I went and looked at a lease there last weekend. It's a beautiful property with hills and draws and lots of cover. I was looking through the game camera pictures the group has and didn't see the quality of deer I expected to see. I sat in a blind 1 morning and saw about 12-14 does/fawns and 1 average sized 8 point. Seems to be lots of deer there but not much quality. If the guy was telling me the truth, and I think he was, they don't kill lots of bucks. I think he said there were 3 "trophy" bucks and a few "culls" killed this season on 1000 acres. Is is unreasonable to expect to have some 130 and up class deer to hunt there every year if managed a little? I'm thinking pretty seriously about joining the lease but I don't really want to go to the effort of setting up there just to see a bunch of deer I won't shoot. I can do that at home.
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Yes its possible. What area of the county? -
North part of the County. About 25 miles South of Brownwood.Originally posted by RutnBuk View PostComment
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We hunt out on FM500 outside of San Saba and see deer over 130". Have a couple potential 150"+ type deer in a few years. We have a good management program going and have been feeding protein for the last two years. 130" in this county should not be incredibly hard to come by.Comment
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How long have you hunted there and what's your largest buck killed there?Originally posted by Fajkus7 View PostComment
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Closer you are toward Brown County the better. North part of San Saba has produced good deer over the years. I have managed several properties in the area and 130s and 140s are possible with good mgt in place. I am a biologist grew up in Brownwood and hunted all over that area. I don't know if it makes me an expert, but I have a good foundation.Comment
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Hey James, I was thinking you might chime in. I hunted with you a few weeks ago in Seymour. This is Hal. Anyway, thanks for the input.Originally posted by bulltx50 View PostComment
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Our place is in Mills county on the Colorado River approx 16 miles north of San Saba off hwy 16. This is our second yr. Last year granddad killed a 150" 10pt. This year the biggest buck killed was a 130" 8 pt. I rattled in a Mid 150's low 160's but couldnt get on him fast enough. We have several young 10's in the 130-140 range that I hope really blow up. So far we have really been impressed with the quality of the deer in the area.Comment
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How big were their trophies? That should give you an idea of the size for the area and what they consider a trophy. If there trophy was just a 120" deer they may need a little more management. That area should be able to produce 130" deer.Comment
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Hal glad to hear from you. I will be sending you dates for Seymour, if you are interested for next year. Give me a shout and I can answer questions about the area.Comment
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Im assuming its the Richland Springs area of the county.Comment
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You should have 130's with no management. And more than likely 3 "trophies" is about 2 too many off 1,000 acres. If it is fed a LOT and managed very well, then I could see the number of trophies get higher. Target age should be 7 or 8 years old to let them reach their potential. If the target age on that lease is 5, then I would only expect 130's, with a 140 on rare occasions. Push for 7 and 8 and you can expect a 150 or 160 every now and then.Comment
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This was our second year. Largest killed so far is a 124" buck killed last year. We have passed several 4 year olds that would be mid to high 30's, a few getting REAL close to 140". Have some stud 3 year olds as well. There also seems to be a pretty good drop tine genetic running around.Originally posted by BowSlayer View PostComment
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Good deer density, my brother killed 140 class deer in that area before the drought. Its rebounding nicely, but mature numbers are a couple of years away from bouncing back. If rain continues through the winter into spring, we will see some incredible deer taken this next season. Their fawn survival rate was well over 75% this year, so numbers are replenished. The biggest question you have to ask, is the number of hunters? and are they all on the same page?Comment
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