GETTING TO THE LEASE CHORES
By Craig Nyhus Lone Star outdoor newS
It’s finally time — after months of thinking about it, you’re headed to the lease — better late than never.
School and family activities have kept you away, but now that archery season is here and the general season is around the corner, no excuses work, whether reasonable or not.
As you make the several-hour drive, you can see the conditions are optimal, with tall, green vegetation all along the way.
But you wonder about the summer storms that hit the county where the lease is located.
Are the blinds and feeders still standing?
Did the hail break the blind windows?
What creatures might have set up residence in the blinds?
Finally, you arrive. The vegetation is so tall you wonder if you’ll be able to see the deer. You pass by one of the lease’s oak mottes, and acorns nearly cover the ground.
You get to the first blind and feeder. The blind is standing, but the back window has been busted by the hail. You know it might take weeks to get and install a new window, so you check the blind for critters, and fortunately it is absent of unwanted visitors. You board up the window — you rarely look in that direction anyway — and proceed to clean up with your portable vacuum and Windex.
The feeder seems fine, but you replace the batteries anyway. Once you add the corn which, given the amount of acorns might be left alone for a while, you set THE-TIMER and hit the test button. It works, so you move on, hoping the deer will come.
You took the trail cameras down after last season, so you set them, hoping your phone will ding from deer, and not so much from coons and hogs.
Finally, you realize you have to do some clearing around the feeder. The push mower and weedeater are in the back of the truck, so you proceed to making the area a little more hunterfriendly.
The process repeats at the other hunting spots, with similar issues and, after a full day, you’re as ready as you can be, despite the late start.
Deer season is here, and soon you’ll be in the blind with the kids. Hopefully, activities at school will slow down or maybe take second fiddle to time in the field, and maybe even that buck you saw at the tail end of last season will make an appearance.
Deer season is here.
David J. Sams
EXPERIENCE THE ULTIMATE 4X4, PAIRED WITH UNPARALLELED CUSTOMER SERVICE.
YOUR TEXAS HUNTING, SPORTING DESTINATION
Perched atop a mesa just west of Fort Worth, Greystone Castle is a sight to behold. With four turrets peeking above the tree line, this majestic sight is one to be remembered. From its award-winning wingshooting program to trophy whitetail and exotics, world-class bass fishing and our National Champion Sporting Clays instructor, there is something for everyone at Greystone Castle.
The Gold Medal whitetail deer program offers an all-inclusive package based on the opportunity to hunt the opening weekend of the season. Not restricted by score, it is an exclusive chance to hunt for the whitetail of your dreams.
As evidenced by being named a three-time Orvis Wingshooting Lodge of the Year, Greystone has mastered the art of bird hunting. The ever-popular mixed bag hunt includes quail, pheasant, chukar and Hungarian partridge. This upland walking hunt allows guests to experience great pointing dogs working over rolling terrain specially farmed for optimal bird habitat. The European pheasant hunt is a great way to get lots of shooting action and watch Labradors do what they do best — retrieve birds. The mallard hunts offer a great chance to improve your skills over water while the fast-flying dove hunts offer an adrenaline rush every hunter craves.
If you are looking for something different, you will find it in the exotic pasture full of animals from around the world. Species from Africa, Asia, South America and Europe roam the Texas plains and thrive in the southern climate. Breeding herds of axis deer, aoudad, blackbuck antelope, sika and fallow deer
mean there are plenty of trophies to be taken. For those looking to relax and enjoy the water, Greystone offers more than 120 acres of stocked bass lakes. From small private lakes to the 80-acre Thurber Lake, every type of fishing opportunity exists. From fly-fishing to spincasters or simple hook and bobbers, there is a method for everyone. Kayaks and paddleboards let you go off on your own adventure or you can jump on a pontoon boat to sneak to the honey holes.
Two championship sporting clays courses, two 5-stands, a training course and a wobble deck challenge every level of shooter. Our new 400-yard rifle and pistol range offers steel targets at a variety of distances. Hone your skills on the new archery course featuring a tri-level static range and a 3-D walking course. Or just enjoy the scenic hiking and biking trails.
