texashuntingforum.com logo
Main Menu
Advertisement
Affiliates
Advertisement
Newest Members
nmmuledeerhunter, Dzia-Dzia, TraeMartin, Beatixre, MooseSteed
71989 Registered Users
Top Posters(All Time)
dogcatcher 110,788
bill oxner 91,416
SnakeWrangler 65,416
stxranchman 60,296
Gravytrain 46,950
RKHarm24 44,585
rifleman 44,461
Stub 43,769
Forum Statistics
Forums46
Topics537,029
Posts9,719,585
Members86,989
Most Online25,604
Feb 12th, 2024
Print Thread
2014 in review #5553546 01/20/15 03:06 PM
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 1,213
T
tShawnB Offline OP
Pro Tracker
OP Offline
Pro Tracker
T
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 1,213
So I was sitting here reflecting on 2014 and the disappointing outcome of deer season in relation to expectations from many I know that hunt, especially in the area of the state I hunt, the SE Panhandle or Rolling Plains. I will preface this by saying that the majority of guys I know who hunt with me and around me are looking for 160" age appropriate bucks and yes, these bucks aren't around every bend regardless the situation on free range. I also realize that hunting is never disappointing and it beats work any day; I get it, but many thought that due to Spring rains, horns would be great and quite frankly they were not. Sure, a few 170's were killed (most, if not all off protein), and overall bucks were only slightly better than last year (which is terrible btw). That being said, I knew going in to 2014 we were still in trouble from a horn standpoint as a majority of our Spring rain came in mid to late May, which is too late for optimum antler growth; good for a fawn crop which was obviously leaps and bounds above the last 3 years, but really very little help to antler growth. Looking at rainfall totals in my region, I see that for 2014 Feb-Apr had a total of 3-4" of rain pretty well averaged out between the three and May had about 3 inches give or take and that came later in the month. My family were farmers, and I remember my granddad mentioning on many occasions, it wasn't necessarily the amount of rain, its when you get it and if you miss it by even a couple of weeks, you can go from expecting a bumper crop to just and average crop and perhaps even worse depending on the timing and IMO the same analogy can be used for trophy hunting. Bottom line here is that I am really starting to reflect on where I am hunting in relation to where rainfall has been poor and by looking at forecast, is expected to be below average again and wondering if perhaps I need to look at other options. April showers bring May flowers, big bucks, etc... and in my experience little of no rain in April is not going to bode well for large horns on free range, native browse bucks. So I guess the question is, do you gamble that the one month out of the year that defines a bucks antler growth potential given the past three years drought and projected lack of rainfall this Spring and commit again or do you look elsewhere? BTW, I did a little research and the 4 biggest bucks, all 160+++ that I have killed ALL came in years that had plus rainfall in April as did the biggest bucks on the ranch in general. Of course, the solution is to wait till May to commit and send your money, but most LO's have that figured out.


How come everybody I meet is a deer hunting expert?
Re: 2014 in review [Re: tShawnB] #5553555 01/20/15 03:09 PM
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 28,032
N
Navasot Offline
Hollywood
Offline
Hollywood
N
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 28,032
Stop sweating the score and just enjoy hunting old bucks. cheers

Re: 2014 in review [Re: tShawnB] #5553566 01/20/15 03:15 PM
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 60,296
S
stxranchman Offline
Obie Juan Kenobi
Offline
Obie Juan Kenobi
S
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 60,296
If the lease has the potential to produce that kind of bucks then I would send my money in every year no matter what. If you have neighbors feeding protein then when the rut is going those bucks have the potential to move your way. I would also look at rainfall in the months of Jan-March post rut. That is just as critical of a time period as April IMO. In South Texas March is the key month since it is closer to post rut and you can get a lot of forbes popping in the warmer climate. If you are hung on the score number then you will probably eat a tag sandwich more often than if you are hunting one particular mature old buck.


Are idiots multiplying faster than normal people?[Linked Image]
Re: 2014 in review [Re: tShawnB] #5553576 01/20/15 03:22 PM
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 39,481
R
redchevy Offline
THF Celebrity
Offline
THF Celebrity
R
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 39,481
I'd say pay up and keep hunting. The rains aren't perfect anywhere! We didn't get much rain at all from January-September last year. Since September it hasn't quit. Talk about the ultimate bad hand for hunting, no help with horns and all the goodies a deer could dream of to eat away from blinds feeders corned senderos etc.


It's hell eatin em live
Re: 2014 in review [Re: tShawnB] #5553592 01/20/15 03:30 PM
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 803
R
Russ79 Offline
Tracker
Offline
Tracker
R
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 803
I'm like Navasot....I guess there may be a time when score is important to me but just seeing deer and having shot opportunities has always been my main goal. Last year I had a shot opportunity during bow season but passed on a nice 10 point due to age. This year I didn't even get that- saw next to no deer all season. Remember, deer leases are like jobs- even if you can't stand the one you have never quit one without having another lined up!

