Guys, I just went on a fantastic hunt. I went to the Irvin Ranch in Coleman, TX. Bow hunting only and set up for it. Great stands and great deer. We arrived on Friday evening and hunted Sat morn and evening, Sun morn and eve and Mon morn.
He has 28 stands set up, 26 tree stands and 2 tripods. He has them set in great spots and does not over hunt them. Only has 8 hunts per year, 14 hunters each hunt and rotates stands so you do not hunt same side of ranch on two consecutive hunts. Draw system for whcih stand you get. All stands set up with wind in mind. Prevailing winds usually have you with at least a cross wind or in your face. All stands set up in good cover with numerous trails all around you. Oak trees of many species all over so no lack of food. Also feeds protien year round and has water at center of each pasture and central feeders in each pasture with stands set on trails leading to and from water and feed.
Very reasonable. He has had high success rates and 140 to 150 class deer. No size restriction on bucks and you can take a buck, doe and turkey. All for $400.00 for the 2 1/2 days of hunting. No high fence and big neighbors with very little hunting pressure.
Two trad hunters in camp and 12 wheelie hunters, but had some wanting a trad bow after shooting my Blacktail. LOL
Saturday morning we got to our stands well before first light. Mine was set up in a big live oak with good shooting lanes east and north and was masked behind with limbs and cover. Two well used trails to the east and one to the north.
At 6:30 I had two does and two yearlings come down the east trail and stopped to eat acorns at 15 yards. 5 min later, a big buck came in on the same trail. 10 points he came in to 20 yards, but hung back in the thick cover checking the wind. Never would give me a shot. I was shaking so bad one doe busted me and of course the game was up. Drats, you would have thought I was on my first hunt. LOL Only saw one other doe and yearling coming down the north trail about 9:30, but no shot. Got picked up at 11:00 and when we stopped for the next hunter, he had a 6 pt he thought down. I stayed and helped him blood trail while the owner picked the rest of the hunters up. Great blood trail and he went further than I thought. Turned out to be a two year old 11 point, but with the wierdest antlers I have ever seen. one side had 4 points 2" long growning off the base along with the three point main beam other side had one 4 " pt droping down off the base and a 2 1/2" pt on the other side and a 2 point main beam. Small basket rack configuration. Two other hunters took does one of them by the other trad hunter in camp. Everyone saw numerous deer and one guy stuck and 8 pt, but no vitals hit. No blood trail and arrow only had blood on from 1/4 of it. High shot. Another guy Shot over the back of a 150 class 11 point at 10 yrds.
More later. Sorry no pics, my camera died on me. I am trying to get the owner to send me all his so I can post them.
Topic: Blacktail makes meat! (Read 422 times)
