When we rolled onto the Cross Bell for our very first hunting event, the vision for our permanent processing facilities was already on paper, but the actual walls were still going up. We were in that classic "construction phase" where potential meets reality.
However, we had a group of new hunters arriving, and the goal remained the same: teaching them how to turn deer into dinner. We didn't need a finished building to make that happen; we just needed a plan and a team that wasn't afraid to get their hands dirty.
Just prior to this event, I had a "first" of my own: my first-ever hunt with a crossbow. I was honestly blown away by how lethal these weapons are. I was using the Ravin LR, and I have to say, the engineering is incredibly well thought out.
When you combine that platform with the Burris Oracle Oracle X Scope, the precision is next-level. I was able to take a very old management buck, and the experience gave me a fresh perspective on the modern tools available to today’s hunters, the same kind of tools we discuss in our program.
The Cross Bell team stepped up in a massive way. (Special shout out to Ranch Manager Ryan V. and our guides Wesley and Justin for doing an amazing job, clients are still talking about them!) Within a remarkably short window, the Teague family and Cross Bell team, engineered a temporary processing station that rivaled many permanent setups I’ve seen. Even without the final buildings being completed, we created an environment where students could get hands-on experience with every cut of meat.
There is something special about a "first." Because we were working in a temporary space, there was an extra level of focus and camaraderie. It was a testament to the fact that while high-end facilities are nice, but the people and the Field to Table process are what actually make a successful hunt.
For the full story on how we help new hunters find their footing in the woods and the kitchen, check out the excellent piece in Hook & Barrel Magazine by Brian McCombie. Brian is a good friend of mine and a fantastic writer who truly captured the spirit of what we are doing.
