This will be my first year hunting west texas. (Runnels Co) I am on a lease with 3 others, and the lease is split with fields with Mesquites, and then Trees with a creek running through the middle. My first thought is to set up in the trees some what near the creek.

My question is, whats the best place to be setting a new blind in West Texas? Whats the best distance from your feeder is a blind location? my 1st time hunting a feeder as well. I have been hunting up north the past several years. Thanks for the input.

Runnels County is a pretty good place for the most part. Deer will travel the creek and mesquite flats, so pick a spot that appears to have good traffic. Set up for a prevailing S/SE wind. Feeder distance should be based on shots you feel comfortable making. Find the water, food source and bedding if you can. Hunt the edge of the thick stuff instead of in the middle of it.

Being your first time on the lease, I would try to find some vantage points that you can see some different areas out of your blind. Should help to determine how the deer travel and use the land.

Don't rely only on your feeder. Pour corn in areas away from the feeder location, roads, and clearings. Later in the season, try areas in between stands.

Good luck and enjoy

I would put out some trail cams along the creek and other promising areas to see how the deer are traveling. I would also 2nd the post by txshntr. I would also add to if the creek is the only thick cover and shows to be a travel corridor I would not get right next to it, but back off it with the blind and have the feeder right next to it. Also this first year I would think about using a tripod blind or cloth ground blind to hunt out of to be more mobile so I could change locations if the deer are moving different once you get a freeze and the rut starts. Then next year if the place pans out put up a permanent blind.

through my years i have come to realize the best looking places you think to put it are the worst, lol,

That's what I am afraid of. I put a camera out in a spot I like and dumped a bag of corn out in front of it. The spot I had picked out is about 40-50 yards back from the creek, and has 2 lanes 40-50yds. The other guys set up on the edges of clearings, and I was the only one looking in this area. There is trails and sign in the area I have my camera in. I'll go check the pics in a week or so and see what's showing up.

Side question real quick. I picked up a salt block and mineral block from the feed store and dropped them out there. Waste of $$ or do they like them? (They were cheap, so no biggie either way)

They like the mineral block, but at this point in the year it probably won't affect antler growth. No harm though. Keep in mind that where the deer are today doesn't necessarily indicate where they will be come opening day. We put several new blinds on our lease this year. We probably have 7-8 elevated box blinds for 4 hunters. Some are on wheat fields that aren't even planted yet. Others are in draws. Others are in thick brush. My point is that deer habits change throughout the season. I agree with the advice above to have mobility. We put up 6 box blinds this year after being on the property for 4+ years. It will take some time to figure them out so be patient. My 2 cents...

Good luck.

Keith

ive had no luck with salt or mineral, deer block they did eat

If you have cattle then the salt/mineral blocks will be gone quickly. Hogs will wear them out then use them as bowling balls when they get smaller IME. If you have not livestock then if the deer need salt or minerals they will use them. Texas soils and plants can have enough salt in them for deer needs in some areas. Minerals will depend on the soil in that areas. Most of Texas soils and plants are high in calcium but can be low in phosphorus. Can't hurt to try them for the costs.

Mineral and salt blocks don't work at my place. I am south of you, probably not too far. Doesn't hurt to try

Place them according to the prevailing winds. South will probably be yours. But remember to place them not only where the prevailing winds push your scent away from the feeder, but also where the deer come to the feeder. Put them in the shade from the west sun so you don't cook in it on hot early season days.

It also doesn't hurt to have a couple stands set up for north winds too, when fronts come through.

Distance is all personal preference.

The only reason we put out salt blocks is they help keep the cattle closer to the round bale feeders. Same with molasses tubs. You can get the molasses tubs at Hudson Livestock Products on highway 67 going from Miles to San Angelo, on the north side of the highway. We put out the salt and molasses during the week before the season starts, sometimes on Friday before the season starts.

Thanks for the good info fellas. I forgot to mention, one side of the property is HF. Which I believe helps and hurts. But I saw 1st hand the other day 5 deer come down the road onto our property. one of which was a nice 8pt. He tried to jump that fence, and bounced off like a spring! So one of my other ideas would be to sit near that fence line and see what funnels down the fence. I just dont like the idea of shooting that close to the neighbors.

My advice is stay away from the HF, back off a good ways and set up a feeder, the deer not restricted by the HF will come to the feeder. Good feeding techniques will draw the deer in and once they find the location of the feeder create their new trails to it.

Which side of the pasture is the HF on? Might make a good barrier for the wind...

The HF is to the east for the most part, it run 1/2 of the property. The creek is to the south, and camp is at the northern most part. I am going to go scout more. They had cattle on this land through the year, so there's no shortage of game trails. Thanks for the input