texashuntingforum.com logo
Main Menu
Advertisement
Affiliates
Advertisement
Newest Members
TraeMartin, Beatixre, MooseSteed, Trappernewt, casyoo
71987 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
Topics537,021
Posts9,719,480
Members86,987
Most Online25,604
Feb 12th, 2024
Print Thread
Page 1 of 2 1 2
Managing Land for Whitetail (Rocksprings) #5761977 05/27/15 06:13 PM
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 69
K
KY Boy Offline OP
Outdoorsman
OP Offline
Outdoorsman
K
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!

Re: Managing Land for Whitetail (Rocksprings) [Re: KY Boy] #5761981 05/27/15 06:19 PM
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 28,032
N
Navasot Offline
Hollywood
Offline
Hollywood
N
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 28,032
What is your water situation

Re: Managing Land for Whitetail (Rocksprings) [Re: KY Boy] #5762001 05/27/15 06:25 PM
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 2,072
C
cabosandinh Offline
Veteran Tracker
Offline
Veteran Tracker
C
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

Re: Managing Land for Whitetail (Rocksprings) [Re: Navasot] #5762008 05/27/15 06:28 PM
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 69
K
KY Boy Offline OP
Outdoorsman
OP Offline
Outdoorsman
K
Joined: Mar 2015
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.

Re: Managing Land for Whitetail (Rocksprings) [Re: cabosandinh] #5762013 05/27/15 06:30 PM
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 69
K
KY Boy Offline OP
Outdoorsman
OP Offline
Outdoorsman
K
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 69
Which deer attractants would your recommend?

Re: Managing Land for Whitetail (Rocksprings) [Re: KY Boy] #5762020 05/27/15 06:34 PM
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 28,032
N
Navasot Offline
Hollywood
Offline
Hollywood
N
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 28,032
Originally Posted By: KY Boy
Which deer attractants would your recommend?


Water

Re: Managing Land for Whitetail (Rocksprings) [Re: KY Boy] #5762021 05/27/15 06:34 PM
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 2,072
C
cabosandinh Offline
Veteran Tracker
Offline
Veteran Tracker
C
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 2,072
Originally Posted By: KY Boy
Which deer attractants would your recommend?


Deer Cane (Cabelas have them )

Re: Managing Land for Whitetail (Rocksprings) [Re: KY Boy] #5762024 05/27/15 06:35 PM
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 28,032
N
Navasot Offline
Hollywood
Offline
Hollywood
N
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 28,032
Corn works just the same as any attractant...

Re: Managing Land for Whitetail (Rocksprings) [Re: KY Boy] #5762049 05/27/15 06:52 PM
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 5,067
T
titan2232 Offline
THF Trophy Hunter
Offline
THF Trophy Hunter
T
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.



Re: Managing Land for Whitetail (Rocksprings) [Re: titan2232] #5762060 05/27/15 06:57 PM
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 69
K
KY Boy Offline OP
Outdoorsman
OP Offline
Outdoorsman
K
Joined: Mar 2015
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.

Re: Managing Land for Whitetail (Rocksprings) [Re: KY Boy] #5762063 05/27/15 07:01 PM
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 2,072
C
cabosandinh Offline
Veteran Tracker
Offline
Veteran Tracker
C
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 2,072
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

Re: Managing Land for Whitetail (Rocksprings) [Re: KY Boy] #5762070 05/27/15 07:07 PM
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 233
R
rytheguy84 Offline
Woodsman
Offline
Woodsman
R
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 233
Set up a water catch system

Re: Managing Land for Whitetail (Rocksprings) [Re: cabosandinh] #5762074 05/27/15 07:08 PM
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 69
K
KY Boy Offline OP
Outdoorsman
OP Offline
Outdoorsman
K
Joined: Mar 2015
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.

Re: Managing Land for Whitetail (Rocksprings) [Re: rytheguy84] #5762081 05/27/15 07:11 PM
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 69
K
KY Boy Offline OP
Outdoorsman
OP Offline
Outdoorsman
K
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 69
Originally Posted By: rytheguy84
Set up a water catch system


Do you have a link to one that you recommend?

Re: Managing Land for Whitetail (Rocksprings) [Re: KY Boy] #5762123 05/27/15 07:36 PM
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 60,270
BOBO the Clown Online Content
kind of a big deal
Online Content
kind of a big deal
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 60,270
Water, water and feed. That order


Donate to TX Youth hunting program.... better to donate then to waste it in taxes

https://secure.qgiv.com/for/gtgoh/mobile
Re: Managing Land for Whitetail (Rocksprings) [Re: Navasot] #5762124 05/27/15 07:37 PM
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 21,271
S
SniperRAB Offline
THF Celebrity
Offline
THF Celebrity
S
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 21,271
Originally Posted By: Navasot
Originally Posted By: KY Boy
Which deer attractants would your recommend?


Water



The Aqua is the Ticket in that neck of the woods...


Re: Managing Land for Whitetail (Rocksprings) [Re: KY Boy] #5762247 05/27/15 08:52 PM
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 2,072
C
cabosandinh Offline
Veteran Tracker
Offline
Veteran Tracker
C
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

Re: Managing Land for Whitetail (Rocksprings) [Re: KY Boy] #5762329 05/27/15 09:50 PM
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 19,638
P
Pitchfork Predator Offline
THF Celebrity
Offline
THF Celebrity
P
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 19,638
I would PM JohnRussell and ask him about his water collection units that he uses. He has a place between Rocksprings and Del Rio.


Marc C. Helfrich
Retirement Planner

www.insured-wealth.com
469-323-8920
Re: Managing Land for Whitetail (Rocksprings) [Re: Pitchfork Predator] #5762376 05/27/15 10:33 PM
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 68
C
Casey Gillard Offline
Outdoorsman
Offline
Outdoorsman
C
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]

Re: Managing Land for Whitetail (Rocksprings) [Re: KY Boy] #5762408 05/27/15 11:02 PM
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 1,757
Rob Lay Offline
Pro Tracker
Offline
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. smile

Re: Managing Land for Whitetail (Rocksprings) [Re: Casey Gillard] #5762524 05/28/15 12:23 AM
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 69
K
KY Boy Offline OP
Outdoorsman
OP Offline
Outdoorsman
K
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 69
Originally Posted By: Popo mud duck
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?

Re: Managing Land for Whitetail (Rocksprings) [Re: KY Boy] #5762675 05/28/15 01:41 AM
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 334
D
doogie Offline
Bird Dog
Offline
Bird Dog
D
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.
Re: Managing Land for Whitetail (Rocksprings) [Re: KY Boy] #5762713 05/28/15 02:01 AM
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 19,638
P
Pitchfork Predator Offline
THF Celebrity
Offline
THF Celebrity
P
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 19,638
very cool set up doogie up


Marc C. Helfrich
Retirement Planner

www.insured-wealth.com
469-323-8920
Re: Managing Land for Whitetail (Rocksprings) [Re: KY Boy] #5762914 05/28/15 03:59 AM
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 194
H
Hair 'o dog Offline
Woodsman
Offline
Woodsman
H
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.

Re: Managing Land for Whitetail (Rocksprings) [Re: Hair 'o dog] #5763056 05/28/15 12:52 PM
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 334
D
doogie Offline
Bird Dog
Offline
Bird Dog
D
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 334
Originally Posted By: Hair 'o dog
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.
Page 1 of 2 1 2
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