Some trips are more than just vacations—they’re celebrations, milestones, and dreams all rolled into one. For Clay and me, our FTW Ranch adventure was exactly that. Timed perfectly to coincide with my birthday, our anniversary, and his birthday (all within two weeks!), this trip was a way to celebrate life and love in the best way we know—outdoors, together.

We even marked our anniversary while we were there, making the experience all the more special. With Clay cheering me on as I hunted and fulfilled a lifelong dream, this trip wasn’t just about what we did—it was about the memories we created together. FTW Ranch gave us the perfect backdrop for all of it: the hunt, the long-range shooting, and simply being side by side in some of the most beautiful country we’ve ever seen.

Day 1: Arriving at FTW Ranch

From the second our tires hit the FTW Ranch driveway, it was clear we were in for something special. A full team of welcoming pros met us, ready to unload our truck like a NASCAR pit crew. Guns were serviced, bags were whisked away, and we were left wondering if they could come home with us and organize our garage, too.

The lodge? Let’s just say if HGTV ever did “Hunters’ Dream Homes,” FTW Ranch would steal the season. Picture this: walls covered with taxidermy masterpieces, a chandelier that screams “rustic royalty,” and just enough rugged charm to make you feel outdoorsy while sipping your drink from the open bar. Speaking of which, the bar was a fantastic way to start the trip—because nothing says "ready for adventure" quite like a good drink while staring at a giant elephant mount.

Then we got to the cabins. Let me tell you, these were no regular hunting shacks. Plush embroidered towels, beds so comfy they practically tucked you in themselves, and enough upscale details to make you feel like you’re glamping...but, you know, with rifles instead of marshmallows. I kept half-expecting a spa treatment brochure to pop out of my hunting boots.

And the food? Forget campfire beans and jerky—this was next-level cuisine. Every meal was a treat, prepared with care and served with the same warmth that we experienced from the staff. By the end of Day 1, we were fat, happy, and already thinking about ways to extend our stay (or move in permanently).

Night One: Settling In

After unpacking (read: dumping our bags and gear in the cabin like kids on Christmas morning), we spent the evening soaking in everything FTW Ranch had to offer. The lodge buzzed with stories and camaraderie as we visited with the guides and educators. And when I say "guides," I’m talking about the real deal—retired military special forces, African hunting professionals, and people with resumes so impressive they could make James Bond look like a rookie.

One of the best surprises of the night was seeing familiar faces. Our guide from our last FTW trip, Feedo, greeted us like old friends, and we were thrilled to catch up with a couple from Arizona we met during that same trip. It felt like a mini-reunion in the heart of the Texas Hill Country, and it made the evening even more special.

The conversations were as rich as the food—full of laughter, fascinating stories, and more knowledge than I could soak up in one sitting. Clay and I sipped on drinks from the open bar, enjoying the warm atmosphere while secretly trying to decide which guide we’d want as our backup in a zombie apocalypse. (Spoiler alert: all of them.)

Dinner was a feast that could’ve been served in a five-star restaurant but tasted even better because we were surrounded by great company. By the time dessert rolled around, I was already counting the hours until the next day. I could hardly contain my excitement knowing the learning would begin in the morning, and I’d be stepping into an experience I’d dreamed of for so long.

After a full belly and a full heart, we called it a night, ready to see what Day 2 had in store. Spoiler alert: it didn’t disappoint.

Day 2: Dialing D.O.P.E. and Long-Range Precision

Day two began with a crash course in long-range shooting, and when I say “crash course,” I mean we were drinking from the proverbial fire hose. The classroom session was packed with invaluable content: dialing D.O.P.E. (Data on Previous Engagements), calculating angles, reading wind, bullet spin dynamics, holdovers—basically all the stuff that separates a casual shooter from someone who can confidently hit targets hundreds of yards away.

Our instructor, Doug, was a true expert. He had a knack for making complex information click. Doug presented everything in a way that made perfect sense, even when my brain was juggling angles and ballistics. The cherry on top? Each of us received custom DOPE cards specifically calculated for our guns, scopes, and ammunition. These magical little cards were like cheat sheets for the range, telling us exactly what we needed to know for long-distance shooting.

