This is an interesting story.. I put a Red Stag down November 20th, 15 miles north of Lubbock Texas outside of Abernathy Texas. I was glassing a wheat field and noticed him with a few mule deer does. When I glasses him he was red in comparison to the muleys around him so my first thought was whitetail. Then he stood up and showed me a white rump like a muley has. I honestly thought I was looking at a mule deer/ whitetail hybrid when looking down scope. I knew he was different and I figured that was the most reasonable reason for his odd appearance. Made a stalk into 220 yards but before I shot I noticed his long mane around his neck and “stag” jumped into my brain. I said that’s a stupid thought, there is no way a stag should be outside of Abernathy Texas. I had both a whitetail and a mule deer tag in my pocket so I said “screw it” and let my 308 fly. Never would I have imagined he was a freaking Red Stag. I have hunted this field and surrounding areas my entire life and have never seen or heard of anything like this. I immediately called the Hale County Game Warden and explained to him what happened. He said as long as I have permission to hunt that land and a valid Texas hunting license I’m legal. After I sent him a few pictures of my license and the stag he called back and said “congratulations you’re good to go”. Now, where he came from is still a mystery. I know of a place near Wolfforth Texas (bout 30 miles as the crow flies from where I harvested the stag) that raises stag. I called the owner and he said everything they own is accounted for and they have never lost a stag. I then asked where my stag may have came from and he had no idea. Like I said I have hunted the Lubbock area my entire life and I NEVER would have believed a story like this. Maybe y’all can help me find out where he came from? I would greatly appreciate it!

Congrats on some fine eating. Never know how far a young buck (or Sag) will roam once it gets out and on its own.

Very cool story! And congrats on the stag.

Had a similar situation happen to me in Arkansas about 25 years ago. Shot a Sika thinking it was a whitetail. Never did figure out where it came from.

That Sir....is one hell of a first post.....Congrats.....

Oh...and

Awesome

Congrats!

Great story and congrats!

Welcome aboard and thanks for sharing.

Congrats! All of us think about things like this happening but it generally never does. I would've shot it too without thinking about it.

Congrats! I work around New Deal area and have never seen or heard of one in the area.

Are we sure it is a red stag?

Who cares.
Looks like some fine eating to me.

That's awesome. CONGRATULATIONS!!! I'm from the Lubbock area too. The only stag I know of are like you mentioned right north of Wolforth. I thought I had heard that someone cut their fence last year sometime and some got out. Either way you have a heck of a story to tell.

X2

Congrats Often hope I have a chance at something other than a white tail!!!!!!!!!!

that is awesome! congrats!

Congratulations and welcome to the forum.

right on bud! great eating from what I'm told

Great animal! No tag used and plenty of elk-tasting meat to boot. That's a win-win in my book! Welcome aboard!

Well, given that Exotics have been imported to Texas since the 50's, there will be a day when hunting in Texas will be like Salt Water fishing, you never know what you might see.

I see bullet placement was perfect...........right by the road.

Wow, thats cool!! Congratulations!