A Droptine Christmas

I have hunted up that lake this year 'til I was blue in the face and finally realized I needed a new plan. I was hunting where the deer weren't, I needed to hunt where the deer was.
I decided to hunt the south cornfield. Everyone tried to get me to change my mind so I knew it must be red hot. It Was!
At 5 o'clock the field was full of deer and this big 10 point with a droptine stepped out. BLAM!
The big buck did not run far and after I checked it I walked out to the edge of the cottonfield to smoke and wait for dark so I could pick up the other hunters.
Out of the woods comes  couple of hogs, BLAM! I got that SOB too!
Erin, Mason, Stewart Allen and I ended up loading them up after a wild hunt through the cottonfield for the hog. This was definitely a wonderful  Droptine Christmas!!!

from the neighbors trail cam

Return of the Iowa Kid

I take it back. Trent must have learned something from his hunt in Iowa. He returned to the Christmas Place on Christmas Eve morning and blasted this very nice 8-pt with a 19 inch spread. He hunted the new stand at the Point that Mark and I put up after complaining about it. Well, Well.
Congratulations on a fine deer!

Christmas Place Notes and Quotes

from Paulooge
"Are there no hanging poles?"
"Are the deer farms and Taxidermist still in business?"
"The deer that we can't get there should be shot to reduce the excess population"

Poor Burney can't get to camp. Today is only the 38th day in a row that he went hunting.
Trent can't kill a deer on a plantation in Iowa where they tie them to a tree for you to shoot and now he is complaining because he hasn't killed a deer at camp this year.
Mark Stewart got his hog, I didn't know what to do so I called his cell phone and made hog grunts at him until I heard him run off the road.
Me (Rex) I am alone for Christmas in front of a roaring fire watching Christmas movies and dreaming about grunting up big old bucks.
Hope you have a Merry Christmas!

A Hog For Christmas

Mark Stewart left the camp to go blast a nice big buck, but what he found as he entered the North Cornfield made him change his mind. The whole field looked like it had been recently plowed without anything growing to show the nice food plot it was just a week ago. His eyes narrowed, he turned red, he was so mad that deer hunting disappeared from his mind and an old saying came to him "Death to Hogs!"
He climbed in the stand and put his rifle aside, he would wait for whatever hateful creature had the gall to destroy our field. Deer came and went, not interested. Just before dark a huge black shadow eased out of the woods about 75 yards away. A giant hog! A damn She-Devil! He grabbed his gun and drew down. BLAM! right in the neck. The hog took off like a bolt of lightning across the field.
When Paul showed up after killing his puny hog, they couldn't lift the Monster Mark shot, so we all went to get it that night. It was the biggest hog ever taken by Mark at 260 lbs. You would have thought he shot a 14-point buck he was so happy. Merry Christmas Mark!

A Lammey Gets His Buck????

Yes indeed, these are strange time when the Howell's have to look at a picture of a big buck killed by a Lammey. Maybe things are changing for the better.
James Lammey (our cousin) took this fine buck up at Abbeville last weekend. Very cool split browtines! Congratulations!!!!!!!

I am sure he will be glad to give a few hunting lessons to the members at the Christmas Place.

Tiny Goes Down

On a weekend when the rut finally kicked in and deer were running everywhere, my brother Paul (Satan) managed to shoot the buck we affectionately called Tiny. 190 lbs. with an 18 inch spread and large points on each side except for tiny, tiny browtines. The big  8-pt buck was taken across the Beaverdam, (no, you are not allowed to hunt over there),  late Friday afternoon.
PS The main part of the rut will be this weekend and I am free!

I Hate Telephones

The phone rings
Satan says "Ohh, the weather's cold. Those big bucks are jumping everywhere, too bad you're not going to be at camp this weekend" Click!
Burney calls (do any of these people have a damn job)
"Hey Rex, Man it's going to be great camp this weekend. The rut just hit full time. Probably will be the best weekend of the year. I'm thinking about hunting up the backside of the lake. Don't mind do you?" HA-HA. Click!
Mark then calls and says "I'm leaving at 11AM on Friday, the wind is perfect, the bucks are running and I hear you are going to stay home and vacuum the house. Too damn bad" Click!
I hate telephones.