After a delicious lunch (seriously, the food at FTW Ranch could convert a hunter into a foodie), we headed out to the range perched atop rugged rock terrain. That’s when the real fun began. Shooting at 200, 300, 400, and even up to 700 yards, we put the morning’s lessons into action. There’s nothing quite like hearing your spotter yell “IMPACT!” followed by the delayed but oh-so-satisfying ting of the steel target. It’s a sound that makes you feel like you’ve just unlocked a new skill level.

I couldn’t have been prouder of my Sig Cross 6.5 Creedmoor. It performed flawlessly, and by the end of the day, I felt confident and ready to take on the hunt the next morning. Clay and I shot side by side, making it an even more memorable experience. There’s something special about sharing the same target range and cheering each other on. It was the perfect mix of learning, bonding, and celebrating those sweet “IMPACT” moments together.

The Hunt and a Stomach Bug: A Day Full of Surprises

That morning, we met Feedo in the lodge for a light breakfast and coffee to get the day started. Feedo had already loaded our safari-style jeeps with our guns, ready for the adventure ahead. With everything set, we headed out into the dark of the early morning, the excitement building with each mile.

We drove up to one of the highest ridges on the 12,000-acre ranch, finding our quiet position to wait for the sun to come up. There, high in the hills, the sunrise was nothing short of breathtaking. The sky lit up with soft hues of orange and pink, and it was so peaceful to just sit there, listening to the world around us wake up—birds chirping, the soft rustle of leaves, and the occasional distant call of wildlife.

At first light, we started spotting animals—a few whitetail deer, some black bucks—but I was holding out for a big Axis. We did spot several Axis deer that day, but none were big enough to take a shot. Still, it was a thrill to see them.

One thing that truly blew me away was watching Feedo work. The way he scanned the terrain was extraordinary. With nothing but his bare eyes, he could spot an animal resting in the cedars from 300 yards or more away. It was like watching a master at work—his ability to read the land and locate animals was incredible.

Then, as luck would have it, just as I was about to line up my shot on one of the Axis, my stomach started to grumble... and then it hit me. I had caught a stomach bug that had been circulating at my school before we left. I had hoped it wouldn’t catch me, but it did. By the time I felt better, the Axis was long gone. What a bummer.

But here’s the twist—turns out this was a God wink. If I had taken that shot and gotten that Axis, I would’ve missed out on the incredible hunt I had on the last day of the trip. So, as disappointing as it was in the moment, I realized later it worked out for the best.

Clay and Feedo asked if I wanted to head back to the lodge to rest, but of course, I said NO. I could be sick in the lodge or on the hunt, and I chose the hunt. By this time, I was feeling a lot better, so we continued glassing the area, watching herds of animals roam. It was still a fantastic experience, even if the Axis was a no-go. After a while, we headed back to the lodge for brunch, where I sipped hot tea (thanks to Feedo’s suggestion) and took some ivermectin to help kick the bug.

The afternoon brought more long-range practice on a new range with different elevations and targets, which helped keep my spirits high. By the time we finished and had dinner, it was time for the night hunt. We saw an impressive variety of animals—probably at least one of every species on the property. If you check their website, they have a full list, but trust me, we saw a little bit of everything that night.

Monday Morning Hunt: The Whitetail That Changed Everything

By Monday morning, I was feeling so much better and absolutely ready to get back out there. Little did I know how the day would unfold. The morning started with a MASSIVE rainstorm, making me think that maybe Mother Nature wasn’t on our side. Thankfully, we were in a covered spot when the rain came pouring down, but the temperature dropped drastically.

As the sun rose, the rain finally stopped, and the sky cleared up, giving us hope. We spent hours searching for the big Axis, but despite our best efforts, nothing. At lunch, I was looking at some game camera photos on the wall of the lodge when I spotted a picture of a massive whitetail. I turned to Feedo, pointed at the picture, and said, "If I can’t get an Axis… I want him."