What appeals to Greystone visitors is its top-of-theline accommodations and gourmet meals. Guests enjoy 26 private rooms, gourmet dining from an executive chef, conference facilities and a swimming pool with a hot tub and a steam room. Along with this is the 2,600 square-foot pavilion facility with a custom bar, large seating areas, 65-inch TVs, carved limestone fireplace, Laser Shot, billiards and an overlook terrace with a custom outdoor fire pit.
The ownership and staff are dedicated to creating one of the finest sporting experiences found anywhere in the world. Long-term habitat improvements and wildlife management have made Greystone an extraordinary hunting venue.
GREYSTONE CASTLE
(800) 399-3006
No Time to get blinds and feeders
Even for outdoor activities, everyone shops online — and J&L Hunting Stores makes it easy. Shop online, call, text or email — we will have everything ready and load it for you. Or, if you prefer, we offer both delivery and setup.
Just show up and hunt.
Call, text, or come see us for easy, no-hassle shopping or shop online 24/7. J&L offers the largest inventory of deer blinds and wildlife feeders and is your full-service shop for hunters, with convenient curbside pickup and turn-key delivery available.
Spend all of your time enjoying the important things like making memories with family and friends hunting, enjoying the outdoors and Texas wildlife.
Call and schedule a delivery or just come and see us. We’re owned and operated by hunters.
If you don’t already know us ... you’ll feel like you do.
ready?
3H Bear Peak Ranch
25,244± total acres | $10,000,000 | Socorro County, New Mexico
4,371.04± Deeded • 6,400± NM State Lease • 8,273± acres • 6,200 USFS acres
The 3H Bear Peak Ranch, located in Central New Mexico in Famed GMU 17 offers not only exceptional big game hunting, but also fantastic grazing opportunities. Situated along the western slope of the Magdalena Mountain Range, the Devils Backbone Wilderness Study Area, and adjoining the Cibola National Forest, the ranch has an exceptional blend of rolling grass prairies ascending to rugged mountains.
Renowned for quality big game hunting within the confines of New Mexico’s famed GMU 17, many outfitters and guides consider Unit 17 to be one of their top choices, if not their overall favorite. This area is known to hold some of the biggest bull elk in New Mexico. Elk hunting in Unit 17 is one of New Mexico’s primitive weapons only units, however, rifle hunting for elk is allowed in the Secondary Zone. Part of the draw to this area is that the terrain is rugged and physically demanding. Pronghorn antelope thrive in this area as well, and the ranch supports a healthy herd.
The 3H Bear Peak Ranch represents the best of the Southwest: vast landscapes, trophy hunting, quality grazing, and excellent improvements. Its combination of deeded and leased lands, secure access, strong water system, and premier location in GMU 17 make it a legacy investment.
1,622.36± acres | $7,300,620 | Coleman County, Texas Watts Creek Ranch
The Watts Creek Ranch is part of the famous Warren Ranch and has been owned and operated by the same family for over 30 years. The ranch is a combination of gently rolling pasture ascending to rugged and rocky hills. Watts Creek runs through the northern portion of the property for approximately 1.1 miles. This ranch has an excellent native grass turf and diverse topography and cover. This is one of the finest low fence hunting ranches to come on the market in this portion of Texas and is a rare find.
The Watts Creek Ranch is a hunter’s paradise with trophy whitetail deer, Rio Grande turkey, and quail. The creek bottoms and tanks offer good migratory dove and upland bird hunting. Some of the tanks are stocked with fish, and the fishing is exceptional. $4,500 per acre.
11,960± acres | $8,141,750 | De Baca & Guadalupe Co., NM
Owned by the same family since the early 1930’s, The Patterson Ranch is one of the most productive, and well maintained cattle and hunting ranches in Eastern New Mexico. The topography on the property ranges from open rolling prairie country on the south end to scattered broken country along the eastern side. Hunting on the ranch is outstanding with the big game species being Mule Deer and Pronghorn Antelope. There is also an outstanding population of Scaled Quail throughout the ranch as well as turkey, coyotes, and bobcats.
