The season for Texas deer hunting is in full swing. The bucks have entered the rut and now is the perfect time to bag a trophy and fill your freezer with fresh venison. Texas deer hunting is as much a part of the culture as ranching, cowboys and the Republic of Texas itself. Each year more than 650,000 hunters take to the field and harvest one-half million whitetails.
I was fortunate to spend five days before Thanksgiving near Sonora, Texas to try my luck. I did not harvest any animals although they presented many opportunities. There were specific criteria for the buck I was looking for and I came very close to selecting one. In the end I chose not to pull the trigger, but that did not diminish the experience. I saw many, many good deer and other wildlife during my time in the stand over 5 days.
A strong Arctic airmass settled over Central Texas on the second day of the hunt, and the morning temperature dropped to 28 degrees F. Fortunately this time of year, clear skies prevailed after the frontal passage. The days were warm and sunny with brilliant blue sky and low humidity.
Along with the search for a suitable buck, there are Rio Grande Turkey, exotics, and wild hogs that can become part of the quest. Other wildlife includes many species of birds, snakes, jack and cottontail rabbits, skunks and the diminutive gray fox.
Soon the Thanksgiving Turkey will been enjoyed by all. I’ll try make another trip before the season ends. While I may or may not choose to bring home the venison, and regardless of the outcome of the hunt, It will be an experience that I’ll enjoy. The kill may be the culmination of the hunt, but it only counts for a small portion of the experience. I have included some images. Perhaps I’ll follow up this post with another on how to prepare a healthy and tasty venison dish.
Nice!