Posted: 8/15/2012 1:56:17 PM EDT
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My brother set out trail cameras last week and just started checking them. Some nice results so far. Low fence and free range. He just started feeding last week.
LaRue Tactical related because I will be hunting these animals with my new PredatAR 7.62 this fall. 
same deer from the back 
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| Actually, we have not fed any protein this year. Last season was rough, and no funds for feed. These deer are on a 25,000 acre ranch near San Angelo. This place has been under an MLDP for several years. We had very good rainfall early this year and these are results of having mature bucks with the right conditions. Last year was a different story. The antlers were off 15-20 inches. |
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Actually, we have not fed any protein this year. Last season was rough, and no funds for feed. These deer are on a 25,000 acre ranch near San Angelo. This place has been under an MLDP for several years. We had very good rainfall early this year and these are results of having mature bucks with the right conditions. Last year was a different story. The antlers were off 15-20 inches. I can attest to this. I'm on the other side of the state but our local deer are much bigger this year due to the rains in the spring. |
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I have hunted that area my whole life. No way those animals are free range. I just don't see it. I still think they are escapees I have lived and hunted here all of my life as well. You obviously are surprised at what sound game management can do. Most bucks killed on this ranch are 5 1/2+ years old. Most years we have to kill 140-175 does and 60-80 bucks. As I said, last year was way off. In 2007 we had a 191" deer, a hand full of 170" deer and a bunch of 150-160 deer. It was an great year due to ample rainfall at the right time. We will be flying this ranch in September to determine how many deer to take off of it. The genetics are here. There is no breeder facility anywhere around this place. 33shooter, do you live around San Angelo? |
... Awesome shots bruther!
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I have hunted that area my whole life. No way those animals are free range. I just don't see it. I still think they are escapees I have lived and hunted here all of my life as well. You obviously are surprised at what sound game management can do. Most bucks killed on this ranch are 5 1/2+ years old. Most years we have to kill 140-175 does and 60-80 bucks. As I said, last year was way off. In 2007 we had a 191" deer, a hand full of 170" deer and a bunch of 150-160 deer. It was an great year due to ample rainfall at the right time. We will be flying this ranch in September to determine how many deer to take off of it. The genetics are here. There is no breeder facility anywhere around this place. 33shooter, do you live around San Angelo? I don't live in the area. I have family near it. I grew up hunting there and I've never seen free range 190" deer. Hell, the state record isn't far away from that. What county? Big for the area would be 160", and that I can believe. Most mature deer will be much smaller than 150". Sorry man, just not believing it. If true, I'm stunned! I've hunted my whole life less than 40 miles from San Angelo and never killed anything bigger than 139", those are massive. I know that the spring rain has had a great impact on the population, and all reports show the growth to be execellent. ETA: was it 183 3/8" in 2007 gross? RCR? |
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I have hunted that area my whole life. No way those animals are free range. I just don't see it. I still think they are escapees I have lived and hunted here all of my life as well. You obviously are surprised at what sound game management can do. Most bucks killed on this ranch are 5 1/2+ years old. Most years we have to kill 140-175 does and 60-80 bucks. As I said, last year was way off. In 2007 we had a 191" deer, a hand full of 170" deer and a bunch of 150-160 deer. It was an great year due to ample rainfall at the right time. We will be flying this ranch in September to determine how many deer to take off of it. The genetics are here. There is no breeder facility anywhere around this place. 33shooter, do you live around San Angelo? I don't live in the area. I have family near it. I grew up hunting there and I've never seen free range 190" deer. Hell, the state record isn't far away from that. What county? Big for the area would be 160", and that I can believe. Most mature deer will be much smaller than 150". Sorry man, just not believing it. If true, I'm stunned! I've hunted my whole life less than 40 miles from San Angelo and never killed anything bigger than 139", those are massive. I know that the spring rain has had a great impact on the population, and all reports show the growth to be execellent. ETA: was it 183 3/8" in 2007 gross? RCR? There are several free range bucks taken across the state and in this area that gross over 170, most years. My son killed a deer that netted 170ish back in 1999. His was number 64 in the state