How is the whitetail hunting in Stonewall County? I'm looking at properties around Rule and Aspermont.

Some big deer in some areas for sure

All depends

Water is real important. I wouldn't buy property that didn't have at least one good well.

The area has very good potential if it's managed correctly. The deer don't come running when a feeder goes off like the hill country, but they are considerably bigger on average.

If the property is small, your neighbors will be a deciding factor in how good the hunting is.

Hunted there a couple of times, some big deer and like most of that area the deer herd is expanding

I noticed a destinct lack of deer sign on the property that didn't have a tank or other water source even though there were oaks and plenty of good cover. The land around Aspermont looks really sandy almost like walking on the beach. I was wondering if I dug a tank, would it hold water?

That's not a question anyone can answer reliably on a forum.

You need to have a core soil test done and they'll tell you if there's enough clay, etc. to hold water. If not, you can still dig a tank, but you may need to line it with clay for it to hold.

Good point. Is that something that can be done through the County Ag Extention or is it done by private contractors?

I believe Rule is in Haskell county. I have a lease just south of Rule on the river. There's plenty of hogs and decent numbers of turkey. Tons of quail and more dove than I've ever seen anywhere in Texas. Lots of coyotes. Not a lot of deer, but there are some monsters walking around. But the locals in the area told me - and it's very true - that the really big deer don't start showing until after thanksgiving when it starts to get really cold. This was my experience. The coldest days in Dec had the biggest deer showing both on cam and in person.

If I stay on the lease, it will be hunting strictly 2nd week of Dec and after - no shooters were around until then. I show a decent 8pt deer, but saw several 150+" in the last week of season. Only saw one before that, and he was all broken up.

The deer were either small bodied or huge. I saw two does that to be pushing 200lbs. The deer I shot, while antlers were OK, had a body that just the 4 quarters weighed 63 pounds at the processor. Normally a deer is about 40-42 lbs for the 4 quarters.

Thanks for the good information John.
You are correct, Rule is in Haskell County. I'm trying to get the lay of the land in areas to the west of DFW within a three hour driving distance. I have family in Argyle and want to buy land that I can hunt with my son and young grandsons. This area seems to offer more a lot of opportunities.

There are no deer in Stonewall county

There are no deer, pigs, quail, turkeys or doves in northern Haskell County either.

I heard they all move to Hockley County during hunting season

my family has a 4800 ac ranch in stonewall and king and i would say a earthen tank will not hold water for ya, we have 6 windmills and huge cement tanks ...and the hunting is great , but as one other said it depends on your ranchers around you , the places around me are 60,000 and 120,000 respectively...they think im a hobby farmer... and dont even have hunting ..makes it nice for me....

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shot of my place in stonewall co. low fence ..we kill a 150 + every year

sandy soil does not necessary mean that it wont hold water, what is under the clay is the deciding factor

Thanks for the input jbryan. Nice lookin buck!
Is drinking water an issue near the Salt Fork? Reading a lot about the saline content of the ground water in this area.

I didn't see any earth tanks in the area, A lot of the growing no looks like beach sand. Just guessing there is not a lot of clay.

You don't see many dirt tanks because they dry up pretty quickly with the sun and wind. They have to be really deep to hold water year round. I think the soil isn't ideal based on observing tanks they have tried to dig on our pastures that have failed to hold water long term. Drilling for water can be a challenge. There are places they have tried on our pastures that the water they found wasn't safe to drink. When this happens you have to move to another location and start drilling again until you find it and have it tested to make sure it's drinkable.

The river water is as salty as the ocean. Looks nice but does not benefit livestock or wildlife.

Thanks for the insight Pitchfork

Your welcome. There is good ground water to be found because we have it. I have drank it and washed up with it.

I would recommend hiring someone that has alot of experience in the area you want to drill and multiple references from satisfied customers.

yea the water in dove creek is gyppy as is the well water and only speaking of my place , the clay is very deep below the gypsum 16-20 ft have a few tanks but they dont hold water long , dove creek holds some deep spots most of the year till July...its gods country though you look out and you will swear you saw john wayne riding by....lol

I just found out that the seller of the property I made a formal offer on decided to sell the property to a family friend without notifying the realtor that the property was listed with until a week after they were given the offer.
Thankfully, I'm starting to develope some great local contacts in the area. A good local well driller is at the top of my list.

Jbryan, what do you do for potable water on your Ranch?

i haul it in from aspermont they have a place to do it right in middle of town 4 dollars per 500 gal...i use well water for animals even though our horse wont hardly drink it but cattle seem to be fine with it...i use well water for washing and all grey water things...