The property is considered to be well watered. There are a total of 5 water wells, a 12-14 mile pipeline system featuring 60,000 gallons of water storage strategically placed throughout the ranch, 10 livestock drinking troughs, and approximately 10 earthen stock tanks. $725 per deeded acre.
Patterson Ranch
Ritter Creek Ranch
1,940± acres | $5,450,000 | Childress County, Texas
An exceptional turn-key hunting ranch located in a much sought-after area of the Texas Panhandle. The property boasts a beautiful owner’s home, guest quarters, a bunkhouse, and several livestock barns, sheds, and two large shop buildings. Conkline Creek runs north, paralleling the highway on the western portions of the ranch. Several wildlife food plots have been established and there are multiple hunting blinds and wildlife feeders across the ranch. $2,810 per acre.
880± acres | $2,950,000 | Paducah, Texas
An outstanding turn-key property that offers exceptional living quarters, a massive shop, outstanding hunting and recreation potential and quality livestock grazing opportunities. Fenced and cross-fenced into six main pastures with traps and holding pens. Beautifully improved with a well-built barndominium, serving as a comfortable residence, garage, and workshop. Abundant populations of whitetail deer, turkey, and quail. $3,352 per acre.
Located just eight miles north of Lampasas, this property lies at the headwaters of Burleson Branch and offers approximately a quarter mile of paved road frontage. The ranch delivers a well-balanced mix of productivity and recreational appeal. To the west of the branch, elevated ridgelines provide prime homesite opportunities with expansive views. Meanwhile, the eastern side features rugged topography, deep draws, and thick woodlands—creating excellent habitat for wildlife and a true sense of seclusion. $8,733 per acre.
Nestled in the heart of Coleman County, this ranch offers the perfect blend of natural beauty, recreational opportunity, and prime grazing land, making it an ideal property for hunters, weekenders, or ranching enthusiasts. The property offers easy access, coastal bermuda fields, and excellent cover for hunting native wildlife. An exceptional combination of open and rolling meadows, dense canopies, and thickets. A true sportsman’s retreat, Dennis 1 Pasture is home to Whitetail deer, Rio Grande turkey, Feral hogs, as well as dove and quail. $7,000 per acre.
Alamo Canyon Hunting Ranch
2,131± acres | $3,600,000 | Lincoln Co., New Mexico
This is a vast, untamed high desert ranch that elk, mule deer, Aoudad, lion, bear, turkey, quail, fox, and coyotes call home amongst the canyons and craggy ridges. The property is a mosaic of diverse terrains, from rolling hills blanketed in native grasses to rugged canyons carved by ancient waters. The landscape is dotted with junipers and piñon pines. Vast expanses of open land provide breathtaking views of the Sacramento Mountains. Six deer blinds are strategically placed throughout the ranch and offer unparalleled views of the surrounding terrain. $1,690 per acre.
acres |
| Comanche County, Texas
A very scenic property with a highly desirable combination of open grass pastures lined by mature hardwood trees. Chappell Creek flows through the ranch for over a mile, entering the property from the southwest and winding its way northeast. The creek is lined by massive mature pecan, and other hardwoods and conifers. Overall, the ranch offers about a 50/50 blend of open country and dense timbered pasture. There is an abundance of wildlife in this area such as whitetail deer and turkey. $7,435 per acre.
This property features a well-balanced mix of productive wheat farmland and native pasture. It is fully fenced and cross-fenced with fair to good barbed wire fencing. Multiple stock tanks and seasonal creeks provide water sources for both livestock and the native wildlife. Two sets of corrals are located on the property. The area is especially renowned for its excellent whitetail deer hunting. $2,050 per acre.
