2024 Sep/Oct_TTHA Issue

Violence No Solution For Political Change

ear Members:

Texas Trophy Hunters Association is deeply shocked and saddened by the recent news of the attempted assassination of President Donald Trump. We unequivocally condemn this violent act and extend our heartfelt prayers to President Trump and all the victims affected by this tragic event.

In these troubling times, we stand united with the victims and their families, offering our support and prayers for their swift recovery and well-being.

As a community committed to keeping our hunting heritage alive, we promise to promote, protect, and preserve the values that bind us together. Acts of violence have no place in our society, and we must continue to uphold the principles of respect, unity, and solidarity.

Let us all keep the victims and our president in our prayers, and work together to foster a safe and supportive environment for all.

Sincerely,

Christina Pittman President & CEO

Graphic Designers Faith Peña

Dust Devil Publishing/Todd & Tracey Woodard

Contributing Writers

Benno Bauer, Jason Clayton, Kennisyn Drosche, John Goodspeed, Judy Jurek, Lee Leschper, Bobby Parker, Eric Stanosheck, Brian Stephens, Ralph Winingham

Emily Lilie 713-389-0706 emily@ttha.com

Marketing Manager Logan Hall 210-910-6344 logan@ttha.com

Assistant Manager of Events

Jennifer Beaman 210-640-9554 jenn@ttha.com

Administrative Assistant

Courtney Carabajal 210-485-1386 courtney@ttha.com

Advertising Production Deborah Keene 210-288-9491 deborah@ttha.com

Membership Manager Kirby Monroe 210-809-6060 kirby@ttha.com

Events and Chapter Services Manager

Donicio Rubalcava, CMP 210-889-1543 donicio@ttha.com

To carry our magazine in your store, please call 210-288-9491 • deborah@ttha.com

Photo By: Marty Berry

TTHA/SCI Celebrate HQ Grand Opening

Despite the summer heat, hunting aficionados showed up in San Antonio to celebrate the opening of the new TTHA/SCI headquarters on June 29. Both organizations hosted an afternoon of fun, food, and fellowship at the open-house event. “Texas Trophy Hunters Association welcomes Safari Club International’s business office to San Antonio, Texas,” said TTHA President and CEO Christina Pittman. “TTHA is excited

to have two forces under one roof to amplify the impact on wildlife conservation and hunting advocacy.”

“We are excited to launch this endeavor in the Lone Star state, and look forward to a productive future in a pro-hunting political environment that will contribute to our organization’s growth and its wide-ranging advocacy activities for years to come,” said SCI’s CEO W. Laird Hamberlin.

Member

Discount Program Returns

Texas Trophy Hunters Association is proud to relaunch our Member Discount Program (see page 81). This revamped program offers our members unparalleled savings on premier outdoor and hunting gear. It not only aims to elevate our

members’ outdoor experiences, but also provides an exciting opportunity to collaborate with companies in the industry who want to reach Texas hunters and outdoorsmen and women directly. Contact kirby@ttha.com for more information.

SCI President John McLaurin (center), President-elect Jeff Meyerl (right) and CEO W. Laird Hamberlin, open the new offices.

Delise Rohret, on stage with Ben Cassidy, celebrates winning a signed guitar during the raffle.

Singer Cody Hibbard plays for the crowd during the Grand Opening.

DON GILCHRIST

By Horace Gore

Don Gilchrist is a pioneer of our hunting heritage. He grew up in the small town of Ben Wheeler in Van Zandt County, a farming town of some 400 residents. Don’s father was a hunter, and had Don sitting on a pond shooting doves when he was 10 years old.

“Dad sat me down in a good spot and handed me a single barrel .410 and a box of shells,” Don said. “Dad came back about sundown, inquiring about my doves. I had one mourning dove and a lot of empty .410 hulls on the ground.” Since that day, I have had a shotgun or rifle in my hands, looking for a place to hunt.

Don grew up in a county that is referred to as the Gateway to East Texas. He spent a lot of time hunting fox and gray “cat” squirrels, bobwhite quail, doves, and whatever else he could find. Like a lot of East Texas kids, Don knew how to thump a watermelon, bale hay, pick peas, and hunt at an early age.

Van Zandt County is famous for declaring war on the United States of America. After the Civil War, Gen. Philip Henry Sheridan sent troops to quell the uprising, and the Van Zandt citizens won the battle. But after their win, the locals got high on “shine” and eventually lost the war. The most famous place in Van Zandt County is the “First Monday Trades Day,” the largest flea market in the United States. The well-attended monthly event has been held in Canton, the county seat, for 150 years. Watermelon farming was good around Ben Wheeler, and Don had a close friend, Randall Preston, whose father was big in the watermelon business. As time passed, the watermelon business took the Prestons to Frio County where they bought a farm near Pearsall. Don soon learned Frio County had a lot of quail, and before long he was in Pearsall hunting with Randall. “I wore out a Browning auto 20-gauge on quail hunts,” Don said.

Don and his first wife, Sharon, developed a successful business in Ben Wheeler and raised four children. They continued

to visit with the Prestons in Pearsall, and Don did a lot of quail hunting in Frio County. A farm came up for sale near the Prestons, and Don and Sharon bought the property, which was primarily raw ranchland with few improvements. They didn’t

Don Gilchrist

do much with the land, and soon after, Sharon became ill and died of renal disease.

Later on, Don married Sandy, his present wife, and they eventually pondered on what to do with the ranchland. They talked about developing or selling it, but Sandy wanted to develop. They began to build on the property—a lodge and other buildings—and soon Don and Sandy had established the G2 Ranch, a year-round hunting and entertainment venture. Along with white-tailed deer, the ranch has a variety of exotic game as well as bird hunting. The facilities are also available for other festive occasions.

The ranch entertains hunters from a wide range of places, but Don says about 40% of their clients are from the southeastern states. The other 60% come from Texas and adjoining states. Hunters come to the ranch for a range of exotics including axis, blackbuck, fallow, aoudad, nilgai, and native whitetails. A cadre of guides are available to provide the best in trophy hunting. “Of course,

Don and Sandy Gilchrist developed their ranchland into a lodge and other buildings, establishing the G2 Ranch as a year-round hunting and entertainment property.

our trophy whitetail bucks are the first choice of most hunters,” Don quipped. September is a big month for the ranch when hunters converge on the sunflower fields to hunt whitewinged and mourning doves. Don and Sandy have the best in dove hunting, and most of their hunts are booked long before the season opens. “We can accommodate a dozen or a hundred hunters, and white wings are our specialty,” Don said. “Sandy and I started out, hoping to get carloads of dove hunters. Now, they come by the busload and by airplane.”

Don had this to say about the excellent exotic hunting on G2: “Hunters who are new to exotics like to take a good axis buck, or maybe a blackbuck or a fallow buck. Those are probably our first-choice animals.”

Don noted as hunters develop more interest in exotics, they want something a little different. “We have them all,” Don said. “Our repeat hunters want a wide choice to choose from—even a big blue-bull nilgai, sable, or greater kudu on occasion.

Don not only hunts deer, quail, and doves, he makes a lot of hunting available to the many guys and gals who come to his ranch for a variety of game. He and Sandy are longtime friends of Texas Trophy Hunters, and that’s why we’re proud to call Don a pioneer of our hunting heritage.

Pass the Torch

Do your part to preserve our hunting heritage. Share your passion with the next generation. Pass the torch.

How do you pass the torch? Share your photos with us. Send them to editor@ttha. com. Make sure they’re 1-5 MB in file size.

Photos Courtesy of G2 Ranch.

FENCE POSTS

NEWS ABOUT HUNTING, GUN RIGHTS, AND LEGISLATIVE ITEMS

TPW Commission Approves Reduction of CWD Containment, Surveillance Zones

The Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission has approved updates to the chronic wasting disease containment and surveillance zones. Containment zones refer to areas where CWD has been detected and confirmed. Surveillance zones identify areas where, based on the best available science and data, the presence of CWD could be reasonably expected.

Texas Parks and Wildlife Department will replace mandatory check station requirements with voluntary testing measures beginning Sep. 1 in the following containment and surveillance zones:

• CZ 1- Hudspeth and Culberson counties

• CZ 2- Deaf Smith, Oldham and Hartley counties

• CZ 3- Bandera, Medina and Uvalde counties

• CZ 4- Val Verde County

• CZ 5- Lubbock County

• CZ 6- Kimble County

• SZ 1- Culberson and Hudspeth counties

• SZ 3- Bandera, Medina, and Uvalde counties

• SZ 4- Val Verde County

• SZ 5- Kimble County

• SZ 6- Garza, Lynn, Lubbock, and Crosby counties

Mandatory CWD testing remains in place for SZ 2 due to the additional detections of CWD in free-range mule deer outside of CZ 2. In response to these detections, TPWD will additionally expand the geographical coverage of two containment zones in the Panhandle. TPWD will eliminate two surveillance zones – SZ 10 and SZ 11 – in Uvalde

County and SZ 12 in Limestone County.

Additional amendments have been adopted to modify surveillance zones to include only portions of properties within a two-mile radius around a CWD positive deer breeding facility—the physical facility, not the boundaries of the property where the infected facility is located.

Zone information can be found on the CWD webpage on the TPWD website. . —courtesy TPWD

TPW Commission Approves Statewide Deer Carcass Disposal Regulations

The Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission approved statewide deer carcass disposal regulations during its May meeting, in an effort to reduce the risk of transmission of chronic wasting disease across the state. For most hunters, these new regulations do not change how they currently care for their deer after harvest.

“Proper disposal of all potentially infectious material is critical for reducing the risk of disease transmission,” said Blaise Korzekwa, TPWD’s whitetailed deer program leader. “These new regulations provide hunters more options when it comes to processing their deer to reduce that risk. If CWD is not managed and efforts are not made to mitigate potential spread of the disease, the implications for Texas and its multibillion-dollar ranching, hunting, wildlife management and real estate economies could be significant.”

The new regulations, which will take effect during the upcoming hunting season, will allow hunters to debone a carcass at the site of harvest, provided proof of sex and tags are maintained

until the hunter reaches the final destination. By leaving the unused parts at the site of harvest, the chance of spreading CWD to other parts of the state is greatly reduced. Meat from each deboned carcass must remain in whole muscle groups (not chopped, sliced or ground) and maintained in a separate bag, package or container until reaching the final destination.

These disposal measures apply only to unused carcass parts from native deer (white-tailed deer and mule deer) harvested in Texas and being transported from the property of harvest. If carcass parts from native deer species are not being transported from the property of harvest, these carcass disposal rules would not apply.

Because many hunters take their harvest to a commercial processor, it will be the processor who properly disposes unused parts. For hunters processing deer at home, disposal in a commercial trash service is preferred, but other options are available.

Acceptable disposal options include:

• Directly or indirectly disposing the remains at a landfill permitted by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality to receive such wastes

• Burying the carcass at a depth no less than 3 feet below the natural surface of the ground and covered with at least 3 feet of earthen material

• Return to the property where the animal was harvested.

For more information, visit the CWD webpage or contact a wildlife biologist. —courtesy TPWD

HUNTING NEWS

TPW Commission Adopts New Mountain Lion Regulations

The Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission approved regulations banning canned hunts and implementing trapping standards for mountain lions during its May meeting. These changes are the first in more than 50 years regarding management of mountain lions in Texas and move the state toward more modern hunting and trapping standards.

“The passage of these regulations is an important step toward better management of mountain lions in the state,” said Wildlife Diversity Program Director Richard Heilbrun. “The regulations support ethical hunting and trapping practices while continuing to provide flexibility for landowners to manage mountain lions.”

The Commission unanimously voted to approve the measure, which included the banning of canned hunts, meaning the capture and later release of a mountain lion for the purpose of hunting or pursuing with hounds.

After concerns were raised that some mountain lions are left to perish in traps, which many consider to be inhumane and potentially damaging to the reputation of trapping, a 36-hour trapping standard was also adopted. This regulation ensures that live lions are not kept in traps or snares for more than 36 hours.

The initial proposed regulation during the March Commission meeting included an exemption to the 36-hour trapping standard for snares fitted with a breakaway device. The proposed regulation was modified in response to public feedback received during the comment period to remove the breakaway device exemption and replace with a blanket exemption for snares set vertically with a maximum loop size of 10 inches or less.

Consequently, if a mountain lion is inadvertently captured in a snare set vertically with a loop that cannot exceed 10 inches in diameter, the 36-hour requirement does not apply.

Mountain lions are relatively uncommon, secretive animals. In Texas, mountain lions are primarily found in the Trans-Pecos, the brushlands of South Texas and the western Hill Country.

For more information, please visit the

mountain lion or fur-bearing animal regulations pages on TPWD’s website. —courtesy TPWD

FDA Approves Medicated Feed for Wild Quail

The FDA has approved a drug for parasite control in wild quail populations. The FDA concluded the drug integrated into a medicated feed is safe and effective in controlling parasites in wild quail in their natural habitat. For instance, eyeworm parasite infection levels in the Rolling Plains region of West Texas have been documented at over 60% and cecal worms have been documented at up to 90% levels throughout Texas.

The medicated feed crumble integrating the drug will be known as “QuailGuard.” In labeling instructions, the FDA recommends the medicated feed be in the form of a crumble and not generally broadcast but offered through strategic feeding stations and appropriate feeders.

QuailGuard is a field-tested medicated feed crumble made from a proprietary blend of grains, minerals, vitamins, and amino acids combined with the active drug ingredient, Fenbendazole. It has been proven to be palatable and effective throughout the FDA registration process. In addition to parasite control, the formulation has multiple health benefits to quail.

Based on field research, the recommended application is for QuailGuard to be distributed with strategic feeders for a 21-day period in the spring and a 21-day period in the fall. The FDA does not recommend it for broadcast feeding. Using a 50-pound bag per application and one feeder per 200 acres, QuailGuard will cost approximately 50 cents per acre for treatment once a feeding strategy has been set up. An example of strategic feeding stations employing QuailSafe technology has proven to be effective in treating wild quail for parasites in multiple FDA-approved demonstration sites.

The approval follows nine years of research and application in coordination with the FDA by Dr. Ron Kendall, professor of environmental toxicology at the Wildlife Toxicology Laboratory at Texas Tech University. Park Cities Quail Coalition and the Rolling Plains Quail Research Foundation primarily provided funding for the research. The funds were raised by sportsmen concerned about the declining huntable populations of wild quail in Texas and beyond.

“This was a momentous project involving over a decade of research and ultimately involving dozens of highly credentialed professionals and has resulted in the publication of 44 scientific research papers so far,” Dr. Kendall said. “I am a quail hunter myself and feel passionately that QuailGuard will contribute to quail conservation and sustainability efforts.”

“We are proud to have funded this research with money raised by hunters,” said Raymond Morrow, president of Park Cities Quail Coalition. “Wild quail naturally have a high mortality rate. It makes sense that high levels of parasites in their eyes and gut contribute to quail mortality. We hope all grassland birds in this region will benefit from this advancement.”

“Of course, habitat and weather are the most important factors. However, eyeworms and cecal worms on quail have reached pandemic levels in parts of Texas and this is the first solution to this significant factor in quail decline,” said Joe Crafton, QuailGuard’s president. “This is another sportsman-led conserva-

tion success story and only the second wild animal ever approved by the FDA to be treated in their natural habitat with a medicated feed product.”

—courtesy Park Cities Quail Coalition

SCI Represents Sustainable Use at National Elk Refuge Stakeholders Group

The National Elk Refuge in Wyoming provides habitat and winter grazing for thousands of elk in western Wyoming. The Refuge was founded to provide winter forage, including supplemental winter feed, to help elk through Wyoming’s harsh winters after development in the Jackson area cut off prior migration corridors. The Refuge has been feeding elk in the winters since 1912. The Refuge is currently updating its Elk and Bison Management Plan and considering whether to continue, reduce, or phase out the supplemental winter-feeding program.

SCI strongly opposes any option that would arbitrarily cut-off feeding without providing alternative forage or reopening migration corridors, given the likelihood of mass starvation, cratering of the Jackson elk herd, and increased humanwildlife conflicts. SCI is currently engaged in litigation, along with the Wyoming Outfitters and Guides Association, to defend the adaptive phase-out of feeding against animal rights groups that seek to speed up the end of feeding. In May, SCI participated in a stakeholder

HUNTING NEWS

meeting to raise our concerns and push for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to consider a broader range of alternatives in the environmental analysis supporting the new management plan. SCI was the only group in the session representing sustainable use of elk and seeking to maintain feeding, so our participation was key in developing a record for the Service’s decision-making.

SCI will continue to promote responsible management of the National Elk Refuge and to oppose any top-down decisions that would shirk the Service’s duty to protect and preserve the elk who depend on the Refuge for winter feed— and who have no other options, given human development and the reintroduction of wolves. —courtesy SCI

IHEA-USA, Savage Arms Advance Hunter Education, Safety Initiatives

The International Hunter Education Association-USA (IHEA-USA) announces the expansion of its partnership with Savage Arms to advance firearm education and safety initiatives.

“Savage is proud to continue our support of IHEA and their focus of safely educating the next generation of hunters. Worldwide, IHEA has helped educate tens of thousands of new hunters every year. The safe hunting practices that are taught by these great instructors are creating a strong, safe future for our hunting lifestyle,” Savage Arms said in a statement.

Trump Visits Safari Club International’s DC Office

Former President Donald J. Trump stopped by the Hunters’ Embassy on June 13, and was eager to thank Safari Club International for representing sportsmen and women worldwide and defending the right to hunt. “It was an honor to have the president spend time at the Hunters’ Embassy to share his support,” said Ben Cassidy, SCI’s executive vice president of international government affairs and public relations. “He even called the embassy a ‘beautiful building.’ His visit certainly threw the press pool outside through a loop.” —courtesy SCI

As part of the expanded partnership program, Savage Arms will include a promotional card with every firearm sold, encouraging customers to sign up for the Firearm Fundamentals online courses, provided by IHEA-USA. The courses teach safe firearms usage, which are built with and adopted by many state wildlife agencies. These courses give new hunters and firearm enthusiasts a solid foundation in firearm safety and handling.

In addition to promoting the Firearm Fundamentals course, the promotional cards will provide an option to donate to IHEA-USA directly, further supporting the organization’s efforts to promote hunting safety and conservation. This move underscores Savage Arms’ dedication to hunter education and safety, aligning perfectly with IHEA-USA’s mission to provide comprehensive training and resources for new hunters.

IHEA-USA Executive Director Alex Baer said, “We are incredibly grateful to Savage Arms for providing this opportunity to educate firearm owners with the Firearm Fundamentals Courses. Savage Arms has been a long-standing partner of IHEA and the Conservation Industry with their support of hunter education instructors, and this partnership further demonstrates their dedication to safety and responsible gun ownership. The Firearm Fundamentals online courses were created to help new gun owners understand their contribution to the North American Model of Conservation, and to quickly gain confidence through an education focusing on safe firearm handling, transportation, storage, and even range expectations. We hope this partnership benefits Savage Arms customers and helps to create safer, more knowledgeable firearm owners.”

The Firearm Fundamentals Online Courses, accessible to participants in hunting and shooting sports, are comprehensive online courses that equip participants with essential knowledge and skills that will create confident and satisfied gun owners. As more hunters enroll in the course, state agencies will benefit from a more educated and safetyconscious hunting community, contributing to improved safety nationwide. Visit ffcourse.org.

Buck Mortality

By Dr. James C. Kroll

In the early 1970s, I began presenting seminars in response to the growing demand for information about managing white-tailed deer. By today’s standards these talks were pretty generic, covering the usual age, nutrition and genetics components to management. It was my opinion the greatest challenge was getting bucks past their first year of life.

“Can I safely say, every Boone and Crockett buck once was a yearling?” was my favorite question. To my surprise, the most common response was, “If I don’t shoot him, someone else will!” I would come back with, “Well, if you let a yearling buck walk, his chances were certainly higher than if you shot him.”

That is indeed true, but at that time we had no idea what the true survival rate was for bucks. In Texas, we tend to have opinions on deer management colored by what I call the “South Texas mindset.” That is, deer management takes place on large properties. In the real world, however, folks try to manage for better bucks on 40-acre and 80-acre tracks. After 50 years, we now have more data on factors affecting buck survival, so this

According to author, the principal mortality agents for bucks has been disease, fighting and accidents. In the 2020-21 season, he lost two mature bucks to accidents where he conducts deer research. This buck died during the February 2021 “snowmageddon” when the deer tried to walk between two trees, got his hips caught, and froze to death.

column is about what we know.

I just finished an exhaustive investigation on the state of knowledge about buck mortality factors, rates and survival. It’s an understatement to say the literature is very confusing on these subjects. There are a host of variables influencing mortality, ranging from climatic conditions to hunting pressure to social norms for hunters. In “natural herds,” buck morality takes a “U-shaped” form, with highest death rates in the early and late periods of life.

In general, most studies agree the highest mortality of bucks and does is from birth to about one month of age. There is a reason why does have two fawns. It’s the magic number needed to produce at least one fawn each year. The primary causes, in order, for fawn mortality are starvation, predation, and disease. Under poor nutrition, does cannot produce enough milk to feed both fawns, leaving one or both to die. Fawn survival in 2020 for much of South Texas was quite low, due to very dry conditions, which translated to poor quality and quantity of forages.

In other areas of the country, fawn survival was very high due to abundant rainfall during the nursing period.

Predation is a hot topic today, and it should be. Predators are increasing at alarming levels—especially the larger predators such as lions and bears—creating an “additive” impact on survival. Bears can take as much as 50% of the fawn crop, because they are highly adapted to finding fawns, even in thick cover.

