It wouldn't have mattered this year for me. This year I saw, on my 205 acres, less that 10 deer. I know some of them were deer that I saw more than once. The only buck was a 4 point yearling. The rest were yearling or first year does.
It was the Perfect Storm. Lots of good summer rains which produced a huge acorn crop. A drought from 9/1 to 12/15 which killed off the wheat crop. Nothing had to move around to eat. They went to thick cover and stayed still during daylight hours. I also went to thick cover but saw nothing. Then I went walking very slowly and quietly through the whole place. Nada!
I did stumble on a bunch of hogs. That was about like walking into a covey of quail. Hogs were going everywhere and I was standing there with a 3.5 to 10 power scope on a 30-06 in heavy cover.
Just about everyone in North, West and Central Texas reported the same thing. Huge amounts of acorns and no deer. The deer ought to be fat now but I think they will soon be in trouble. In my walks I saw very little of the stuff that deer need for nourishment.
That's why they call it hunting and not shooting.
It's not about the fish. It's about the pond. Take care of the pond and the fish will be fine. PB subscriber since before it was in color.
Without a sense of urgency, Nothing ever gets done.
Boy, if I say "sic em", you'd better look for something to bite. Sam Shelley Rancher and Farmer Muleshoe Texas 1892-1985 RIP Grandpa
