2020-2021 Panhandle Hunting Thread (8th Annual!)

[kry226]

OK folks, I cannot stand it any longer. It's time to crack open the 2020-2021 Panhandle Hunting Thread as we lift up a quick prayer that it will be a great year. Amen! We've had some great threads in past years, and I'm certain this one will be no exception. It's hard to imagine we've been going at this for eight years now!

This may be my last deer season for a while as we're heading back overseas for a couple of years, so we are pulling out all the stops to get as much time on stand this season as absolutely possible. With a torn tendon in my right elbow, I'll be behind the crossbow this year- but it's all the same to me. This thread welcomes all manner of legal means and methods. Just be safe!

Please post all your panhandle hunting observations, successes, pics, whatever... The season is just around the corner and preparations are well under way.

Best of luck to all the Panhandle Boys and Girls! Here's to a safe and successful year! Godspeed and safety to all!

P.S. Don't forget that some counties have still have ARs for mule deer bucks this season- which by all accounts are really helping to improve the mule deer buck population. I saw two giants last December, the sizes of which I haven't seen in the Panhandle since I began hunting there in 2009.


[Cue: the requisite disclaimer... it's SOP]

NOTE: Occasionally, some folks have wandered into the previous years' threads in hopes of exerting influence on how panhandle deer hunters should manage their herds, and belittling those who disagreed with their opinions, i.e., shooting does, or not. Those posts were reported and removed.

While that argument may have merits in another management thread, it has no place in this thread. Like past years, any hostile posts (management or otherwise) will be reported and removed as the mods see fit.

Let's just keep this thread about soaking up the great outdoors, enjoying time with family and friends, and counting our everlasting blessings. Of course, LDPs are always welcome, if not mandatory.

[Bowtech1233]

Subscribed! Can’t wait for season to get here. My biggest goal this year is to get my son his first.

[Dc78]

I am ready!!!

[myway]

Several inches of rain over the last month should help tremendously. It was starting to look pretty bad. They are hammering the protein and all of those youngsters we have been watching for the last few years are loooking good.
I was spraying mesquite a week or two ago and the amount of quail I saw was amazing.
I suspect those MD ARs should start showing there benefit this year.

[kry226]

Originally Posted by Bowtech1233

Subscribed! Can’t wait for season to get here. My biggest goal this year is to get my son his first.

Best of luck, sir!

Mine got his first last year and it made my entire season.

[Bowtech1233]

Originally Posted by kry226

Best of luck, sir!

Mine got his first last year and it made my entire season.

That’s awesome! I remember seeing it. We were chasing a giant 6 last season. We never connected, so hoping we can get after him this year. Good luck to you and your family!

[ATXRaider83]

Checkin in from Garza county. Enough of summer, ready for October.

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[kerrbow]

Hey guys, been trying to find a spot or two up there for past couple of months, to no avail. If anyone has an opening I would sure appreciate an opportunity to be considered. I am an old guy that primarily is a bowhunter. Left my last lease in the panhandle by Turkey 2 years ago because I was the only bowhunter and the other guys would quail hunt by my stands way too often when I was gone. Just generally poor hunting manners all around on their part for me, so I bailed. Thanks for any help.

[talltexasshoote]

Dry excited about our herd in Garza county this year. Spring rains and grass have some healthy looking animals and size able horns. Pigs are everywhere. I feel like a kid on Christmas Eve.

[kry226]

Bump for the weekday crowd.

[bowtecmike]

Its getting closer. 100*+ temps make it hard to get out there, but it's time to declare war on pigs. I got a love bite from one last weekend, he drew first blood but I drew last.

pray for rain

[hoythunter02]

Originally Posted by bowtecmike

Its getting closer. 100*+ temps make it hard to get out there, but it's time to declare war on pigs. I got a love bite from one last weekend, he drew first blood but I drew last.

pray for rain

**** bud, went revenant on a big boar huh. Bad ***.

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[hogman$]

Absolutely yuuuge! Hopefully he sticks around


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[peterp63]

Originally Posted by bowtecmike

Its getting closer. 100*+ temps make it hard to get out there, but it's time to declare war on pigs. I got a love bite from one last weekend, he drew first blood but I drew last.

pray for rain

He got you good. Stitches?


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[kry226]

Originally Posted by bowtecmike

Its getting closer. 100*+ temps make it hard to get out there, but it's time to declare war on pigs. I got a love bite from one last weekend, he drew first blood but I drew last.

pray for rain

Dang, sir.