A turnkey hunting property located just 2–3 miles west of Sonora, Texas. Hunting opportunities for whitetail deer, axis deer, turkey, javelina, and dove. Includes three fiberglass hunting blinds along with three All-Season stand-and-fill feeders and three AllSeason hay feeders. Improvements include a mobile home, and a 40-foot storage container divided into sections: one for ATV storage, another for general equipment, and a third that houses a walk-in cooler and a deer processing area. $4,736 per acre.
105.38± acres | $499,000 | Sutton Co., TX
Aces & Eights Ranch
163± acres | $1,141,000 | Coleman Co., TX Warren Ranch Dennis 1 Pasture
650± acres | $1,332,500 | Foard County, Texas
Speer Ranch
171.76± acres | $1,500,000 | Lampasas County, Texas
Burleson Branch 172 Acres
293±
$2,178,455
Chappell Creek Ranch
Cottle County Dos Rios Ranch
THE HIGH POINT
By Conor Harrison
The annual trip to the deer lease for the start of deer season is a pilgrimage I look forward to yearly. The past several years have been especially fun, since my children have started hunting and look forward to it about as much as I do.
Several seasons ago, my now 16-year-old daughter, Marley, decided she wanted to shoot a deer. Great idea!
Several trips to the rifle range, and Marley was ready with her Ruger rifle.
Anticipation ran high for both of us on a chilly, early November morning. We arrived at the ladder stand well before daylight and got situated. Being still and quiet are not two things that come naturally for a teenage girl, but Marley did a great job remaining mostly quiet as the woods began to wake up around us.
It wasn’t long before a few does came into the setup about 75 yards away and pleasantly munched corn for an hour. It was getting later in the morning, and both of us were getting hungry and beginning to turn our attention toward a breakfast burrito when movement 200 yards to the east caught my attention.
A big-bodied 8-pointer with a rack that was never going to make true trophy status for the other lease members was heading toward the feeder. The buck slowly made its way toward the feeder before making a hard right turn to head into the brush where the does had gone an hour before.
“What was he doing,” Marley asked.
“Trying to find a girlfriend,” I said, “although I don’t think any of them are ready for his advances quite yet. But let me see if I can get his attention again.”
I pulled out the grunt tube from my backpack and let out a series of sharp, loud grunts at his direction.
“Here he comes,” Marley said.
The buck trotted back into the open, stopping broadside as he searched for the source of the grunts. Marley had the .243 ready and I told her to slowly squeeze the trigger. Boom!
The buck immediately dropped, but then got to his feet and ran into the brush. Marley was upset, but I knew it was a good shot. We walked up to her buck several minutes later. The smiles told it all.
I’ve had a lot of great hunting moments, but the high point has been seeing my children on their first hunts. I won’t ever forget that day on the deer lease.
Lone Star outdoor newS
Conor Harrison
hunting products
The new Precision Shooting Table from Texas Hunter Products
This table provides extra stability for more accurate shots. It also can fold up and out of the way for convenience.
The Precision Shooting Table can be mounted in most hunting blinds — it just needs 42-inch width to mount. It silently slides from left to right to accommodate both right-handed and left-handed shooters.
With a support structure of powdercoated steel, and a durable rubberized top mat for padding and sound-dampening, this table is built to last.
It also adjusts up and down to provide ultimate support for your shooting needs. TexasHunterProducts.com
Simply the best deer feeder timer on the market. Easy to operate with a 5-year warranty. Compatible with any six- or 12volt control unit. Can feed up to six times a day. Fuse protected with easy four wire hook up, two to battery, two to motor. Wiring harness is included.
Developed in 2004, it’s reliable, efficient, and durable.
Ask your local dealer for “THE-TIMER.”
“I’ve tried a lot of cheap timers over the years and THE-TIMER is still the best one on the market,” said Mike Hughs of Lone Star Outdoor News. WestTexasFeederSupply.com
Vaquero Grille Guard
Road Armor’s Grille Guard provides the ultimate protection for your truck. The Grille Guard is made in America, using 17-gauge steel uprights, 12-gauge tubing, is factory sensor compatible and utilizes factory OEM tow hooks. With a removable center mesh and four light tabs, the textured satin black power coat will make your truck look great. With a lifetime structural warranty, the Grille Guards are available for Ford, Chevy, GMC, and RAM 1/2-ton and 3/4-ton trucks.