A Long Hot Deer Season

I was in the 70's this past weekend at the famous Christmas Place. Just right for sunbathing in your stand bur not for deer hunting. On top of that, the Super Moon had deer swarming around the camp all night long while we sat around the fire and did some serious pontificating.
Marian came over and we hunted one afternoon together which was fun and see seemed overjoyed to see how all the leaves were turning and I think really had a good time, even though her leg won't work and we made her sleep back in the bunk room with the rats. NO DEER.
Cold weather is coming though. Here I am pontificating about that no-good rascal Thunderhoof.

Here is a picture of all the sunbathers, I mean hunters

Terry, Satan, Beezelbub, Spencer, Marian, Rex, Tim (Thunderhoof not pictured)

We Lost Our Great Friend Bobby

This past weekend we lost our great cousin Bobby Howell, Burney's Dad. We had Thanksgiving Dinner and Friday had to go to Senatobia for the funeral. He had a great life as a trapper, hunter, fisherman and all around outdoorsman. He has been a staple with our camp for over 30 years and worked with me for several years at Howell Realty while we were changing over to Howell Realty and Appraisal.
 Everyone of us are going to miss him.
He was also very sociable and when I was actually killing deer he would always help me get it in. His idea was to go look at it, poke it with his cane, say :That's a good one" and get back in the truck while I busted a hernia getting the deer up to the tailgate. I am going to miss his quick wit and funny stories and the way he was always a major part of the Howell Deer Camp.
PS I bought that coat for him in the picture and think it was his favorite. Also we have not killed a damn buck yet!

The Island of Misfit Deer

This weekend I will start my annual trip to the Island of Misfit Deer. Going by boat, I will once again do my duty to check on these poor misshapen deer. The island is filled with big bucks with grotesque and gruesome antlers that I am sure no decent hunter would want adorning their walls. 27 pointer, double or triple drop tines, split brow tines, massive horns pointing in every direction,irregular horns so big that they can not be calculated by any known measurement. Somebody has to do this. Wish me Luck!

Opening Weekend Gun Season 2017

no deer, no hogs, no activity, no nothing

Introducing #42 Maralyn Bullion

This past weekend we celebrated my Aunt Maralyn Bullion's 95th birthday. It was a surprise party that did not surprise her but we had a great time. The secret she did not know was that she was going to be honored on the field during the OLE MISS game the next day.
James, Missy, Kent, Marijean, Denise, her daughter Alexis and boyfriend Curtis and myself are in the stands when Kent says "There she is out on the field" James says "I can't see her, what number is she wearing?" We decide it must be #42 cause she is a half back if I ever saw one. Unfortunately she did not get to play, but it was great to see her honored by OLE MISS on the field.

Brock Howell My Friend

I have waited 2 weeks to post this and it hurts too much to talk much about it, so I will keep this post short and when the time comes that I can write about fun times I will.
My nephew, my friend, my partner, my buddy has left us. He died in his sleep. He was 25 and worked with me here at HOWELL APPRAISAL. He was good, kind, conscientious, intelligent, very good at his job and a true friend. You don't get many like that in a lifetime. I will miss him always.
This is my most favorite picture. Having fun on Bourbon St after the Sugar Bowl.

Worlds Largest Squirrel Taken

Squirrel Camp was a blazing success this year at the famous Christmas Place. James Howell, bee profiteer, blasted this giant Squirrel, to take the world record on squirrels. There is a slight dispute as most of our so-called hunters were too drunk to say they actually examined the beast. Some of the others wouldn't know a squirrel from a porcupine, and others said it might be a wild hog, but they are not very reputable. So.. you heard it here first!

Squirrel Camp Jubilee!

This weekend is the Hershel Howell Memorial Squirrel Camp 2017. This means a little squirrel hunting and a lot of toasts and drinking around a campfire while celebrating life, my Dad, good times, and remembered fallen comrades along the way.
Plus there will be Squirrel and Dumplings Saturday Night. Yum! Yum!

