Hunting & Fishing a few trail cameral pics of S. TX deer

[HTR707]

<span style="font-weight: bold">Remember, these are all "free-range" deer. Management is the only thing we do to improve the herd. We don't trap them or fence them in. With the worst drought in Texas' recorded history now almost behind us, I can say that these guys did not suffer as much as could have been the case, had we not improved the range, culled lots of small, genetically inferior bucks & does, and fed supplemental protein.

The hog is a bonus. We think he weighed 300+. He got shot the next night, in an "old school" night vision hunt, using 6.8 X 43mm and an 85 grain Barnes TSX. As usual, he was DRT.

Enjoy:</span>

 

[ChadTRG42]

Re: a few trail cameral pics of S. TX deer

Man, that last deer is very nice! I can't tell for sure, but looks like a 11 or 12 pointer, and he's still young!

 

[HTR707]

Re: a few trail cameral pics of S. TX deer

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: ChadTRG42</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Man, that last deer is very nice! I can't tell for sure, but looks like a 11 or 12 pointer, and he's still young!
</div></div>

He's a 12 pointer and he is only 3 years old. He gets to live (and breed) this season, for sure.

 

[308crosshairs]

Re: a few trail cameral pics of S. TX deer


Hey Chris, looks like you guys have a good managment program going even with that bad drought. I'm still waiting for my 6.5 Grendle upper to get here.

That is one big hog, killed one about that size last year with a 223 69gr smk behind the ear. What county are you in South Tex?
I like to get back down there sometime.

 

[HTR707]

Re: a few trail cameral pics of S. TX deer

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: 308crosshairs</div><div class="ubbcode-body">
Hey Chris, looks like you guys have a good managment program going even with that bad drought. I'm still waiting for my 6.5 Grendle upper to get here.

That is one big hog, killed one about that size last year with a 223 69gr smk behind the ear. What county are you in South Tex?
I like to get back down there sometime. </div></div>


We have worked very hard to eliminate the pigs and coddle the deer. It has paid off big-time.

We are in Goliad county near the San Antonio river.

here is our website address:

www.wildriverranchtexas.com

 

[ChadTRG42]

Re: a few trail cameral pics of S. TX deer

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: HTR707</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: ChadTRG42</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Man, that last deer is very nice! I can't tell for sure, but looks like a 11 or 12 pointer, and he's still young!
</div></div>

He's a 12 pointer and he is only 3 years old. He gets to live (and breed) this season, for sure. </div></div>
Good! Yes, the right thing to do is let him grow for another year or two. But, dayum would it be hard to not shoot him!!

 

[HTR707]

Re: a few trail cameral pics of S. TX deer

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: ChadTRG42</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: HTR707</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: ChadTRG42</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Man, that last deer is very nice! I can't tell for sure, but looks like a 11 or 12 pointer, and he's still young!
</div></div>

He's a 12 pointer and he is only 3 years old. He gets to live (and breed) this season, for sure. </div></div>
Good! Yes, the right thing to do is let him grow for another year or two. But, dayum would it be hard to not shoot him!! </div></div>


You are right. But, I have found that one of the most gratifying things about deer management is when you reach the point where it feels good NOT to shoot one like this. It is patently obvious to the most casual observer that this type of management works, even in low-fenced areas. Within our wildlife co-op many of the neighboring landowners, while skeptical at first, have learned just by seeing results.

Even some of the people that wouldn't join up at first, are realizing how much this management works. It is getting a lot easier for all of us to let these bucks walk, knowing the other ranchers will do the same.

 

[remsps243]

Re: a few trail cameral pics of S. TX deer

have you tried putting a fence around your feeders, as to prevent hogs/javalinas from getting the protein? we do that in our ranch in old mexico and we've had good luck with it.

overall though was deer growth an improvement or stayed the same or declined from last year? We had a decrease in size from last year, most deer shrunk. we had a 180 clas that turned to 170 class that seems to have turned into a 150 this year.

its crazy

 

[HTR707]

Re: a few trail cameral pics of S. TX deer

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: remsps243</div><div class="ubbcode-body">have you tried putting a fence around your feeders, as to prevent hogs/javalinas from getting the protein? we do that in our ranch in old mexico and we've had good luck with it.

overall though was deer growth an improvement or stayed the same or declined from last year? We had a decrease in size from last year, most deer shrunk. we had a 180 clas that turned to 170 class that seems to have turned into a 150 this year.

its crazy </div></div>


<span style="font-weight: bold">Here is the fence around my feeders:

1) HELGA ( Heat Emission and Light Gathering Assimilator) utilizing the TAM-14 thermal weapon sight, and D-740, 4X, Gen III SHP NVD.</span>

<span style="font-weight: bold">2) Cardinal Armory 12.5" 6.8 X 43mm, on Spike's tactical SBR lower, with D-740 Gen III SHP. The 85 grain TSX or 110 TTSX kills then with one shot, clean through.</span>

Because we had water, and fed supplemental protein throughout the year, the bucks are just very slightly less massive than last year. otherwise, we dodged a bullet with the overall antler production. body condition is fair / average this year.

It will get better with some rain, for sure. Next year should be phenomenal.

 

[308crosshairs]

Re: a few trail cameral pics of S. TX deer



Don't need a fence with those toys, I love high tech toys.