Just got on a new lease just south of Crowell and out of the 5 of us on the place, we have been feeding since August with cameras rolling and the best buck seen has been an 8 that will push 120 and another 8 that might go 100". 3 of us bow hunted this past weekend and seen a combined total of 4 deer. I know its early and i keep hearing that the rut is the key to the area but is this typical for the area for this time of year or does it sound like we may have been shot up pretty bad last year?

They're going to move through the area. Just have to be patient. I've been on leases exactly like what you speak of and there's ALWAYS a buck that was never seen on cameras that ends up getting harvested.

They're out there, just have to be in the right place at the right time.

Even though it's not the rut yet, I saw a buck up by the gate of our property we have yet to spot on any cameras( We've got a total of 10 cams running currently). Those older mature deer didn't get that way by visiting feeders.

exactly, and the ones out west tend to be more wary and ghostly in my opinion....

I guess so. I think i've just been spoiled hunting in San Angelo and Lampasas for the last 15 years. I know there are big deer up here but i'm new to the area and just need to do a little more homework. We have 2000ac and it all looks about the same, Flat solid Mesquites with sonderro's a few ponds and a copper bluff in the middle. I'm just out of my element up there when it comes to knowing where to hunt.

I have hunted San Angelo, and Lampasses. Now I hunt Foard county. I dont believe in my expierence there is even a comparison between the areas. But I am on a big lease with really large neighbors as well. Lots of mature bucks, and some real bruisers.

what he said!

I grew up in Crowell and we still have a family farm North of town. I have lots of pics of bucks so far this year but we have good water. My family has been building tanks in that area for a long time and my Dad sure knew what he was doing when he built some of ours (spring fed). This year is one for the books because of the drought. You say you are new to the lease so you may want to consider that aspect. I hope I never see that country as dry as it is right now cause Ive never seen it this dry before.

Hunted just south of town there a few years ago on the West Fork of the Little Witchita River and had the very same experience. Once the second weekend of November rolled around though it was a whole different world. Some really great deer started showing up that we had never seen and I even ended up killing a mid 150s 9pt. Just be patient...

Patience grasshopper...they will come!

last year my dad took a great deer that never showed up on the cameras west of crowell on our lease . We went out this last weekend and it is so dry its ridiculous. we saw a few deer, a few turkeys and killed a 150lb hog. The closer to rut though that country is SO big that deer that haven't previously been in the area will come pushing doe's through the area and you'll see a bunch more activity.

sounds like you have to make a new start, the people who owned it before you probably filled all their tags and then some. This year might just be a meat year, gather all data and research from this year and come up with a management plan that everyone in your camp can agree on and give it at least 3 years.

The one I got out there last year, I had never seen before.

Just took a place in August sw of Crowell on the Salt Fork of the River...2000 acs or so borders the giant ranch 288,000 ac Wye Ranch...spoke with game warden and he said the same..be patient..book deer was taken last year not far from us...got one camera..looks to be 160plus..in vevet..lots of 2.5 yo ones..should be good..wheat is just startin to sprout..have some Audads as well on cameras...feed protien and I think you will drag em in..we are..

We definitely need a Foard County THF Get-Together during Thanksgiving Weekend!!!

lets do it...

I'm in. We'll go to the finest restaurant in Crowell.

I'm in I'm hunting paducah and a select few can come on a mully hunt were I'm at after dinner.

Dairy Bar!!!

Or in paducah we could go to Crackers!

Did somebody say Dairy Bar?? I like the sound of that! They actually have a new pizza joint in town now too that's pretty darn good. We're just south of Crowell at 1919 and 267 bordering the Wagoner. Good luck to all Foard Co. hunters this season. Please keep any updates on the area coming...

Taters has the best CF steak but there is always Alsups.

Hard to beat a Dairy Bar burger, but have to agree, the new pizza joint is pretty dang good to!

Also thought I would give an update while I'm on here. Two bucks were taken last weekend at Raggedy Creek Ranch south of Crowell last weekend.

Bacon Cheese Burger, and hand cut fries....

One of our guys gets their steak tacos too and loves them.

Nice Deer! Raggedy Creek Ranch are good people.

Nice Deer! Congrats!