Healthy Deer Year

We hunt a ranch that straddles Stephens and Eastland counties and the 4 bucks taken this weekend averaged right at 200#. We are used to bucks weighing in around 170#. What are folks seeing this year?

Saturday we killed the heaviest buck we've ever taken from our lease we've had in Young County for 20+ years.
219 pounds. Everything looked fat & healthy—does, coyotes, etc.

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I've only had one buck in 23 years weigh over 200#, most 5yr olds will go around 180# and 4yr olds 165-170#. I don't know what you're feeding them but keep it up. The weights are on the hoof (not gutted).

Stompy - we don't supplement at all. All of the deer taken were at least 5.5 YO. Mother Nature worked wonders with the nice wet spring and cooler summer I guess.

We are seeing the same thing in central Texas. Heavier deer.

The deer I've seen this year are all in great condition, Cross Timbers region.

Same in Callahan Co. Huge bodied deer this year. Doe from this weekend:

We've noticed that too.

From Leon county to Coleman county, the deer are in good condition.

2 of the 4 bucks we took in October were 200#'s in Stonewall County.

This big boy got harvested opening weekend and yes, the photos are deceiving. The deer is bigger than it looks. The rack scored on the low 160's and when dressed, the deer was so fat you couldn't even see the kidneys. it bottomed out our 200 pound scale. He's getting us a new one.

As much hunting and guiding as this rough as a cob old codger has done, you'd think he'd have know how to take a better field photo. I think he got lost in the moment celebrating his daughter's success.

One thing to be aware of, fat deer look older on the hoof, so keep watching for other signs of age.

All the deer I have seen this year are healthy for sure. We also need to remember a deer taken pre-rut is going to weigh more than a post-rut deer, and doe taken now will be heavier than doe taken at end of winter if not supplemental feeding.

Lots of variables at play, but for sure, mother nature was kind to the wildlife this year for the most part.

Same here. Big deer this year.

We are down around Hebronville. It hasnt been a poor year for us, but seems it has been much better in other parts of the state. Deer are doing fine, but not in exceptional body condition by any means even with protein/corn year round.

Big deer

It amazing how big bucks can get when they eat protein meant for them...and not gobbled up by the Mass Bovine Intrusion......

My buck this year field dressed 165! Heaviest WT I have killed…..

Our bucks in young county are the same. Hard to tell the difference in a 3 year old and a 4 this year . The 5 year olds have some serious weight on them .

Here's another who did well in spite of them cows -