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Managing Land for Whitetail (Rocksprings)
#5761977
05/27/15 06:13 PM
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Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 69
KY Boy
OP
Outdoorsman
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OP
Outdoorsman
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 69 |
I hunt 200 acres of low fenced land in Edwards County, near Rocksprings. What can I do to bring more whitetail in and keep them healthy? We have protein and corn feeders out there now. I have thought about some type of food plot, but I am not sure I have the time or money to do it (open to suggestions though). I am also not sure how much I can plant with how rocky the ground is out there. We get some axis and aoudad that come through, I try to control the aoudad because they eat everything and reproduce quickly. I don't mind the axis being around. Anywho, does anyone have any suggestions for whitetail management in this area? Thanks!
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Re: Managing Land for Whitetail (Rocksprings)
[Re: KY Boy]
#5761981
05/27/15 06:19 PM
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Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 28,032
Navasot
Hollywood
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Hollywood
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 28,032 |
What is your water situation
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Re: Managing Land for Whitetail (Rocksprings)
[Re: KY Boy]
#5762001
05/27/15 06:25 PM
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Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 2,072
cabosandinh
Veteran Tracker
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Veteran Tracker
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 2,072 |
deer attractants do work
feed, feed, and more feed
keep that feeder running daily, if they're there, they'll come
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Re: Managing Land for Whitetail (Rocksprings)
[Re: Navasot]
#5762008
05/27/15 06:28 PM
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Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 69
KY Boy
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Posts: 69 |
We have some creek beds that fill up when it rains, but the main water source is a well/spring on another ranch. They tend to work their way through several properties to that water.
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Re: Managing Land for Whitetail (Rocksprings)
[Re: cabosandinh]
#5762013
05/27/15 06:30 PM
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Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 69
KY Boy
OP
Outdoorsman
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OP
Outdoorsman
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 69 |
Which deer attractants would your recommend?
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Re: Managing Land for Whitetail (Rocksprings)
[Re: KY Boy]
#5762020
05/27/15 06:34 PM
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Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 28,032
Navasot
Hollywood
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Hollywood
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 28,032 |
Which deer attractants would your recommend? Water
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Re: Managing Land for Whitetail (Rocksprings)
[Re: KY Boy]
#5762021
05/27/15 06:34 PM
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Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 2,072
cabosandinh
Veteran Tracker
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Veteran Tracker
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 2,072 |
Which deer attractants would your recommend? Deer Cane (Cabelas have them )
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Re: Managing Land for Whitetail (Rocksprings)
[Re: KY Boy]
#5762024
05/27/15 06:35 PM
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Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 28,032
Navasot
Hollywood
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Hollywood
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 28,032 |
Corn works just the same as any attractant...
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Re: Managing Land for Whitetail (Rocksprings)
[Re: KY Boy]
#5762049
05/27/15 06:52 PM
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Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 5,067
titan2232
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 5,067 |
I think you're just really limited with only 200 acres. Only so much you can do and your neighbors play a big part.
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Re: Managing Land for Whitetail (Rocksprings)
[Re: titan2232]
#5762060
05/27/15 06:57 PM
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Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 69
KY Boy
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Posts: 69 |
I understand the limits. The neighbors just put out corn for the most part. We see plenty of whitetail most years, I just want to see if some extra work gets us a few more deer and a big buck or two. We get a lot of does and young bucks.
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Re: Managing Land for Whitetail (Rocksprings)
[Re: KY Boy]
#5762063
05/27/15 07:01 PM
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Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 2,072
cabosandinh
Veteran Tracker
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another thing to consider is give them a place to hide, bed and don't disturb that area
I bought a place last year with only 2 does and 2 small bucks showing up on cams; after 5 months of heavy feeding/baiting I now counted 15 distinct deer, 3 does pregnant , 5 bucks that are nice to shoot, with 2 I consider trophy
set up a bunch of cams and figure out where they come out and leave those areas alone
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Re: Managing Land for Whitetail (Rocksprings)
[Re: KY Boy]
#5762070
05/27/15 07:07 PM
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Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 233
rytheguy84
Woodsman
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Woodsman
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 233 |
Set up a water catch system
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Re: Managing Land for Whitetail (Rocksprings)
[Re: cabosandinh]
#5762074
05/27/15 07:08 PM
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Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 69
KY Boy
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Posts: 69 |
I have a good idea of where they bed. Guess I'll bait heavier and more frequently in that vicinity and hope it keeps them around. I need to get another cam or two up as well. Thanks for all the replies y'all.
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Re: Managing Land for Whitetail (Rocksprings)
[Re: rytheguy84]
#5762081
05/27/15 07:11 PM
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Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 69
KY Boy
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OP
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Posts: 69 |
Set up a water catch system Do you have a link to one that you recommend?
