texashuntingforum.com logo
Main Menu
Advertisement
Affiliates
Advertisement
Newest Members
TraeMartin, Beatixre, MooseSteed, Trappernewt, casyoo
71987 Registered Users
Top Posters(All Time)
dogcatcher 110,788
bill oxner 91,416
SnakeWrangler 65,413
stxranchman 60,296
Gravytrain 46,950
RKHarm24 44,585
rifleman 44,461
Stub 43,764
Forum Statistics
Forums46
Topics536,986
Posts9,719,144
Members86,987
Most Online25,604
Feb 12th, 2024
Print Thread
Page 1 of 2 1 2
West Texas Mule Deer #7376443 12/14/18 02:04 AM
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 35,853
txshntr Online Content OP
T-Rex Arms
OP Online Content
T-Rex Arms
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 35,853
Another successful year in West Texas for my mule deer season.

I don't get to go out as long as some of the other guys but can usually get 4-5 days and always pick them toward the end of the season, as that seems to be the best time to be there for the mature bucks. I had talked to some of the guys that had been up there before I made it and the had heard that the hunting was even rougher than normal. Seasonal high temps for a few days and an earlier than normal season wasn't doing anyone any favors.

By the time that I was able to make it, everyone was packing up or about to head home. The last few days, I was on the ranch by myself. Most of the guys that had left and some of the ones that have been on the lease for many years provided a lot of valuable information. Before a couple left, he told me where he had seen some good groups of doe, told me how to hunt a particular pasture that I had never hunted before, and told me where he had seen a nice buck. The same with the last group that left, they hadn't seen as much but let me know what they had seen.

Two of the guys that weren't able to hunt this year provided some great insight and led me to some places on the ranch I had never been. They let me in on some of their spots and how they liked to access them in the late season. It was like having a couple of guides on the phone and was greatly appreciated.

The first couple of days were spent hunting, glassing, driving and walking. I was having a hard time locating very many deer with the exception of two pastures. On the third and fourth day, the weather changed and so did the deer. I was finding deer pretty much everywhere but couldn't find a mature deer that I wanted.

With the last few hours of my hunt left, I decided to finish the week on a new hill that I had been led to earlier by my "guides". I had never hunted that area and wanted to see if I could learn something for next year. I started across the ranch in the buggy at a pretty quick pace. The sun broke from the clouds at just the right time to light up a young buck on a ridge about 1k yards away. I slammed on the brakes and started glassing. It was obvious the way he was acting that he wasn't alone and it didn't take long to pick out the bigger buck headed his way. I knew the bigger buck wouldn't mess with him without does being around, so I spent the next twenty minutes finding them.

Once I found the does, I started the stalk to them knowing he would circle back. There was a pretty good stretch that I couldn't see or find him, but had to trust that he was coming back.

I got to about 250 yards from the doe and ran out of real estate. There wasn't a draw, washout, hill or bush tall enough to get behind...and for those that have met me, that is saying something rofl

I started a walk straight at them and didn't make it far before one of the doe spotted me. She didn't know what I was but didn't like me. I ended up standing still with my arms in for almost an hour as she walked toward me. She took her time, but slowly got closer and closer. The herd assumed she was just feeding that direction and followed her in. She ended up about 20 yards to my right and the buck ended up about 60 yards in front of me when I decided to take him.

My gun was still over my shoulder, so I decided to just swing it off and go to my knee in one motion. It worked...he never lifted his head.

All in all, it was another great trip to West Texas for a Mulie. I love that country and love hunting them. Also, great to hunt with a good group of guys that are willing to help and give me insight...and probably even give away some of their spots to help me close the deal on a great deer.

Didn't get any pictures of him alive, but some of the other deer I came across.

Attached Files IMG_1542.jpgIMG_1532.jpgIMG_1514.jpgIMG_1513.jpgIMG_1500.jpgIMG_1488.jpg

[Linked Image][Linked Image][Linked Image]
Re: West Texas Mule Deer [Re: txshntr] #7376446 12/14/18 02:06 AM
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 1,432
T
twdjr Offline
Pro Tracker
Offline
Pro Tracker
T
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 1,432
Nice Going, Congrats!

Re: West Texas Mule Deer [Re: txshntr] #7376448 12/14/18 02:08 AM
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 15,612
Q
QuitShootinYoungBucks Offline
THF Celebrity
Offline
THF Celebrity
Q
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 15,612
Heck yeah! Great story, thanks for sharing


[Linked Image]

https://web.archive.org/web/20170223065011/http:/www.rrdvegas.com/silencer-cleaning.html
Re: West Texas Mule Deer [Re: txshntr] #7376462 12/14/18 02:23 AM
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 29,609
S
SapperTitan Offline
Taking Requests
Offline
Taking Requests
S
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 29,609
I bet Stx would have passed that young mule deer roflmao


I’m kidding congrats on a great buck

Re: West Texas Mule Deer [Re: txshntr] #7376467 12/14/18 02:26 AM
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 767
T
TexasUplander Online Content
Tracker
Online Content
Tracker
T
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 767
Nice deer