Happy Birthday Silver Fox

Today is the Chief's birthday and even though he is not with us, our thoughts are with him. I am sure he is on a frosty ridge somewhere in heaven with his shotgun waiting on a big fat squirrel to show.
Then back to the camp where all his friends are hanging out before going to the golf course. 

Giant Rat Species Discovered in BUNK ROOM

Scientists and Ratologists today announced the discovery of a new giant rat species discovered in the Bunkroom at the famous Christmas Place. Dwellers in the hell hole said "We thought it was a deer, since we've never shot one." Burney Howell said "I never said anything because they sleep in my bed and keep me warm in the winter" The new species is expected to be named after Mr. Howell.
Burneykus-Infectivo-Ratilacious
https://www.seeker.com/earth/animals/a-giant-coconut-eating-giant-rat-was-discovered-in-the-solomon-islands
PS It would eat coconuts if we had any.

It's Not A 12 Point BUT.......Pretty Impressive

Congratulations ERIN  !!!!!

The Big Planting

Last weekend was the big planting camp at the famous Christmas Place. Trent, Paul, Burnet, Spencer, Terry Cutrair, Stewart Allen, our wonderful neighbor Paul Jones and me, your friendly neighborhood blogger were all in attendance.
The ground broke smoothly with a little hurricane water still keeping it wet and we poured on the seed and fertilizer. It was perfect. In fact we managed to work almost all day until Trent (as usual) tore up the disk and I came within a whisker of cutting my leg off with a chainsaw. No, I don't know how he did it either, but give him credit, we had to drag it in and use our little disk to finish with on Sunday.
We don't lack much and hope to have everything ready before squirrel camp in a couple of weeks.

Hurricane Denise

The hurricane started as just a small rain cloud several years ago. "It sure would be nice to go to the beach sometime," she said. Over time it started to form and get bigger into a Category 1 storm.
:"You know it sure would be nice to go to the beach. We need to go to the beach and relax in the sun and sand. I would really like to go on a vacation to the beach this year."
I said :I've got to go to the camp, maybe later"
As time went by the storm gathered, increased to a Category  2 and quickly a Category 3. "I want to go to the beach this summer. We need to go to the beach soon. We need a vacation to the beach.
I said, "Hey, I've got to go work at the camp. Maybe later.
Category 4 did not last long, It was steely eyes staring holes in me and slow repetitive sentences." I want to go to the beach this summer. I want to see the waves, smell the ocean, We need to go to the beach this summer.
"Honey, I need to go to camp"
Suddenly this year I was hit by a major Category 5 full raging deadly hurricane beyond my imagination. "I WANT TO GO TO THE BEACH, I WANT to go to the BEACH, WE ARE GOING TO THE BEACH, @#$##%#%$ BEACH YOU @#$@#$@%$#&*
The full force of Hurricane Denise was upon me.
"What about Hurricane Irma" I whimpered.
Her eyes turned red, lightning flashed from her eyes, tornados swept through the house, my dogs hid under the bed. They growled at me when I tried to get under there too.
Trent called "I need help at the camp"
I said " I am on my way to the beach!

We had a wonderful time at Orange Beach. Great weather, lots of sun, surf and food. Looking forward to going again. SOON!

A Very Strange Hog

Trent came back from camp last weekend and showed us this picture of the big hog he took over near the Pond Stand. Sitting on the stand, he saw the hog come up from the pond angling past him. He said it was completely covered in mud and the big boar was by itself. A good rest and BLAM! he got the hog. It weighed 250 lbs. and he was very eager to tell me the strange part. It had no testicles.. Yes, testicles,plus covered with huge cuts. Who would even shoot a poor crippled hog that was probably in a car wreck or been involved in unlawful hog experiments? Here's the pic, there are
no close-ups of the affected area.