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Re: Managing Land for Whitetail (Rocksprings)
[Re: KY Boy]
#5762123
05/27/15 07:36 PM
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Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 60,270
BOBO the Clown
kind of a big deal
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kind of a big deal
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 60,270 |
Water, water and feed. That order
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Re: Managing Land for Whitetail (Rocksprings)
[Re: Navasot]
#5762124
05/27/15 07:37 PM
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Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 21,271
SniperRAB
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 21,271 |
Which deer attractants would your recommend? Water The Aqua is the Ticket in that neck of the woods...
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Re: Managing Land for Whitetail (Rocksprings)
[Re: KY Boy]
#5762247
05/27/15 08:52 PM
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Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 2,072
cabosandinh
Veteran Tracker
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Veteran Tracker
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 2,072 |
I didn't think about water because I have 4 ponds
if you need to do water I've seen folks use a 275 gallon IBC tote fed into a metal trough, that option is a lot cheaper than digging a pond
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Re: Managing Land for Whitetail (Rocksprings)
[Re: KY Boy]
#5762329
05/27/15 09:50 PM
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Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 19,638
Pitchfork Predator
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
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I would PM JohnRussell and ask him about his water collection units that he uses. He has a place between Rocksprings and Del Rio.
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Re: Managing Land for Whitetail (Rocksprings)
[Re: Pitchfork Predator]
#5762376
05/27/15 10:33 PM
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Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 68
Casey Gillard
Outdoorsman
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Outdoorsman
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 68 |
I set this up at my lease last year in Val Verde county near Juno. It took a little work to set up and takes some effort to fill but it's cheap and it works. [img:center]http:// [/img]
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Re: Managing Land for Whitetail (Rocksprings)
[Re: KY Boy]
#5762408
05/27/15 11:02 PM
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Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 1,757
Rob Lay
Pro Tracker
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Pro Tracker
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 1,757 |
I have similar questions with 195 acres in Southern Oklahoma. Hopefully within a few years I will have a couple ponds and plant extensive food plots. I'm just running corn now and don't have permanent water. Neighbors have more food and water every side of me.
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Re: Managing Land for Whitetail (Rocksprings)
[Re: Casey Gillard]
#5762524
05/28/15 12:23 AM
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Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 69
KY Boy
OP
Outdoorsman
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OP
Outdoorsman
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 69 |
I set this up at my lease last year in Val Verde county near Juno. It took a little work to set up and takes some effort to fill but it's cheap and it works. [img:center]http:// [/img] How do you fill it?
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Re: Managing Land for Whitetail (Rocksprings)
[Re: KY Boy]
#5762675
05/28/15 01:41 AM
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Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 334
doogie
Bird Dog
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Bird Dog
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 334 |
I'm out in Rocksprings. what part are you in? I did something like this with a 550 gallon tank works well. You will need water in the dry months I have an 8ft x 8 ft metal roof that gives me over 40+ gallons for every inch of rain last week end it was over the top with all the rain The other systems above work but you have to hall water or have a well pumping into it. I like my rain collection system because I have it in a very remote location. I put the bucket with a float valve in the shade to limit evaporation. as for your original question have the following. #1. Water #2 corn and protein (free choice best but can get expensive with the exotics around) #3. (not as important put helpful, have an alfalfa hay feeder to load when your out hunting. #4. leave some areas you don't drive through "bedding areas" food plots will be difficult depending on you area. I personally wouldn't bother unless you have some nice fertile ground in the creek bottoms. I also like having trail cams out year round. Its a lot of fun seeing what exotics are coming around.
Last edited by doogie; 05/28/15 02:48 AM.
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Re: Managing Land for Whitetail (Rocksprings)
[Re: KY Boy]
#5762713
05/28/15 02:01 AM
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Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 19,638
Pitchfork Predator
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 19,638 |
very cool set up doogie
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Re: Managing Land for Whitetail (Rocksprings)
[Re: KY Boy]
#5762914
05/28/15 03:59 AM
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Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 194
Hair 'o dog
Woodsman
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Woodsman
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 194 |
Suggest you guys fix a piece of firewood or thick rope to one side to allow any critters to climb out if fall in. Dead animal will ruin your trough water.
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Re: Managing Land for Whitetail (Rocksprings)
[Re: Hair 'o dog]
#5763056
05/28/15 12:52 PM
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Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 334
doogie
Bird Dog
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Bird Dog
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 334 |
Suggest you guys fix a piece of firewood or thick rope to one side to allow any critters to climb out if fall in. Dead animal will ruin your trough water. You are correct. I like to put rocks in the water bucket to allow a ramp for small animals to get out if needed. I prefer the rocks since they don't decay or get knocked out of the bucket plus it helps to stabilize the bucket I use.
Last edited by doogie; 05/28/15 01:02 PM.
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