RoadArmor.com
The latest edition to the Redneck Outdoors
Designed for versatility, comfort and rugged performance, whether it’s a camping getaway, a road adventure or a weekend hunting trip, the Freedom Camper delivers the ability to explore.
Weighing only 190 pounds, the Freedom Camper can be easily mounted to or taken out of a truck bed or a utility trailer offering flexibility for a wide range of applications.
Its fully insulated construction makes it a true four-season shelter, keeping users comfortable in everything from summer heat to late season hunting.
The Freedom Camper is more than just a camper – it’s a modular basecamp for the road, the woods or the worksite. FreedomCampersTexas.com
These binoculars deliver high-definition views in a compact, durable design. The Dia mondback HD 10x42 binoculars are built with a phase-corrected roof prism and HD Optical System for excellent resolution, contrast, and color fidelity. Fully multi-coated lenses increase light transmission for a bright image, while ArmorTek coatings protect the lenses from scratches, oil, and dirt. The Diamondback HD 10x42 are built with a lightweight yet durable magnesium chassis and rubber armor for a secure grip. Get a clear image in a lightweight design with the Vortex Diamondback HD 10x42 Binoculars.
“My 10-year-old son, Boone, used these Vortex binocs in Namibia this past summer,” said Conor Harrison, Executive Editor of Lone Star Outdoor News. “They worked great in all conditions and really made his trip enjoyable. We are both huge fans.” VortexOptics.com
THE NEXT GENERATION OF AMERICA’S FAVORITE HUNTING RIFLE
The Ruger American ® Rifle Generation II is an update to the American-made rifle that has been the benchmark for accuracy, durability, and performance in bolt-action rifles for over a decade. Designed with customer feedback in mind, the Ruger American Rifle Generation II is available in a variety of calibers and is sure to become the first choice for hunters and firearms enthusiasts.
Academy excusive Evoke
The Evoke was built to do one thing: make the hunt easier for people who refuse to settle for anything less than dependable performance. The Academy Edition dresses that intent in Christensen Arms’ Barren Dune camo — a deliberately disruptive, mid-tohigh-contrast pattern that breaks up the rifle’s silhouette across scrub, sand, and windswept flats. Rather than hiding in subtlety, Barren Dune uses defined tonal shifts to obscure shape and edge, keeping you unseen when it matters most.
From the shoulder, the Evoke feels purposeful. Balance, ergonomics, and control are arranged so your mind has one less thing to worry about. The chassis is clean and purposeful; everything on the rifle earns its space. That discipline shows up in the way the Evoke tracks and settles, in the crisp, predictable trigger, and in the bedding that gives shooters repeatable groups. For hunters who rely on muscle memory and sober equipment choices, clarity of design equals confidence in the field.
The Barren Dune finish isn’t just style — it’s operational thinking. Its sharper contrasts break visual continuity at distance while the organic shapes and flat tones prevent flash where light hits close. In open country where game is cautious and wind shifts quick, a pattern that interrupts outline and reduces shine is a force multiplier. Academy hunters who need gear that performs across variable arid terrains will appreciate the practical advantage this camo provides.
Practicality continues at the muzzle. Fitted with a thread protector, the Evoke’s barrel remains protected and field-ready while keeping options open for whatever muzzle device a hunter prefers. Whether you intend to run a suppressor where allowed or prefer a minimal profile for balance and handling, the platform accommodates your choice. It’s about preparedness: the rifle stays serviceable and adaptable without sacrificing the clean lines that help control weight and handling.
This Evoke edition isn’t for the gearhead chasing gimmicks. It’s for the hunter who values repeatable performance, quick follow-up shots, and equipment that behaves under pressure. It’s for the kind of person who measures success in tags filled and stories told at the diner, not in Instagram likes. The Evoke’s restrained aesthetic, combined with purposeful engineering and the disruptive Barren Dune finish, gives you a tool that performs when patience and precision rule the day.
