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The Special History of the Legendary Texas Y.O. Ranch
By Texas Safari Magazine
It occurred to me that Marc Watts and his Perfectly Shot Hunting Video Series might be exactly what the face of hunting needs following an encounter with one of my wife`s coworkers. After reading one of my articles, the coworker remarked, "I had no idea you were a hunter. It doesn`t seem like you at all."
Although my standard response to off-handed negative comments about my enjoyment of hunting is generally a polite, "Oh," or "Hmmmm," I decided to ask what she meant. Her response was one that I hear all too often.
"You know," she began. "You`re an intelligent guy. I never pictured you as a redneck, running around the woods in camouflage."
I smiled, knowing exactly what she was talking about. Every group has a stereotype. Unfortunately, the most common one of hunters is that of the beer bellied, camouflage wearing, backwoods hick running about the woods acting and laughing in a manner reminiscent of half the cast of Deliverince. And if it`s not that, it`s Elmer Fudd. Thus the need for Marc Watts.
Unlike a lot of video series or television shows that actually perpetuate this stereotype, Marc Watts`s video series puts forth a facet of hunting—and a hunter---that is seldom seen. Marc, and those accompanying him on his various hunts, are straightforward, comfortable in front of the camera, professional, ethical, and treat their trophies with respect and reverence. On a superficial level, let me add that Marc`s classic safari attire is straight out of the Golden Era of hunting, mirroring that of Clark Gable and Stewart Granger, and, as my wife informs me, Marc is a pretty good looking guy. These attributes when combined with Marc`s trademark production mantra of "No rehearsed bino viewing, no phony approaches to dead game, no fake jabbing at dead animals and no staged pointing at would-be trophy animals" make for an extremely truthful and high class series. One Shot: Hunting America`s Original Game Preserve is no exception.
In this edition, Marc and his hunting companions Dan Bolek and Fred Januszewski, hunt the legendary Y.O. Ranch of the Texas Hill Country with Guide Eric White. In a mere three days the group takes 16 stunning exotic trophies, each with just one perfectly placed shot. In addition to the more "common" Texas exotics such as blackbuck, axis, and fallow, Marc and his group also complete the Grand Slam of Texas Sheep, take a trophy bison at 25 yards with a .30-30 Texas Trophy Hunter`s collector`s rifle, a scimitar horned oryx, a tremendous SCI Gold Medal Red Sheep, and the extremely rare (and unheard of in most hunting circles) buffalypso.
Throughout the video, Marc explains his ethics on hunting, offers tips and advice, provides excellent commentary on both his hunt and equipment, and offers an endearing look at the Y.O. Ranch`s history and its recent loss of pioneering rancher Louie Shreiner. Viewers also get a good look at the ranch`s 40,000 plus acres and its philosophy on game ranching and its pioneering thereof.
Some of the shots Marc takes are completely unreal. They are an awe inspiring testimony to his countless hours of practice and make for thrilling viewing. Most so is his heart shot on a trophy scimitar horned oryx that, not only results in a clean kill, but sends the animal into a complete backwards somersault. Impressive shots such as this are common throughout the video as is Marc`s full appreciation of what it takes to get to that level of proficiency. Marc even offers advice and pointers on developing such skills during a short segment entitled, Cabela`s In the Comfort Zone.
One Shot: Hunting America`s Original Game Preserve is by far the best hunting video on Texas exotics that I`ve seen to date and with a running time of just under two hours, it is also one of the better bargains to come along in quite some time as well.
*If you purchase all 7 Africa DVD titles in the Sable Trail Productions series, also known as the Magnificent Seven, you will receive One Shot: Hunting America's Original Game Preserve free, with free shipping (34.95 value), and a FREE T-SHIRT ($12.00 value). That's a total savings of $46.95!
*The Elite 8 is similar to the Magnificent Seven with The Royal Showdown book included. Not only will you get a FREE T-SHIRT and a FREE DVD of One Shot: Hunting America's Original Game Preserve with free shipping, but you will also get free shipping on the book, saving a total of $56.95!
* For more information about The Royal Showdown, click here
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