Re: West Texas Mule Deer [Re: txshntr] #7376469 12/14/18 02:28 AM
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 2,877
S
sbushee Offline
Veteran Tracker
Offline
Veteran Tracker
S
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 2,877
Way cool

Re: West Texas Mule Deer [Re: SapperTitan] #7376493 12/14/18 02:50 AM
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 35,853
txshntr Online Content OP
T-Rex Arms
OP Online Content
T-Rex Arms
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 35,853
Originally Posted by SapperTitan
I bet Stx would have passed that young mule deer roflmao


I’m kidding congrats on a great buck


We already argued about the age rofl


[Linked Image][Linked Image][Linked Image]
Re: West Texas Mule Deer [Re: txshntr] #7376494 12/14/18 02:50 AM
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 13,991
N
NDN98 Offline
THF Celebrity
Offline
THF Celebrity
N
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 13,991
Nice buck. Congrats!

Re: West Texas Mule Deer [Re: txshntr] #7376512 12/14/18 03:03 AM
Joined: Nov 2018
Posts: 39
T
thecoblecrew Offline
Light Foot
Offline
Light Foot
T
Joined: Nov 2018
Posts: 39
cheers

Re: West Texas Mule Deer [Re: txshntr] #7376514 12/14/18 03:04 AM
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 11,573
D
dlrz71 Offline
THF Celebrity
Offline
THF Celebrity
D
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 11,573
Thanks for sharing!!! Nice buck..congrats cheers

Re: West Texas Mule Deer [Re: txshntr] #7376519 12/14/18 03:08 AM
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 60,262
BOBO the Clown Offline
kind of a big deal
Offline
kind of a big deal
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 60,262
Congrats on a 160+ mulie, I’d say you figured out how to hunt that ranch.


Donate to TX Youth hunting program.... better to donate then to waste it in taxes

https://secure.qgiv.com/for/gtgoh/mobile
Re: West Texas Mule Deer [Re: txshntr] #7376553 12/14/18 03:48 AM
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 25,138
Creekrunner Offline
THF Celebrity
Offline
THF Celebrity
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 25,138
Congrats.


...and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth. Gen. 1:28
Re: West Texas Mule Deer [Re: BOBO the Clown] #7376562 12/14/18 04:03 AM
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 31,778
T
txtrophy85 Offline
THF Celebrity
Offline
THF Celebrity
T
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 31,778
Originally Posted by BOBO the Clown
Congrats on a 160+ mulie, I’d say you figured out how to hunt that ranch.



He cheats somehow. I know he has a drone or sonar or something.....


For it is not the quarry that we truly seek, but the adventure.
Re: West Texas Mule Deer [Re: txshntr] #7376564 12/14/18 04:06 AM
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 31,778
T
txtrophy85 Offline
THF Celebrity
Offline
THF Celebrity
T
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 31,778
Great deer. I’m jealous and P.O’d but happy for you.


You are on a hot streak


For it is not the quarry that we truly seek, but the adventure.
Re: West Texas Mule Deer [Re: txshntr] #7376568 12/14/18 04:19 AM
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 60,296
S
stxranchman Offline
Obie Juan Kenobi
Offline
Obie Juan Kenobi
S
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 60,296
I sure am glad you decided to get a closer look at that "weak sided 4x5".... :grin I know you were mule-lipped about not seeing any mature bucks the first few days but the old saying held true again...."if I can only hunt a few days then make the last few days of the season"..! Congrats on a great looking buck that scored better than I guessed him at! Of course your photo skills did not help any.... roflmao.I happen to know that area of the ranch pretty well and I know for a fact you could have hidden behind some of those softball sized rocks on that gently sloping ridge grin How come you left out that little detail of the does stalking you up to 20 yards???? clap You said the buck did but not all the does to! Great recap and buck. cheers


Are idiots multiplying faster than normal people?[Linked Image]
Re: West Texas Mule Deer [Re: txshntr] #7376590 12/14/18 04:49 AM
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 300
A
AledoGYoung Offline
Bird Dog
Offline
Bird Dog
A
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 300
Awesome buck! I hope to find a mule deer lease out there some day.

Re: West Texas Mule Deer [Re: stxranchman] #7376600 12/14/18 05:15 AM
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 35,853
txshntr Online Content OP
T-Rex Arms
OP Online Content
T-Rex Arms
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 35,853
Originally Posted by stxranchman
I sure am glad you decided to get a closer look at that "weak sided 4x5".... :grin I know you were mule-lipped about not seeing any mature bucks the first few days but the old saying held true again...."if I can only hunt a few days then make the last few days of the season"..! Congrats on a great looking buck that scored better than I guessed him at! Of course your photo skills did not help any.... roflmao.I happen to know that area of the ranch pretty well and I know for a fact you could have hidden behind some of those softball sized rocks on that gently sloping ridge grin How come you left out that little detail of the does stalking you up to 20 yards???? clap You said the buck did but not all the does to! Great recap and buck. cheers



Might have been the does that stalked me and he just wondered on in behind them grin

He also might have been a 3x5 at one time bang

And you have never been impressed with any picture I have ever taken of an animal...you would think you would teach me something...

