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 The SCI Flint Chapter had quite an adventure during our February 2003 group hunt at Dannie and Nina Carte's Double D Ranch located in southern Ohio. This time the group sported one of the ladies, myself, in a hunting roll. Not knowing what to expect, I let my adventurous nature take charge. Before this trip I had not met any of the participants and had never been to the Double D.
I can say I have absolutely no regrets! Being the only woman was a benefit as I had lots of help from all the guys. This was a whole lot of fun and I could see that some of the members have a great sense of humor. Watch out for guys with video cameras! If you have never gone down for one of these hunts you are really missing out!
I had the pleasure of riding down to Ohio with Flint SCI member Jim Wilson who was extremely helpful and patient with all of my questions and schedule changes before our hunt date. We had great conversation all the way down and that made the drive seem much shorter than it was. In addition, Jim's beautiful truck made the drive very comfortable and rather stylish.
We arrived in time for dinner on Friday night and met the rest of the hunters. The group consisted of Jim Wilson and Ed Fuller, as well as myself, Dwayne and Eddie Church, Rick Doak, and Steve Huston. I found out Steve's wife is also a Forensic Analyst and also enjoys hunting. The rest of the group arrived earlier on Friday and had some hunting success to report to us at dinner. Rick took a beautiful four horned sheep and Dwayne got a great boar. We heard about the hunters being hunted by a testy water buffalo bull somewhere in the hills. Little did I know that I would soon meet this brute.
Dannie and Nina are wonderful hosts, accommodations at their camp are very comfortable and the food is well done and hearty at every meal. Nina is tireless in her efforts to please and Dannie is a whirlwind of hunting stories and one heck of a tractor driver! They obviously care very much for their property and animals to be found in the beautiful hill country you hunt. Our guides Scott and Jeff were very energetic and capable and made our time a success.
Saturday morning had us all ready and raring to go despite very cold temperatures, it was a bright sunny day with intense blue skies. Very soon after breakfast we went looking for hogs and Steve arrowed a nice boar soon after we got up into the hills. Once his animal was secured, it was time for Ed Fuller, our tireless cameraman. Ed also drilled a big boar with his archery tackle. The hogs seemed a bit interested in what we were all about and their close proximity was a little unnerving. Photos and video was taken of our successful boar hunters and then it was time to find the bison for me. I wanted a nice bull and lots of meat for my freezer. I had a personal challenge to see how my archery gear stood up to really big game as I hunt Africa a lot and am going for cape buffalo in August this year.
 This was a very fun hunt as I was for once hunting with a group, rather than by myself. Everyone helped make my archery bison kill a success. We were positioned for an ambush which pretty much worked except my first arrow was a bit far back. The group was running when I took my shot and the chosen bull slipped in the snow at the same time I let my arrow fly. We caught up to the sick bull across a second ridge in an open area which made for some interesting video as Ed was positioned behind me with the bull deciding to walk right at us. At the same time we met the water buffalo that decided he had enough of us hunters and began stalking us. Things were definitely getting interesting. There was a clump of trees behind us and I was starting to think the bison bull was not going to turn as he continued on directly towards us. He finally did and I sent the second arrow into the crease behind his shoulder at about 15 yards away. The arrow sunk deeply and only stopped because it hit the opposite shoulder, which you could hear with a resounding crack. A bison at 15 yards is a very big animal, especially a full-grown bull. He ran up the hill and into the woods and laid down for good. As we trailed the bison up the hill, we had to throw sticks and pieces of logs to keep the water buffalo at bay. I will never forget the water buffalo that was eyeballing us with a look of burning hate on the hillside.
I did not hear Ed making any complaints behind me as that bison came towards us while he was filming. Good job Ed! He probably thought the bison would just mess with me and would leave him alone so he could get it all on tape!
 This animal was huge, Dannie estimated him to be in the 1200 to 1300 pound range and approximately seven years of age. There was a good size group of bulls and I picked out a big one. What a beautiful creature! The removal of the carcass was quite a job with Dannie maneuvering his big loader tractor in the woods on a steep hillside. Not an easy task but he made it look effortless.
We went in for lunch and then climbed back up the big scenic valleys to find a ram and sika deer for Jim. This place is no walk in the park, the hills will challenge any hunter, young or old. Jim ended up taking an excellent sika stag and Texas Dahl ram that cold but beautiful sunny Saturday afternoon. Eddie then got another wild boar with his .44 Ruger that we all got to try at our March wild game dinner fundraiser. What a day!
Later Saturday I met up with the local processors and asked them to take care of the boatload of meat I had. They did an absolute beautiful job. My freezer is now full for the next two years!
On Saturday night I had a surprise visit from internet friend and lady hunter Bernie Patrick and Edsel Duty who live not to far away from the Double D Ranch. We had lots of engaging conversation and it was so nice to meet another hunting friend in person. Bernie had been recently written about in a local newspaper and the story was about her bear hunting activities. It was a great article! I sent Bernie and Edsel home with a couple pounds of ground bison. If you are ever looking for a place to get a group together for a fun time and combine it with some hunting for your freezer check out the Double D. For further information on the Double D Ranch please contact me.
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