The afternoon was more of the same—searching different areas, getting calls from the team on the radio, and pictures showing more animals, but no big Axis. I was starting to lose hope when, just as the sun was setting, a call on the radio from Juan changed everything. He spotted the whitetail. The wide one! I knew it was probably a long shot to find a big Axis in the winter (they’re typically better hunted in the spring), but I also knew this whitetail was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

We rushed to Juan, who was guiding us over the radio, and when we arrived, I hurried to the side of the hill. The deer was low in the valley, about 250 yards away. I readied my gun, got into a prone position, and focused. The deer was grazing with its back to me. I tried to steady my breath, calm my heartbeat, and remind myself that I had one shot—and it had to be perfect. The training, the lessons from the last few days, all of it had led to this moment.

As the deer slowly turned, offering me a broadside, I held my breath, took aim, and squeezed the trigger. The shot rang out, and everyone said, "Perfect shot." We all rushed to meet Juan, but as we pulled up, he was waving frantically for us to bring the gun—he had seen the deer bedded down in tall brush, still alive.

Freedo and I rushed up the hill, but we couldn’t spot him. Then we moved to the right, and I set up my gun on a standing tripod. I took aim again and fired. This time, the deer immediately dropped.

But here’s the twist—everyone was stunned that he survived the first shot. It turned out that the bullet had ricocheted (likely due to the angle), exited low on the other side, and somehow didn’t take him down completely. Exhilarated and relieved, I thanked God and the deer for the adventure—and for the food we’d be bringing home.

We loaded up this beast of an animal, took some photos at the top of the hill, and marveled at what had turned out to be an unforgettable hunt.

The Final Day: A Peaceful End to an Incredible Journey

The final day of hunting was nothing short of relaxing and peaceful. Having already bagged my animal the day before, there was no pressure, and I could finally sit back and truly enjoy the incredible scenery. At the very peak of the property, we were able to see for miles, watching the sun come up and marveling at the variety of animals around us. The Transcaspian Urial, Fallow Deer, Iranian Red Sheep, Mouflon, and Sika Deer were all around us—it was like a wildlife paradise.

I couldn’t resist snapping photos and recording videos of the breathtaking views. I’m planning to share those on my social media and YouTube so others can experience the beauty we were lucky enough to witness.

After lunch, we participated in what’s called the "hair in the scope" drill, created by Tim Fallon, the owner of FTW Ranch. This drill is designed to simulate the real-world challenge of having to take a shot at a target, then quickly calculate all your factors (DOPE, wind, distance, scope settings) to take another shot as the animal runs. You only have 10 seconds between shots, so you have to make the decisions quickly. For example, the challenge was to hit a target at 400 yards, then immediately move to a 300-yard target and engage that one. It took a lot of focus and skill, but even though I didn’t score a perfect 100, I was proud of myself for calculating all that math in such a short amount of time. I’ll be sharing a video of the drill on YouTube too—it was a lot of fun and a great way to cap off the trip.

The day ended at the lodge, where we unwound and listened to stories about great adventures all around the world. As much as I was soaking in every moment, I couldn’t help but feel a little melancholic, knowing this was the last day of the trip and that we’d be packing up to head home in the morning.

The Journey Home: A Heart Full of Memories

The next morning, we packed up our gear and said our goodbyes. It was bittersweet, as we thanked the team for such an incredible adventure. As we took one last look at the stunning scenery, we knew we’d be leaving with more than just photos—we’d be taking home memories that would last a lifetime.

We headed home, the deer on its way to the taxidermist and the meat being processed. The drive was quiet, yet full of anticipation, as we looked forward to reuniting with our pups and reliving the highlights of the trip in our minds. Hearts full, minds quiet, and grateful for the experience.

The deer ended up being around four or five years old, with 19 points, a score of 179.2, and a width of 21.5 inches. It was a truly special animal, and I can’t wait to share photos of the mount once it’s finished. There’s still more to come from this adventure!