for low fence properties that year. Something like number 16 for the region that includes San Angelo. It was on a family lease near Big Lake that we had hunted for over 20 years. Biggest buck that was ever taken there. The gross score 191 was based on a trail cam picture that was taken before the buck was killed. there was an (estimated) 9" tine broken off by the time the deer was killed. It was killed about 17 miles from San Angelo, near Arden. You can see several years worth of bucks taken there at McCrea Outdoors. But, you would not believe it anyway. As I have stated, this ranch has been under an MLDP for many years. Records are kept each year, with photos, gross scores, age, and weight. Those records are provided to the state Parks and Wildlife game biologist every year. Well, I suppose that you believe that I am a liar. Best that we never meet. Next time you are out this way, check in with the local Parks and Wildlife and ask about the quality of bucks that have been taken around here. A little knowledge can go a long way. |
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Don't go get upset now. Management can do great things, that I understand. Now that I know where the place is, and what it is, I do believe you. Pay by the hunt ranches like that draw premium money so they have staff biologists and the best possible conditions for the population. Most are also high fence, so I'm very impressed that yours is not. (I'm not a fan of high fence, but people are free to do what they want). I am skeptical when I see large animals like that where people call free range. I was not calling you a liar, just that it was hard to believe. Do you work at the ranch?
Please post up some pictures if you get one of those this year, they are very nice! |
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Don't go get upset now. Management can do great things, that I understand. Now that I know where the place is, and what it is, I do believe you. Pay by the hunt ranches like that draw premium money so they have staff biologists and the best possible conditions for the population. Most are also high fence, so I'm very impressed that yours is not. (I'm not a fan of high fence, but people are free to do what they want). I am skeptical when I see large animals like that where people call free range. I was not calling you a liar, just that it was hard to believe. Do you work at the ranch? Please post up some pictures if you get one of those this year, they are very nice! My brother is the outfitter and has managed the hunting for about 10 of the 20(ish) years it has been under MLDP. I guide for him, and we are partners on other ventures. It is a tough business, especially if you manage properly. He sends a guide with every hunter. You would be surprised how many folks would pull the trigger on a 130" 2 1/2 year old. Gets tough when you tell a client that he can't shoot a 140" 3 1/2 year old. But, that is what it takes to let them mature and reach their potential. Obviously, we do take out bucks that do not exhibit the potential that we are looking for. And, keeping the numbers down is extremely important. The rains make all of the difference in the world. I have hunted on several leases since I was a kid. None were "managed" and the quality of deer reflected that. Most bucks were young when they were killed. Occasionally, one would make it to maturity and someone would see him or get lucky. So, you are correct, seeing these kinds of deer on a low fence property is very uncommon. It does take strict adherence to a plan over years. And, the good Lord has to provide the rain at the right times. I apologize for coming off as getting upset. Because I do understand that it is very uncommon, and hard to believe that this can be achieved on a low fence place. Next time you are around here, I will buy you a cup a of coffee or lunch.
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It also helps to have that much land to manage. If its been managed properly that long you get great results, and this is a shining example. I salute your efforts for sure and appreciate it being low fence. Nicely done! Those pictures show some amazing animals. You're completely right about management and how it works. We have tried to be conservative with our small place, and had some nice bucks growing. The majority were 3 1/2 years last season when some assholes got hunting access next door and wiped everything with horns out.
Have they had problems with hogs? I've always wondered how ranches like that deal with the pig bomb. Hoping some rifle matches will pop up out there some time soon. If so, I'll look ya up and buy ya a cup of joe. Hey, what's a cull buck between friends 
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| Beautiful deer. Glad you are going to have a chance at some great bucks. We went to the ranch we hunt outside of Lampasas a couple of weeks ago and saw a group of 7 or 8 bucks running together. Most were typical 8 point bucks, but there was one monster in the group that is at least a 12 point. Hope he is still around on opening day. By the way you will really love that 7.62 PredatAR. I was lucky enogh to get an 18 inch 7.62 PredatAR and used it last season. Can't beat it. |