If you’re packing for a season where every decision counts, the Academy Edition Evoke is a practical ally — rugged, refined, and unapologetically effective. It doesn’t call attention to itself; it earns the shot. When the moment comes, that’s all that matters.
CHRISTENSEN ARMS ☎ (888) 517-8855
CHRISTENSENARMS.COM
GRADUATE STUDENT BAGS STUDY SPECIES
By Stephen L. Webb
From New York to Texas. From city to brush country. From non-hunter to hunter. That is just part of Edward Tomassetti’s journey that brought him to Texas to study a native big game species.
Tomassetti came to Texas A&M University to study the collared peccary, more commonly known as javelina.
Javelina are classified as a game species in Texas, and found throughout the southwestern United States (Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona). Although they are pig-like in appearance, they are not related to non-native wild pigs.
Despite their classification as a game species, there hasn’t been much research on javelina, leading some to refer to javelina as the Rodney Dangerfield of the game world. Why? Because they just “don’t get no respect.”
In 2022, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department put out a call to conduct research on javelina. A group of researchers at Texas A&M University was awarded the project. The project kicked off in late 2023, with the goals of evaluating population survey methods, understanding population dynamics, and determining habitat use and distribution.
Tomassetti was hired to work on the research project as he pursues his doctorate degree. He and several other graduate students have conducted camera and helicopter surveys and capturing javelina to fit them with GPS collars to track their movements.
Upon arriving in Texas, all the talk was hunting. Then, Tomassetti and crew helped collect research data during draw hunts at several wildlife management areas.
“I realized this was the perfect opportunity,” Tomassetti said.
Little did he know, a group of friends and colleagues were about to surprise Tomassetti with his first hunt for javelina.
“They heard my story and used their connections to help put this opportunity together for me. That kind of generosity and support speaks volumes about the hunting community here in Texas,” explained Tomassetti.
Having studied javelina and learned more about their behavior and uniqueness, Tomassetti gained a much greater appreciation and respect for the animal he was about to hunt.
“I had been wanting to hunt for years, and now it was actually happening.” Tomasetti said as he recalled the first morning of the hunt. “That morning was magical. Waking up early, sitting in a blind with a cup of coffee as the sun rose, and watching the world come alive. I’ve seen plenty of sunrises, but this one felt different. I was filled with gratitude for the opportunity, for the people around me, and for the landscape I was immersed in.”
Everything fell into place. The first-time hunter wasn’t just successful at harvesting his first big game animal, but his first harvest was his study species. And if that weren’t enough, he harvested two javelina on his outing, reaching the statewide, annual bag limit.
While still hunting, Tomassetti and his guides approached a squadron (the name for a group of javelina) to within 200 yards. As the javelina crossed an opening, he had a clear shot, so he took it and the javelina went down instantly. It was silent for quite some time. Everyone waited to get the hunter’s reaction. Then, “That was freaking awesome!”
Then the celebration started. Photos were taken. Memories were made. And laughs were had when Tomassetti said: “I think I blacked out. But now that I think about it, my body, my mind, and my concentration were hyper-focused.”
Harvesting a javelina as his first big game animal wasn’t just symbolic, it was personal. Javelina are the reason he’s in Texas doing what he loves — wildlife research.
“They’ve opened doors for me academically and professionally. To have that species be part of such a powerful personal milestone felt like everything came full circle,” he said.
In the end, the hunting community recruited a new hunter. More than likely, a lifelong hunter. His friends, guides, and colleagues made a lasting impression on Tomassetti. Edward experienced everything hunting is about, and that it’s not just about the harvest.
Hopefully, Tomassetti’s hunting experience for javelina will help him conduct meaningful work on the species as he plans to contribute to the management of javelina and their habitat across southern Texas.
“In the future, I hope to be someone who can help others take their first steps into hunting, just like people did for me,” said Tomassetti.
Stephen L. Webb
