How is the deer population (quantity & quality) in either or both of these areas? Looking to purchase a small ranch primary for deer hunting and I am curious on what people think would be the better location. Specifically, I am trying to compare a property in eastern Callahan County south of Putnam and a couple of options in Northern San Saba County, north of Richland Springs. I'm coming from hunting primarily farmland in Jones County that didn't have great activity so I think either will be a large improvement. Appreciate any insights into these areas!

I have a buddy with a family place north of Richland Springs, the amount and size of deer they have for low fence is shockingly good.

As I understand from others and what I've read and heard, bigger deer in Callahan and decent quantities but also nice deer in San Saba and more quantities.

On a smaller property, it's all about your neighbors. I don't know much about Callahan County, but San Saba County in general has a pretty good deer population. The closer you are to the Colorado River, the better.

A small ranch anywhere, all depends on your neighbors. I'd check out the neighbors in both locations.

All things being equal, I would pick San Saba.

Thanks for the insights here. I think San Saba is the move. I'd take seeing more deer on every sit with a chance of seeing some real brutes over a lower overall population, albite maybe some unicorn bigger bucks... I hear the comments about the neighbors. I'm struggling to determine how hard they hunt. All I know to do is ask the seller (which is hard to trust) and check on google maps for obvious signs of feeders. Any other tips on how to tell if the neighbors are aggressively hunting?

Also, I am curious if people recommend protein feeding on low fence 100-200 acre properties? I'm sure it's close to pointless if neighbors are shooting anything with antlers, so lets just assume the immediate neighbors are not aggressive hunters. Sorry if this is a duplicate question, i image it's been discussed somewhere on this forum before.

Walk the perimeter fencing, looking for the obvious, deer blinds on neighboring properties, houses, etc. Also look for animal crossings under the fencing to get an idea on animal movements into and out of your place. I own smaller property, sub 100 acres and put out some protein mostly "in season" and not in an enormous quantity to more act "as an attractant" than anything else. Seems to keep bucks coming in during rut, though a lot at night, lol...

You will get a better price per acre in San Saba County versus Callahan, generally speaking. Callahan is basically a straight, relatively quick, and easy shot out of the Metroplex. I could make a driveway to gate trip from Fort Worth to our place in Rising Star in less than two hours; my friends in McKinney are less than 3 hours to the ranch. San Saba Co. adds at least another hour drive time.

100-200 acres is going to be pretty stout in that area. Excepting some truly unique places, $6,000-$8,000 per acre average list prices wouldn't surprise me south of Putnam versus $4-5,000/acre in San Saba. As for deer, I think the Callahan Co antler quality in your targeted area is superior to San Saba Co unless you are along the river down there. Alternatively, deer quantity in San Saba will be superior to that part of Callahan. I would think there is a better chance at stray exotics in San Saba, too.

I would not feed protein on 100-400 acres LF.

They'll eat you out of house and home.

Depends on your herd size. I have a protein feeder on 2 separate small acreage spots. One 400lb and one 300lb. Fill them 3-4 times a year.

Go to the property in question on a weekend and see how much gunfire is going on. Others doing some target shooting might give you an idea about what takes place there. I would feed cottonseed even though the place may be small. It will make a difference in a years' time that you will see.

I've been going by a place near Putnam pretty regular the past few weeks that may be the place you're looking at. Depends on what the property value is. The one I've seen needs lots of brush control- range improvements. Good deer in that area. How is the water situation? It is much closer to home and be easier to work on.