It’s reported that sheep and goat ranching in the Texas Hill Country allowed the coyote to cross the Edwards Plateau and invade the southeastern and eastern portions of the U.S. Coyotes have moved farther and farther north in the last two decades, creating concern among biologists who once asserted that coyotes were not a real problem. Disease can be a significant problem, especially in conjunction with poor nutrition. Bacterial and viral diseases are common killers of fawns, followed by parasites such as pinworms.

The second highest natural mortality period, especially bucks, is the first year after weaning. However, mortality is not uniform among bucks and does. The reason being that yearling bucks tend to relocate, exposing them to strange places and increased mortality. That’s one reason young bucks tend to “pal up” with another buck one year older, in a tight relationship lasting as long as both survive. Most of the scientific studies have focused on mortality of younger bucks, frankly because in many states there are no mature bucks to study.

After a buck reaches his second year, natural mortality is quite low, sometimes less than 5-10%, and I often have said after 21/2 years, a buck is pretty much immortal until 61/2 years and older. In fact, an Oklahoma study concluded: “…males >3.5 years old tended to die from non-human causes (e.g., fighting, predation) more frequently than did younger deer.” (Ditchkoff, et al. 2001). The key word here is “natural,” because in most of the whitetail’s range, the number one mortality agent after the first year is hunters. Many areas exist where hunters annually take as much as 50% of the yearling bucks.

That trend has lessened in recent years, primarily due to the education of hunters by media such as this magazine, conservation organizations such as the Quality Deer Management Association—now the National Deer Alliance—and outdoor programming. According to QDMA, yearling buck harvest has dropped from a high of about 60% in 1989 to 30% in 2018. Even so, states such as Wisconsin, Maryland, Massachusetts, New York, and Illinois harvested 40-50% of their yearling bucks in 2018. It’s interesting Wisconsin considers any buck greater than 18 months of age, as an “adult.”

It also is a state which considers yearling bucks with spikes less than 5 inches in length. When we consider just bucks, hunters in many areas are indeed the primary mortality agent. Yet, studies conducted in states with high buck harvest rates tell us little about the question, what is a buck’s potential survival if I do not shoot him as a yearling?

In order to arrive at an answer, we have to look at the handful of studies conducted on either un-hunted populations or ones where age management is deeply ingrained. The five states with the highest percentage of 31/2+ year old bucks in the harvest are Mississippi (77%), Louisiana (75%), Arkansas (72%), Oklahoma (66%), and Texas (65%), all states where management is very popular. Texas probably is number five due

CITED SOURCES

Bowman, J. L., H. A. Jacobson, D. S. Coggin, J. R. Heffelfinger, and B. D. Leopold. 2007. Survival and Cause-specific Mortality of Adult Male White-tailed Deer Managed Under the Quality Deer Management Paradigm. Proc. Annu. Conf. Southeast. Assoc. Fish and Wildl. Agencies 61:76–81

Ditchkoff, S. S., E. R. Welch, Jr., E. R. Lochmiller, R. E. Masters, and W. R. Starry. 2001. Age-specific causes of mortality among male white-tailed deer support mate-competition theory. J. Wildlife Management 65(3):552-559.

Webb, S. L., D. G. Hewitt, and M. W. Hellickson. 2007. Survival and Cause-Specific Mortality of Mature Male White-Tailed Deer. J. Wildlife Management 71(2):555558.

Elder, W. H. 1965. Primeval deer hunting pressures revealed by remains from American Indian middens. J. Wildlife Management 29(2): 366-370.

to there being more dyed-in-the-wool trophy hunters, willing to let even middle-aged bucks walk.

The Oklahoma study referenced earlier reported annual mortality for older bucks to be 0.26-0.38 annually, with most mortality coming from non-hunting factors. Bowman, et al. 2007, reported on a study on managed herds in Mississippi, concluding: “… if <2.5-year-old bucks are passed up … will be available for harvest during the next season because these bucks have very little natural mortality.” In South Texas, a study by Hewitt and Hellickson, on an intensively managed ranch, reported, “Average annual survival of the known-aged 1998 cohort was 82% with 52% of [bucks] surviving to 6.5 years of age.”

There is almost nothing known about un-hunted deer herds. The only information we have about natural deer herds comes from studies on the middens (trash piles) of Native Americans. According to one study (Elder, 1965), 20-26% of deer killed by Native Americans were 61/2 years or older. For such a high percentage of bucks to reach that age, annual mortality has to be very low.

Finally, at our research facility near Nacogdoches, for 38 years we have harvested only a handful of bucks. In those years, the principal mortality agent for bucks has been disease (hemorrhagic and pneumonia), fighting and accidents. It’s amazing how many accidents deer have. In the 2020-21 season, we lost two mature bucks to accidents, one during the February “snowmageddon,” when it tried to walk between two trees, got its hips caught and froze to death.

The answer to the question about what happens to a young buck if you let him walk, is clear in my mind. He has an acceptable chance of reaching an older age when he will have the largest antlers his genetics will permit. This is true even in areas where landholdings are small. So, there’s no excuse for not passing on yearling bucks, provided hunters are willing to do just that. But that is a topic for another column.

The Coues white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus couesi) is named after Elliot Coues, an Army surgeon and naturalist who served a tour of duty in the “sandbox” of the American Southwest in the late 1800s. Elliot pronounced his last name “Cowz,” and would roll over in his grave if he heard how badly hunters butcher his name. Trying to correct that mispronunciation is probably a lost cause at this point, because 90% of non-biologists pronounce this deer “Cooz.” I’m not a grammar Nazi, but if I had a deer named after me, I would want it pronounced correctly.

What’s a Cooz?

“Cooz deer,” as they are often called, are simply a miniature version (subspecies) of the white-tailed deer found in the East. There is only one species of white-tailed deer, but it shows a lot of variation throughout its range of distribution. This variation is simply due to local populations adapting to habitat, nutrition, or climatic conditions. Through the years, many of these various kinds of whitetails have been described as official subspecies, complete with multi-colored maps showing well-defined distributions. Currently there are at least 38 subspecies of white-tailed deer that have been described in North and South America. Most of these descriptions were based on only a few individual

Coues whitetails occur throughout the Sierra Madres of Mexico and the scattered mountain ranges of the American Southwest.

specimens and have not been evaluated sufficiently to see if they are really valid. But, the Coues’ whitetail differs both physically and genetically from other whitetails.

Where the Cooz are

Coues white-tailed deer is often called the “Arizona Whitetail” because of its distribution throughout central and southeastern Arizona. It is also found in scattered populations throughout other areas of the southwestern United States such as southwestern New Mexico, and in the Mexican states of Sonora, Chihuahua, Durango, and Zacatecas.

Throughout their range, whitetails live in relatively rough, wooded terrain with steep canyons. Typical Coues whitetail habitat is mixed oak woodland, but they can be found anywhere from ponderosa pine/mixed conifer at 10,000 feet elevation down to the upper limits of semi-desert grassland. Although elevations with the highest deer densities vary among different mountain ranges, most Coues whitetails are found between 4,000 and 7,000 feet. Their distribution in the mountains is determined by the availability of good quality browse and water in dry seasons. At lower elevations, there is considerable overlap in habitat use with desert mule deer.

In most areas of the West, mule deer are found in high elevation mountains and whitetails live in valleys and along rivers. However, in the Southwest, whitetails are found in the

mountains and mule deer in the grassland, shrubland or desert valleys surrounding the mountains. Coues whitetails don’t migrate because they don’t need to with light and sporadic snow events. But, they do shift to areas lower on the mountain or to south-facing slopes after big snow storms, and then filter back to their home ranges in a week or so when the snow melts.

Class by itself

This little version of white-tailed deer has been generating a lot of interest nationwide among hunters looking for a different challenge and some fantastic landscapes. This is the only one of 38 whitetail subspecies that has its own Boone and Crockett Record Book category. To highlight the physical differences between Coues and other whitetails, consider that a mature buck field dresses at 90-100 pounds, and it takes only 110 points to make the all-time Boone & Crockett record book for the typical category. The current World Record Coues whitetail scores 144 1⁄8 Boone & Crockett points and has not been surpassed in more than 60 years despite a lot of effort by people with high-dollar optics and long-range rifles. In South Texas, a buck scoring 144 points won’t even make it to a taxidermist.

Coues white-tailed deer were named after Army surgeon Elliot Coues, who pronounced his name “Cows.”

Coues’ white-tailed deer are simply a smaller version of the same whitetail that roam the rest of the country.

I went from being a biologist on a trophy ranch in South Texas to manage Coues in southern Arizona and it took some time before I was getting excited about a 100-point whitetail buck. They are amazing animals, however, and easy to fall in love with. Outdoor Life editor Jack O’Connor proclaimed the Coues white-tailed deer to be the most beautiful of the North American big game.

Because an average whitetail buck from elsewhere could be the new Coues deer world record, the Boone and Crockett Club funded a series of studies to look at just how genetically unique Coues whitetails are by looking at differences in their genes. That research resulted in a genetic test to identify true Coues whitetails that is used by the Pope and Young and Boone and Crockett clubs to maintain the integrity of the permanent trophy record categories.

Hunting elliott’s tiny Whitetail

The predators of this small deer currently, or in the past, include Mexican wolf, jaguar, southwestern grizzly bear, black bear, mountain lion, and coyote. You can understand why these open country whitetails are more than a little jittery and “twitchy.” They are considered one of the hardest big game animals in Western North America to sneak up on with a bow.

Hunting is done in classic western spot and stalk style by “glassing up” deer with binoculars and then stalking to within

range. This is a different experience than most whitetail hunting in the country. Even the way we refer to antler points is western count, where you ignore brow tines and only count one side of the rack. No other type of whitetail is counted that way. Successful hunters find areas of thick brush near open hillsides to catch bucks that slip out of the cover to grab a bite to eat. Getting away from roads and finding areas of habitat with the least disturbance offers the best chance to find older bucks that have not been messed with. During dry periods, hunting at or within a mile of a water source also increases your chances. Rut occurs in mid-January in “Cooz country” so if you are not from the Southwest, you are probably wanting to come here that time of year. If you are lucky enough to hunt the rut with archery tackle or rifle, you will see plenty of mature bucks moving around all day long.

Collecting Cooz

It’s hard to beat the grand landscapes of the Southwest and this unique type of deer. It’s ironic that Elliott Coues was famous for collecting thousands of animal and plant specimens for museums while he was stationed in the Southwest, and yet he never shot a specimen of his namesake deer. Humans inherently like to collect different versions of things, and the more unusual or local, the more appealing it is. That’s certainly true with deer and one of the reasons that every Grand Slam of deer varieties will always include the “Cooz” deer.

Coues white-tailed deer live in rugged mountain ranges, generally above 4,000 feet. Author photo

Dove season is open, but the summer sun is hot, so let’s find a cool place and dwell for a moment on a famous writer, adventurer, and hunter named Ernest Miller Hemingway. Aside from novelist James Albert Michener, “Papa” Hemingway may have been one of the most influential writers of the 20th century, having plied his literary art to a long list of novels and short stories. I was a wildlife advisor to Michener in 1984 while he wrote “Texas,” and I have a pretty good library of Hemingway selections. Both Hemingway and Michener were Nobel Prize winners, and both led unusual and adventurous lives. Hemingway’s Nobel Prize in Literature came in 1954 with “The Old Man and the Sea,” when he was living in Havana with his fourth wife, Mary.

Hemingway using his typewriter.

Hemingway led an unpleasant life as a youth in suburban Chicago, because his mother dressed him—for whatever reason—as a girl. He left the family as a teen to get away from both his mother and father. As a cub reporter for the Kansas City Star, Ernest began a long career as a writing correspondent and novelist.

After volunteering at 19 as an ambulance driver with the Red Cross during World War I, and getting wounded, young Hemingway ended up in France and Spain, where he rubbed elbows with the likes of F. Scott Fitzgerald, Gertrude Stein, and Max Eastman.

“The Sun Also Rises,” was Hemingway’s first novel, published in 1926, and centered around a group of young “lost generation” expatriates as they hobnobbed through the night lights of Paris and the bullfights of Madrid. It was at this time that Hemingway requested that his friends call him “Papa,” as opposed to a first name that he distained.

Hemingway became a master with words, and he usually wrote about his experiences: war-time ambulance driver; bullfights in Madrid; yachting and fishing; four wives; African safaris; and World War II. Before leaving Cuba and building a home in Ketchum, Idaho, in 1959, Hemingway had lived in Chicago, Paris, Key West, Madrid, and Havana. His challenges with Africa’s dangerous Big Five; two plane crashes; diseases; women; and booze, influenced Hemingway to be one of the greatest novelists of our time.

Deep sea fishing, shotgun shooting, and big game hunting were Hemingway’s favorite pastimes. He had a safe full of expensive firearms, and spent a lot of time on his yacht “Pilar,” a rather lavish 38-foot boat. Papa’s Caribbean cruises were instrumental for his novel, “To Have and Have Not.”

Hemingway used a unique writing style that purred with excitement in his many novels and short stories. Two stories that stand out to me—“The Short Happy Life of Francis Macomber” and “The Snows of Kilimanjaro”—were both made into Hollywood movies. I highly recommend “Macomber” and the safari scenarios that pit a wealthy coward, his pretty, sexy wife, and a worldly, red-faced guide against African lions and buffalo that

end with an unusual bullet hole in Macomber’s head.

But what about Hemingway’s “The Snows of Kilimanjaro”?

In his 66-page short story, which contrasts distinctly from the movie, the principal character is a faded writer named Harry Street, who lies dying in a tent on the African plains. An unkept thorn injury has infected Harry’s leg, and the bloodless dead flesh of gangrene causes Harry to become delusional as he drifts in and out of the past.

Harry’s wealthy, but unloved wife cares for him as he lays on a cot with his smelly, gangrenous leg, knowing he has let the soft life ruin his literary career. As Harry lies dying, he dreams

The inspiration for one of his best-known stories, the imposing Mount Kilimanjaro.

Hemingway volunteered as an ambulance driver with the American Red Cross Motor Corps in Italy in World War I.

of the writing he has failed to do. Since this story wasn’t considered a regular for Hemingway’s repertoire, it’s interesting to see how he came to write one of his best short stories.

Hemingway and his second wife, Pauline, had been on safari in Tanganyika (now called Tanzania) in East Africa, and had returned to New York to a waiting press. Hemingway was 35; at the pinnacle of a literary career; and all of New York wanted to know what his next venture would be. In typical Hemingway fashion, he announced, “I’m going to Key West and make enough money to go back to Africa.” He and Pauline spent a few weeks visiting and partying in New York before going home to Key West.

Hemingway was more popular and well-known in 1934 than President Roosevelt. Pictures and comments about the African safari were in all the New York newspapers, which were read by one of the wealthiest women in America.

Helen Hay Whitney was a rich woman who lived in a mansion on lower Fifth Avenue and owned a 435-acre estate on Long Island. A widow at 58, Whitney had a string of racehorses; had won the Kentucky Derby; and was known far and wide in social and horse racing circles.

The lady sent Hemingway a note, “Come by for tea,” and he went by as requested. As they drank bourbon and branch (tea), she explained the visit. “Ernest, you don’t need to make any money for Africa. I will give you all the money you need for your next safari, and more—if I can come along with you and Pauline.”

Hemingway later remarked, “Helen Whitney was a nice, rich lady, but I turned her down.” He supposedly never visited the woman again, although there were notes left by Whitney’s son that read,

“Helen always enjoyed her visits with Ernest Hemingway.” Back in Key West, Hemingway kept thinking about the rich woman’s offer—and maybe more— and what would have resulted if he had taken her generous African safari proposal.

Hemingway was not a saint, by any stretch. He was the epitome of a burly, bearded, outdoorsman: a boozer, fighter, and womanizer. He often quipped that politics, women, drink, money, and ambition were the five downfalls of writers. His use of many of these failures in his writing is evidence Hemingway had experienced most of them.

His writing and lifestyle had made Hemingway famous, and back in Key West, he kept thinking about a fictitious writer with great potential, who is led astray by money, never to know the height of success that might have been. His lingering thoughts of Helen Hay Whitney and the free-standing, snowcapped, volcanic mountain—the highest in Africa—led to “The Snows of Kilimanjaro.”

Hemingway worked back and forth on “Snows” for two years, and in 1936, the short story was first published in Esquire magazine, and later in book form in 1938. Some critics called the story a masterpiece, while others said it rambled. However, the majority felt that, although a short story, “The Snows of Kilimanjaro” was clearly one of Hemingway’s best.

Ernest and Mary Hemingway on safari in 1953-54.

Hemingway on his boat in 1950.

I first read “The Snows of Kilimanjaro” many years ago, and just recently read it again. Through the years, I have been puzzled with the epigraph: “Kilimanjaro, a 19,710-foot peak, thought to be the highest point in Africa. Near the western summit is the dried, frozen carcass of a leopard. No one has explained what the leopard was seeking at that altitude.”

What was Hemingway’s source for this dynamic description of a leopard carcass nearly three miles high near the snowy summit of a dormant volcano—a frozen leopard preserved for eternity? Had something caused the leopard to lose its way? Did Hemingway see himself as the leopard?

I have always suspected Hemingway had previous knowledge of such a leopard carcass, and recently I discovered the answer. In 1926, a mountain-climbing Lutheran pastor named Richard Reusch had found the frozen carcass of a leopard at 18,500 feet, along with a distant carcass of a goat. Hemingway apparently heard the leopard story while on safari in (formerly) Tanganyika in 1934, and tied the “lost” leopard and Helen Hay Whitney to his scenario for a short story.

Hemingway pondered the thought of a wealthy woman and a soft life causing a successful journalist to lose his ability to write—to lose his way—just as the leopard had lost its way. He pictured someone like himself, trying to pick up the pieces of a

flaunted literary life, and knowing that he never could.

And then, in “The Snows of Mt. Kilimanjaro,” we have Hemingway’s protagonist Harry Street, a successful but floundering writer on safari with his rich wife in East Africa, dying of gangrene on the dry African plains in the shadow of the snowy summit of Mt. Kilimanjaro.

Harry’s wife is asleep from exhaustion, as he lies on his cot, looking at the purity of the mountain’s high snowcap, while a hyena and a community of vultures witness his death. Like the leopard, Harry had lost his way by taking the wrong trail with a wealthy, unloved wife named “Helen”—as in Helen Hay Whitney of New York. Ah, the essence of Hemingway’s unvarnished satire.

In 1920 Paris, Ernest Hemingway regularly patronized Harry's New York bar with many of his well-known expatriate friends. As was normal for a 21-year-old, Ernest was a regular with a girlfriend named Mary. It's questionable what Hemingway's interest was in Mary, but they were at the bar quite often.

Mary didn't like the smell of whiskey on Ernest's breath—giving him holy-hell when he smelled of corn liquor. One evening, Hemingway and a bartender at Harry's confronted the issue.

BARTENDER: You need to drink something with no whiskey smell, like vodka.

HEMINGWAY: I don't like straight vodka. I might drink it if it was

mixed with something to kill the vodka taste, like tomato juice.

BARTENDER: Yes, and add something that will give it a bite, Worcestershire sauce. HEMINGWAY: I like a good bite, and something tangy, like a little lime juice, a pinch of salt, cayenne, and black pepper.

BARTENDER: This all sounds good, and some ice, and a few drops of tabasco should give you a racy cocktail that nobody can smell.

Over 100 years ago, Ernest Hemingway and Fernand Petiot concocted the cocktail known today as "Bloody Mary." Hemingway was noted as saying, paraphrased, as he sipped the vodka-strong, tangy, tomato-based drink that would solve Mary's bitching: "This 'Bloody Mary' has licked my problem." The name stuck, and exists to this day.

The original recipe for the Bloody Mary was published in 1921 in "Harry's ABC of Cocktails," and is still served, sometimes for a hangover, in Harry's New York bar in Paris, France, and all over the world.

Hemingway with a lion he killed on safari in 1934.

is another up-and-coming hunter. Just look at the fabulous trophy buck she took on one of the family’s ranches.

Isla Moy

Hunting has been a favorite pastime of the Moy Family for as far back as they can recall. The Moys are a rather large family, and the majority of them call Falls City home. Located southeast of San Antonio, the rural area has a heavy emphasis on agricultural practices, including farming and cattle. White-tailed deer, feral hogs, wild turkey, and excellent wing shooting provide a lot of hunting in the surrounding region where wildlife habitat is interspersed amongst the local farms.

The Moy family runs a third-generation water well company, Thomas Moy & Sons Water Well Drilling Inc., servicing and drilling wells throughout South Texas. Thomas Moy, Sr. started the business in 1944, and passed it to his sons, Thomas Moy, Jr. and Johnny Moy. The brothers are still involved in the business, but their sons, Thomas “Tres” Moy III and Joshua Moy, are now the third generation to run the family business.

Aside from water wells, Thomas Moy, Jr. and Johnny Moy always had an interest in cattle and hunting. Throughout the years, they acquired a number of ranches and focused on running successful cattle and wildlife management programs. In addition to hunting their ranches, the brothers have pursued trophy whitetails throughout South Texas and Mexico, and even hunted abroad.

Just as their business has passed from one generation to the next, so has their love of hunting. Tres Moy loves to take his daughters, Isla and Olivia, hunting. Isla is the oldest, just turning 13, and in addition to hunting, she enjoys cheerleading and volleyball.

“Isla is growing up to be a well-rounded young lady,” Tres said. “She likes the girly things as well as the outdoors, and has spent enough time deer hunting with me to understand our management at the ranches. She killed her first buck when she was 5 years old, and has taken many since then. Quite an accomplished hunter.” Tres continued, “I just go along for the ride since she started hunting with me,” he said with a laugh. Last year, while hunting with her dad, Isla capitalized on an opportunity and took her biggest buck to date.

At the beginning of the 2023 hunting season, a big nine-point had been seen at one of the family’s ranches. “We knew the buck. He was an older buck that just kept getting a little bigger each year,” Tres said. “The family discussed the buck, and we decided that Isla would hunt him.” Until this point, Isla had only taken does, culls, and management bucks. “I had really been quietly hoping and wishing for an opportunity at a trophy buck I could hang on the wall,” Isla said.