Watermelon Carnival 2017

The annual Watermelon Carnival starts today and I am on my porch watching it unfold. This year the Longini Traveling Circus came marching down Main St at 10 o'clock and by some mix-up the Banner Militia band and drill Team was marching from the other direction. They met in front of the park with neither side giving an inch from their parade. 6 watermelon trucks WERE parked at the intersection as hostilities reached a peak. Two elephants are still missing from the circus, 2 watermelon covered blondes are missing from the band and 6 watermelon trucks are sitting empty from the fight.
IT WAS GREAT!
Tonight the usual suspects will gather here to reunite, drink and enjoy the Carnival and fireworks
Hope you can make it by to see us.

Howell 4th of July

This photo was taken before the GAMES BEGAN (of Course)
My Aunt Marilyn, age 95, once again won the Hatchet throw even though she now has to use two hands. In a surprise, Columbia Bullion won the Archery contest because basically she is the only one that didn't shoot their eye out. As you know the Golf had already been won by Me, Kent, Betty and Ellis, while Bebo won the ... hahahah he didn't win crap. John Bullion won the most improved on his golf game and southern lingo. Jim won the Person Most Likely to Leave Yankee Land and come home. Until next year!

The Howell Open 2017

The Howell Open Golf Tournament 2017 was
played this past weekend and against all odds and with much breaking of clubs, whining, crying, lying, cheating, gnashing of teeth, scurrilous rumors and outright Fake News from our so-called ingrate competitors. The team of Betty, Kent, Ellis and Rex (your humble correspondent) beat all those sore losers and won the HOWELL OPEN TROPHY!
PS- rumors of Russian collusion are False.

Another Red Letter Day....

Yes, another Red Letter Day for the old Howell Savings and Loan. My rental house out at the WV Boatlanding burned to the ground. I'm getting tired of winning.

The Confefe Meeting

This past weekend there was a big Confefe Meeting at the famous Christmas Place. Members were required to bring their Russian Handbooks and decoder rings. All of the bourgeois  members (Paul) were fined for not being there and new rules limiting hunting were imposed on the elites. (Paul) After a great meeting  and lots and lots of vodka, we managed to cut all the grass and clean the place up enough that it did not look abandoned anymore

Golfing For Hogs

The annual golf trip to the famous Christmas Place has changed over the last few years. Yes, people still golf but the desire to get after those hogs is larger than ever. Some golf, some hunt hogs, some do both at the same time (can't be too careful out there).
This past weekend, Robbie Parsons got this gigantic 240 lb. sow at the Pond Stand, I think with a 4-iron or a 30-06 I'm not sure which. In fact he managed to get two (some kind of birdie?)
Congratulations on a really nice hog!

Fishing With Thunderhoof

If you ever come to the famous Christmas Place to go fishing and we go out to get in the boat and that damn Thunderhoof shows up and wants to go, do yourself a favor and go on back to the camp.
He is the worst fishing companion ever. Almost every time I want to go, he shows up. Camo and I can't catch a fish to save our souls.
First of all a 500 lb deer should not be in a 12 foot aluminum boat. Just saying.
He always has his head in the tackle box, eats all the sandwiches, and for no reason at all, he will reach out and stick his head under the water just to look around.
Every now and then he will just jump out of the boat, splashing enough to drown you, then swim around the boat for awhile and then try to get back in.
 You are going to get wet, very wet.
He almost always gets the fishing line wrapped in his antlers and God help you if you actually catch a fish! He goes crazy!! Jumping around, dancing, trying to look at the fish, running back and forth in the boat, pawing at the fish, picking them up in his mouth and shaking them until you are covered in slobber, then he will jump out of the boat.
 You are going to get wet, very wet.

A Party For Cullen

This past weekend the Lammeys threw a party for my cousin, Cullen, who recently passed and in the tradition of the Lammeys and Howells, they threw a great party to send him off. The party was at the VFW in Hernando with food, drinks, war stories and  great renewing of our ties with family.
Here is a pic of my favorite people in the world
Jack Rhea, Davin Lammey, Your friendly neighborhood blogger Rex Howell, and Jim Lammey.

Gobble! Gooble! Double! Double!

My brother James and his daughter, Mahala, got a double! Congratulations!