And thanks for the assist...it didn’t help, but thanks rofl


[Linked Image][Linked Image][Linked Image]
Re: West Texas Mule Deer [Re: txtrophy85] #7376602 12/14/18 05:19 AM
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 35,853
txshntr Online Content OP
T-Rex Arms
OP Online Content
T-Rex Arms
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 35,853
Originally Posted by txtrophy85
Originally Posted by BOBO the Clown
Congrats on a 160+ mulie, I’d say you figured out how to hunt that ranch.



He cheats somehow. I know he has a drone or sonar or something.....

Originally Posted by txtrophy85
Great deer. I’m jealous and P.O’d but happy for you.


You are on a hot streak


Appreciate it, but I don’t have it figured out. Something different every year, new places to glass from every year and lots of but time...that’s some big country.

rofl No, tricks. Right time, right place. You just left a few days early


[Linked Image][Linked Image][Linked Image]
Re: West Texas Mule Deer [Re: txshntr] #7376604 12/14/18 05:19 AM
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 35,853
txshntr Online Content OP
T-Rex Arms
OP Online Content
T-Rex Arms
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 35,853
And thanks everyone. Appreciate the opurtinity to share


[Linked Image][Linked Image][Linked Image]
Re: West Texas Mule Deer [Re: txshntr] #7376632 12/14/18 10:31 AM
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 4,746
T
texfork Offline
Extreme Tracker
Offline
Extreme Tracker
T
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 4,746
Great buck , congrats


Prayer is the "ultimate" wireless connection .
Re: West Texas Mule Deer [Re: txshntr] #7376650 12/14/18 12:35 PM
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 19,638
P
Pitchfork Predator Offline
THF Celebrity
Offline
THF Celebrity
P
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 19,638
Very nice buck, congrats! cheers


Marc C. Helfrich
Retirement Planner

www.insured-wealth.com
469-323-8920
Re: West Texas Mule Deer [Re: txshntr] #7376659 12/14/18 12:49 PM
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 43,764
S
Stub Offline
THF Celebrity
Offline
THF Celebrity
S
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 43,764
Good looking Mulie, congrats cheers


texas flag








Re: West Texas Mule Deer [Re: txshntr] #7376660 12/14/18 12:49 PM
Joined: Oct 2017
Posts: 834
D
D Rogers Offline
Tracker
Offline
Tracker
D
Joined: Oct 2017
Posts: 834
Awesome buck


~Dustin



"Life's complicated, man, like a dang ol' Rubik's cube, man. Talkin' 'bout blue and red, man. Dang ol' get one side, dang ol' messed up th' other side, man."

-Boomhauer
Re: West Texas Mule Deer [Re: txshntr] #7376705 12/14/18 01:54 PM
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 60,296
S
stxranchman Offline
Obie Juan Kenobi
Offline
Obie Juan Kenobi
S
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 60,296
Originally Posted by txshntr
Originally Posted by stxranchman
I sure am glad you decided to get a closer look at that "weak sided 4x5".... :grin I know you were mule-lipped about not seeing any mature bucks the first few days but the old saying held true again...."if I can only hunt a few days then make the last few days of the season"..! Congrats on a great looking buck that scored better than I guessed him at! Of course your photo skills did not help any.... roflmao.I happen to know that area of the ranch pretty well and I know for a fact you could have hidden behind some of those softball sized rocks on that gently sloping ridge grin How come you left out that little detail of the does stalking you up to 20 yards???? clap You said the buck did but not all the does to! Great recap and buck. cheers



Might have been the does that stalked me and he just wondered on in behind them grin

He also might have been a 3x5 at one time bang

And you have never been impressed with any picture I have ever taken of an animal...you would think you would teach me something...

And thanks for the assist...it didn’t help, but thanks rofl

trout Now I FULLY understand why you did not "go take a closer look at him"....he was "served up to you on a platter" by those does...since they were checking out the gnome in the pasture roflmao
[Linked Image]
rolleyes I am sure glad to you did not take my suggestion of getting to where you had seen a lot of does and had elevation to check for new bucks moving in to look for the does rolleyes
OBTW...where did you find this buck again? grin


Are idiots multiplying faster than normal people?[Linked Image]
Re: West Texas Mule Deer [Re: txshntr] #7376722 12/14/18 02:04 PM
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 31,778
T
txtrophy85 Offline
THF Celebrity
Offline
THF Celebrity
T
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 31,778
Originally Posted by txshntr
rofl No, tricks. Right time, right place. You just left a few days early



In hindsight, there was no way I could have stayed thru the weekend. I had a deal I had to have wrapped up Monday morning and it took me Thursday and Friday to do all that.

If I am able to get over how that place wronged me, I'll hunt the last week next year and save myself time and heartache.






I was able to take a nice jackrabbit with a good tip to tip spread, so it wasn't a total loss


For it is not the quarry that we truly seek, but the adventure.
Page 1 of 2 1 2
Previous Thread
Index
Next Thread

© 2004-2024 OUTDOOR SITES NETWORK all rights reserved USA and Worldwide
Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.7.3