Their first chance to hunt for the big nine-point was an evening hunt. Tres, Isla, and Olivia went to a blind where the buck had been previously seen. “The buck came out but just wouldn’t cooperate. There were a lot of deer feeding and he was continually moving. It was just tough to get a shot,” Tres said.

“I tried to get comfortable for a shot, but the sun was in my eyes, and I was a little nervous,” Isla said. They left the blind at dark, without having fired a shot and felt a bit dejected. They hoped the next hunt would bring a change of luck.

Early next morning, they went to the same blind early before daylight and watched as the old, big-bodied nine-point jumped into the feed pen. Tall grass and the panels enclosing the feed pen to exclude cattle and hogs obstructed any chance of a clear shot. “We sat there and watched him eat,” Isla said.

“We were hoping he would leave the feed pen and go to a group of deer that was nearby,” Tres said. “However, when he jumped out, he walked straight into the brush and disap -

Isla’s nine-point was well worth the wait.

peared.” After a long wait, the hunters were confident the buck had left the area, so they decided to go eat a late breakfast.

That evening, Tres and Isla returned to the same blind, confident they would see the buck they were after. Olivia’s patience had run out, and she went hunting with her cousins in a different blind. “We hadn’t been sitting long, when the big nine-point stepped out and started walking toward us. I told Isla to shoot him as soon as she felt comfortable,” Tres said.

At about 125 yards, the buck stopped and turned broadside. Isla was ready and squeezed the trigger on her .270. The buck showed little sign of being hit, but buckled from the bullet before disappearing into the thick brush. “The shot felt good, and I said a little prayer to make my bullet fly straight as we waited,” Isla said.

After a 15-minute wait, they made their way over to where the buck had been standing, but didn’t find any sign of a hit. “I started to get really nervous,” Isla said. They worked their way into the brush where the buck had gone. “We found him right away,” Isla added. “He had gone about 30 yards before piling up in a cactus.”

“Isla had the biggest smile when she walked up to her buck,” Tres said. “She was so happy and excited. He was so much bigger than we expected.”

“I couldn’t believe I got the chance to shoot him! He was perfect,” Isla said. They took a couple of photos before loading up the buck to show everyone. They took another round of photos with the rest of the family. The deer measured 1675⁄8 gross.

“The deer had a huge body and based on our observations, we figured he was old,” Tres said. “His body size threw us off a little. He had a big frame with 28-inch main beams and tines over 14 inches. Everyone in our family does their part to make the business and ranches successful for future generations. We all enjoy hunting together and we couldn’t be happier for Isla and her buck.”

Isla with her father, Thomas “Tres” Moy.

A Different Person in Five Days

By Kennisyn Drosche

Six years ago, while knowing little to nothing about cattle, I started showing heifers. Very quickly, I discovered I loved being around and working with cattle. However, I had one issue I thought that seemed to slow me down. The issue I had in mind was I did not come from a family involved in the ranch or livestock industry, and I had no idea how to go about becoming a part of it. That was until I discovered Texas Brigades, and more specifically, Ranch Brigade. Ranch Brigade, a Texas Brigades program, is a five-day educational program that teaches youth about land stewardship, livestock production, and so much more in the classroom and in the field. Ranch Brigade helped me learn things about the ranching and cattle industry that I had been wanting to know for years. While at Ranch Brigade, I learned everything from land stewardship to the pasture to plate process. I was taught about the many types of grasses and which ones are common in the area.

Along with this, I learned about grassland management and why it is so important to the health of our ranches. Aside from learning about grasses and how to be a land steward, I learned

Kennisyn Drosche

Games at Ranch Brigade included roping, post hole digging, sheep sorting, and a relay race.

all about the livestock industry. I gained knowledge about livestock production and how to properly handle livestock so that they are in a low-stress environment. My favorite part about camp was learning how to vaccinate, castrate, and brand cattle.

Not only did I learn how those things work, but I got to participate hands-on in these activities. These were things that I had been very interested in learning, and I am so thankful that this camp gave me the opportunity to experience this. Even though I had so much fun learning and doing activities such as vaccinating, I also found it interesting to learn about cattle digestive systems and cuts of meat. We even got to cook and eat our own steaks.

I believe having fun is an important part of learning, and Ranch Brigade made sure that happened through competitive events. These games were not only fun, but great learning opportunities. They included roping, post hole digging, sheep sorting, and a relay race. Even though I had initially wanted to go to camp specifically to learn about the ranching and cattle industry, I am so thankful for the people I met who made Ranch Brigade so great.

All the volunteer instructors were extremely helpful and made learning so easy. Along with that, I also got to participate in teambuilding activities that led me to making friends that will last a lifetime. Even after camp concluded, Texas Brigades hosted follow-up networking and outreach opportunities that gave me the chance to reconnect with camp volunteers and fellow cadets, in addition to making new acquaintances.

After returning from camp, I knew I wanted to go back as an assistant herd leader. To do so, I am currently working on many activities, such as displaying the poster I made at camp in a variety of different places. Ranch Brigade taught me that it’s very important to go out and be an advocate for our land and livestock industries. Although that is a very important part, it is also important to make sure that we are extending our knowledge and learning how to do our best in things such as natural resource management and livestock production. To expand my knowledge, I am excited to be doing things such as attending cattle conferences and range tours.

Walking out of camp, I felt like I had discovered so much about the industry that I had wanted to be involved in for years. In just five days I had learned more than I ever thought I could in such a short amount of time. Not only does Texas Brigades tell you what you need to know in the classroom through experienced individuals, but the hands-on activities help ensure you understand.

In the end, I learned that I did not have to come from a

After camp concluded, Texas Brigades hosted follow-up networking and outreach opportunities that gave the author a chance to reconnect with camp volunteers and fellow cadets.

Ranch Brigade taught the author that it’s important to advocate for land and livestock industries.

family in the ranching industry to be involved with it. It truly showed me I want to be a part of the ranching and livestock industry for the rest of my life. Moments and lessons at Ranch Brigade are something I will forever use in life. I am so grateful that this Texas Brigades program gave me the opportunity to know how to become involved in the ranching industry, and the confidence to know I can do amazing things within it. In five days, I truly became a different person.

Through Texas Brigades, I have become a better leader, public speaker, and most importantly, a better individual. I highly encourage everyone to look into a Texas Brigades summer camp because it is an experience that will undoubtedly change your life.

Texas Brigades is a conservation-based leadership organization which organizes wildlife and natural resource-based leadership camps for participants ranging in age from 13-17. Its mission is to educate and empower youths with leadership skills and knowledge in wildlife, fisheries, and land stewardship to become conservation ambassadors for a sustained natural resource legacy. There are multiple camps scheduled in the summers, focusing on different animal species while incorporating leadership development. Summer camps include Rolling Plains and South Texas Bobwhite Brigade, South and North Texas Buckskin Brigade, Bass Brigade, Waterfowl Brigade, Coastal Brigade, and Ranch Brigade. Visit texasbrigades.org or call 210-556-1391 for more information.

Bobby Parker with his trophy buck, “Groucho.”

At Camp Verde Ranch near Camp Verde, Texas, we have managed for trophy whitetails and a healthy, productive deer herd for over 30 years. Intense culling of undesired genetics, high protein supplemental food, and allowing prime bucks to reach full age potential are the principles we follow. Our goal is to have two to three trophy bucks each season on 1,300 acres.

We made the switch from protein pellets to cottonseed 15 years ago with good success. Under our MLDP management program assisted by outdoorsman Mike Leggett and overseen by state biologist Johnny Arredondo, we have grown trophy deer that are harvested after full maturity.

We brought in 30 does from South Texas 12 years ago on a Triple T permit, which is the only outside genetics in 40 years. Otherwise, these are genetically improved Hill Country deer benefiting from a long-term management plan.

My son Robb and I switched from rifles to bow hunting in the Hill Country a few years ago. Last season (2022) Robb was hunting for an old 15-point buck we call “Groucho,” but the buck didn’t show over Thanksgiving week. Being from out of state, that’s Robb’s only time to hunt here.

The 2022 season was my third year to hunt Groucho, a beautiful buck that we seldom saw except on trail cameras. I had seen the deer only twice in three years, after many hours

Robb Parker with his Thanksgiving trophy buck.

of sitting in all kinds of weather. And I’m stealthy! I did get one shot at him, but I got excited and hit the feeder leg with my arrow. Yes, there’s still the hole in the leg. It’s amazing how a 170-pound deer can hide behind a feeder leg.

In December 2022, Groucho broke his antlers fighting, including his left main beam halfway out. We didn’t see much of the old buck, and hoped that he survived the winter.

In September 2023, we put cameras back out and Robb liked a big non-typical buck that showed up at two blinds. Another old deer with three main beams also showed up and we finally realized it was Groucho. His third beam grew out the side where he broke his main beam off the year before, causing much stress to his pedicle.

After a May hospital stay for a shoulder replacement, I was intent on strengthening my shoulder in order to draw a bow. Groucho was about 8+ years old now and was feeding at the same blind consistently, which he has never done. I was doing all I could do to be able to accurately draw and shoot a bow before the 2023 deer season.

I finally allowed myself to go after Groucho. On my second hunt where he was feeding, he came in. I knew that I would get only one arrow, so I waited several minutes until he was finally broadside. I pulled full draw, and put my broadhead in his liver. The old buck ran a considerable ways, but we found him stone dead. Last season was the fourth year I had hunted this buck, and it’s hard to describe the feeling I had when I walked up to the old Monarch.

My son Robb came last Thanksgiving, and the third time out, his big non-typical buck showed up. He had 15 points, eight on his right and seven on his left; truly an exceptional buck. I was at the ranch house when he texted me with a picture of his buck with the arrow still in him.

We both got our great bucks with bows last season after striking out in the 2022 season. Robb’s 7½-year-old deer grossed scored 171" and my estimated 8½-year-old buck scored 207" with a third beam. I sent my buck’s teeth to Matson’s lab in Montana to get a true age, which came back as 8½. His teeth were too worn to estimate beyond eight years. I felt like sending a couple of my own teeth as well just to check my age.

The best part of the two hunts last season are the memories between father and son. Those memories will last forever for Robb and me. I want to thank our team starting with Mike Leggett for his professional leadership, and for serving as our MLDP agent.

Ranch manager Joey Connell oversees the ranch operations, blind construction, and blind movement. Joey also checks numerous camera cards to track the many bucks for age and movement. Joey also brings many years of experience in the outdoors.

Francisco “Pancho” Prado has worked 36 years for the ranch, and is tireless with his work filling feeders, and so many other ranch duties. Pancho is very proud of the ranch.

I also want to thank my wife Risa, who does her share of hunting old and unique deer, and who is also completely supportive of our management program. She knows wildlife and deer management. She’s also a cat lover.

Team Camp Verde is an amazing team working together for great results and having fun with the deer management program.

Bobby and Robb alongside grandson Jack Jordan.

Hunter Jake Henriksen glassing the Texas Panhandle for pronghorns at sunrise on opening morning. A tripod-mounted spotting scope and 10X40 binoculars are key tools for this game.

Ilove the wild country where pronghorns live. The unobstructed views of the horizon; the smell of dirt and sage; colorful sunsets; prickly yuccas and cholla cactus; and of course, the animals themselves. It’s a place as opposite from civilization as hot and cold. Long views are like therapy when you’ve been crowded in the city too long.

Windmills replace skyscrapers, grass is better than concrete, and the wind replaces the sound of zooming cars. One of my favorite places to hunt pronghorns is the Texas Panhandle. A hunt from 2022 ended with a heavy-horned buck in my crosshairs.

The two pronghorn does were like guard dogs on either side of my target buck. Despite a stealthy approach, as soon as I peeked over the hill, the two does spotted me. They stared hard, as if they were ticking time-bombs about to explode. I slid my rifle over my bulging backpack, a support as solid as a sandbag. As I lay prone, I dialed the scope’s magnification up to 10X. The buck stood broadside at 275 yards. After a deep breath, I let half the air out and squeezed the trigger. Boom! Hit through both lungs, the buck stumbled, then he dropped in a prickly yucca plant. Walking down the hill towards my buck, I felt small in such a vast landscape.

Texas pronghorns

Texas pronghorns are found primarily in the Trans-Pecos and Panhandle regions. Drought in recent years has limited fawn recruitment. According to Texas Parks and Wildlife Department Pronghorn Program Leader Shawn Gray, pronghorn numbers across the state are as follows:

“Things are looking up for pronghorns in both regions. The populations either remained stable (Panhandle) or increased (Trans-Pecos) last summer from the previous year. We got some late winter moisture and so far, some spring moisture this year, so I am hoping we will have a shot in the arm when it comes to fawn production this summer. The 2023 survey numbers were as follows: Panhandle at 12,873 and the Trans-Pecos at 6,865.

A pronghorn buck and two does in the Texas Panhandle.

The western Edward’s Plateau is at 142. The statewide total estimate in 2023 was 19,880. The 2024 Texas season will open on Sept. 28.”

Texas’ pronghorn hunting on private lands is controlled by permits issued by TPWD. After summer surveys, TPWD issues permits to landowners requesting tags, if herd numbers are large enough to support a limited buck harvest. Landowners can sell hunting by way of the permits, use them for friends or family or choose not to use some or all of the permits. TPWD biologists set pronghorn permit issuance rates to maximize hunting opportunity while maintaining a level of older aged bucks for hunters who seek mature pronghorn.

This management philosophy is rooted in population sustainability and, to a lesser degree, sociological factors. However, I’ve always recommended ranchers use half of the permits they are issued, because permits are not issued based on “trophy” bucks seen during surveys. The season starts every year on the Saturday closest to Oct. 1, and lasts approximately two weeks.

Pronghorns are not large animals. A mature buck will have a live weight of 100-150 pounds. Mature bucks will have black horns, black cheek patches, and black on the bridge of the nose. Does are tan and white, and smaller in body size. Peak breeding usually occurs in September, but some years you’ll see herd bucks aggressively chasing off rival bucks from their harem of does into October.

Gear for this game includes quality 10X40 binoculars, rangefinder, and a spotting scope. Wear comfortable lace-up leather boots with merino wool socks, and be prepared to hike prickly terrain in search of animals. For a hands-and-knees stalk, leather gloves and thick pants like those from Carhart can ward off cactus and burrs. Top destinations for trophy-sized bucks include Hartley and Dallam counties in the northwestern Panhandle, and Hudspeth County in the Trans-Pecos.

Whatever rifle you use for deer hunting will certainly bring down a pronghorn, but heavy Magnums are unnecessary. My preference is a midweight bolt action rifle chambered in .243 or

.25-06. Top that rifle with a simple 3-10X40 scope and practice with it! Yes, pronghorn country is big, but by using the swales and rolls on the prairie, and some stealth and patience on a stalk, it’s usually possible to sneak inside 300 yards.

Last year’s hunt

The focus of last year’s annual Texas pronghorn adventure was getting my girlfriend, Lisa Armbruster, a handsome buck. Lisa is as fanatical about hunting pronghorns as I am. She’s hunted them successfully with bow and rifle in New Mexico and Texas. She enjoys our annual visit with the Brown family at their scenic Panhandle ranch. Lisa Lu loves the big country, watching bucks chase does and especially cooking pronghorn meat, her favorite wild game for the table. She has even built her own pedestal base from cholla cactus to display one of her mounted pronghorns.

The afternoon before the season opened, we scouted the north end of the ranch. Near a windmill and a patch of headhigh chollas, we found a small herd. They were only 200 yards off the two-track road, but the chollas were so thick that we could only see glimpses of tan and white. Standing in the bed of my truck for added elevation, I dialed the focus ring on my tripod-mounted spotting scope. I found a black-faced buck amidst the forest of chollas. His horns were about 15 inches tall with good mass and prongs that cupped forward. I guessed his horns at 76 inches, maybe more.

Two smaller bucks were circling the herd of six does, but the big-bodied, black-faced buck was clearly in charge. “That’s a great buck,” I said to Lisa Lu as we both stared through our

binoculars. “Let’s start here in the morning.”

Sunrise opening morning was spectacular with colorful orange and red streaks over the horizon. We started at the cholla patch but found nothing. A mile to the west, we found the same tall, heavy-horned buck from the night before, now chasing a single doe. We cut the distance in half, then ditched the truck for a stalk.

At first, we gained ground quickly, but once inside 400 yards, the doe caught us slipping behind a patch of mesquites. She took off at a trot, taking the big buck with her. They ran a half-mile farther west, then ducked under a barbed-wire fence onto the neighboring ranch. We spent the rest of the morning watching that buck follow that doe around just across the property line.

After lunch, we glassed some new country and saw a handful of does and one average buck. Multiple coveys of blue quail scattered near the road as we traveled. We went back to the boundary fence and found our target buck bedded with the doe a mere 50 yards across the fence line. We respect boundaries, so we just watched and waited to see if the buck would cross to our side. They never did, and day one ended without firing a shot.

Day two started with more glassing. The mornings were cold enough to require a fleece jacket, but by lunchtime, the sun would heat the prairie and a T-shirt was enough. It took some time behind the spotting scope, but we eventually found the big buck from day one. He was very content with his girlfriend just across the fence, on the neighbor’s ranch.

I found the doe first, her colorful tan and white hide glowing

Lisa Armbruster with her 2023 Texas Panhandle pronghorn. Lisa’s mature buck had short, heavy horns and gross-scored 73 inches. Lisa used a .243 rifle to make the 170-yard shot.

Top Texas Pronghorns of 2023

The following list comes from the official entries in the Texas Big Game Awards (TBGA) for the 2023 season. The top three pronghorns for the Trans-Pecos and Panhandle regions are listed. It takes a minimum net score of 70 inches to qualify for the TBGA.

Trans-Pecos Top Three Pronghorns

Hunter’s

1.

Panhandle Top Three Pronghorns

in the slanting early-morning light. Closer scrutiny through the spotting scope revealed the big buck bedded nearby. Only his black horns were visible over a patch of dead mesquites. Lisa Lu and I watched from a distance for a couple of hours, eating trail mix and napping in the sun, but they never crossed the fence.

After lunch, we had a decision to make. Should we spend more time hoping the 15-inch buck comes back to our side, or go look for something else? We decided to spike out to the west to a far-off windmill where we’d always found pronghorns in years past.

Glassing due west, I spotted two pronghorns a mile away: a buck and a doe. Through the spotting scope I could see lots of black on the buck’s head, even through the shimmering heat waves. We cut the distance, looked closer at the buck again, then decided it was worth a stalk.

Inside 300 yards I could tell the buck had short, but heavy horns. Lisa Lu and I debated it. Do we take this buck or spend more time hoping the across-the-fence buck comes back? This was a short weekend hunt, so time was ticking.

Lisa Lu steadied the .243 rifle over the top of my tripod-mounted spotting scope. With the buck broadside at a laser-ranged 170 yards, she tugged the trigger. It was a perfect shot. The Hartley County pronghorn had 13inch horns with heavy 6½-inch bases, and gross-scored 73 inches.

We filled out the permit, snapped some pictures, then gutted the buck. Chef Lisa Lu wanted the meat cooled

on ice ASAP, so we headed for the ranch headquarters to skin the buck in the shade.

On the way there, we glassed the boundary fence and spotted the 15-inch buck and doe, still very content on the wrong side of the barbed wire. Maybe we will find him on the right side of the fence this fall. Chasing Texas pronghorns is a hunt I look forward to every year.

Brandon with his 2022 Texas Panhandle pronghorn described in the article that he shot with a .243.

The Texas deer hunting outlook always includes quantity and quality of bucks. There will be no shortage of healthy bucks.

The Lone Star state is blessed with an abundance of hunting opportunities for both small and big game. And hopefully, as always – with a little help from Mother Nature – the overall outlook has shaped up to be good for deer, doves and a host of other wildlife during 2024-25 hunting frameworks. Here is a preview for Texas’ most sought-after species for upcoming fall and winter hunting seasons.

White-Tailed Deer

The Texas deer hunting forecast can almost always be summed as being good, no matter what curveballs Mother Nature has thrown at the whitetail population. The Lone Star state is blessed with the highest whitetail populations in the country, offering hunters quantity and quality, no matter where you may be hunting.

As always, the prognostication offered in the summer ahead of deer seasons is typically based on how the weather treated

bucks and does in the preceding winter and spring months. Moisture of any kind, including snow up in the Panhandle and Rolling Plains regions, is beneficial to helping deer make it through the previous fall and winter, especially in years of drought that lingered through summer and into hunting seasons.

That being said, much of the state experienced El Niño rains through the spring and summer. Many ranchers say their pastures and brush are doing well, and both does and bucks should be in excellent condition when seasons open.

Blaise Korzekwa, white-tailed deer program leader for the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, is tasked with helping to oversee the crown jewel of hunting species, along with a host of biologists who put in time throughout the year working with landowners and hunters. He said things are looking up in many ways for deer this year.

“Aside from portions of the Edwards Plateau and southwest

Texas, the rest of the state should expect above-average fawn recruitment and antler growth this season,” Korzekwa noted.

“Historical statewide fawn recruitment will produce a good number of middle-age and mature bucks this season. Given that well over half of the state experienced good rains this year, hunters will have a great opportunity at harvesting a quality buck this season. Overall, the Texas deer population is a robust 5.3 million white-tailed deer that is rebounding from drought conditions during the last two years.”

It should be no secret that the whitetail hot spots for numbers are the Edwards Plateau (Hill Country), South Texas, Pineywoods and Lower Plains. However, the area between Austin, San Antonio and Houston, and heading up north toward the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex (roughly bounded by Interstates 10, 35 and 45) also is continuing to see a rise in whitetail figures and shouldn’t be overlooked as a hunting locale for those residing in the larger cities.

