cold front that had moved in and was hoping that the Kinney’s
were not in the same boat. A quick stop at Academy Sporting Goods had me ready for whatever
mother nature could throw at me. The Kinney’s would be arriving on Friday, the 7th of October but I
was a day early. Talking with my amigo Albert Gonzalez who had come up from san Antonio to give us
a hand we decided that while awaiting the arrival of our guests that we would go out and hunt the
morning. Cold and rain awaited us but the deer were moving with the cold front. About 7:15 we were
just able to see a young doe make her way toward the 2 person stand that we shared, patients was the
key here but the cold weather was wearing that thin as she made her way toward us with a nice 10
point right behind her. As this was a 2 person stand albert and I were able to cover multiple positions
without to much movement and it was a good thing as this buck had no intentions of giving us an easy
shot. As the buck walked back and forth in front, with both of us ready, getting a good shot was hard
to do. As the buck came into my sector I was given a chance at a nice broad side shot, almost o easy. I
took aim and had the deer in my sights as I released the arrow, a second had past when I rewarded
with the thud of my arrow……………………..striking a tree. Well so much for that one.
The Kinney’s arrived in true style with the loan of Mr. Toby Keith’s tour bus. Arriving just before dark
it was to late to get them out into their blinds donated by our friends at Double Bull, it was not
however to late to get some good video footage of the tour bus doing a river crossing. Heading up to
the ranch cabin it was introductions and hand shakes all around as Bob and Rob me the whole gang.
After the introductions we got to see some footage of the deer we were going to be looking for which
impressed the Kinney’s and had their hopes high. A great dinner and it was off to bed for an early start
the next morning. After being on stand for 2 hrs it was a welcome site for us to see the first signs of day
light, a light rain kept the temperature down and the deer were moving. Several does and some young
fawns came by to visit with Rob on this first morning of the hunt. After watching the does and fawns
we spotted movement in the tree line, brown showed against the darker colors of the mesquite mixed
with green, as the buck appeared we knew it was a shooter. Rob reached for the crossbow, the buck
was in range our guide, Kurt telling him to take the shot, as Rob picked up the crossbow the quiver
brushed the side of the blind and in a flash of “whitetails” the buck and the does and fawns were gone.
A tough break for Rob but still having 3 more days to hunt we didn’t let him get down.
Bob’s day started out the same with him and his guide, Melvin, getting in the blind well before dark.
Melvin knew the deer in this area were extremely jumpy and they needed to be in there early. After
watching some turkeys feed in the area in front of the blind, Bob had his chance, a nice 8 point came in
like he owned the place. Offering Bob a great broad side shot. As Bob leaned into his crossbow and
readied his shot, a light crackle came from the water bottle that was in the chair with him. Another flash
of white and another buck gone. How unlikely that 2 people in 2 separate places make similar mistakes
at the same time.
The next evening found Rob and Bob out in different blinds than they had hunted the previous day.
The stage was once again set and the deer were coming. Just before dusk a beautiful 12 point came into
the area where Rob was hunting with fingers crossed he waited for the right moment when the buck
would turn and give him his shot. As the buck turned Rob was already set for the shot. He pulled the
trigger on his Ten Point crossbow, the bolt hitting the buck just behind his left shoulder, he didn’t go
far.
While Rob got his buck, Bob was watching his come in. after milling around and not coming in quite
within range he wondered if this was going to be the one. A great 8 point, the buck acted like it was
teasing Bob staying just out of range. With light failing it he wondered if he might have to wait another
day. With just enough light left to shoot he big 8 point moved into o range and Bob let go with his shot
and just like Rob this deer didn’t go far.
Back at the lodge there was a lot of back slapping and hand shaking for both of our hunter’s. these guys
sure deserved these bucks. Congratulations to both men for there trophies.
Injured Soldiers would like to take a moment to thank the people and companies who helped to make
this hunt a success.
John Preston and the staff at the Preston ranch, for there dedication and help, the food,
accommodations and deer were all amazing.
Brooks Johnson and the rest of the gang at double bull, you guys are great.
Magnus braodheads, the best this hunter has ever used.
Academy sporting goods, thank you for your generosity.
Tony Dukes, our pro staffer, is there another in the business that is better, I don’t think so.
Mr. Toby Keith, who donated the use of one of his tour buses for the Kinney’s to travel on, a great
show of generosity from great American. Thank you so very much.
Nikon optics, who has been here for the soldiers from the beginning.
Ten Point crossbows, great product with a great bunch of people.
Predator Camo, thank you all for always being there when you were needed.
Again thank you to all of those who made this hunt a success.
Two months of planning had finally paid off. We were going to hunt the Preston Ranch outside of
Menard, Texas. A community that has been extremely supportive of the Injured Soldiers Foundation
and the Coalition to Support Americas Heroes. This part of Texas is known not just for it’s big time
support of our Armed Forces, but also for it’s big bucks. And that’s what we were after. A father son
hunt. A chance to make a dream become a reality. The Kinney’s, Robert Sr. and Robert Jr. both
veterans, one of WWII, and Korea, the other, of Vietnam. I was contacted about these two
extraordinary men by my long time friend and hunting buddy Tony Dukes. TD, as I call him, emailed
me and said he had found a Vietnam Vet that was interested in coming on one of our hunts and that his
father had been in Korea. Could we make it happen, my only question was, when can they come. We
had the hunts and now we had the hunters. Preparations were made. Learning that both men were
crossbow shooters I contacted our friends at Ten Point Crossbows. Dave Robb, graciously agreed that a
top of the line QX-4 model was in order and had it shipped the next day. Now for the clothing, in come
our long time supporters Predator Camo. TD took over in that dept. talking with Frank about getting
some top of the line cammo for them to wear. Of course a true hunt of this calliber would not be a great
hunt without at least shooting it for TV. On one of our last hunts we had Brett Austin from double bull.