Heal well and be safe!

[myway]

We are going to need more of a story on the pig. Crazy it got you that good even with a snake boot. Guess there not made for pigs.

[Duzy]

I get to...

[spidermonkey]

Well that figures... I have been posting on the Middle of North Texas thread thinking it was the one I had seen last year bout the panhandle. Don’t know which one I’m “supposed” to be on! Cuz I’m from the NW corner of the panhandle, and I ain’t sure Childress would be considered “in the panhandle” by some folks. Oh well. First year on a lease in Childress county that I was actually on back in 2002, and we were able to get back on it this year in January. I actually killed my biggest buck to date here back in 2002. I was the only “all season” bowhunter of the bunch. Heck, I think bowhunter period. I remember all the other guys saying “you ain’t gonna be able to bowhunt this area”, and I still was able to get it done. Lot of luck involved I’m sure! Anyway... Got our loc ons and a quad pod put out the weekend after July 4th, worked out in it all day at 112 deg, it was a little warm! Also worked on, and got our old yellah dog bus ready to camp in, with a big AC unit, walls, floor, redneck shower, power ran, and a few other items. Been getting lots of good whitetail buck pics, and just this last week got our first few mule deer bucks. We ran cameras before they dropped their horns, and had several very good mulie bucks, they ain’t showed as of yet. Grass was pretty crunchy last weekend. Good Huntin, and God Bless, Rusty

[talltexasshoote]

Originally Posted by spidermonkey

Well that figures... I have been posting on the Middle of North Texas thread thinking it was the one I had seen last year bout the panhandle. Don’t know which one I’m “supposed” to be on! Cuz I’m from the NW corner of the panhandle, and I ain’t sure Childress would be considered “in the panhandle” by some folks. Oh well. First year on a lease in Childress county that I was actually on back in 2002, and we were able to get back on it this year in January. I actually killed my biggest buck to date here back in 2002. I was the only “all season” bowhunter of the bunch. Heck, I think bowhunter period. I remember all the other guys saying “you ain’t gonna be able to bowhunt this area”, and I still was able to get it done. Lot of luck involved I’m sure! Anyway... Got our loc ons and a quad pod put out the weekend after July 4th, worked out in it all day at 112 deg, it was a little warm! Also worked on, and got our old yellah dog bus ready to camp in, with a big AC unit, walls, floor, redneck shower, power ran, and a few other items. Been getting lots of good whitetail buck pics, and just this last week got our first few mule deer bucks. We ran cameras before they dropped their horns, and had several very good mulie bucks, they ain’t showed as of yet. Grass was pretty crunchy last weekend. Good Huntin, and God Bless, Rusty

i would definitely call Childress part of the panhandle.

[Stetsonoverton]

first season for us in motley county headed up tomorrow for work weekend

[DOUBLE-Z]

Any guesses on age? I was in the 4.5 thought but not sure he could be 3.5

Thanks






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[myway]

Looks 4 to me. A pic or two he looks plus or minus a year but I would say 4.

[wellingtontx]

I am in

[Mudslinger]

After retiring and moving to Central TX since the Covid 19 shut school down, I have not been to the lease for a while. I know we have had some rains, but according to a friend that lived next to me and is on the lease, it is DRY! Going to go the 11th of Sept to get feeders going and cleaning camo. Some may think that is late, but after a week deer will be hitting those feeders heavily as will the pigs, MAYBE. Hunted a lot last year, never saw a mature shooter buck or cull and DID NOT SEE A SINGLE PIG AT A FEEDER WHILE HUNTING!!!! Had them on camera, but not while at a feeder.

Maybe things will be different this year. this heat we are having is not making me excited about the season along with tendonitis in a shoulder could put a halt to my bowhunting this year!

[rdorsett]

Tuned in. Hunt free range in Wheeler County. Had a great season last year as me and my good buddy (land owner) killed two 155+ bucks within 10 min of each other, both with our sons in the blind for their first harvest.

Good luck all.

[Wbeene13]

It was dry in July when I was at the lease working in Collingsworth Co. I have seen they have gotten some rain in the last month hopefully back up next month to check the cams

[myway]

Absolutely yuuuge! Hopefully he sticks around


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Man that guy still has plenty of time to grow and is a absolute stud.

[ATXRaider83]

Anyone want to take a guess at this one.

