Issue link: http://www.e-digitaleditions.com/i/801177
ever, but an unlooked-for opportunity at Joshua Creek made it possible. And while the ranch can't guarantee you a monster buck, its trophy track record is undeniable. n Editor's Note: Taylor Pardue is the associate & online editor of Sporting Classics. Visit sportingclassicsdaily.com for more of his writing, as well as other free hunting, fishing, and shooting articles. WriTer's reTreaT The day after my hunt was as much fun as the hunt itself, maybe even more so. Joe and Ann took me on an extended tour of the rest of the ranch, including their new trout stream on the spring-fed Joshua Creek. I also got to see inside the brand-new Guadalupe Tree Haus (pronounced "House"). The lodging is one of six special facilities spread across the ranch, each with its own theme. The Tree Haus is, you guessed it, named for its signature design. Built on a steep hillside overlooking the Guadalupe River below, the lodge seems to sit amongst the treetops that grow all around it. At 5,000 square feet, it's large enough to sleep 18 guests between its four private master suites and two sleeping porches. Decorations include game mounts and various outdoor and Western pieces. Special sliding doors allow visitors to open the living area to the outdoor patio beyond. The Tree Haus is designed with large parties in mind, making it perfect for corporate retreats or getting the extended family together in one beautiful locale. While the Tree Haus is newer and larger, it was the Porch Haus that solidified my high opinion of JCR. Another on-the-nose name, the Porch Haus has a wrap-around wooden porch that overlooks a long valley below and the main lodge to the north. I spent the night there following my hunt, typing away on this story as the stars came out over the Hill Country beyond. The scenery outside was beautiful, but the inside was nothing to sneeze at. Rustic design met a hunter's tastes as a heavy-horned kudu bull overhung the master bed. A walk-in shower, full kitchen and living area, large windows to let in the star- and moonlight, and trophy hunting and fishing nearby—it all made for the perfect sporting getaway. I later told the Kerchevilles that I would love to lock myself inside for a month and just read and write. And I meant it. iF you WaNT To Go Joshua Creek Ranch is located in Boerne, Texas, northwest of San Antonio in the Texas Hill Country. The lodge has won Beretta's Trident Lodge Program twice, was a 2016 Orvis Endorsed Wingshooting Lodge of the Year finalist, and received Sporting Classics' Award of Excellence in 2013. Hunts for axis deer, white-tailed deer, turkey, upland birds, ducks, and dove are all available, as well as fly fishing opportunities. If at all possible, stay in the Porch Haus. Visit www.joshuacreek.com for more information, or call (830) 537-5090 today. Gear TesT Again, I need to express my heartfelt thanks to Craig Gaudlip for his wise choice in gear. The Sako 85 was lighter than I expected, and certainly seemed to be easier to carry than other comparable synthetic-stocked rifles. For all of their bulk, axis bucks fall easily enough to .270 Winchesters—of course, neck shots aren't the best examples of cartridge efficacy. Zeiss scopes are legendary for their clarity and light transmission; the Terra was no exception, even with a lower price than the Conquest and Victory lines. S P O R T I N G C L A S S I C S • 135 Joshua Creek Ranch is made up of several different facilities. From top: The Branch Haus, the dining and sitting areas of the main lodge, and the bedroom of the Porch Haus.