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Texas Drought
#2489280
08/08/11 08:55 PM
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Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 1,127
buck-snort
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OP
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Hello, I know the drought topic has come up multiple times on here. I currently hunt an area 20 miles east of Sonora, TX. known as the Edwards Plateau region. This area is traditionally dry but produces quality deer each season. So my question is what real effect does the drought have on a region that is traditionally dry? The lease I hunt has three water wells located on it which is the deer's source of water, and we feed year around. Just curious on opinions on what effect a drought has on a traditionally dry area? Thanks
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Re: Texas Drought
[Re: buck-snort]
#2489680
08/08/11 11:17 PM
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Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 14,950
don k
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I don't think it has ever been this traditionally dry in at least 55 years so it is hard to say.
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Re: Texas Drought
[Re: don k]
#2489710
08/08/11 11:31 PM
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Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 1,518
MikeBillington
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I think your deer are going to be ok since they are being provided the food and water they need. It's the ones who do not get human help who are going to struggle and die off. This is an unprecedented drought and its effect will be felt for years to come.
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Re: Texas Drought
[Re: MikeBillington]
#2489972
08/09/11 01:14 AM
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Joined: May 2007
Posts: 996
jcoutdoors
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Deer can live through tough times better than most animals. With your well water and feeding program your deer should do well. What will be the true kill shot would be a really harsh winter with extreme cold that endured for any length of time. Overall deer health could really put a damper on the rut in a lot of areas as well. Mother nature has a way of taking care of her own, in areas where the herd has outgrown there range we could see a significant die off. I think you will see that a lot of properties that did not feed year round will find that deer have moved on in search of other food sources. I think as hunters we will have a responsibility to review the condition of our herd and impliment an early doe harvest where needed. I know on our Santo lease our deer are not only competing with a 100 head of cows but also an aoudad herd of probably 200 animals on 2000 acres.
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Re: Texas Drought
[Re: jcoutdoors]
#2490056
08/09/11 01:46 AM
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Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 6,483
jim1961
THF Trophy Hunter
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Posts: 6,483 |
I think the majority of the adult deer will be ok. The fawn crop will suffer and the real impact will be in four to five years from now when that age class is missing from the herd
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Re: Texas Drought
[Re: jim1961]
#2490085
08/09/11 01:58 AM
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Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 60,296
stxranchman
Obie Juan Kenobi
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Obie Juan Kenobi
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 60,296 |
Bucks will probably be down on body weights thru the season this year, mass will also be off, with less mass probably will see more antler breakage also, younger bucks will probably be off a bit and older bucks that ate feed will look about the same as last season. Fawn numbers will be down if there is no fawning cover. I would continue to feed 24/7 and pray for rain to help the whole herd make it thru this winter into next spring.
Are idiots multiplying faster than normal people?
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Re: Texas Drought
[Re: stxranchman]
#2490160
08/09/11 02:21 AM
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Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 2,257
ouixch
Veteran Tracker
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Posts: 2,257 |
I doubt you'll see a huge difference. The most apparent thing I see is that in the hill country, the overpopulation problem is really apparent right now. We are seeing why it is important to keep the numbers in check. This is most glaring in the suburban areas where the residents have been feeding the deer and they've not become dependent.
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Re: Texas Drought
[Re: stxranchman]
#2490182
08/09/11 02:27 AM
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Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 960
Ranger Man
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Tracker
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Bucks will probably be down on body weights thru the season this year, mass will also be off, with less mass probably will see more antler breakage also, younger bucks will probably be off a bit and older bucks that ate feed will look about the same as last season. Fawn numbers will be down if there is no fawning cover. I would continue to feed 24/7 and pray for rain to help the whole herd make it thru this winter into next spring. X2
�Talk low, talk slow and don't say too much.�
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Re: Texas Drought
[Re: Ranger Man]
#2493632
08/10/11 02:48 PM
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Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 241
Katy Tigers
Woodsman
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Woodsman
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 241 |
I agree with all the above. But what scares me is that we will be still be talking about the "drought" this time next year. Because we will still be in one.....
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Re: Texas Drought
[Re: Katy Tigers]
#2493693
08/10/11 03:15 PM
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Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 19,498
Erathkid
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Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 19,498 |
I agree with all the above. But what scares me is that we will be still be talking about the "drought" this time next year. Because we will still be in one..... Good lord I hope not,but I'm afraid you're gonna be right.
Life is too short, as is. Don't chance it. Don't text and drive.
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Re: Texas Drought
[Re: Erathkid]
#2493746
08/10/11 03:30 PM
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Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 19,498
Erathkid
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Posts: 19,498 |
In Gruene and surrounding subdivisions the deer are eating anything and everything in peoples yards,thats not unusual,what is though is when you walk down to the river there is zero browse(small liveoaks, spanish oaks,hackberry,cedar elm etc.)With oak blight taking lots of mature trees when they're gone there won't be any replacement trees-except cedar,this will have effects for a long,long time.I can walk through the woods by the river and see at least 50-100 deer on some occasions.Definitely need to take some out with bowhunting.
Life is too short, as is. Don't chance it. Don't text and drive.
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Re: Texas Drought
[Re: Erathkid]
#2494224
08/10/11 06:48 PM
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Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 1,518
MikeBillington
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I am very afraid that droughts like this one will become the norm rather then the exception. The long term forecast does not look promising at all.
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