Korzekwa noted that increased deer management has become the norm statewide, regardless if you’re hunting 100 acres or 1,000, which is good for the whitetail population as a whole.

Korzekwa said that while the annual expectations can vary somewhat, there remain two certainties in Texas deer hunting: There will be no shortage of animals, and hunters should plan to fill as many tags as they deem fit, which helps control a population that continues to increase, regardless where you’re hunting.

Doves

Texas dove hunting – like Texas deer hunting – is tops in the country in terms of both hunter participation and the number of birds that flood through the Lone Star state. This year should again be on par with other dove frameworks that see millions of combined mourning doves and white-winged doves from Amarillo to Brownsville.

“The success of any dove season is centered on nesting conditions and bird production that always rests on adequate

moisture and good range conditions,” said Owen Fitzsimmons, dove program leader for TPWD. He noted that hunting seasons during the past decade have actually seen somewhat diminished harvest figures, though this year could see an upswing in both doves and hunters.

“Dove hunting in Texas has been known to be cyclical with multiple-year periods of exceptional harvests followed by years of below-average hunting,” Fitzsimmons said. “However, there is no reason to think we won’t see good numbers of mourning doves again statewide, and good numbers of white wings in their traditional areas of South Texas and down into the Rio Grande Valley. We also continue to see increases in white wings in other areas of the state.”

“September storms almost always spring up as dove seasons start, which could be detrimental to hunters looking to utilize standing grain crops and consistent water sources such as ponds and stock tanks,” Fitzsimmons noted. “However, We should have good sunflower and farmland fields this year and a very good crop of young mourning doves, which are numerous in early season harvest. Texas hunters traditionally take a high proportion of young doves in the first 2-3 weeks of the north and central zones. In a nutshell, look for good dove seasons.

Waterfowl

Texas duck and goose hunting has traditionally always been among the best in the country, for a variety of reasons, namely the number of birds that migrate south to escape colder temperatures. That being said, this year is likely to again be on par with other recent seasons that have seen tougher hunting and simply smarter birds that aren’t frequenting their typical haunts.

Kevin Kraai, waterfowl program leader with TPWD, said it’s tough to prognosticate on a duck and goose season with certainty, namely due to changing range conditions that can simply turn quickly from good to bad. He did note one massive change to a longstanding tradition involving late-season geese.

“That ‘late conservation order’ season that was established due to an influx of light geese that brought largescale damage to crops in the rice prairie and Gulf Coast regions is being scrapped,” Kraai said.

“Declining numbers of snow geese coming to Texas, early springs, and an aging, well-educated goose population has resulted in very low hunter participation in Texas,” Kraai added. “We have gone from an all-time high participation of near 28,000 goose hunters for the late conservation order in 1999 to a little more than 1,000 hunters.”

The Texas mourning dove population statewide continues to hover at about 20-25 million and white-wing populations are holding steady at about 12 million, according to surveys.

In terms of geese, Kraai noted that some estimates

Notable changes to 2024-25 hunting frameworks:

• Eliminate Light Goose Conservation Order from Eastern and Western zones due to continuous declines of wintering light geese in Texas. Extend the regular goose season for light geese by 19 days in Eastern Zone to provide more hunting opportunity during the regular season.

• Reduce the daily bag limit of light geese in Eastern and Western zones from 10 to five. Standardize possession limit for light geese to three times the daily bag limit for regulatory consistency.

• Change greater white-fronted goose daily bag limit restrictions from two in the aggregate to a simplified dark goose daily bag limit of five in Western Zone.

• Change the season structure of the second segment for dove in the north zone to allow later dove hunting during the holiday season.

• Require statewide mandatory harvest reporting for all wild turkeys during all seasons and counties to

along the coast and other historically hunting locales have been a fraction of what they typically have been. Texas rice fields are only a portion of what they were 10-15 years ago. However, as with management for other species, geese continue to frequent areas where they are not harassed, and good food is available.

improve harvest data for their management.

• Remove references to Rio Grande and Eastern wild turkey subspecies in regulations and replace with “wild turkey” to simplify county regulations.

• Change desert bighorn sheep hunting season from Sept. 1-July 31 to Nov. 15-Sept. 30 to allow for safer flying conditions during TPWD aerial surveys.

• For properties enrolled in the Harvest Option of the Managed Lands Deer Program, allow youth to harvest bucks with a firearm for the same days that correspond to the early youth-only season for county regulations.

• Expand doe days in 43 counties in the Post Oak Savannah and Pineywoods ecoregions to better manage white-tailed deer populations.

• Expand youth-only seasons in the fall to include Friday for white-tailed deer, squirrels and wild turkeys to allow greater hunting opportunity for youth.

“We’re seeing geese not stretched out across the landscape, but concentrated in areas where people are taking good care of them,” Kraai said. “Landowners are providing more roost ponds and not harassing the geese as much, so they’re just not going to be scattered out and available to many hunters. Geese are smart and they’re flocking to areas where landowners are actively managing for them.”

In terms of ducks, the breeding conditions and habitat in general in the Dakotas and prairie pothole region always foreshadows the waterfowl outlook. Those conditions, Kraai noted, have not been good as a whole, which could bring fewer overall waterfowl numbers to Texas. Recent annual waterfowl breeding surveys have also shown general declines for many notable species.

“Texas hunters always expect good waterfowl seasons, and rightfully so. One thing we have seen from telemetry projects is just how much ducks and geese move. We’ve always viewed waterfowl as moving from north to south, but that’s not necessarily the case,” Kraai said. “They could very well move from the east or west or even up from the south. Habitat and weather conditions are what drives their migrations,” Kraai noted. “There will still be opportunities for harvesting waterfowl in hot spots like East Texas and the coast. You may just need to more flexible and travel around a bit more to find them.”

Quail

Texas quail hunting has largely been hit or miss in the past couple of decades, with biologists and landowners scratching their heads as to what to make of the long-term declines in overall bird numbers. However, recent surveys

Goose hunting, especially for light geese in Texas, continues to be tougher due to declining flights of wintering birds. The state has closed the light goose conservation season.

in quail hot spots have shown that things are looking up ahead of this fall and winter season.

“The quail populations heading into last season were on par with other good seasons sprinkled into the past decade,” said John McLaughlin, TPWD upland game program leader. “Conditions should be favorable for good quail coveys for hunters this year.”

“You couldn’t ask for better conditions for bouncing back (through spring and into early summer). We had good winter and spring moisture in many places, and we had steady moisture through early summer in some hotbeds, so that’s good for the quail that made it through the winter,” McLaughlin said.

“Years with milder summers combined with average moisture levels are beneficial for both bobwhites and scaled quail in the western reaches of the state,” McLaughlin noted. “This year’s seasons could be better than average based on nesting conditions.”

“The tough thing about quail is when you have a couple of bad years, you have to build the brood stock numbers back up,” McLaughlin said. “It takes two good quail years in a row to really start bouncing back from the lower population levels we’ve had.”

“Consecutive years of dry summer and winter conditions are especially problematic for quail because they rely on each year’s crop of young to replenish the population. By the same token, consecutive years of above average rainfall and lower than average summer temperatures can produce quail ‘boom’ years.”

State surveys show the most promising quail results of the past five years. Quail populations in Texas are always moisture dependent for nesting success.

Each year during the month of August, deer hunters of all ages from Texas, Mexico, and out-of-state, bring their bucks to the Hunters Extravaganza Annual Deer Competition in Houston, Fort Worth and San Antonio. Young hunters proudly enter their trophy—sometimes their first buck—hoping to win a prize. TTHA is proud to recognize some of these young hunters and their trophy bucks.

Azura Linden

By Horace Gore

Azura Linden of Tarrant County is a Trophy Hunter of Tomorrow. She started deer hunting at an early age, taking her first buck with a rifle at age 11 on family property that lies just off of Lake Worth, in the Trinity River watershed. During the last two deer seasons, Azura has taken a buck each season with her crossbow, and entered both bucks in the Fort Worth Extravaganza Annual Deer Competition.

In 2022, Azura entered a nine-point that gross scored 1211⁄8 , and in 2023, she entered a 10-point that grossed 1382 ⁄8 . Both bucks were part of a large variety of trophy bucks displayed each August at the Fort Worth Hunters Extravaganza.

Azura’s grandfather, Bo Linden, has entered bucks in the Fort Worth deer competition several times, winning first place with a “Perfect Big 8” in 2023. Bo enjoys the Annual Deer Competition, and has encouraged Azura

Azura participated in the Annual Deer Competition last year at the Fort Worth Hunters Extravaganza with her 10-point buck, with the encouragement of her grandfather.

and his grandson to enter bucks each year in the Fort Worth contest. Azura told me she and the family deer hunt on property next to Lake Worth. The area where she hunts has a good population of deer, and Azura has taken a buck each year for the last three years. Her first buck was taken with a rifle, but her grandfather gave her a crossbow for her 11th birthday, and now she does all her deer hunting with the crossbow.

Bo said he had an old crossbow that Azura liked, so he gave it to her and bought a new crossbow for himself. Both bows have a good scope, and Bo says that most shots out of their homemade tree blind are less than 30 yards. There is no battery powered feeder, but Bo feeds the deer by hand in a large wire pen. “We can see out of three sides of the tree blind, and we sometimes have deer all around us,” Bo said.

Lake Worth and the Trinity River are located in northwest Tarrant County, a part of the west Cross Timbers and prairies, where whitetails do well in a post oak-cedar habitat that has a good variety of browse plants. Just north of Lake Worth is Eagle Mount Lake on the same watershed. A good population of whitetails range all along the West Fork of the Trinity River.

Azura told me she likes to hunt anytime, but prefers evening hunts from the tree blind with her dad. I can fully agree with Azura about evening hunting. Most deer hunters brave the cold of early morning, but a majority of bucks are taken in late evening.

I asked Bo if Azura ever missed a buck from the treestand. He replied, “She’s a good shot with her crossbow and 20-inch bolts (arrows), and she hasn’t missed a buck yet!” Azura practices shooting targets before deer season, and the scope on the crossbow helps with her shooting ability.

Bo says the deer they shoot don’t go very far after being hit with a 20-inch crossbow bolt. “We lost a buck one time when Azura and her cousin got down from the blind and went after the wounded deer,” he said. “They actually ran the deer into another property, and I warned them about waiting to let a buck have time to expire. We haven’t lost any more bucks.”

Azura plans to move to Oregon and attend the ninth grade there this fall. She will leave her crossbow with Bo, but she plans to hunt in Oregon after she qualifies as a resident. Oregon has a wide variety of habitats for mule deer, black bear, elk and bighorn sheep, so Azura will have a good selection of big game to chose from as an Oregonian. But for now, we’re glad to call Azura a Trophy Hunter of Tomorrow, and we hope to see her back in Texas soon.

and

Azura will move to Oregon and attend the ninth grade there this fall. She will leave her crossbow in Texas, but plans to hunt in Oregon after she qualifies as a resident.

Azura’s crossbow has a good scope,

most of her shots out of a homemade tree blind are less than 30 yards.

HUNT SAFELY

By Horace Gore

Hunting today is safer than it has ever been. Young hunters take hunter safety courses, and a lot of emphasis gets placed on safe handling of firearms. Most shooters know to point the barrel of a gun either up or down, and keep an empty chamber until ready to shoot. These are part of the 10 rules of gun safety. But you should follow a few other rules while hunting.

Rifles and shotguns in a vehicle need safety rules. All long guns should be kept in a case while traveling. At the hunt, firearms should be carefully removed from the vehicle and the action or bolt should be opened and checked. No shells in the chamber. Hunters have been shot while pulling a gun by the barrel across a vehicle seat. A rifle or shotgun should never be dragged by the barrel, whether loaded or not.

Dove hunters in the field should be spaced so a stray shot will not hit a fellow hunter. Hunters hunting near stock tanks or other water should be on the same side. A fellow hunter on the opposite side can be sprayed by lead pellets when shooting at a low-flying dove. Eye protection is recommended for field shooting.

Hunters are responsible for maintaining a safe distance between other hunters and human dwellings. If a novice hunter gets too close, a responsible hunter will tell the novice to find another spot. Low-flying birds should be passed, if necessary, to avoid shooting another hunter or a dog. Shotguns not in use should be cased, or standing with an open chamber.

Deer hunters have to get their rifles in the truck or ATV, up the ladder to the blind, or on their shoulder for the walk to the

deer blind—sometimes in the dark. In any of these situations, the action should be open, or the bolt up. Hunters can get shot around camp when rifles have shells in the chamber. Don’t trust the safety; keep the action open or the bolt up until you’re actually on the hunt.

While walking to a blind in the daylight, some hunters will want a loaded rifle. When you get to the blind, raise the bolt or open the chamber of a pump or automatic rifle. Rechamber a round after you get in the blind, and check the safety. All loaded rifles should be pointed in a safe direction.

Extra care should be taken when more than one hunter sits in the blind or vehicle. Bolt guns are the safest when the bolt is up. AR-type rifles should have an open chamber until the hunter gets settled in the blind, pickup, or ATV. A gun safety is meant for use during the hunt, but all guns should have empty chambers when entering or leaving a blind or vehicle.

Most hunters get excited after the kill. Rifles can be unsafe immediately after a killing shot when rifles are often bolted with a new round, with the safety still off. The best policy is to leave the bolt up or the action open unless you’re pursuing a wounded bird or animal.

One last, but important safety tip: When pulling the trigger to let the hammer down in a rifle or shotgun, point the barrel in a safe direction. Letting the hammer down can be very dangerous when there’s a “forgotten” live round left in the barrel.

The adage, “Guns and alcohol don’t mix,” is still a cardinal rule for hunters. Observe these tips for a safe and successful hunt.

Benno with his trophy buck he took down in Mexico on a hunt that turned into a spiritual experience.

My first hunt in Mexico with an outfitter some years ago didn’t go so well. The second hunt with a different outfitter was better. I failed to react quickly enough and pulled the trigger on a deer during my first hunt in Mexico, resulting in another hunter later taking down the buck, a mule deer, with a score of 218 gross Boone and Crockett. The guide for this hunt could spot a deer’s ears above a cactus at 300 yards. He was great. So I booked another hunt, but with a different outfitter, for the Sonora Desert, outside of Hermosillo, Mexico.

So this trip began in my town of Houston on Jan. 25, 2024. I had to be at the airport at 3 a.m. to get on my flight at 5:30 a.m for Phoenix, Arizona, and from there, take a flight at 11:38 a.m., arriving at Hermosillo around 12:45. After going through customs and getting my rifle checked out, my outfitter, Joerg Franco of the Sierra Bonita Ranch, met me. I booked the hunt with Mike Gardner of Riata Hunting & Fishing out of Austin, Texas. As one knows, you do not see what you are walking into until you get there. We then had a four-hour drive to the town of Pitiquito, Sonora, and from there, another 45 minutes to an hour to the ranch camp. On the way, we picked up another hunter and his wife. He would hunt for a desert ram.

I met a father and son at the boarding area in Arizona, also going to Hermosillo, but they would hunt with muzzleloaders. The son, Eric Stanosheck, writes for The Journal of the Texas Trophy Hunters, sharing what he knows about muzzleloader hunting. He showed me a photo of a deer he took in Kansas, I believe, scoring 200+. He also showed me a photo of an aoudad he took that I think had over 35-inch beams that he had taken in West Texas, free range.

They were great to meet; they were so kind and sharing. They’re just regular folks, which I look for. I shared with them the beautiful legacy I saw between father and son, and you could tell they have a rich relationship. Tim, the father, shared his age with me, revealing he was 77. We formed a connection through our sharing, as I was 80. He wants to stay active as I do. I could tell Tim was in great shape.

Upon arriving at the ranch headquarters, a greeting party

met us with a logo bag from the ranch that included a hunting cap, key chain, coffee cup, and a decal, which I later placed upon my rifle travel case. Among those who greeted us were Alfredo Mijareas, the cook and main handyperson; Marla Pino, host, my truck driver, and translator; Francisco “Pancho” Rumiez (guide); Hector Cunez (guide); Iliana Mendivil, assistant cook who also made sure the rooms were clean; Manuel Muzon, ranch assistant and worker; and the guides for the other hunter. What an amazing greeting!

Manuel was 77 and had worked on the ranch for a long time. When he found out I was 80, he came up and placed his arms around me, and we hugged. We had our picture taken as “brothers of age.” Unfortunately, he had to leave the ranch because he received notice of his son-in-law’s death in some sort of accident.

Alfredo packed our lunches for the noontime because we wouldn’t return to the ranch headquarters to eat. The hunting conditions were harsh. A drought was on, but there was brief rain. Mornings were cool, for sure, but there was much heat during the day.

The first morning, my guides spotted a deer far off. We moved toward it with the truck and saw it was a 3x4 with high antlers, but not a deer I would shoot. Some first-time hunters may have wanted this type of buck, but I did not for sure. The buck was traveling with a doe and in a rutting behavior, and there were other does around.

We looked in all directions from the high rack and took our time, but we couldn’t see anything else. It was a long day of glassing, standing, and looking into the brush near and far. One thing is for sure: you cannot help but see nature at its finest here. Amongst the desert, a vibrance is everywhere in plants, trees, and small ground squirrels. We did not see any javelina, but they are around, as reported by Marla. God’s creation shines, and it is soul cleansing. Additionally, being around the firepit with the mesquite burning, as only it can with a hot fire, in the evening or early morning with coffee in hand, adds to that soul cleansing.

Saturday’s hunt went much the same as Friday’s, with a few does being seen and some small bucks late in the

The breathtaking vista of the Sonoran Desert, as witnessed by the author.

evening. On Sunday, we had the same weather. Nothing had been spotted in the morning, and it was turning hot. As we traveled down a road, the guides spotted a buck lying down, so we stopped.

As one watches videos of hunting in Mexico, you often see a buck being taken while resting under a tree. This was the case with this buck resting under a shade tree. I looked at him with the binoculars, and then with my rangefinder. He was 178 yards away.

He looked good, but I also fought with myself, because I wanted a 200-inch buck. However, we had limited sightings of deer thus far. Should I take him or not? I wrestled with taking a shot.

I was shooting Copper Creek Cartridge - 7mm Remington Magnum – 150-grain Barnes TTSX Norma Brass ammunition, with my Sako 7mm Mag., zeroed in at 2 inches high at 100 yards, with a Zeiss scope 4-10X. Would I see a more significant buck later on? I would not leave until Thursday, February 1. Pondering for a short time, I wrestled back and forth in my mind.

I resolved to take thise mule deer. I fought to have a solid holding position I was comfortable with on the high rack, and took the shot. The first and second shots missed, but the third shot hit him in the rear right hip area.

The fouth shot hit behind the right leg, and the fifth shot struck the heart. The exact location of the kill was 30.390771233 by 111.9035501: longitude and latitude. We were 45 minutes away from the ranch headquarters.

I wish I had a recording and translation of the guides as they talked to each other and to me excitedly, pointing their fingers. It’s a magnificent trophy. I experienced hard hunt-

ing, heat, drought, and I’d seen few deer. I wanted a 200 B&C deer, but this one is great! I found out later that 60% of the hunters, those who sought a mule deer this year, took one.

On Thursday, Feb. 1, I was up at 4 a.m, ready to leave by 6:30 a.m. to get to Hermosillo, to begin my trip home. The flight was almost 3 hours late out of Hermsillio, but I saw the Stanoshecks again, and learned they both got what they came for. They are so down to earth, and they blessed me with their connectivity. I finally arrived in Houston at 12:15 a.m. on Feb. 2, and got home around 1:30 a.m.

I was just wiped out after returning home. I have not felt like that in a long time. I don’t know if it was my age and the travel, because at the ranch, I slept like a baby, took naps (siestas) on the ground, ate well, and had peace. At the ranch, you go back to the simplicity of life, which is a message to take hold of.

A friend gave me a book, “Holy Noticing,” by Charles Stone, about taking notice of those moments of a mindful lifestyle and reflecting upon the Lord in those quiet moments, which I did while on that magnificent land.

Thank you to all my newfound friends at the Sierra Bonita. I felt right at home with downhome people.

Benno and his guides celebrate a successful hunt.

Carta Valley: Caves and Axis Bucks

by Eric Stanosheck

Free range axis bucks are numerous across the Edwards Plateau of Texas. Many free-ranging herds roam between Rocksprings and Del Rio, and I was ready for a new muzzleloader hunting adventure. Because most of Texas

wildlife is on private property, it was a matter of finding a landowner with axis deer who is willing to make some money off a trespass fee.

Clint Beckham, a friend of mine in the arrowhead world, had connections down

near Carta Valley, so we planned a trip during the prime of breeding during the summer months. I would try for a trophy axis buck in the wilds of Edwards County with my muzzleloader. Carta Valley has many caves, but we found that it also has

Eric’s second target buck was a great typical specimen with about 34-inch main beams and perfect frame, tines, and cape.

Eric’s first axis buck was blind in one eye, and its light coloration showed the buck to be ancient.

some excellent axis deer hunting.

The cedar-mesquite covered ridges in Carta Valley are famous for deep and winding caves, but the valley is also famous for big axis bucks—exotics from India brought to Texas in the early 1930s for hunting. The white-spotted, mediumsized deer has fared well in the Hill Country of the Edwards Plateau, especially in the counties of Bandera, Real, Edwards, Kerr, and adjoining counties.

The long, wide, three-tined antlers of the spotted bucks are prized by hunters all over the world, and axis venison is the most delicious of all deer. The axis hide, orange with white spots, is excellent for shoulder mounts, rugs, vests, and purses.

The axis was one of the first deer stocked in many of the islands of the Pacific—one of the first being one of the Hawaiian Islands, and elsewhere in Europe. The popular deer was stocked on several Texas ranches in 1932 and afterward. Today, thousands of axis roam free in the Hill Country, along the Texas Gulf Coast, and on high-fenced ranches over the hilly parts of the state.