Everybody Got A Turkey (but Paul)

Turkey season is in full swing and everybody I know has already blasted a turkey but my poor brother Paul. (Boo Hoo, It's terrible.) People are walking up and down the streets with 25 lb. turkeys hanging across their backs. Little old ladies in the grocery store have a shotgun under one arm and a big turkey under the other. Turkeys are everywhere. I can't go to the mailbox without one trying to grab my mail. Can't play golf without a big gobbler trying to steal my ball. Water Valley has them wandering in and out of traffic and they have become a major nuisance. Even so, Everybody has killed a turkey. What's wrong with Paul?

A Streecar Named Thunderhoof

Denise and I spent last weekend in New Orleans. We went to attend the wedding of her cousin, Ellen and had a wonderful time. Our hotel was in the Garden District which is an area that I have been wanting to explore for years and we did! We enjoyed the wonderful old homes and architecture, made our way to the French Quarter, ate and drank everything in sight, visited the WWII Museum and the Civil War Museum. It was all great, but mostly I wanted to ride an old streetcar that winds up through the Garden District. The famous Thunderhoof streetcar.. It has been rolling along almost forever and is famous in New Orleans and famous to us also. I think the name and why it is named Thunderhoof is almost lost in history but probably has to do with the fascinating story of the giant buck deer that charged the British lines and held them at bay until the American forces could counter-attack and win the Battle of New Orleans. General Jackson at the time said "That's one big deer, we ought to name a streetcar after him or something" So there, history was made. If you don't believe it, here is a picture.

Wedding pics of Ellen and Chris

 Josh, Sarah, Ellen and Denise

A Successful Turkey Weekend

This past weekend was the first weekend of turkey season and Paul, James, Michael, Terry Cutrair and his son-in-law Brantley plus myself were all at camp to get after the turkeys.       ( I go once a year whether I want to or not)
A lot of fun was spent around the camp fire and a great meal supplied be Terry's wife Pam on Saturday night really made the weekend but Friday was hard as we were up and about hunting with no results. Brantley was hunting with Paul so the odds on him getting a turkey were pretty slim as Paul is a shoot first, ask questions later kind of guy.
Saturday morning Brantley went with Paul again up behind the Indian Mound area and at daylight a big turkey gobbled right in front of them. They set their decoy, jumped in some brush and almost immediately the big gobbler came running. Now Brantley is a nice guy, even though he is an insurance salesman. He also has never shot a turkey and was stunned as the turkey started strutting only 15 yards away. For some reason we will never know, Paul could not get a shot and whispered "Shoot, Shoot, Shoot!" Brantley obliged and the big gobbler went up in a puff of feathers.
The turkey weighed 17 1/2 lbs, with a 10-inch beard.
A very well deserved congratulations to Brantley!

They're Backkkk!!!

Robbie Parsons, looking all mean shows off his even more mean looking hog from the famous Christmas Place this past weekend. Congrats!!

Where Have You Gone, Joe DiHoggio?

The annual Hog Hunt at the famous Christmas Place was a real dud this year. We have seen very few hogs this year and no one saw a hog during the weekend hunt this year. Where have they gone?
Deer season was a success and we hate hogs, but darn it, it would have been nice to have a few on the pole for our big hog hunt.
On the bright side, the weather was great and Burney's friends managed to kill about a 1000 beers around our campfire, so everyone had a great time.

Adventures In Appraisal

One of the things I really like in residential appraising is doing the older homes. The woodwork, the thought that went into design, the quality of the time and how they built these homes with the very basic of tools compared to what we have today. Another thing is that you never know what you will find or learn while doing them.
This week while appraising a home in Coffeeville, MS the young lady asked me if I had ever seen this and opened her bedroom door to show me a small niche carved in the frame of her door.
She pulled a small cylinder out of the niche and in it was a scroll she then opened to show me.
She said it was Jewish from the Torah. A very interesting piece of history to find in a little Mississippi town. I have found out from her, Denise and others some history on this. It is called a mezuzah, a blessing secured on the frames of all the major doors inside the home

Making Bacon Great Again In 2017

Burney has come up with this logo for our Christmas Place Hog Hunt 2017. Underneath it will say "Making Bacon Great Again" Call him if you need a T-shirt.