He had such a great time, he told the big guys they had to check it out for themselves, so who comes.
Brooks Johnson from Double Bull. The next step in this process would be transportation of our two
guests. The answer for this came in the form of Mr. Toby Keith, who donated the use of his tour bus,
fully stocked, for these men to come to Texas on. The gangs all here and the stage is set. The only
question is will the deer cooperate and will our hunters get their shot at a buck of a lifetime. The
pressure is on but everyone is confident that this hunt will be a success! After landing in Dallas I found
myself extremely underdressed for the cold front that had moved in and was hoping that the Kinney’s
were not in the same boat. A quick stop at Academy Sporting Goods had me ready for whatever
mother nature could throw at me. The Kinney’s would be arriving on Friday, the 7th of October but I
was a day early. Talking with my amigo Albert Gonzalez who had come up from san Antonio to give us
a hand we decided that while awaiting the arrival of our guests that we would go out and hunt the
morning. Cold and rain awaited us but the deer were moving with the cold front. About 7:15 we were
just able to see a young doe make her way toward the 2 person stand that we shared, patients was the
key here but the cold weather was wearing that thin as she made her way toward us with a nice 10
point right behind her. As this was a 2 person stand albert and I were able to cover multiple positions
without to much movement and it was a good thing as this buck had no intentions of giving us an easy
shot. As the buck walked back and forth in front, with both of us ready, getting a good shot was hard
to do. As the buck came into my sector I was given a chance at a nice broad side shot, almost o easy. I
took aim and had the deer in my sights as I released the arrow, a second had past when I rewarded
with the thud of my arrow……………………..striking a tree. Well so much for that one.
The Kinney’s arrived in true style with the loan of Mr. Toby Keith’s tour bus. Arriving just before dark
it was to late to get them out into their blinds donated by our friends at Double Bull, it was not
however to late to get some good video footage of the tour bus doing a river crossing. Heading up to
the ranch cabin it was introductions and hand shakes all around as Bob and Rob me the whole gang.
After the introductions we got to see some footage of the deer we were going to be looking for which
impressed the Kinney’s and had their hopes high. A great dinner and it was off to bed for an early start
the next morning. After being on stand for 2 hrs it was a welcome site for us to see the first signs of day
light, a light rain kept the temperature down and the deer were moving. Several does and some young
fawns came by to visit with Rob on this first morning of the hunt. After watching the does and fawns
we spotted movement in the tree line, brown showed against the darker colors of the mesquite mixed
with green, as the buck appeared we knew it was a shooter. Rob reached for the crossbow, the buck
was in range our guide, Kurt telling him to take the shot, as Rob picked up the crossbow the quiver
brushed the side of the blind and in a flash of “whitetails” the buck and the does and fawns were gone.
A tough break for Rob but still having 3 more days to hunt we didn’t let him get down.
Bob’s day started out the same with him and his guide, Melvin, getting in the blind well before dark.
Melvin knew the deer in this area were extremely jumpy and they needed to be in there early. After
watching some turkeys feed in the area in front of the blind, Bob had his chance, a nice 8 point came in
like he owned the place. Offering Bob a great broad side shot. As Bob leaned into his crossbow and
readied his shot, a light crackle came from the water bottle that was in the chair with him. Another flash
of white and another buck gone. How unlikely that 2 people in 2 separate places make similar mistakes
at the same time.
The next evening found Rob and Bob out in different blinds than they had hunted the previous day.
The stage was once again set and the deer were coming. Just before dusk a beautiful 12 point came into
the area where Rob was hunting with fingers crossed he waited for the right moment when the buck
would turn and give him his shot. As the buck turned Rob was already set for the shot. He pulled the
trigger on his Ten Point crossbow, the bolt hitting the buck just behind his left shoulder, he didn’t go
far.
While Rob got his buck, Bob was watching his come in. after milling around and not coming in quite
within range he wondered if this was going to be the one. A great 8 point, the buck acted like it was
teasing Bob staying just out of range. With light failing it he wondered if he might have to wait another
day. With just enough light left to shoot he big 8 point moved into o range and Bob let go with his shot
and just like Rob this deer didn’t go far.
Back at the lodge there was a lot of back slapping and hand shaking for both of our hunter’s. these guys
sure deserved these bucks. Congratulations to both men for there trophies.
Injured Soldiers would like to take a moment to thank the people and companies who helped to make
this hunt a success.
John Preston and the staff at the Preston ranch, for there dedication and help, the food,
accommodations and deer were all amazing.
Brooks Johnson and the rest of the gang at double bull, you guys are great.
Magnus braodheads, the best this hunter has ever used.
Academy sporting goods, thank you for your generosity.
Tony Dukes, our pro staffer, is there another in the business that is better, I don’t think so.
Mr. Toby Keith, who donated the use of one of his tour buses for the Kinney’s to travel on, a great
show of generosity from great American. Thank you so very much.
Nikon optics, who has been here for the soldiers from the beginning.
Ten Point crossbows, great product with a great bunch of people.
Predator Camo, thank you all for always being there when you were needed.
Again thank you to all of those who made this hunt a success.
 | |  | |  | |  | |  |
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