Clint and I were anxious to see a good axis buck. After leaving the highway and miles of rough, rocky roads and bump gates, we arrived on the property where we would hunt. The ground had been saturated with 8 inches of rain, so the landowner asked that we keep our truck on the rocky road.

We would hunt and stalk on foot, which is my preference. When we got our gear out of the truck, we immediately heard the bellowing of axis bucks chasing and calling in all directions. Axis deer vocalizations make them easy to locate during the summer rut, which is most dominant in July and August.

As we listened to the different bucks call out—awaiting the sun to rise—one old buck’s loud bellowing caught my attention. This particular axis sounded like he was 70 years old, and a chain smoker. His roar was so gruff and low pitched, I just had to see what he looked like. We went in his direction and found him after a long walk.

We knew from his bellowing we were near the old buck, but the thick brush and fog kept him hidden for quite some time. We did see turkeys and axis does drifting

in and out of the fog. Then, like a ghost, he appeared as the fog lifted. He looked as old as he sounded. Clint glassed him as having short beams and short points, but I kept picking him apart with my binoculars and finally saw a third antler, which was a huge drop club by his right eye.

The buck was unique, and my mind was made up. I lay prone behind the muzzleloader and waited to take a quick shot when his shoulder cleared a brush pile. The buck fell immediately, and when we approached the old monarch, he became even more impressive. Arthritis in his swelled joints; blind in one eye; and light coloration showed him to be ancient. Clint and I took photos, gutted the buck, and dragged him to a shade tree. We had a long muddy walk back to the truck to drive to the house and get a UTV to take my buck to the skinning rack.

About 40 minutes had elapsed when we rounded the last bend in the creek on the Polaris to find a multitude of vultures consuming my spotted trophy. We scared the buzzards off, and when I inspected my buck, I was devastated. The hind quarters were gone to the bone, along with the backstraps. The pretty orange and white cape was torn to shreds.

My trophy axis has been completely stolen by these scavengers. We loaded up what was left, and after a short discussion with the rancher, I negotiated for another buck. We headed to a spot where the

rancher knew a number of axis hung out and like clockwork we were soon surrounded by spotted deer.

We watched the axis move in and out of brushy cover and heard three or four roaring bucks that were hidden from view. Patience paid off, and I soon found my target buck. He was a great typical buck with about 34-inch main beams with perfect frame, tines, and cape. I had no doubt he was a mature buck, and king of his harem.

Between chasing does and being hidden by thick cover, the buck offered no opportunity for the muzzleloader. After several minutes of being within shooting range, the buck finally started chasing does in my direction. I got into position for a shot if the buck came my way.

Spotted does were running less than 20 yards from me, and I could hear the buck only a few yards behind. As he abruptly stopped in a small clearing, I found him in the scope and squeezed the trigger. The white cloud of smoke filled the air and once it cleared, I could see the most majestic axis buck I could hope for lying just a few yards away near a big a mesquite. Later, I had the teeth of the old buzzard-eaten buck cementum aged at 18 years old, which is incredible for a free-ranging axis. Both long-beamed axis mounts now adorn my trophy room wall and remind me of yet another great adventure taking muzzleloaders on the hunt.

Feed Ball

The Feed Ball is a premium, 700-pound stand-and-fill broadcast feeder featuring a rotomolded body, accompanied with a lifetime warranty. The top-drive system is designed to mount the motor, timer and battery at the top of the feeder, allowing easy access to operating components and simplifying maintenance for the user. It’s intended to endure extended periods between refills. The high torque, 12-volt motor equipped on this feeder broadcasts up to 30 feet, ensuring even distribution of feed over a wide range. Made in Texas. Visit forageroutdoor.com.

Dove Cord

The Dove Cord is the alternative to the sweaty game vest and saggy, dirty bird belts. It has 15 rings to go along with the daily bag limits for dove and quail. Every cord comes with a carabiner to hang from a branch, a wire fence or your belt loop. It helps you stay cool because you’re not wearing those sweaty vests, plus its allow your birds stay cool by hanging in the wind. It makes game wardens check quick and easy, allowing you to get back to hunting. TTHA Member Discount Offered. Visit thedovecord.com.

Trail-cam management

Scout streamlines trail camera management for hunters and wildlife conservationists by harnessing AI animal recognition technology. The platform accurately categorizes trail camera photos by identifying animal species, eliminating unwanted images and false positives with over 90% accuracy. With Scout’s user-friendly web application, you can easily custom tag, filter, and organize your images according to your preferences. Developed by Texans, for Texans. Visit goscout.us.

WE ARE TTHA MUST-HAVES

Flydown turkey vest

Chief Upland’s Flydown Collection Turkey Vest System features customizable storage system, the iconic Mossy Oak Original Bottomland camouflage pattern, and the familiar NWTF logo on the shoulder strap. With each purchase, hunters receive a complimentary 1-year NWTF membership (a $35 value). A spacious game bag for turkeys and decoys, rear backpack storage, and dedicated hydration reservoir storage/routing come standard. The lightweight vest is designed to distribute weight to the hips for all-day comfort and uses 1000 denier Cordura for waterproof, briar-proof durability.

Integrated padding on the upper back adds comfort. The ultralight unisex vest comes in Small/Medium, Large/Extra Large, and 2X+ with adjustable fit across the waist, chest and shoulders. The vest, pouches, and flip-down seat are integrated on a MOLLE platform. Visit ChiefUpland.com.

Pump-action rifle

Dickinson Arms introduces an all-new pump-action .22 LR rifle that combines classic styling with a smooth action in an easy-carrying, fun-shooting, plinking machine anyone will enjoy.

The ER-22 is a 37-inch long, pump-action rimfire rifle with an 18.5-inch barrel. The combination wood and synthetic stock matches well with the blued-steel finish. It’s also available in a sleek, all-black finish. The rifle is fed by a 15-round capacity and the pump-action is smooth and easy to use. Visit dickinsonarms.com. quailguard.com ChiefUpland.com

QuailGuard

The first drug registered by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for a wild game bird, QuailGuard is a specialized medicated feed designed to combat parasitic infection in wild quail. Developed by Dr. Ron Kendall, Ph.D. of the Wildlife Toxicology Lab at Texas Tech University, it uses select grains and proprietary active ingredients to eliminate cecal worms, while scientific data has shown eyeworms are controlled as well. Parasite control improves quail health and reduces disease spread. If you’re interested in purchasing, reach out to your local Texas Bryant Grain dealer or info@quailguard. com to request feed in your area. Visit quailguard.com for more info.

Ballistic eyewear

popticals.com

Step into the field with Popticals’ POPZULU cutting-edge ballistic eyewear, with lenses engineered to shield and a frame designed to tuck away into a pocket-sized hard-shell case. The ballistic sunglasses incorporate the same innovative frame design and manufacturing found in other leading Poptical styles, and the patented FL2 Micro-Rail System technology, providing one-of-a-kind collapsibility for easy and secure portability when not in use. They feature Hydrophobic Ri-Pel coating to repel water, oil and dust; complete UV protection, filtering out 100% of harmful UV rays; and Grilamid TR90 material to create lightweight, flexible, and highly durable frames. Visit popticals.com.

Monster treestand

Millennium Treestands’ M150 Monster has a weight capacity of 300 pounds to safely and securely support you. Even if the tree has a slight lean of up to 15°, it can easily adapt to accommodate variations in tree alignment. Its ComfortMAX seat features a full backrest and side supports. The 20-inch wide, 17-inch-deep sling seat adjusts from 16 inches to 20 inches above the platform for customized comfort.

Weighing 19.5 pounds, it’s lightweight and portable, folding easily for backpacking. Its powder-coat finish eliminates glare and protects it from the elements. Package includes a full-body harness and SafeLink system, featuring a 35 ft. rope with a prusik knot and carabiner for safe ascent and descent from hang-on, climber, and ladder stands.

Visit millenniumstands.com.

Gun storage solutions

For transporting and storing pistols, choose between Steelhead Outdoors’ pistol boxes with a high-end key lock or Genuine Simplex lock for fast access. Small (for compact pistols like a Glock 19) and large sizes fit every need. Steelhead’s strong 3-foot long, security cable secures it to your vehicle.

For home firearm storage, the Steelhead Scout gun cabinet offers affordability without compromising quality. The modular gun safes are engineered to move with you. Available in a variety of sizes, colors, and custom designs. Visit SteelheadOutdoors.com.

WE ARE TTHA MUST-HAVES

huntorion.com

Modular Box Blind

Orion’s Modular Box Blind is composed of a set of lightweight, 2-inch aluminum structural insulated panels, easily assembled with the Orion patented quick latch system. It can be placed into the back of a full-size pickup truck or UTV and hauled to nearest access point to your target hunting location. Thanks to the lightweight panels ranging from 15 pounds to 40 pounds, the blind can be carried to its location by foot and assembled on site in 5-10 minutes. No heavy equipment, extensive list of tools, or additional materials required. It’s resistant to weather and water ingress with EPDM seals on every seam. Visit huntorion.com.

Texas-inspired coffee

Hunting Day Coffee Company offers crafted blend coffee that echoes the warmth of family and the thrill of the outdoors. Their featured roast, Cattle Drive medium roast Bourbon Pecan, takes inspiration from smooth Texas bourbon and savory sweet Texas pecans. This and other coffee blends are available at HuntingDay.com.

lippert.com

Outdoor chairs

Available in Mossy Oak Original Bottomland, the Lippert Big Bear Chair and Lippert Campfire Deluxe Folding Chair are designed with outdoor enthusiasts in mind. The Big Bear Chair boasts a spacious design with high-loft cushioning and durable mesh fabrics, ensuring maximum comfort for extended outdoor lounging. Equipped with dual cupholders and a stemmed wine glass holder this chair is perfect for outdoor gatherings and camping trips. The Campfire Deluxe Folding Chair provides ample space and comfort with its doublewide design and cozy cushioning. Its spacious design gives you more room to kick back and relax. Visit lippert.com.

Summertime is Axis Time

It was a still, quiet summer morning as we sat on a hill in Kerr County listening to an axis buck roar along the Guadalupe riverbed. The roar sent chills down our necks as the beast roamed nearby. I had a young hunter next to me set up on shooting sticks, peering into the shadows below, and impatiently waiting for the mature buck to show himself. A cool breeze blew into our faces and made it quite nice and comfortable on this summertime morning.

We also had a herd of axis does barking at either us or another predator in the area. We couldn’t tell what had the does on alert because our wind was perfect, and our elevation had us concealed

Jack White with his axis buck.

against the shin oak background. All we needed was the buck to appear so we could level down on the animal, settle the crosshairs of the .308, and start dreaming of axis backstrap served on the camp table—not to mention getting a really nice mount.

As the axis roared again, we could tell he was getting closer, but a second roar really confused the situation because the two bucks started fighting in the brush. As much as we wanted to watch, they were completely concealed by the scrub brush along the river’s edge. You could tell from the amount of noise and antlers thrashing that a world class fight occurred right before us. As much as we wanted to move to get ringside seats to the action, the barking doe prevented us from moving. The herd had lots of eyes, and being seen would definitely blow up the situation and send the animals fleeing up and down the riverbed. My young hunter and his friend sat just feet away from me, but I could feel the ground moving from the axis fever that had overwhelmed the young hunter. I whispered to the young hunter to breathe deeply to help settle his nerves. We knew at any moment the fight would finish and a buck could appear, so we had to be ready.

As the bucks continued to fight and bang their antlers together, we could hear some turkey gobblers sounding off from the riverbed. These two monarchs had the entire morning stirred up. The sounds of wildlife from the riverbed were a natural symphony orchestra, and the critters created a wildlife opus for the ages.

It was one of those mornings you dream of, as you head out each time with the hope of getting a show like we had before us. In the middle of all the ruckus, we had some smaller axis bucks join the party. The smaller

bucks weaved in and out of the brush as if they wanted to join, but they were no match for the bigger bucks.

As you can imagine, my young hunter was not amused because he wanted his opportunity to take a big buck. I wanted for him to take one as well. The patience game is a hard one for and old cagey veteran, much less for a young tween.

We had a rifle, and all we needed was a solid minute to get the 12-year-old hunter dialed-in for the shot. But no shot presented itself. That’s why it’s called hunting.

The success of a hunt can be determined on so many different levels. Of course, we have lots of outdoorsman going to the woods in search of that ever-elusive trophy animal, or the fisherman looking for that heavy stringer, but at the end of the day, it’s all about the experience, the friends you make, and the recharge you get from spending time in God’s great outdoors.

The sun had finally given us enough light for the kids to start glassing the river valley. It was not long after that we spotted a good size hog rooting along the river’s edge. Even though we were after axis, the feral pig would also add a wonderful treat to the wild game dinner. Each week when we slow cook a nice sized pig on the grill over a mesquite fire, the kids gobble it down just like they would a double Whataburger with cheese. With our mouths watering at the thought of having a wild pig on our grill, the coin flip winner was definitely the axis buck. As

Dylan Chmelar with his fallow buck.

Charlie Randall with his trophy axis.

I leaned over to give a little advice and last-minute coaching, one of the axis bucks appeared and offered us a great shot. The safety was deployed and the shot to the shoulder put the big axis buck on the ground. The quiet cheers and high-fives were had by the group as the axis layer motionless along the riverbed.

The sharing of this fine meat will also be something all the kids can enjoy and share together. The big axis was taken at the Christian Outdoor Alliance summer camps, and each week we have a wild game dinner to wrap up the week of fun. Everyone looks forward to the axis backstrap, pig on the smoker, and fish in the fryer.

Though we were lucky enough to take an axis on this beautiful morning, it’s not every morning that we come away with an animal. Most mornings, we’re blessed to be alive and enjoy one more sunrise or one more sunset. We have to be thankful for the life we are given and be able to sit in such a wonderful place and enjoy all of God’s glory.

Michael Marbach is the CEO of the Christian Outdoor Alliance: mycoa.org; 210-827-9802. COA’s mission is to guide youth and outdoorsmen to a relationship with Jesus Christ through experience in God’s great outdoors.

Garrett Ressman took an axis, too.

So, what does deer hunting really mean to Texas?

Beyond the emotions and motivations associated with enjoying the pursuit of whitetails, which can vary and be hard to adequately assess based on subjectivity, one only needs to study the numbers to learn just how significant the impact is—well beyond the hunt.

That’s especially true at the local level. Places like Fredericksburg, Junction, Llano, and Mason are just a few of the many dozens of small towns across the state that welcome deer hunters with open arms. It’s a fact that hunter dollars flowing into many communities can make the entire year for small shops. That’s especially true for those who were hit hard and are still recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic, and others in recent years when the hunting was a bit tougher due to Mother Nature.

Deer hunting by the numbers: Part I

The notable survey conducted by the Texas A&M University Department of Rangeland, Wildlife and Fisheries Management and the Texas A&M Natural Resources Institute helps to shed light on just how valuable whitetailed deer are to the Texas economy. The project was carried out in 2022 and 2023 with the first part of the survey results released to the public in May 2023.

An online survey was sent to a random sampling of 100,000 Texas super-combo license holders and respondents were divided into two groups, as either a hunter or a landowner. In total, roughly 9% of the total responded to dozens of distinct survey questions about everything going into their pursuit from their most recent deer hunting season.

Based on survey estimates as a baseline, researchers then extrapolated the total statewide financial impact of hunters and landowners. Here’s a sampling of interesting facts compiled from the first part of the study, which centered on expenditures, as well as profile data for each group.

Texas deer hunting brings in big bucks, both literally and figuratively. A recent study by the Texas A&M University Department of Rangeland, Wildlife and Fisheries Management and the Texas A&M Natural Resources Institute shed light on just how valuable Texas deer hunting really is.

There are approximately 5.3 million wild white-tailed deer in Texas, according to estimates of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.

Approximately 555,000 hunters spend nearly $2 billion each year on white-tailed deer hunting pursuits in Texas while 200,000 landowners spend about $2.5 billion. (Note: The number of white-tailed deer hunters was determined by using TPWD’s 2022-2023 Big Game Harvest Estimates of whitetail hunters (753,418), excluding hunters who own white-tailed deer hunting properties (198,474). The top five most common expenditures for hunters are licenses, transportation, meals, shooting equipment and feed/feeders. The five largest are outfitter/guide fees, lease fees, lodging, land management and feed/feeders. The average lease fee was $2,904 and each hunter spends a total of $3,348 annually on deer hunting.

More than half (52%) hunt land owned by family or friends. Another portion (41%) hunt on leases and the rest use public land (5%) and outfitters (2%).

Landowners spend an average of $18,812 and bring in $20,658 in revenue. The top five most common expenses are supplemental feed, property taxes, land management, equipment maintenance and capital improvements. The five largest are payroll, land management, supplemental feed, hospitality and property taxes. Landowners spend an average of $3,593 per year on supplemental feed.

The vast majority of landowners (95%) described their deer herds as “100% native” with no influence from supplemental deer from breeders. About 70% of Texas deer hunters do not own land, and 45% of those hunters reported leasing land or hiring outfitters to deer hunt.

Deer hunting economics: Part II

The results from the second part of the joint Texas A&M survey were released in November 2023 and centered on direct economics involving hunters and landowners. Estimates from that portion of the survey also yielded numerous pertinent figures, including just how huge of an impact Texas deer hunting has at the local, state and even federal level.

Texas deer hunters generate an estimated $4.6 billion in total economic output each year while landowners who support deer hunting generate about $5 billion in annual economic output.

White-tailed deer hunting supports 23,726 jobs resulting in $1.3 billion in labor income and $446 million in annual tax revenues ($237 million federal, $114 million local and $95 million to the state).

Each hunter has an average economic impact of about $6,000 per year while hunters spend an estimated $462 million on travel while deer hunting.

Landowners who support deer hunting employ about 35,000

people, provide $707 million in labor income and generate more than $90 million in tax revenue ($60 million federal, $31 million state and local).

Texas deer hunting is conservation

Just think about how many gallons of gas or the pallets of bagged corn that changes hands over the course of the year — just two small aspects of the pastime — and you can envision the wide-ranging scope of Texas deer hunting.

The cost of deer hunting has a trickle-down effect, helping to pump hundreds of millions of dollars into our local state economy each fall and winter. While that dollar amount includes money headed to outfitters, mom-and-pop shops and those making a direct living off the hunting industry, much of the federal taxes generated by the overall deer industry end up going back into state coffers earmarked for needed resource management.

In that aspect, hunting is conservation, with a direct correlation to improving habitats, and in some cases, access and opportunities in a state that is 94% private property.

The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service annually distributes revenue to each state’s wildlife agency through the Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Restoration program, with funds coming from excise taxes on the sale of sporting firearms and ammunition and archery equipment. That figure last year coming back to Texas was nearly $55 million for wildlife restoration efforts — the highest figure in the nation. Pittman-Robertson funds provide 75% of the expenditures of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department’s Wildlife Division.

The actual value of Texas deer hunting can’t be truly measured, even with these overwhelming figures. The pursuit of deer makes memories far more valuable than can be put into dollars and cents. You might even declare that the times spent deer hunting with family and friends are “priceless,” and few would argue that point.

Here’s to making memories beyond the hunt this fall and winter that are all for the record book – even if you don’t pull the trigger.

Every hunter hopes to see a bigger buck come in to exert dominance over younger ones as the peak of the breeding season hits.

The author’s Doberman is not your typical retriever, but he gets the job done.

teXAs’ best Wing shooting

by Judy Jurek

When it comes to wing shooting, I’ll take dove hunting anytime. I’ve been a dove hunter for 50 years. Add a dozen or so more years when I was the “bird dog” for adults, long before I handled a shotgun myself. Both my parents loved hunting the fast flying, darting, diving, pellet-dodging aerial fliers. My mom could create some delicious dove dining delights from the many birds they brought home.

What more could hunters ask for, since dove hunting provides such exciting evenings in the field. You can move around, stand up or sit down to shoot, be vocally loud or quiet, and be outwitted by fast moving targets. You can also share camaraderie with family, friends and strangers alike for a couple of hours or perhaps the entire day?

Dove hunting is rather simple. All you need is a license, shotgun, ammo, water, perhaps a chair, and landowner permission. It’s an outdoor shooting sport that is enjoyed each year by some 400,000 dove hunting Texans, who fire over 15 million shotgun shells, and bring home about five million delicious mourning and whitewinged doves.

Of course, a good dove hunt requires doves. Don’t laugh— sometimes weather can change the hunting scene, as birds move to other locations. Rainfall can change dove patterns in a flash because these passeriform birds don’t like getting their delicate little feet wet, and can fly to drier areas in a hurry. However,

if the food source is good, they usually return as the ground dries up.

Hunting doves in South Texas or along the coastal plains in September and October is a gamble. We all moan and groan when a guide or friend says, “You shoulda been here yesterday! We were covered up with birds.” This is not what you want to hear. But in Texas, too often, it’s true.

Every hunter has stories about their best and worst hunts which makes each a grand memory to recall.

Perhaps my worst hunt was outside Karnes City years ago. I was in a group of eight that had day-leased a pasture with a good waterhole. Clean banks had nearby mesquite and oak trees for shade. It had been very dry, so we anticipated a late afternoon of great dove shooting.

Across the FM road, a tractor was disking a field as doves filled the air in front of the tractor. We were excited at seeing so many doves. However, only a single

bird, or maybe two, would venture our way. Much to our dismay, the multitude of doves did not come to our waterhole. Very few even flew to our side of the highway. The next morning and evening were the same. Such a dove-hunting bust—especially since we could see them by the droves.

Another time outside McAllen with friends for a whitewing hunt, we entered a field with about 50 other hunters. There wasn’t much space between hunters, and getting rained with lead pellets was the norm. Unless a dove came overhead from behind, you didn’t have much chance at a bird because of the barrage of gunfire that would explode every time a bird came over.

