Since you are surrounded by big ranches (like the Briscoe/Cochina in your area probobly) i would say dispersal is always heaviest from refuge (Less hunted) areas. Social pressures would be pushing your less mature deer out of the big ranch (less hunted area) to your place. Not to say I am right but thats my guess.

May I ask why your shooting only 8 points and up? Seems like a bass ackwards stradegy. I would shoot anything 9 points and less over 4.5 years old. Let your 10 pointers and up be your breeders. Let your big deer walk - shoot the trash.

South West Texas is known for big deer. Not numbers of deer. With a wet summer and early fall foilage growth is at record levels. Deer are not having to travel as far to eat or drink. Wait till we get a freeze and see what happens. Also as the winter progresses the palatabilty and nutritional values of many plants will decline.

I have 2 word for you since you are surrounded by big ranches TAILGATE FEED!
It really works. Teilgate feed 200-300 pounds every time you go.

Good luck!!








The perculiar virtue of wildlife ethics is the hunter has no gallery to applaud of disprove of his conduct. Whatever his acts, they are dictated by his own conscience.

Adolph Leopold