Re: 2014 in review [Re: redchevy] #5553920 01/20/15 06:03 PM
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 15,612
Q
QuitShootinYoungBucks Offline
THF Celebrity
Offline
THF Celebrity
Q
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 15,612
Originally Posted By: redchevy
I'd say pay up and keep hunting. The rains aren't perfect anywhere! We didn't get much rain at all from January-September last year. Since September it hasn't quit. Talk about the ultimate bad hand for hunting, no help with horns and all the goodies a deer could dream of to eat away from blinds feeders corned senderos etc.


At least so far the rain is setting up 2015 nicely for you!


[Linked Image]

https://web.archive.org/web/20170223065011/http:/www.rrdvegas.com/silencer-cleaning.html
Re: 2014 in review [Re: tShawnB] #5554141 01/20/15 07:52 PM
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 612
W
wtr Offline
Tracker
Offline
Tracker
W
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 612
There will be thousand people waiting in line to get your spot if u get off. Just think about that.

Re: 2014 in review [Re: tShawnB] #5554519 01/20/15 11:55 PM
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 19,638
P
Pitchfork Predator Offline
THF Celebrity
Offline
THF Celebrity
P
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 19,638
You are over thinking this. Unless you go high fence, you just aren't going to find what your looking for every year. I'm OK with that. Aren't you?


Marc C. Helfrich
Retirement Planner

www.insured-wealth.com
469-323-8920
Re: 2014 in review [Re: QuitShootinYoungBucks] #5555263 01/21/15 01:50 PM
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 39,481
R
redchevy Offline
THF Celebrity
Offline
THF Celebrity
R
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 39,481
Originally Posted By: QuitShootinYoungBucks
Originally Posted By: redchevy
I'd say pay up and keep hunting. The rains aren't perfect anywhere! We didn't get much rain at all from January-September last year. Since September it hasn't quit. Talk about the ultimate bad hand for hunting, no help with horns and all the goodies a deer could dream of to eat away from blinds feeders corned senderos etc.


At least so far the rain is setting up 2015 nicely for you!


No doubt. We usually get decent fall rains. It will run out just in the nick of time, 2 years out of the 8 we have owned our place we had good rain for horns. crying

Oh well, just keep feeding/watering/planting and improving what we can, gets a little better every year.


It's hell eatin em live
Re: 2014 in review [Re: Pitchfork Predator] #5555265 01/21/15 01:50 PM
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 39,481
R
redchevy Offline
THF Celebrity
Offline
THF Celebrity
R
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 39,481
Originally Posted By: Pitchfork Predator
You are over thinking this. Unless you go high fence, you just aren't going to find what your looking for every year. I'm OK with that. Aren't you?


He says he is but apparently not.


It's hell eatin em live
Re: 2014 in review [Re: tShawnB] #5555365 01/21/15 02:40 PM
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 5,067
T
titan2232 Offline
THF Trophy Hunter
Offline
THF Trophy Hunter
T
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 5,067
Be patient my friend as it could be worse. Hunting Terrell County with no management say so and bow hunting these picky nocturnal East Texas bucks is frustrating as well. Having good health and the opportunity to hunt is what matters most. Life is short so enjoy it.



Re: 2014 in review [Re: Pitchfork Predator] #5555393 01/21/15 02:51 PM
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 1,213
T
tShawnB Offline OP
Pro Tracker
OP Offline
Pro Tracker
T
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 1,213
Originally Posted By: Pitchfork Predator
You are over thinking this. Unless you go high fence, you just aren't going to find what your looking for every year. I'm OK with that. Aren't you?
Good question and one I need to answer as it's been 4 years now of drought and decline in not only overall population, but quality as well. That being said, I have been at this deer hunting for sometime and know all to well you don't give up on Plan A unless and until Plan B comes along and is better.


How come everybody I meet is a deer hunting expert?
Re: 2014 in review [Re: tShawnB] #5555409 01/21/15 02:59 PM
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 7,273
B
BenBob Offline
THF Trophy Hunter
Offline
THF Trophy Hunter
B
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 7,273
When your review is that there is not much to review, then look at the positive side. You don't have a taxidermist bill to pay.


Tired, Wired, and Uninspired
Re: 2014 in review [Re: stxranchman] #5555628 01/21/15 04:31 PM
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 28,032
N
Navasot Offline
Hollywood
Offline
Hollywood
N
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 28,032
Originally Posted By: stxranchman
If the lease has the potential to produce that kind of bucks then I would send my money in every year no matter what. If you have neighbors feeding protein then when the rut is going those bucks have the potential to move your way. I would also look at rainfall in the months of Jan-March post rut. That is just as critical of a time period as April IMO. In South Texas March is the key month since it is closer to post rut and you can get a lot of forbes popping in the warmer climate. If you are hung on the score number then you will probably eat a tag sandwich more often than if you are hunting one particular mature old buck.


Leaves a nasty aftertaste barf

Previous Thread
Index
Next Thread

© 2004-2024 OUTDOOR SITES NETWORK all rights reserved USA and Worldwide
Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.7.3