Liberty County
Posted: Tue Nov 12, 2019 4:09 am
Sunday I made way to the Trinity River. On the water at 345am and after 30 mins began to zone out just drifting and relaxing. At one point, I realized that I wasn't hearing anything but the whine of mosquitoes. Immediately, following that thought I heard a single knock and simultaneous crash and thud. A tree was pushed over within a hundred yards of me. My hair stood on end as I didn't move really only look up with my eyes. I slowly grabbed my 45 and stuck that in my lap as I realized I had also stuck in a sandbar in 4 inches of water. I just froze and sat there trying to look as small as possible, which wasn't hard. I sat for what seemed like 10 mins however it was about 1 to 2 at most. All I could think of is...how I had hoped something would happen and now I was wishing it had been uneventful like
the last 6 or so trips. I seemingly could hear my pulse pounding in my own ears. After sitting, I knew I had to stand up and push the kayak back towards open water back to "safety". Finally, I rose and moved at jet break speed picking up the 13' boat up and flipping it's direction in no time. As I sat down, I heard a Barred owl which startled me then "whoosh..whoosh" sounded like something moving thru the brush just behind the sandbar. Up till then...I believed it could be a hog or deer. It sounded like it was on two legs. I'm not for sure and it could have been me just imagining this. It's happens and there is no reference to draw on. It felt different and sounded different. I spooked before but not like this...It's possible that being alone had something to do with what I heard?
Needless to say, I headed for the truck and found the current stronger than expected. I prayed for the sun to come up. About 10 mins later, I calmed down and the false dawn was starting. I stayed close to the shore on the other side as I had to in order to stay out of the current. This is when I comb the shore looking for prints. An hour later, I found what was maybe a half print. The interesting thing is it seemed to have toes however it's like if you slid your foot into wet clay your toes would be sunk into print. If it indeed is a print then it's only the second one that I have seen first hand in 100s of hours in the field. Also, it's exciting because it was in the water or half of it so it had to be very recent. This area is secluded as it is a nature preserve that stretches out along the Trinity River quite a ways. Looking forward to heading back out to this area, as Liberty county is one of the most historic counties in TX for sightings. If anybody in the area is interested in going out to this game preserve please contact me. I still don't feel comfortable in this area on foot at night alone.
the last 6 or so trips. I seemingly could hear my pulse pounding in my own ears. After sitting, I knew I had to stand up and push the kayak back towards open water back to "safety". Finally, I rose and moved at jet break speed picking up the 13' boat up and flipping it's direction in no time. As I sat down, I heard a Barred owl which startled me then "whoosh..whoosh" sounded like something moving thru the brush just behind the sandbar. Up till then...I believed it could be a hog or deer. It sounded like it was on two legs. I'm not for sure and it could have been me just imagining this. It's happens and there is no reference to draw on. It felt different and sounded different. I spooked before but not like this...It's possible that being alone had something to do with what I heard?
Needless to say, I headed for the truck and found the current stronger than expected. I prayed for the sun to come up. About 10 mins later, I calmed down and the false dawn was starting. I stayed close to the shore on the other side as I had to in order to stay out of the current. This is when I comb the shore looking for prints. An hour later, I found what was maybe a half print. The interesting thing is it seemed to have toes however it's like if you slid your foot into wet clay your toes would be sunk into print. If it indeed is a print then it's only the second one that I have seen first hand in 100s of hours in the field. Also, it's exciting because it was in the water or half of it so it had to be very recent. This area is secluded as it is a nature preserve that stretches out along the Trinity River quite a ways. Looking forward to heading back out to this area, as Liberty county is one of the most historic counties in TX for sightings. If anybody in the area is interested in going out to this game preserve please contact me. I still don't feel comfortable in this area on foot at night alone.