Concho Valley

There are lots of great areas/regions of the state to hunt whitetails as we all know. But to me, it’s seems like the Concho valley is often overlooked. While there aren’t 160s behind every tree, to me, it is a great area to hunt as it has a great deer population and is fairly affordable (being that it’s a drive from metro areas) while still providing an opportunity for a trophy. How many of you actually hunt the area? And why might it be overlooked or is it?

The new ranch is technically in it, but looks more typical hill country, just a tad dryer. (Southeast edge of the "Concho Valley".) The deer seem hill country too. We'll see, if I get enough mouthes off of here.

Land values are supposedly going up.

We moved to Angelo from east Texas 27 years ago. Best decision ever! Love the people and the area. Plenty of hunting and fishing. We've got a lease in Sterling County and one in Tom Green County. Plenty of wildlife. There are some good bucks taken on both of our places each year. Lots of deer in the 120 - 130 range. Largest we've taken on the Tom Green County place was 148, Sterling County 156. Both places are low fence without protein. Good dove hunting, turkey hunting, quail (when we have rain), and deer hunting. It would be nice to have a bit more rain, but that's just part of living in this part of the world. Best wishes!

Travis

I would have thought with the boom in the basin the last decade that leases out there were $$$ these days.

Good places are not that cheap, and it isn't that far from the metro mess...

I don’t think it’s over looked. Nor has it been last 20years, country stays pretty leased out.

Genetics are there for really big deer when fostered correctly. Just like any where else, those that want to grow big deer and have space, grow big deer, those Good pups don’t

I spent the better part of 30 years hunting the area, and it hasn’t been my experience talking with both ranchers and outfitters that it stays “pretty leased out”. I fact, I’ve seen first hand year after year good leases struggling to fill spots. But I understand that’s not everyone’s experience.

I could see maybe the far west side might struggle but I bet most decent sized ranch’s don’t struggle to fill on eastern side.

Specifically:
Concho
Kimble
Mason
McCulloch
Menard

Ranches that don’t have too many hunters stay leased out. The large majority do have too many people on them though

Hunted a few thousand acres along Duck Creek years ago for 4yrs....I was amazed at the numbers of multi point bucks but never anything over low 40s on the older deer. Seemed like that was kinda the peak...at least on that ranch