Wildebeests in 100 degrees, believable, in the pine forest of East Texas, hold on...........such was the setting for a combat hero hunt that Jason Babin recently donated. Jason is a star defensive NFL football player for the Houston TEXANS. I had sent them an E mail after seeing their booth at Dallas SCI show. From the heartland of Michigan, this patriotic family stepped up to the plate. Those of you that know me, know the last several years has been about taking our vets into the out of doors at no expense. Many of these bowhunts have graced the TV shows of Ted Nugent, Double Bull, SCI and Campbell outdoors.
The hunters were from the Army Special forces, out of Ft. Bragg. Veteran of Panama, Afghanistan and Iraq, Master Sgt. Mike Bunch, multi combat medal recipient and Master Sgt. Mike Singleton including a Purple Heart. Bunch is an accomplished archer, while this would be Singleton's first arrow slinging experience. No worry, Army Ranger can get it done in all situations.
The pro sports of Texas are real supporters of our military. After picking up the Master Sgts. at DFW airport we were guest of the Texas Rangers baseball team for a game, then a nights rest and off to the East Texas pinewoods, near Nacadoches.
After a warm greeting from Jim Babin, Jason's dad, we readied our gear. Singleton got out a new crossbow that had been donated by Excalibur while Mike B. checked out his Bowtech Tribute. Both good to go so off we went to sit our Doulbe Bull Blinds.
The guide had set ours in 4 feet of grass, in a hole facing West. He did find the evening route of the Wildebeest, but when they crossed we were looking directly into the sun preventing a shot or filming.
Meanwhile MSgt. Bunch was in search of a Kudu or Addax. Buffalo, whitetail and fallow deer all walked by him that eve but that was not what he was after. Jason had said the vets could take what they wanted but he held out. This deal was only made better by the great cooking and neat lodge on the Babin Ranch. Of yeah they also run commercial hunts.
I could write 10 paragraphs about the near shots but Murphy was in the Doulbe Bulls up to the last day. Finally around noon an awesome Addax walked out in front of the Bunch at a Nikon Rangefinder 51 yards. The Magnus tipped Carbon Express Maxim arrow zipped through the lungs and we had our first kill. We were now at 50% and holding.
MSgt Bunch with BowTech killed Addax
Through the celebration at lunch there was still an underlying concern about Sgt. Singleton filling his tag. Singleton was to be redeployed to Iraq in two weeks and we all wanted his send off to be special. Like take an animal today special. We all really wanted it for him.
Never without a smile and a joke, Mike picked up his crossbow and we headed afield.
Hot, sultry and mosquitoes and it all got worse as the evening progressed. Then, just as the shadows became a constant dimming on the grassy meadow a lone wildebeest appeared. Singleton pulled his crossbow up, found the African antelope in his scope and let the arrow go.
"Smack" what a sweet sound. A LUMENOCK disappeared behind the shoulder, a quick snort, a sideways jump and brief gallop and quiet. The wildebeest lay still and as Nugent would say, THE BEAST IS DEAD. The first shot that Mike had ever taken on an animal with an arrow and a bingo.
MSgt Singleton Excalibur Wildebeest
Back at the lodge, animals down, faces sunburned, muscles sore, hearts full after another great day of bowhunting. A great day that people, in our industry took time with to honor two men who have risked all without complaint or request. It's comforting to know we have men like Bunch and Singleton watching out for us.