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[DOUBLE-Z]

4.5 155 without seeing any other pics

[Stetsonoverton]

went out and set up some feeders and pins on our new place in motley county, area is dry needs rain bad. did shoot couple hogs and saw couple nice mulie bucks in a group excited for the upcoming season

[Top Of Texas]

Originally Posted by myway

Several inches of rain over the last month should help tremendously. It was starting to look pretty bad. They are hammering the protein and all of those youngsters we have been watching for the last few years are loooking good.
I was spraying mesquite a week or two ago and the amount of quail I saw was amazing.
I suspect those MD ARs should start showing there benefit this year.

WooHoo! Giddy-up on the quail!

[chocolatelabs]

i have access to a new spot for mule deer. i will be up there during Pronghorn season, and may try to bow hunt for the mule deer.

Are the horns hard in Oct?

i assume best method for hunting that early in season is just spot and stalk?

any ideas on what to try?

[Clark]

Some work weekend pics.
I think all of us are appreciating campfire time a little more these days.




















2011-2012 drought and lack of fawn recruitment appears to be behind us, at least in our pasture.
Age structure seems pretty good this year.
My boys are excited and they get the green light this go round.
Good luck to all.

[kry226]

Great pics, as always sir. Welcome back!

[JohnWayne86]

glad this thread is going again. At my lease in lakeview its still real dry and not many big whitetails. one 8 point that was about 130" last year plenty old this year. a few good mulies on cameras over water too.

[DOUBLE-Z]

Getting pretty excited for October. Had the bow and and putting arrows through it. Can't wait for the heat to break and some moisture so we can sew food plots.

[hogman$]

I can only hope he stays for the season I’ve been watching him for a few months now I think he is done growing


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[kry226]

Nice little drop tine and he is definitely outside his ears if you're in a muley AR county. Good luck!

[Clark]

Went up last weekend to do a little work.
Feeder leg had sunk over a foot and had been meaning to attend to it.
Why not August?


200 years from now, that feeder will be long gone.
But those forms won't.
Perhaps they'll give someone pause as to just what they were used for.







Much better.

Couple bucks are close and a couple still have some growing to do.













This coon has no tail.
I think he'd look even more striking with no head.









And...the obligatory campfire pic.



Do your rain dance and thanks for reading.

[kry226]

Great stuff, Clark- as always!

That coon looks like he has nine lives but he needs to be snuffed out once and for all for pulling a stunt like that.

Should be a great year. I'm planning to head up first week in October.

[simek]

Looks like a great year is in your future, Clark. I can only imagine how your boys are dealing with who gets to shoot first!

[talltexasshoote]

anyone seeing hard horned deer yet? We had our first one on camera this am. I hope the rest keep growing a couple of weeks. They are getting very frisky with each other at the feeders so I know it will not be long.

[Dc78]

Had hard horn showing up on Aug 25th.

[DOUBLE-Z]

Two bucks hard horned when I check early this week. Figure there will be quite a bit more next week.

Fertilized our wheat plots today. Hoping for moisture next week and plant then!

[ATXRaider83]

Started getting pics of some hard horns last few days. Others are still growing. Bring on the cold and the rain.

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[Stetsonoverton]

most my deer are hard horned now, my best deer rubbed out and hasn't show up since hopefully he will come back

[wellingtontx]

Wheat looks too good. Up early and getting hit hard. Deer moved off of feeders and protein to the green.

Hard horned.

[Jethro]

Here in Collingsworth county they are all hard horned by end of Sept. I have never seen one still in velvet Oct 1. Some don't miss it by much though.

Lots of good bucks running around this year. I probably won't get to hunt them though unless it is late season. My wife starts 6 weeks of intensive Chemo/radiation this Thursday so there won't be much else happening besides that. We will be staying in Dallas during the week and home for weekends.

You Panhandle hunters should have some good opportunities this year though! Post up pictures and keep us in your prayers!

[bowtecmike]

Originally Posted by Jethro

My wife starts 6 weeks of intensive Chemo/radiation this Thursday so there won't be much else happening besides that. We will be staying in Dallas during the week and home for weekends.

Prayers your way. And if yall need anything, just post up here. Good luck and keep us updated.

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[Mudslinger]

Not sure what my season is going to be like. Just found out I have a torn tendon in my shoulder, waiting on what the Ortho surgeon says! Might be crossbow, pistol or rifle. All depends on what they Doc says! i have feeders going but all but one of my cameras PIR lens were pecked out by a woodpecker and I have none up at my lease, only camera working is on my feeder 75 yards behind my house in Rogers, TX!