When a bird fell, there were arguments as to who killed it, and I was uncomfortable around so many strangers shooting in all directions. I didn’t like the hunt, and consider it one of my worst.

One winter day years ago, we noticed doves lining barbed wire fences between a hay meadow and cattle pasture in Matagorda County. The winter dove season was open, but it was cold and somewhat dreary. We got permission to hunt, and had several days of great shooting simply sitting in the middle of a bluestem grass pasture. We never did understand why the birds were there.

Some hunts are strange. On a dove hunt, our group was hunting an open field, with each hunter standing near a round hay bale. We were clearly in a high flight pattern, and a lot of doves were hit but not killed. Many of these wounded doves would fly to a large oak in a

neighboring pasture where we weren’t permitted to hunt.

I had watched doves fly to that tree all evening, and at sunset I left my shotgun behind and climbed through the fence. As I approached the tree a few doves departed, but I picked up nine dead birds under the tree, giving several of us our limit for the hunt.

Outside Melvin near Brady, we had several outstanding dove hunts standing inside a long narrow opening that had grown up with young mesquites. We hunted in the mesquite trees, unable to see much open sky. Doves would surprise us from every direction, and quick shots were common.

On those hunts, I missed so many times that my shoulder got sore. We didn’t get many doves compared to the

Hunting in the shade with a stool to sit on makes for a good September dove hunt.

shells we shot, but that is what’s so much fun about dove hunting.

The best dove hunt ever was near Orange Grove. A huge caliche pit had a big rain puddle in one corner. Six of us were scattered about, enjoying the fast and furious dove shooting. You could easily see your downed birds on the white caliche, and during short lulls in shooting, we’d run out and gather our doves.

Billy, our deer lease landowner, arranged the hunt and hunted with us. We all limited out the first evening, and stopped by the landowner’s house to say thanks and share a few drinks.

Later, we noticed cats jumping out of Billy’s truck bed. All his 12 doves had been cat food. The rest of us were in a truck with a bed cover, so our doves were safe. For years we’ve laughed about that, and in later hunts Billy put his doves inside the truck with the windows rolled up. That day’s hunt was most memorable for the great shooting, and laughter caused by some barn cats enjoying their first dining experience on a limit of mourning doves.

During my dove hunts, I’ve had sweat run down my back; fought mosquitoes and gnats; bundled up against a stiff norther; and walked into the cold, shooting doves from milo rows. I’ve encountered snakes, spiders, ticks, chiggers, and had fire ants in my pants. It’s all been part of a dove hunt somewhere.

But I’m not done, and I hope to enjoy many more dove hunts. You should, too. Whether you are an experienced hunter or a newbie, get out there and enjoy the best sport shooting in Texas — dove hunting.

Hunters sit along a fence line anticipating doves flying across.

One of the best friends of my lifetime was named Rick Carone. We met through our mutual friend, Cameron Hanes. Rick was the type of person who loved to make positive impacts on people, so it was no surprise when he received the devastating news that he had pancreatic cancer, he was going to use it for good. The average life expectancy after such a diagnosis is months. He quickly formed the Team Carone Foundation that supported a number of very worthy causes and had an army of people helping him work on carrying out his vision. Rick did some camera work for the guys at Buck Commander, and I asked him if he would be interested in going to eastern Colorado to film me for an upcoming archery mule deer hunt I was planning. He

flew into Denver from Illinois, and I picked him up one day after his chemo treatment. We were greeted with -20-degree temperatures. Despite those factors, he was a trooper, and we shot an incredible and very unique non-typical buck we named “Beamer.”

Rick was used to hunting in the Midwest for whitetails and was so enamored with our spot-and-stalk experience that I promised him if he would make it to the next season, I would film him as the hunter. That next season, he struggled with his health, but his drive to go on that hunt pushed him on. We began hunting for a mule deer, but on the first day of the hunt, we encountered a beautiful whitetail buck bedded in a good position. The buck was a main frame 11-point that looked like a picket fence.

Rick and guide Ty McFarland made a long stalk to get the wind right, with cameraman Corbin Green filming while I sat a mile away looking through the spotting scope, ready to give hand signals. They got within 30 yards and waited on the buck to stand. I watched in the spotting scope as he drew and shot, and the buck broke and ran. Uncertain of what happened, I focused on the buck.

He ran about 500 yards, walked another 100, and went back to feeding. I was crushed for Rick, but knew we had the rest of the week to try to get back on him. Rick became obsessed with this buck we named “Jay.” The rest of the week we had several encounters with him but just couldn’t get into bow range again.

Finally, on the very last day of the hunt, news of a huge winter storm approaching changed our plans. If Rick would be successful on his dream hunt, we had better be open minded about hunting a different deer. We had seen a really cool mulie a few days earlier that we decided to go look for. We were able to relocate him with a bunch of does and three satellite bucks.

The rut was in full swing, so we got right into bow range

with the assistance of a Heads-Up decoy. As the buck stared at the decoy with bitter resentment, Rick came to full draw and released a beautiful arrow. The buck hop-kicked and ran over the hill before crashing. By the time we got to the buck, the storm blew in with full force, rain and snow, which we captured on film. Rick could not have been more excited about taking his first mule deer.

Rick had to leave after those seven days, but my hunt began the next day. We were back hunting for Jay. I was also obsessed with this crafty buck. During the first seven days hunting him, we had two very close calls with a bow.

We had to head back to Texas for Thanksgiving with the family, but returned to Colorado right after Thanksgiving with a rifle. We only had three days to hunt. At the end of that third day, we spotted Jay right at dark in corn stubble, too far away for a stalk. Ty and I knew we HAD to rearrange things to extend this trip and keep trying for a buck we had already hunted for 17 days.

The next day we searched frantically with our spotting

The first year Brian and his buddy Rick Carone hunted together, Rick was the videographer for the hunt for “Beamer.”

scopes, but could not turn him up. This is big, open country with a lot of giant sand dunes that could allow deer to vanish whenever they wanted. Finally, on our 19th day of hunting, we spotted Jay about half a mile away. We would watch him until he bedded, and then would make our stalk.

We became giddy as we realized this would likely be the day it all came together. As we confidently guessed where he might bed, our worst nightmare unfolded. A pack of coyotes came through and ran Jay completely out of sight into the dune country.

We watched him run for over a mile before losing sight. There was no telling where he could be. Elation turned to devastation as we were snatched from the jaws of victory.

We decided to make our way into the dune country and start slowly picking it apart. As if by divine intervention, we found him in our spotting scopes, bedded approximately a mile away. Corbin and I slithered our way to the buck, closing from one mile down to 150 yards. I rolled up into a sitting position on my shooting sticks, staying as low as possible and began waiting on the bedded buck to stand.

After about an hour, the buck finally gave me a shot. He hopped and ran about 20 yards and stopped, so I shot again, and he went straight down. The range of emotions that erupted after this 19-day journey with this buck were insane!

Before approaching him, we placed a call to Rick to let him know we had successfully took Jay. He was about to get on a firetruck for a giant Team Carone parade and he was surrounded by thousands of people, but he took the time to share the moment with us. He was truly elated.

I begged Rick to plan on another hunt the following year as a way of keeping his fire and hope alive. Miraculously, we were back on the plains of Colorado the next season and we both managed to

take giant archery mule deer bucks. The hunt was all he could do and he severely struggled, but rallied like he always did to make it happen. You see for Rick, quitting was never and would never be an option.

That was Rick’s last hunt and our last adventure together. It couldn’t have been more memorable. You can watch a tribute film I did about these hunts and hear Rick’s inspiring story on YouTube. Search “Choose to Sing Live2Hunt” and you will find the link. It will be worth your time, I promise.

Brian’s buck “Jay” made him work for it. A challenging 19 days of hunting to achieve success with this big buck.

Riflescope Roundup 2024

Long-range hunting continues growing in popularity, judging by the number of manufacturers designing riflescopes that enhance being able to sling slugs more than a couple of hundred yards. Those scopes include such features as special ballistic compensation subtensions, generous elevation adjustment and first-focal-plane reticles that can be used for ranging at any magnification power without additional calculations. Second-focal-plane reticles stay the same size while zooming, and most of those have subtensions that only are accurate at

the highest power.

Some of these latest models, though, are designed for modern sporting rifles with a more compact and lighter form. Most are covered by a lifetime warranty. Abbreviations below include ED glass, or extra-low-dispersion lenses that reduce chromatic aberration and enhance color, resolution, sharpness and contrast; HD, or high definition, which include special coatings or lenses; and FOV, short for field of view in feet at 100 yards.

Prices are manufacturers’ suggested retail prices.

BY JOHN GOODSPEED

Blaser USA www.blaser-usa.com

B2 3-18X50 IC QDC+, $2,332

Designed for long-range hunting, this model stands at the top of the B2 line, introduced last year, with its 6:1 zoom that goes up to 18 power. The QDC+ (Quick Distance Control+) allows adjustment of distances on the reticle to more than 500 yards by turning the elevation turret. Ten engraved rings are included to cover a range of ammunition. Main tube diameter is 30mm. FOV is 39.9 feet to 6.6 feet. Eye relief is 3½ inches. Exit pupil is 9.8mm to 2.8mm. It is 13.27 inches long and weighs 26.8 ounces with the inner rail. The compact scope is built to handle the additional weight of an attached thermal unit. Light transmission is rated at 94% during the day and 92% at night. The scopes are made in Germany with German optics.

Burris Company www.burrisoptics.com

Eliminator 6 4-20X52, $3,000

Burris introduces the redesigned Eliminator 6. It looks like a contemporary riflescope. But it allows hunters to range and just hold the illuminated aiming point on the target and pull the trigger. It ranges more than 2,000 yards on reflective targets and 1,400 yards on deer. If features a thermometer, barometer and inclinometer and automatically measures density altitude to select a ballistics solution via a previously calculated database from the Burris Connect app. The display includes bullet velocity and energy at the ranged distance to indicate when the shot distance may be too far for an ethical kill. ED glass and multi-coated lenses deliver a crisp view. Main tube is 34mm. FOV is 30½ feet to 6½ feet. Eye relief is 3.4 inches. Exit pupil is 8.6mm to 2.9mm. It is 14.6 inches long and weighs 30 ounces.

Carl Zeiss Sports Optics www.zeiss.com/consumer-products/us/hunting.html

Conquest V4 6-24X50, $1,349.99-$1,399.99, depending on reticle

This top-selling model is the most powerful in the Conquest V4 line and built for long-range hunting. It boasts 80 MOA of elevation travel and offers an external locking windage turret option. It is available with five MOA-based, illuminated, second-focal-plane, smart reticle options and an illuminated red-dot duplex-style reticle. The main tube is 30mm. FOV is 19 feet to 5 feet. Eye relief is 3.54 inches. Exit pupil is 7.6mm to 2.1mm. It is 14½ inches long and weighs 24.3 ounces.

German Precision Optics www.gpo-usa.com

CENTURI 4-16X44i Super-Compact FFP Riflescope, $619.99

This compact model offers a wide range of power in a package that measures 9.9 inches long and weighs 20 ounces. It features double HD glass elements. The MIL illuminated reticle in the first-focal plane, coupled with .1mil radian click turrets and zero-stop locking, ensures swift adjustments. It also features a fast-focus ocular and a turret parallax adjustment knob. GPObright lens coating technology and PASSIONdrop hydrophobic lens coatings ensure clarity. The main tube is 30mm. FOV is 34 feet to 9 feet. Eye relief is 3.75 inches. The new CENTURI line also offers five more models —the compact 3-12X44i SC ($539) and four traditional-sized models: 4-16X44i MOA ($619), 2.515X44i ($639), 2.5-15X50i ($639) and 3-18X44i ($639).

m A nufAC turer P hotos

Leupold & Stevens www.leupold.com

Mark 4HD 4.5-18X52, $1,399.99

This is a mid-level model in the new Mark 4HD line, which includes a 4:1 zoom ratio and five magnification ranges. The family features Leupold’s Professional-Grade Optical System for better light transmission, glare reduction and resolution. The push-button ZeroLock dial system prevents accidental dial movement and allows a rapid return to zero. The line also features the illuminated PR3-MIL reticle with a clutter-free image for fast, accurate aiming. The model shown here sports a reticle in the first-focal plane, a side focus and a 34mm main tube. Elevation adjustment is 125 MOA. FOV is 23.1 feet to 5.2 feet. Eye relief is 3.6 inches to 3.9 inches. It weighs 27½ ounces. It includes a removable throw lever and lens covers.

Maven Outdoor Equipment Co. www.mavenbuilt.com

RS1.2 2.5-15X44, $1,200

This new 6:1 zoom model with ED glass is built on the rugged and time-tested frame of the RS.1 with such improved features as an illuminated reticle, capped windage turret that can be dialed, a zero-stop and a dial-able elevation turret. The popular MOA-2 reticle and new SHR-MIL reticle are in the first-focal plane. Elevation travel is 100 MOA. At 26.4 ounces, it weighs less than two ounces more than the RS.1. The main tube is 30mm. FOV is 41.7 feet to 7 feet. Eye relief is 3.4 inches to 3.9 inches. Exit pupil is 11.4mm to 2.93mm. It is 14.05 inches long and weighs 26.4 ounces. Maven sells direct to consumer, which it says reduces costs over retail.

Minox www.minox.com

5-25X56 Long Range Riflescope, $2,359

An illuminated long-range reticle in the first-focal plane provides an unobstructed view with its Christmas-tree design. Elevation adjustment is 28 MRAD. Windage and elevation turrets are exposed and adjustable with a zero-stop. Multi-coatings improve light transmission, contrast and colors. Side parallax adjustment begins at 54.7 yards. The main tube is 34mm. FOV is 21.7 feet to 4.8 feet. Eye relief is 3½ inches. Exit pupil is 10.6mm to 2.3mm. It is 16.6 inches long and weighs 33 ounces. Tenebraex flip-out lens caps are included. 10-year warranty.

Primary Arms www.primaryarms.com

SLx 1-6X24 SFP Gen. IV Riflescope, $339.99

The latest version of the best-selling carbine optic incorporates an upgraded optical system, an integrated dovetail throw lever and the new illuminated ACSS NOVA 5.56/.308 Fiber Wire Reticle in the second-focal plane. This low-power variable optic’s reticle leverages a fiber optic wire for Red Dot Bright illumination with target ranging, BDC subtensions calibrated for 5.56mm and .308 ammunition and moving target leads. Shown here in Flat Dark Earth, it also is available in black. Windage and elevation adjustment is 120 MOA. Main tube is 30mm. FOV is 120 feet to 20 feet. Eye relief is 4 inches. Exit pupil is 10.6mm to 3.8mm. It is 10.4 inches long and weighs 17.9 ounces. Lens caps are included.

Riton Optics www.ritonusa.com

5 PRIMAL 2-12X44 IR, $849.99

Built with 6061-T6 aluminum, this model was constructed with durability in mind. Like all Riton scopes, it is impact tested up to 1,200 Gs and is airgun rated. It is a relatively traditional scope with some added technology for modernity, such as the illuminated RDH reticle that features simple thin crosshairs in the center that grow thicker right, left and below for a view that is unobscured. The 6:1 magnification ratio offers a wide view that zooms into 12 power. HD glass offers improved images. Windage and elevation adjustment is 60 MOA. Main tube is 30mm. FOV is 33 feet to 8.4 feet. Eye relief is 3.35 inches. Exit pupil is 14½mm to 4.7mm. It is 13.39 inches long and weighs 27 ounces.

Sig Sauer www.sigoptics.com

TANGO-MSR 2-12X44 FFP MRAD, $599.99

This model expands the line of tactical riflescopes with highmagnification, a first-focal-plane reticle, a 34mm main tube and an ALPHA-MSR aluminum scope mount. Features include a 6:1 optical system with ED glass, a throw lever for fast magnification adjustment, illuminated MOA or MRAD reticle, a new locking zero-stop elevation dial and lens covers that flip back and lay flat. The other two new TANGO-MSR riflescopes are the 3-18X50mm ($699.99) and 5-30X56mm ($799.99). Windage and elevation adjustment for the 2-12X44 is 150 MOA or 42MRAD. FOV is 198.3 feet to 31½ feet. Eye relief is 3½ inches. It weighs 28½ ounces. The minimum parallax setting is 50 yards.

Steiner Optics www.steiner-optics.com

Predator 4S 4-16X44, $1,273.99

This is the manufacturer’s shortest and lightest hunting riflescope, measuring 10.9 inches long and weighing 18.3 ounces while providing a 4:1 zoom range up to 16 power. With Steiner’s legendary glass and precision engineering, this model ensures bright, high-contrast images with edge-to-edge sharpness. An illuminated second-focal-plane reticle delivers a fast sight picture. Its adjustment range and parallax compensation is tailored for thermal imaging attachments. The minimum parallax setting is 50 yards. Compared to conventional riflescopes, the reduced length and weight help shift weight bias rearward to minimize holding effort when using clip-on style thermal units. The main tube is 30mm. FOV is 36 feet to 9 feet. Eye relief is 3.3 inches. Exit pupil is 10.7mm to 2.8mm.

Swarovski Optik www.swarovskioptik.com

Z8i 2-16X50, $3,188

The new Z8i riflescope line includes this model, a good choice for an all-around performer with its high magnification and Swarovski’s well-regarded optical system. The Z8i’s other models are the 1-8X24 ($2,899), 1.7-13.3X42 ($3,354) and 2.3-18X56 ($3,443). All feature an 8:1 zoom on a 30mm tube, illuminated reticles and light transmission rated at 93 percent. The 1-8X24 and 1.7-13.3X42 can be optioned with the new FLEXCHANGE 4A-IF, which enables switching the illuminated ring around the illuminated center dot on and off. Another option on the new line is the ballistic turret flex (BTF), which can be configured with ballistic compensation. For the 2-16X50, FOV is 63 feet to 7.8 feet. Eye relief is 3.74 inches. Exit pupil is 8.1mm and 3.1mm. It is 14 inches long and weighs 23.8 ounces.

Trijicon www.trijicon.com

Tenmile HX 5-25X50, $2,190

The Tenmile HX hunting series expands with the 5-25X50 first-focal plane riflescope with an illuminated MOA reticle and a red or green center dot. The 5:1 magnification range allows quick identification and targeting at any hunting distance with the uncluttered elevation and windage subten sions. Features include a zero stop, easy-focus eyepiece, a magnification lever that can be repositioned and multi-coated broadband anti-reflective glass to improve light transmission, detail and color and provide edge-to-edge clar ity. Windage and elevation adjustment is 80 MOA. Main tube is 30mm. FOV is 23.3 feet to 4.7 feet. Eye relief is 3.03 inches to 3.62 inches. Exit pupil is 6.6mm to 2.01mm. It is 14¼ inches long and weighs 28.9 ounces.

Vortex Optics www.vortexoptics.com

Viper HD 3-15X44 MRAD, $1,049.99

The Viper line gets three new riflescopes including the one shown here with the exposed turret option. The same model with a capped turret is $999.99. The other models are the 2-10x42 with a Dead-Hold BDC ($899.99) and the 5-25x50 in four variants — two second-focal-plane models ($1,299.99) and two first-focal-plane models ($1,399.99). All include such features as HD optical systems, illuminated reticles, Dead-Hold BDC and Technical Reticle options, 30mm main tubes and REVSTOP Zero System. Other options are MOA and MRAD reticles. For the 3-15x44, windage and elevation adjustment is 102 MOA. FOV is 39.9 feet to 8 feet. Eye relief is 3.4 inches. It is 13.2 inches long and weighs 22½ ounces.

Reliving Opening-Day Dove Hunts With .410 Fun

The fun factor runs high when a youngster like Wyatt Hagedorn of Corpus Christi takes his first bold steps into the dove-hunting world and many age-challenged wingshooters are breaking out sub-gauge shotguns in an attempt to relive those days of old.

photos

By Ralph Winingham

Author

Magic fills the air each September as wing shooters both young and old take part in the Lone Star state’s annual dove season opener. Youngsters with hearts beating at a fevered first day pace are often taking their first steps into the wing shooting world; while seasoned scatter gunners show outward calm as they put their time-tested skills to use knocking down bird after bird with practiced ease.

In many cases, the shotgun being brought to bear on early season mourning and white-winged doves by both novices and veterans alike is a diminutive .410.

“My first dove gun was an old singleshot .410 handed down from my father,’’ Gene McKendrick said during a lull in an opening day hunt near his Laredo ranch.

One of the best bird hunters and live pigeon competitors to ever wield shotgun, he continued:

“I took that .410 and just a handful of shells. I was told to make every shot count. I shot a lot of birds off a tree limb or sitting on a wire before I ever got the chance to try real wing shooting.

“That first bird on the wing was just like magic. I’ve been hooked ever since.”

Old Gene, who passed way in 1993, had quite a collection of firearms but one of his favorites was a Browning Superposed Lightening .410 over and under.

With the .410 in his hands, Gene bagged a countless number of doves in Mexico and along the Texas border.

The Journal’s own Horace Gore is also a huge .410 fan, particularly with a classic Winchester Model 42 pump gun, and had this to say about the opening day sub-gauge trend.

“Get ready to eat a little crow when you shoot the .410. I shot a Winchester Model 42 pump for 30 years (with a modified choke) with some close friends at Austin. The 3-inch No. 7 ½ shot was the best load, and I shot a truck load of them. I liked the .410 so much I hardly ever shot anything else at doves.”

Gore is not alone in his praise for the Model 42, which is known as “The Greatest Little Shotgun in the World.” Ralph Gates, former owner of the Prairie Grove Shotgun Sports in Columbia, Missouri, is an avid firearm’s enthusiast, championship shooter, and collector who has amassed an impressive selection of Model 42s.

