Dave's Page

David Terk's passion for hunting is truly something that his family would like to share with others who love nature, wildlife and the great outdoors. David traveled around the world to hunt with some of the greatest outfitters on the planet. His true love was sheep hunting and he trekked through Nepal, British Columbia, Africa, and Mongolia (just to name a few) in search of the big rams. Dave had so many friends from the hunting world that we would like to ask that if you have a special story or memory that you shared with David over the years, that you take the time to email us at hunt@sycamorecreekranch.com and share the story for inclusion on the website. Any photos would be welcomed. Thanks!

Campfire Tales

It had been at least twenty years since I hunted aoudad sheep and at that time I took just a mediocre ram. This time I wanted something well over 30 inches. After considerable research I finally settled on the Sycamore Creek Ranch. This property was pieced together by international big game hunter David Terk back in 1982, and encompasses over 13,000 acres near Del Rio, Texas. David's two daughters now manage this unique piece of real estate and I can tell you the hunting there is exciting. All the animals have been born on the property so there is no put--and--take situation. The hunting pressure has been minimal and the game has the opportunity to reach their prime trophy potential.

Charles, the ranch manager and long-time friend of the Terk family, was kind enough to show me around the ranch. Hunting this property was very enjoyable as we were frequently running into a variety of game including whitetail, fallow, axis, blackbuck, among others. During the morning hunt we bumped into several large herds of aoudad. They could disappear into the south Texas brush just as quickly as they appeared. During the course of the hunt we passed on several rams 30 inches or better. I am not kidding! I finally took a ram measuring 34 inches. Using an H-S Precision Pro-Series 2000 handgun chambered in .308 Winchester launching Black Hills ammunition with their 165-grain offering, one well-placed shot from 150 yards did the trick. The challenge of pursuing aoudad with a handgun is addictive and Sycamore Creek Ranch is a great place for monster rams to roam.

Mark Hampton, Missouri

Dave and I hunted the Sycamore Creek Ranch together for 10 years but I didn't begin to hunt in earnest for a world class Aoudad until about five years ago. Two years ago September we spotted three large rams in heavy brush about 400 yards away. We agreed that at least one of the three would make book. We collected our gear and began the stalk. It was cool that morning with a brisk wind and fairly level ground, so the stalk was really not that difficult. Our problem was that we continued to lose sight of the animals as they were grazing and constantly moving. We finally got ahead of them and found a shooting lane they would have to cross if they continued on the route we had projected. The opening the rams would have to pass through was about 5 yards wide, so I would have to make a quick decision and fire. Ten minutes went by (it seemed like an hour) and we almost started to move thinking the animals had changed course when the first ram came through the lane, I passed. When the second ram emerged from the brush, the first thing you see of course are the horns and I knew this was my sheep. When his right shoulder cleared I fired, he disappeared from our field of vision, I said "it sounded like a hit" and Dave replied "you hit him hard lets sit tight a minute." After a few minutes we walked the 140 yards to the spot where we last saw the sheep and found him about 10 yards away. What an exciting hunt, my animal made the book with a silver medal.

This was probably my most personal hunt with David though we hunted many times. Suffice it to say I learned a real appreciation for nature and all kinds of wild life through my association with Dave Terk. It pleases me to know that his daughters Kristin and Kimberly are carrying on the tradition of sound wildlife management by continuing to offer hunts at the Sycamore Creek Ranch.

Chuck Butler, San Antonio

For such a very private guy, David liked to have his picture taken. We took pictures of each other on nearly every trip we made. Grouse in Montana, muskies in Canada, perdiz in Argentina--and many other species and locations. His favorite pictures were those where we stood in front of our "bag" for the day with the dogs and guns. But my favorite were those where I caught him by surprise. Here is one where I caught him off guard, sitting in a Uruguayan duck blind waiting at dawn for the next flight of rosy bills. It was another of our great trips together. David really loved to duck hunt, as much as he loved the outdoors.

Larry Alexander, San Antonio