I have an opportunity to Hunt in Martin County next year which is way out west, I believe it's close to Andrews. I have heard there are mule deer out there but are there any good whitetails??

Martin County is Stanton area between Big Spring, Andrews, and Midland.

I would see if any deer counts or current game cam pics are available. Some of that area is pretty slim on deer numbers and real heavy with oilfield traffic.

I would do that but this guy said no one has hunted it in 20 years, the owners aren't hunters so they have no clue what is on the property animal wise, they have never leased the property out. I just didn't know if it was worth the 6 hour trip out there.

How many acres is the place? If it is a smaller place in size then the neighbors are hunting the deer moving in and out of it.

It is around 600 acres, they said they have never cropped the land and there on some type of state program thing where they have to let there place just grow. He said it is a bunch of CRP and bushes. I Have never been that far west so I don't really know what to expect!

If crop land close by it could be good for mule deer.

That will be good cover but the neighbors could be hunting the edges of it. If that is the case then it is hunted just not on the land itself. Does it have any water on it? No water might mean no deer live on it.

No water on the place I'm just hoping there are some deer on this place!!!

Thanks!

Lived in the area all my life. It's all about location location location. Could be outstanding to not worth hunting at all. Numbrers aren't great but if you border one of the big ranches in the area that don't get hunted it's possible to see some real quality deer, both m/d & w/t. most of the land around here doesn't get leased, either family or friends hunt. You can message me any questions that you have and I will be glad to help in any way I can. Chances are I know who ownes the land if they are locals.

It's not letting me send you a personal a personal message! But i would love to find more about the area. It is actually close to Patricia on the edge of Martin County. I'm just worried whether i should spend the money and time going out there.

You would probably know after one time going out there. Look for the obvious,deer sightings, deer activity (tracks, scat, rubs, etc.); you see none of that then probably not a lot in the area would be my educated guess.

also depends on price ... but you could always make a trip out and set up a feeder or two with a few game cameras, put it to spin 1 second twice a day, morning & afternoon and leave it alone. Go back out in 3 months to refill the feeders and check the camera cards and look again for sign. Pretty easy weekend trip to check what might be out there.

If you have never seen the place, do a scouting trip over a weekend.

Location is everything. If the place has a draw running through the place. Should be good. Scout the place out one weekend.

After looking at google map. Sounds like your south of Patricia somewhere. Which would put you close to the Holt ranch. I do not think the Holt ranch is hunted. its a big ranch. should be WT and MD running around

I have seen some good mulies on farm land right outside of Patricia! But south of there it's rolling sand country, might be good quail country and if there's deer maybe long range spotting to hunt them. May have to make a trip just to look the country over and scout for sign.If you don't have time and you ask real nice one of us locals might be willing to scout it for you or with you!

Took this pic around lunch time today. It was a few miles south of Patricia.

Thanks guys for all your help! I am going to try and make it out there in the next month to check it out!

My sister has lived near Andrews for the last 30 years. Like most have said, some places are good and some are not. I will say that if there is any water on the property, I would start scouting there. You will know real fast what type of wildlife is on the property. That area is very dry and sandy. Almost like desert with small mesquites. The grass is better this year with the late rains but water is still scarce.

I do know some of the biggest mule deer in the state run in andews area because of low pressure and closed seasons. Don't know how true this story is but my bil has said one of the biggest mule deer in the state was poached in Andrews county. There are some huge whitetails also but the deer numbers are very low because of the scare water and food sources.

IMHO - since you have a year to prepare, I would first scout and setup a water source, if none is on the property. With my knowledge of that area, water is going to be more valuable than a feeder would be. Especially during the heat of the summer. The dove and quail will be good also. There are also tons of yotes!

Good luck!