“The Model 42 set the standard for .410 pump-action shotguns because when you are shooting it, it feels so natural, almost like it is doing all the work itself,’’ Gates said. He noted that the Model 42 was the first pump-action shotgun designed specifically for the 3-inch .410 shot shell, both introduced by Winchester in 1933. The Model 42 is essentially a

scaled-down variant of the legendary Winchester Model 12.

The sleek, racy and fast-handling Model 42 was discontinued in 1963, with only about 164,800 produced in a variety of grades.

There are several reasons why the Model 42 and other .410 dove guns have been and remain so popular among the dove hunting crowd. Youngsters with limited to no experience in the wing shooting world are often introduced to their bird-busting careers with the tiny poppers because the shotguns are lighter to handle and have no appreciable recoil. Their well-seasoned elders with respectable bird bag tallies year after year are often returning to wielding the smallest of shotgun tools in an attempt to relive their younger days enjoying the magic of dove hunting.

As pointed out by Gore and other timetested scatter gunners, the .410’s smaller shot count that sends out a limited shot pattern results in little room for error. A youngster can become frustrated in their first attempts at knocking birds out of the sky if they don’t focus on putting the shot in the right place at the right time. Veterans returning to the .410 as their go-to shooting tool will have to hone their shooting skills through practice and proper preparation in order to avoid that frustration. Both young and old will

When compared to a 20 gauge, left, or a 12 gauge, right, the tiny .410 shell, center, may seem like a handicap, but in reality, it is a fun and effective way to bust a limit of doves, particularly when cycled through a smooth-shooting smokepole like this Winchester Model 42 pump-action.

A limit of doves bagged during an opening day hunt using a veteran Winchester Model 42 pump-action .410 is testament to the effectiveness of the firearm in the hands of a seasoned wingshooter reliving the fun of a youngster’s first dove hunt.

find they enjoy less shoulder shock, less weight, and greater satisfaction when knocking down a limit of birds. With most shooters going through a lot of shells to down a limit of doves, the tiny .410 is much easier on the shoulder than its bigger 12-gauge cousin. Hunter surveys have shown that the average dove hunter shoots about seven shots for every dove that makes it into the game bag. As a bit of firearm background, the .410 dates back to the early 1900s and is the only U.S. shotgun identified by its bore diameter and not by its gauge. The gauge system uses lead balls in

the diameter that fit a shotgun bore to determine the designation. For example, a ball weighing 1⁄12th of a pound fits in the bore of a 12-gauge shotgun. With less shot and powder in the small diameter shell, the pellets in a .410 shell can become deformed and will not fly as true as round lead shot. The .410 also has a long shot string.

This means as the distance to the target increases, there is a chance for holes in the pattern, and the long shot string might cause more missed birds than with bigger gauges. For this reason, many .410 shooters will stick with shots

In the hands of a seasoned wingshooter like the author in this photo, a Winchester Model 42 pump-action

can put mourning and white-winged doves on the ground with fun-filled consistency.

that are up close and personal. Elder statesmen shooters with years of experience can make longer shots of 40, 50, or even 60 yards (stick to No. 6 shot for the long-ball birds), but the average hunter should focus on doves in the range of 20-30 yards.

Successful scatter gunners, both young and old, must carefully pick out a target and get in the right position to handle the bird in a smooth and effective manner. Shooters should avoid the tendency to muscle or sharply swing the lighter shotgun, instead making smooth, fluid movements to overtake, intercept and down darting doves. Slow down, focus on making a smooth swing and shoot the dove where it eats, not where it sits. Finally, always remember that it is quality and not quantity that counts. Dove hunting is all about making memorable shots that will stay with the shooter long after the scatterguns have been put away and the last dove taco (see page 120) has been shared with hunting compadres.

.410

Lee is fond of caribou cows for the table. He shot this cow in dense forest near Denai in the Alaska interior.

Imagine you’re a chechako—what Alaska sourdoughs call a newcomer—preparing your first winter and new life in the Great Land. It’s time to plan what you’re going to eat for the long hard winter and the eight months until spring. So, you do what Alaskans have done for thousands of years—you go caribou hunting.

Moose are bigger; sheep are prettier; goats are tough; but caribou are the staple that has filled Alaska larders, fed families, and clothed Alaska Natives for thousands of years. Depending on your experience, caribou are the prettiest, dumbest, smartest, most elusive, most frustrating, and most satisfying of all deer. They’re the most mobile of land animals, moving constantly to migrate up to 400 miles between summer and winter ranges.

Caribou are mobile with long legs, unique spongy hooves, huge hearts, and joints designed for constant movement. They’re what biologists call a concentrate feeder, focusing on only the best forage and moving constantly to new feed, while burning little energy in motion.

Bulls are about twice as big as cows, averaging 300-400 pounds. A cow will bone out 80 pounds of great meat; a bull about 150 pounds of meat. Both bulls and cows grow antlers. Bulls shed their antlers in early winter, while cows keep theirs through calving season as protection for their young.

As a food item, good caribou—cow, yearling, or non-rutting bull—is among the finest venison on Earth, far superior to whitetail and comparable to axis or Sitka black-tail venison. Bad caribou meat—from an old rutting bull—might be the worst on the planet.

A rutting bull caribou, with flowing white main and majestic crown of antlers, is a beautiful picture and is also a stinking sex addict. They quit eating, drink little but cow caribou urine, and are constantly chasing the next receptive cow, running themselves ragged. As a result, they’re completely inedible during the rut.

Since we’re talking about eating caribou, let’s focus on high success rather than trophy hunts. Like most things in Alaska, it’s either feast or famine. And just like salmon, when they’re there, they are plentiful. Alaskans shoot more caribou than any other big game animals, until recently about 22,000 caribou each year.

Bull caribou shed their antlers in early winter.

Caribou are very comfortable in the water, crossing lakes and rivers throughout their vast migration routes.

But the total harvest has declined recently, according to Alaska caribou research biologist Lincoln Parrett.

“The biggest contributor to that total harvest number is the Western Arctic Herd, where we have estimated a harvest of 12,000 to 16,000 each year in the past,” he said. “That herd has declined, and become inaccessible in many years, so logically, that number should be smaller. On top of that, we have decreased total harvest on the Fortymile herd to about 1,000 per year, and the Nelchina and Mulchatna are both closed, so the total number must necessarily be down. The little herds and Teshekpuk, Central Arctic and Porcupine do not appear to have made up the difference,” Parrett added.

Caribou season traditionally opens Aug. 1, which is a lovely time to be in the Interior. It will freeze at night but warm to 60 degrees during the day. You can also expect the worst mosquitoes on Earth. The hunt itself is all about glassing until you find animals. Expect to either get high with lots of country to glass, or plan to cover 10, 20 or 40 miles a day looking to intercept a herd of caribou.

I have shot Alaska caribou above timberline, in the company of Dall sheep, and I have shot them in boggy timber that they share with moose and grizzlies. To an Alaska meat hunter, it’s also about protecting the meat, especially in August. Getting the animal quartered, in meat sacks and hung to cool is critical, as is protection from blow flies. I made an August hunt in Quebec, when the flies were already swarming on a dead caribou by the time you walk up to it after the shot.

Mother Nature and the vagaries of the migration will weigh heavily on your success, so be flexible and prepared to move to find the migration. Parrett recommends hunting the state’s largest herds. “The Fortymile, Central Arctic, and Porcupine are still the best DIY options, with predictable seasons. Because the Fortymile is hunted using zone specific quotas, the road accessible zones can be unpredictable, but the fly-in zones tend to stay open for the duration of the advertised season.” The state monitors harvests in each zone closely and will close the season as soon as a quota is met.

The Fortymile caribou herd remains Alaska’s largest, with almost 200,000 animals roaming the northern half of the state. It’s a registration hunt with over-the-counter tags. Hiring a bush pilot to fly you into camp and hunt near the migration is my favorite caribou hunt.

An extreme DIY option and adventure is hunting the legendary Dalton Highway, lovingly called “The Haul Road,” by Alaskans. This is the 414-mile gravel road paralleling the Trans Alaska Pipeline through taiga forests, wild rivers and mountain passes from Fairbanks to Alaska’s North Slope. Ending at the Arctic Ocean, it is the most remote major highway in the US.

Fortymile caribou migrate across and along the road—they love the shade of the pipeline. For safety reasons, it’s only bowhunting within five miles of the road and pipeline. Beyond five miles you can rifle hunt, but that’s a long pack out with your meat. You have to be self-sufficient, with extra gas, spare tires, and the ability to take care of yourself.

One other option is the unique caribou herd out on the Aleutians island of Adak. The island is the former home of a Cold War Era naval base that once housed 6,000 sailors. Adak no longer plays a military role and has less than 100 year-around

residents, but also has thousands of caribou.

Adak island is also remote, even by Alaska standards—1,188 miles west of Anchorage by air—near the end of the Aleutian Islands and closer to Tokyo than Anchorage. The caribou are not native to the island but were stocked there at the request of the Navy in 1959 and have flourished. The bulls still carry the same sweeping huge antlers common to the Nelchina herd from which they were transplanted.

The caribou on Adak are considered a non-native species, which is why there is truly unlimited hunting. For cows, there is no closed season or bag limit. For bulls, the annual bag limit

is two and the season runs from August through December. The biggest challenge is shipping home hundreds of pounds of meat via Alaska Airline’s on their twice weekly flights. It’s also wise to plan far ahead for regulation changes.

“The core of the Western Arctic Herd range (unit 23) is going to be on a drawing permit for non-residents starting in 202526, with the first draw applications due this winter,” Parrett said. “There are also some minor bag limit increases in the Central Arctic Herd (one bull to two bulls for non-residents), and minor changes to how many Delta Herd (DC827) permits go to guided versus unguided hunters.”

The Alaska Department of Fish and Game provides useful tools to help caribou hunters, including online updates and a telephone hotline that hunters can call to both track the progress of a particular herd’s migration. Caribou harvest updates are also available, so gather your gear and come to Alaska for a great caribou hunt in the Big Country.

End of a successful caribou hunt. Hunters hange full meat sacks high to cool and stay out of reach of (most) bears.

Jason finally fulfilled his desire to take a Texas trophy whitetail buck with his bow.

Ihave been wanting to shoot a Texas trophy whitetail for my entire life. I hunt in the Texas Hill Country but there’s no opportunity to shoot such a huge deer. I researched and looked at many different places in Texas. I finally came across C5 Whitetails near Waco, Texas, and was very impressed with this place.

I talked to Chris Cooper, the landowner, and we immediately connected with each other because of our careers in IT (information technology) consulting. His knowledge, passion for whitetail, bowhunting, the outdoors, family, friendships, and an intimate experience immediately struck me. After some great conversation about his place, philosophies, type of hunting, and personal approach, I booked a hunt.

We booked for mid-December 2022, which is the only time he and I had to do this. I must admit I was nervous as an avid bowhunter because my time is focused on October not December. I was concerned about what I was getting into with the weather, the rut, and late hunting. Professional and personal commitments and Chris’ busy schedule did not allow for an earlier hunt.

I headed down to the ranch after work on Friday, Dec. 9. I did not arrive at the ranch until almost 8:30 p.m. I drove up to the gates of the ranch and into such a beautiful place, even at late evening in the dark. The main house was lit up and on the top of a hill, overlooking what looked like a beautiful lake. Everyone welcomed me. They had an amazing dinner prepared. After dinner we sat by the amazing covered, huge firepit to drink to relax and watch some football. Afterwards, everyone

went to bed to rest for the hunt in the morning.

The next morning, my guide Logan and I headed out to hunt. We went to a huge treestand that looked more like a treehouse from “Swiss Family Robinson.” It was not too long after light that deer started moving. The temperature also dropped, and it got very chilly with misting rain, which I was not prepared for.

We watched as does moved around and saw a smaller eightpoint; then it started. A huge buck came into the area with his head down and chasing does every way and grunting like crazy. They ran everywhere. More bucks were chasing the does so hard, their mouths were open like panting dogs.

I was blown away because I have never hunted during the rut. Another massive buck that must have been over 280 inches also chased does. I told Logan that was the biggest whitetail I’d ever seen. Logan smiled and was thrilled this was the start to the hunt.

We hunted for two hours, but I needed to get down because I was not prepared for this cold, wet weather and began to shiver in cold. We headed back to the lodge in the UTV. I immediately changed and got some hot coffee while Kevin and Callie had a hot breakfast ready for me. We sat by the firepit with coffee, and I could not stop talking about the amazing morning hunt.

That afternoon and evening, Logan and I hunted very hard and in a different area. We saw numerous bucks still running does like crazy. I saw a couple good bucks in the 180-class, but not what I was looking for, so we let them go. It got dark, so we headed back to camp.

We had another great evening of fellowship, awesome hunting stories, and Ryan’s “world-class” barbeque with his amazing smoked brisket and sauce.

Sunday arrived and we headed out to hunt. Nothing was moving at all. Clearly, the hard rut of the last few days had the deer bedded down. So what do you do? You get out of the stand and go stalk-hunt.

Logan and I hunted hard that day and even stalked up on

Jason with his guide, Logan.

a buck bedded down deep in the woods facing away from us. We stalked up within 22 yards of him while the wind blew in our faces, so he had no idea we were there. He was a beautiful mainframe, typical 12-point, 170-inch buck. He was not what I was looking for, so we left there and hunted elsewhere for a few more hours but had no luck.

We headed back to camp where Chris offered me to hunt that afternoon if I wanted. The weather was warming up and we were all confident it would warm up so the deer would move. I took him up on that offer, and after lunch, Logan and I headed back. We decided to stalk again.

After a couple of hours stalking and rattling, we worked our way back deep into the woods. We carefully used our binoculars, and moved slowly, when we spotted what looked like a deer atop the hill inside some deep trees. Yup, it was a monster, bruiser buck bedded down and looking away from us with the wind in our faces. So, we began our slow move towards the buck, ensuring we kept the brush and trees between us and the buck at all times.

We finally got within 25 yards of the buck and stopped. I could clearly see the monster trophy whitetail. Logan estimated him to be at 250 inches. The buck bedded down against the hill and brush, so we had a lot of trees diagonally in front of us.

Logan and I glassed the buck and used our rangefinders. The buck stood 25 yards away. Logan said this would be the shot to take, but I was nervous to shoot uphill, against the wind, and between at least eight trees with a small shot window. Logan was supportive, saying, “I have seen you shoot at the lodge, and you can do this.”

I drew my bow and positioned my pin on the beast, but let

off. I was not confident to shoot the biggest whitetail of my life like this, but Logan put his hand on my shoulder and said, “You got this.”

I once again drew my bow and put my pin right on the buck’s shoulder, but needed to ensure I had the right angle, not too low on the animal, and watch out for the trees. I closed my eyes, breathed, and believed in myself and God’s ability to drive that arrow home. I watched, in what looked like slow motion to me, as the 490-grain arrow with a Rage broadhead delivered itself perfectly behind the buck’s shoulder blade. The buck got up and ran off with what looked like a mortal wound.

Logan and I hugged as he said, “Great shot!” We waited and then followed the blood trail for what was at least 100 yards uphill. We were both shocked at this, but made sense that these huge whitetails were hard rutting and had all the adrenaline running through them. We found the monster buck up the hill, and hugged and celebrated.

We walked up to the trophy whitetail and saw no ground shrinkage, only ground “gains.” He was an amazing whitetail specimen at over 240 inches with a 32-inch spread, mainframe 12-point, two to three drop tines, palmated beams, and lots of mass. The buck also had mass in his body, but Logan said the buck had lost over 80 pounds since they saw him two months ago due to the rut.

We went back to the lodge to tell Chris and the team. We shared lots of hugs, smiles, laughter, and took pictures before I began my trip home. What an amazing experience and a wonderful group of people who have an amazing place. They work so hard to ensure everyone who goes there has an extraordinary experience, and leave as friends with a trophy.

After a brief bout with uncertainty, Jason successfully made the 25-yard shot on the buck.

KINNEY COUNTY GOT-AWAY

By Gary Roberson

While everyone wants great success on every hunt that they attempt, I have found in my 60 years of calling predators, that’s just not going to happen. Unfortunately, I was reminded of this only a few days later when I accepted an invitation to hunt on a ranch in Kinney County, Texas.

I received a private message from a very nice gentleman who leases 2,600 acres out of a 10,000-acre ranch south of U.S. Highway 90. He had a few photos of coyotes and bobcats on his game cameras and was concerned that they were having an impact on his deer population.

I asked the usual questions about how

much hunting pressure the coyotes had, and he said someone had called a few months earlier. Because we use the FREQ that produces almost totally realistic sounds and lures even “call-shy” critters, I told him I would come down when we got a break from the heat.

Later we got cooler weather that we were looking for, I got in touch with the gentleman and asked if we could meet him on the ranch on Thursday evening. He said that would be great, so my son, Steve, and I loaded our gear and headed south.

The wind blew 15-20 mph out of the east, so I suggested we drive over the

ranch so I could have an idea about the terrain, amount of coyote sign, and any openings we could take advantage of. After driving over the ranch for two hours, the gentleman asked me what I thought. I told him there were more openings than I expected, and they were big enough to play in my favor. But I was shocked by the absence of predator sign—no tracks and only one pile of coyote scat.

The ranch was converting from beef cattle to meat goats, and also in the process of fencing the entire ranch into 20 500-acre pastures. All of the fencing was net wire not only meant to keep the goats in, but keep the coyotes out. The grazing plan was to move the goat herd from 500-acre pasture to another 500-acre pasture every week, so as not to overgraze any part of the ranch. In this day and time, everyone who runs goats also has guard dogs that live with the goats, and they run predators away. Steve and I would avoid the pasture where the goats grazed, because the first thing that will respond to a distress sound is a guard dog.

Not every hunt goes your way. Gary’s hunt served as a reminder of this simple fact.

Friday morning, I was greeted with a light sprinkle, just enough to be annoying but not enough to get anything wet. By the time I finished with the first stand, the rain ended, but the cloud cover remained. Starting on the west side of the ranch, I moved easterly in order to work into the wind, making a total of five stands and zero predators. Even more surprising, I had not seen one track or even one pile of coyote or bobcat scat. Driving back to the ranch headquarters, I saw a small flock of buzzards perched in a dead mesquite tree. I told Steve something must be dead there, so we stopped the truck to investigate. I didn’t find any carcass, but I did find a fresh coyote track. I’m guessing the coyote smelled whatever was dead or made a kill and stayed there long enough to consume the remains of the prey. Though it was 11 a.m. and heating up, I decided to make a call. After all, a coyote had been in the area within the last few hours. Shortly after beginning to call, a white pickup drove by on a ranch road about 250 yards away. I began to think this was not my day.

Steve and I drove back into Brackettville for lunch and returned to the ranch about 4 p.m. I decided we would scout over the ranch looking for sign, but would wait until it cooled off before

making a call. I learned a long time ago that you can’t call what ain’t there. After driving the roads for two hours, we saw no tracks, so I stopped near a stock tank to walk the edges of the water. If there was a predator anywhere in the country, surely it would go to water and leave a track in the mud that would be preserved until some other traffic stomped it out.

Steve and I walked to the small watering hole and there it was—a coyote track that was at least a week old in the dried mud. Steve was almost in disbelief because he didn’t think a coyote was on the ranch. As we continued to walk around the small pound, I found more and fresher coyote tracks that told me this coyote was frequenting the pond fairly regularly, and that meant he was in the general area. A little farther around the edge, I found a fairly fresh bobcat track. If we could not call the coyote, perhaps we could lure the cat.

We made two calls that evening with the same results as that morning. We did have a Harris’ hawk attempt to come to the FREQ, but the mockingbirds drove her out of the country. I stopped by the ranch headquarters and found the ranch manager visiting with my friend. I told the ranch manager he was doing an excellent job of predator control. He said since they decided to convert the ranch from cattle to goats over a year ago, he had been snaring the fence lines.

He thought the guard dogs were helping to keep the coyotes run out of the ranch because he had not heard one in over six months, and had not seen one in nearly a year. Simply put, he didn’t think he had many coyotes. I told them I would return again in the morning to make a few calls and then go home.

As Steve and I drove back to town, we decided to put everything on the

call near the tank where we had seen tracks. We would arrive at first light, using the wind to cover our arrival and set up facing northwest, looking across a wide opening running from northeast to southwest above the tank. If we would call a predator, this would be the spot, and as Steve said, “We would be heroes.”

We walked in to set up as quietly as possible. I set the FREQ approximately 50 yards away, and stuck a fiberglass rod with a turkey feather tied to it so I would have some motion at the source of the sound. Hopefully, this motion would keep the predator’s attention directed away from two hunters.

Shortly after setting down, I could hear a rumble of thunder in the south as a light rain began to fall. Just our luck, now that we were set up to make a stand where we had somewhat of a chance to call a critter, we’d get rained out. I turned on the FREQ, selected one of my favorite sounds, “Killer Cotton,” and let it roar.

Visibility was not good because it was extremely overcast, spitting rain, and almost sunrise. I strained to see any motion in the scattered brush across the opening, doing my best not to make any motion. About 12 minutes into the stand, I saw a critter, reddish in color, standing broadside about 150 yards away. Slowly, I eased my rifle to my shoulder and looked through the scope to positively identify the critter as a coyote.

As I attempted to settle the crosshairs on the coyote’s shoulder, he started trotting. I knew I had to turn the call back on to get him to stop. I switched to the sound of a baby cottontail distress, named “Money Bunny,” and the coyote responded as I had hoped. He had stopped in an opening, but grass covered about half his body; not ideal, but it would have to do.

With the crosshairs right at the top of the grass, I squeezed the trigger and heard a thump. The coyote hit the ground, got his feet under him, and made two lunges before going down

again. I saw him raise his head and then it dropped out of sight.

Steve and I were pumped! We had called up and killed a coyote where it was almost impossible. After our celebration, we walked across the opening to recover our trophy, only to find a big pool of blood. How did the coyote get on his feet without either one of us seeing some movement?

I followed a blood trail for about 50 yards, expecting to find a dead coyote under a bush, but it didn’t happen. The blood played out about the time he reached thick brush, and we gave up our search. I’m sure that the coyote expired—if there really was a coyote.

Gary set his electronic caller about 50 yards from his stand and stuck a fiberglass rod with a turkey feather tied to it so there would be some motion at the source of the sound.

Gary after a previous, successful hunt.

City Limit Hogs

Wild hogs show up in random places

It was early morning, and there was a crowd on the shoulder of the blacktop road. When I slowed down, I could see a bloody crime scene. Three large, dead feral hogs were scattered on the highway. Skid marks told the story of a car slamming on its brakes, but obviously making contact. The small car’s front bumper was mangled. The female driver was OK, but shook up. “There were at least eight of them just standing in the middle of the road,” she exclaimed to the crowd around her. “I slammed on the brakes and swerved, but it was too late. I didn’t even know we had wild pigs around here,” she said with a shrug.

A muddy feral hog sow photographed on a Texas creek. Texas has more feral hogs than any other state.

Vehicle and wild hog collisions are not that unusual in Texas. Of the estimated 6.9 million feral hogs roaming the United States today, Texas has more than any other state. The current estimate is roughly three million hogs are found in 99 percent of Texas counties.

What makes the women’s accident noteworthy is that it happened in a developed area on the outskirts of a large city. In that scenario, a large milo field sits on the edge of new homes, gas stations and restaurants. The pigs raid the milo field after dark like vampires, crossing a highway to get there. I’ve seen other dead pigs in that same area in the bar ditch, no doubt from other traffic collisions.

Roaming, menacing wild swine

Wild hogs show up in random places. Water and food dictate where they travel. They root up manicured golf courses and devour freshly planted tulips in grandma’s flower beds.

Crops like wheat, milo and peanuts are a few wild pig favorites. Wooded creeks and rivers are prime habitat for wild pigs and serve as a sort of highway to expand their range. If a wooded creek winds near newly built country homes, it’s just a matter of time before a wild hog wanders through the neighborhood.

Brandon with a big boar that interrupted his deer hunt in November 2021. A short stalk produced a 35-yard shot.

A few years ago, during a drought, a herd of wild pigs visited my ranch headquarters every night after dark. The pigs would take turns wallowing in the puddle of water near two faucets by the barn. Next, they would rub their mud-soaked hide along the corral fence and nearby trees. Signs like wallows, muddy rubs on trees, fence posts or telephone poles, blunt-toed tracks and wiry hairs snagged in the bottom strand of a barbed wire fence will confirm you have hogs.

It’s legal to hunt wild hogs year-round with no bag limit in Texas. Hunting is legal day and night, with landowner permission. Most of Texas counties require a minimum of 10 acres to legally hunt or discharge a firearm.

However, it’s illegal to discharge a firearm inside city limits. It’s also illegal to shoot on or across a public road. Check all local laws before hunting wild hogs near suburban areas.

My friend, Kyle Barbour, had a wild hog encounter in late March 2024. It happened just past the city limits of a town in the Texas Panhandle. A herd of four wild hogs showed up early one morning rooting up a flower bed on the side of a country home. Kyle made the stalk and arrowed a plump, black sow.

The survivors bolted towards other barns and homesites across a paved road. Two days later, a big, gray-colored boar returned to the same tree row in full daylight, rooting his snout in the brown earth. The chunky boar was no more than 20 yards from the side of the house. With permission from the landowner, Kyle stalked the 250-pound boar and put an arrow through its ribs. The toothy boar expired near a paved road. Kyle had to tie a length of rope to the big boar’s back leg and loop the other end to his truck’s bumper just to drag the beast away from passing cars. That hefty boar had sharp, 21/4-inch lower tusks.

If ever there was an animal that warrants sturdy broadheads and extra arrow weight, it’s the wild swine. Kyle’s big boar had a 2-inch layer of fat under the 1-inch, thick hide of crusted, matted hair. Kyle’s 65-pound Mathews bow propelled a Slick Trick broadhead through the nearside hide, fat and ribcage to puncture both lungs, but the arrow did not exit the offside. A few other top broadhead picks for tough boars would include fixed blades like the Wasp Dart, Magnus Black Hornet, 2-blade Silver Flame and assorted designs from Iron Will. For best odds of deep penetration wait for broadside or slight quartering away shot angles. A finished arrow weight of 450-550 grains or heavier with some extra front-of-center (FOC) weight in the 15% range will ensure arrows drive deep.

Sometimes I wonder if feral hogs are getting closer to town, or town is just getting closer to wild places? It seems every year, more and more homes pop up in rugged landscapes. Wild hogs

are fair game year-round, but most of my encounters have occurred during deer season.

Big boar with an attitude

In November 2021, on a frosty cold morning, a lone boar came from a wooded creek near my deer blind. The deer stared wild-eyed in the pig’s direction, then bounded away, white flags waving. Deer do not like sharing their space with wild pigs. The cagey boar circled suspiciously until he got a sniff of me. He growled and huffed, walking away stiff-legged, obviously annoyed that I was in his path to the free corn. I ditched the blind and hustled ahead of the wandering, growling beast. He sensed I was close, but he feared nothing. When he hesitated at 35 yards, I waited at full draw.

My arrow hit low in the chest, glancing off heavy bone, but still penetrating 12-inches. The boar’s first stride snapped the stiff carbon shaft in half. The scary-sharp Iron Will broadhead left a blood trail like spilled paint in the sandy soil. The black-colored boar was down just 40 yards from impact. As I rolled him over to set up a few photos, I glanced around at my surroundings. It was mostly wild canyon country, but newly built homes were visible not too far away on the horizon. Wild hogs continue to be a problem in both remote landscapes and even at the edge of town.

Kyle Barbour with a big boar he arrowed in March 2024. Kyle stalked the rooting boar just past the city limits.

Good Dogs Make Good Hunts by The Old Hunter

Dogs have been a part of the hunt for 30,000 years.

In modern times, notable forefathers such as George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, and Andrew Jackson kept trailing hounds for deer, bear, and fox. Lincoln’s “Fido” did not hunt, but was the president’s close companion.

Spanish explorer Cabeza de Vaca (1528) and the early North American pioneers all used dogs for hunting and protection. Native Indian tribes used the cousin of the wolf in several ways—even as an evening meal in dire times.

Ancient records have dogs showing up first in European camps, and used by Homo sapiens for hunting. Early man found that dogs had a good sense of smell, and were able to fight and defeat certain animas that were hunted. Frederick the Great of Prussia (1879) said, “A dog is man’s best friend.”

My earliest recollection of hunting dogs were my Uncle Cecil’s two hounds, “Whiskey” and “Bozo.” Whiskey was a walker hound, and Bozo was a black and tan, and these dogs are the ones that I remember at age 8, when I lived with my grandmother, Maude Gilmore, in Fourche Valley in Yell County, Arkansas.

Uncle Cecil Gilmore was a dirt farmer with a few “open range” cattle. In inclement weather, he was a “fox” hunter, who could immediately become a deer hunter if Whiskey and Bozo jumped a deer. He always carried a Winchester Model 97 12-gauge shotgun with No. 4 (27 pellets) buckshot. The old “hammer gun” was always in his pickup, along with his guitar and a jar of hooch.

Cecil was always ready to chase a deer—buck or doe—with Whiskey and Bozo. Everyone in the Valley knew Cecil had hounds, and when they saw a deer anywhere, they would call Cecil or Maxine on the single wire telephone line and give the location. On the party line, Cecil’s ring was two longs and a short. If the timing was right, Cecil would take the dogs

to the deer tracks, and put them on the trail. More often than not, Whiskey and Bozo would catch the deer, and Cecil would dispatch it with his shotgun. The venison was divided between Cecil and the caller, and Cecil would stretch and salt the deer hide for sale along with his bobcat, coon, possum, skunk, and mink furs.

I left Yell County and my grandmother in the summer of 1945, and went to live with my mother in Hooks, Texas, in Bowie County. I had started the sixth grade, when a stray

The Old Hunter with his canine companion, “Ruff.”

English cocker spaniel came to our door. I fed the black cocker, and for five years, “Super” was my hunting companion—my first dog.

English cockers are hunting dogs—not like the American cocker with long ears that is a common house dog. Super was black, had short floppy ears, and a very short tail. He would point cottontails and quail, and I would often spot them on the ground. My Sears Roebuck .22 single shot was deadly, and I often brought home a rabbit or a couple of quail.

We lived about two blocks from the schools, and I was in the ninth grade when the high school principal, Mr. Chisum, came to me and said, “Horace, go to the library and get your dog. He’s in the room, and they can’t get him out of your chair.” I went to the library-study hall room, and there was Super in the chair where I had sat that morning. I called him out and sent him home.

I got my first genuine birddog as a freshman in high school, and a Winchester pump shotgun the next year. Johnnie Smith, who was the sister of my good friend, Jerry Barrow, gave me a young English setter named “Corky,” and I traded for a Winchester 16-gauge shotgun. Jerry had a pointer birddog named “Mike,” and we hunted quail and woodcock together through high school. I hunted with Corky for six years, and when I joined the Army in November of 1954, I returned Corky to Johnnie.

After two years in the Army, I returned to Hooks and entered Texarkana College in September 1956. I got Corky back again, and although he was getting old, I hunted quail that fall and

again in 1957. One of my teachers, Newt Louis—an old Aggie—hunted with me, and gave me some good advice and helped to get me into Texas A&M University for the spring semester of 1958.

I went without a dog for three years, while graduating from A&M and being on the job as a wildlife biologist in Mineral Wells. A move to Brownwood in 1962 gave me the opportunity to get some quail dogs. I worked on a quail project that required dogs to census and hunt quail on the job. I bought a little 3-year-old pointer/setter crossbreed named “Jack” that had never seen a quail, for $60. He became the best quail dog I ever had.

We finished the quail research, and as part of the project, I hunted in some of the best quail country in Texas, and trained Jack and some other good dogs. They say that “practice makes perfect,” and I hunted with Jack three or four times a week. He was a great quail dog, and also an excellent retriever of doves and ducks for eight years.

A promotion moved me to Waco in the fall of 1965, but I still had Jack and a fine female pointer named “Molly B.” I sold Molly B. for big money, and Jack was getting old. I continued to hunt quail around Waco, and with my friends north to the Red River, until Jack died.

“Jack” was the best quail dog The Old Hunter ever had.

A short stint took me to Oklahoma to work as game chief, but I was soon beckoned back to Texas as Wildlife Chief of Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. In Austin, I had two quail dogs: “Ruff,” an English pointer, and “Zeke,” a Brittany spaniel. Both were good dogs, and I hunted near Lockhart and up around Brownwood and North Texas for several years.

When I retired from TPWD in October 1993, I took a job guiding quail hunters at Crocked River hunting camp in Shackelford County. The quail habitat along the Clear Fork of the Brazos was ideal, and I guided hunters with two English setters and a big English pointer for two winters.

In August 1995, I’d been called to Gonzales County to assist a rancher with plans to lease the 2,200-acre Kokernot Ranch to deer hunters. On that trip, I agreed to move to the ranch, which was a wildlife haven for deer, turkey, ducks, squirrels, doves, and hogs. I took three good quail dogs to the ranch and hunted both North and South Texas until all the dogs got old and died.

In 1996, my friend Dean Davis had a King Ranch Labrador retriever with a litter of registered pups, and insisted that I take a black female. I got the pup when she was eight weeks old, and for 10 years, “Belle” was my constant companion. She was outstanding at retrieving doves and ducks, and was also good at trailing wounded deer and hogs.

When Belle died in 2007, I found a 15-month-old black female Lab near Cuero that was partially trained, and I hunted ducks and doves with “Lucy” that fall. She became an excellent retriever for birds, but didn’t like anything with hair. However, I coaxed Lucy once to trail a wounded buck for my daughter, Donna. The buck left a good blood trail, and Lucy found it about 60 yards in the brush.

Lucy and I gave up the hunt at about the same time. She died in 2016, and the old diabetes took my right leg in 2017. My hunting days ended, but the memories are strong for the many years of good quail, dove, duck, and hog hunts with the best dogs a hunter could ever take on the chase.

Another hunting dog The Old Hunter took with him on hunts was “Belle.”

YOU WILL NEED:

• one limit picked doves, or two limits dove breasts

• 6 cups cold water

• 2 tablespoons Chef Ralph’s Super Seasoning, or your preferred seasonings

• 1⁄2 teaspoon sage

• 1 stick butter

• 1⁄2 cup chopped onion

• 1 tablespoon flour

• 2 tablespoons comino

• 2 tablespoons chili powder

• 1 can (15 ounces) tomato sauce

• Flour tortillas

• Fresh guacamole

• Fresh salsa

• Shredded cheese

OPENING DAY DOVE TACOS

DIRECTIONS

Mix water, Chef Ralph’s Super Seasoning and sage in a large stew pot. Add doves or dove breasts and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce heat and simmer about one hour or until birds are tender and the meat is falling off the bone. Remove meat from bones and set aside. Reserve about one cup of broth. Heat butter in a deep cast-iron skillet over medium heat. Add onion, flour, comino, chili powder, reserved broth, and tomato sauce. Simmer about five minutes, stirring often. Mix in cooked and deboned dove meat and simmer at least another 15-20 minutes to thicken mixture. (Chef Ralph’s Secret Tip: A large dollop of cream cheese – about 4 ounces – stirred into the mixture halfway through the simmering process really kicks up the flavor factor.) Serve warm dove mixture in flour tortillas with fresh guacamole, fresh salsa, or shredded cheese, to taste.

This recipe is among the tasty tidbits and outdoor tales first published in Ralph Winingham’s award-winning cookbook, “Revenge of Old Boots & Bacon Grease.” Visit ralphwiningham.com for more information.

Fish and game move in search of food in cycles relative to the moon’s location to the Earth. The time spans listed are the prime or major period times to start each day and along each time zone meridian of longitude 75° (Eastern), 90° (Central), 105° (Mountain) and 120° (Pacific). To determine the feeding cycle time for fishing and hunting in the area you plan to fish or hunt, advance the sum of 4 minutes for each degree west and back up 4 minutes for each degree east. The next prime feeding cycle (not listed on the calendar) will be approximately 121⁄2 hours later. There are minor periods that occur between the prime or major periods. The moon’s phases are shown as New, First Quarter (FQ), Full and Last Quarter (LQ). The feeding times are not a cure-all. Weather and other environmental conditions affect wildlife feeding activity.

- 7:45P

3:30P - 8:30P 4:20P- 9:20P 4:40A - 9:40A 5:30A - 10:30A 6:20A - 11:20A 7:10A - 12:10P 8:00A - 1:00P

8:50A - 1:50P 9:40A - 2:40P 10:30A - 3:30P 11:30A - 4:30P 12:30P - 5:30P 1:30P - 6:30P 2:30P - 7:30P

3:35P - 8:35P 4:35A - 9:35A 5:05A - 10:05A 5:55A - 10:55A 6:40A - 11:40A 7:25A - 12:25P 8:05A - 1:05P

10:00A - 3:00P 10:45A - 3:45P 11:30A - 4:30P 12:30P - 5:30P 1:20P - 6:20P

2:10P - 7:10P 3:00P - 8:00P 3:50P - 8:50P 4:45A - 9:45A 5:10A - 10:10A 6:00A - 11:00A 6:50A - 11:50A

- 12:40P 8:30A - 1:30P 9:15A

2:15P 10:00A - 3:00P

- 3:50P

BRUCE VANCE: whitetail 12-point taken 12/3/23 in Kent County.

GEAR: Mossberg Patriot 6.5 Creedmoor, Hornady 147-grain match ammo.

OUTFITTER: Dad.

JACKSON WARE: whitetail seven-point taken 10-29-23 in San Saba County.

GEAR: Sako Hunter rifle, 117-grain Sierra BT handload .25-06 cal., Leupold 3.5-10X scope.

OUTFITTER: Grandfather Lee Shelter.

CHRIS STANLEY: (with son Bryce): whitetail eight-point taken 11/5/2022 in Coryell County.

GEAR: DPMS II .308.

OUTFITTER: “The Deer Lease.”

JOLEE KUHN: whitetail nine-point (first buck) with 13½-inch inside spread taken 12/30/23 in Parker County.

GEAR: Remington 700 .243, Winchester Deer Season XP ammo, Vortex Crossfire II scope.

OUTFITTER: Dad.

ROBERT RUIZ: whitetail nine-point shot 1/5/24 in Starr County.

GEAR: Win. .22-250.

OUTFITTER: Garza Ranch (Dad).

JOSH NEWMAN: scimitar-horned oryx taken 3/10/23 in Willacy County.

GEAR: .300 Win. Mag.

OUTFITTER: H Yturria Ranch.

KELBY BROUGHTON: whitetail taken 12/19/23 in Zapata County.

GEAR: rifle.

OUTFITTER: family lease.

BENNY RODRIGUEZ: elk taken 10/14/23 in Brewster County.

GEAR: Remington .270. OUTFITTER: self.

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Available to current members of Texas Trophy Hunters Association only! Limit 25 words per ad. Each member may run 1 FREE ad in one issue per year. 25 word ads after FREE issue are $40 each. WE RESERVE THE RIGHT TO EDIT OR REFUSE ANY AD.

KEI VALLEY SAFARIS offering plains game in the Eastern Cape of South Africa. Package hunts or build your safari. Deep sea fishing, photo safaris, and park excursions available upon request. Keivalleysafaris@gmail.com. Keivalleysafaris.com.

RESERVE RANCH, a Sportsman’s Paradise near La Pryor, Texas offering full service hunts for Whitetail Deer, Red Stag, Dove and Quail to individuals and Corporate clients. www.reserveranch. com.

DURABLE HUNTING BLINDS for the Dedicated Deer Hunter! The Blynd hunting blinds can be counted on for long-lasting durability that will not fail you in the field and provide the cover needed at an affordable price. http://www.blynd. com/ 1-800-458-0263.

MEXICO HUNTING - Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep, mule deer, trophy whitetail, exotics and more. 1 week lodging, meals, open bar, guides, transportation, Trophy fees and permits included. huntingoutfittersmexico.com or 210-329-2959.

HILL COUNTRY ADVENTURES offers quality trophy exotic hunts on family land. First class lodging and meals. Visit us at: hillcountryadventuresllc.com or call: 337368-4686.

AOUDAD HUNT! Hunt free ranging aoudad in Llano County. Hunts begin in late August thru late October, 2024. Nice accommodations. For additional info, email darrellsteffek@gmail.com

AMERICAN FEEDER - Fish Feeders. Catch and grow larger, healthier fish. All new aluminum fish and deer feeders from American Feeder. Visit http://www. american-feeder.com for details.

TRAPPER FOR HIRE. High-fence or no fence. Predator management is crucial for fawn survival. Call Bob 317-326-4670 for details.

MAP MY RANCH specializes in developing printed maps for all your outdoor needs. We can create basic boundary maps, or those with customized features - locations of deer blinds, feeders, food plots, ponds, etc. Contact today to get started! www. MapMyRanch.com or 713-302-2028.

DuBOSE RANCH Outfitters. Trophy hunts in South Texas for 30+ years. Website – duboseranch.com. Phone – 830-3917905.

GREAT DEER HUNTING Ranch For Sale 463+/- Acs. Sallisaw, OK. New barndominium and metal shops. $2,732 per acre. Southwest Ranch Sales (972) 542-8511. www.swranchsales.com.

VETERANS CREED OUTDOORS Team Texas. Outdoor Trips for Veterans and First Responders. Find us on Facebook on our page and group.

YOUR 1ST CHOICE Deer Lease. Housing, high-fenced, blinds, feeders, protein fed. Managed for quality and quantity of deer. Hill Country. Call noon to 9:00pm 512791-8693.

AZTEK HUNTING BLINDS - dealers welcome. In Texas, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Arkansas and Louisiana. We make to order for our clients. We offer delivery service and have inventory in Texas. comederos.com.mx or call 210329-2959.

RUSTY HINGE Ranch offers whitetail, hogs, squirrels, rabbits, coon, fox, duck hunting, fishing. Blinds, treestands, feeders & water year-round. 70 mi. north of Houston. $100/day or $800/year. 713823-7139.

HELP FEED THE HOMELESS – donate excess game animals to feed the homeless, orphans, and needy families. Go to www.trinityoaks.org “contact us” tab.

LUXURY CABINS – Built on your lot in Hill Country area. Starting at $72,000. Visit model in Spicewood, TX. www. Selectcabin.com. Call Dave at 512-9217979.

MEXICO RANCH: 8,500+ ac Ranch available for serious & management minded Group. Excellent WhitetailDensity & Genetics, Blinds, FeedersCorn & Protein, 4 Bdr House exclusive for Hunt Group! Protein fed for last 2 years. Exc.Ranch for 4 Hunters. 210-379-7510. email: jharlan29@gmail.com.

WILDLIFE & HABITAT Consulting. Commercial hunts available. Contact Certified Wildlife Biologist Jason Shipman 210-508-8447 or jasonashipman@gmail. com.

THE LONE STAR Bowhunters Association. Preserving and Promoting bow hunting in Texas since 1974. Join today at www.lonestarbowhunter.com. Take a kid hunting.

S & D WHITETAILS – Limited hunts avail. Booking 2021 now. All native S TX deer from 140-230 class. Deer & Dove hunts Central TX. Over 7500 ac. 24-yrs experience. 5 Star rating. 325-642-7596.

AFRICAN SAFARI $2,995 3 animals in 1 week. Lodging, meals, open bar, guide, airport transfers and trophy fees included!! Call 956-867-4964 for details. www.matorisafaris.com.

TEXANS ARCHERY CLUB wants to expand our state’s archery range infrastructure. Looking for local partners/ land to expand our network. www. TexasArchery.info 501c3.

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