What's wrong with my lease???

[treestand]

Been hunting the same Kimble county lease for 7 years. It has steadily declined in terms of deer sightings and hunter success. It is a big place, 4500 acres, low fence. Borders the Rio Bonito game ranch and we do get a few escapees from there. I've taken the usual exotics but not in the last couple years. The only exotics we now regularly see are blackbuck.


The rancher has cleared a lot of cedar and burned about 600 acres each year. We have less cover than we used to but still seems like plenty. It has not been overhunted. I think the neighboring ranches have somehow attracted much of what used to be on our place.


Anybody ever have a similar experience? I love the place but if the deer are not going to come back, it might be time to move on.

[Texantax]

How much are you feeding? I bet your neighbors are feeding more than you. Also, is there water on your place?

[wyliescrib]

Water, feed....food plots... make yours better than theirs...

[helibow]

would it be worth it for a helo deer survey? would be the definitive answer for you.

[Uncle Doug]

If the land owner is removing 10-15% of cedar a year for several years then it sounds like some of the general deer population might of moved to other ranches.

[dope hunter]

What about predator control? I had a place in Throckmorton and in just 2 years our deer numbers declined and we started seeing tons of coyotes. I believe that between the drought and predators our deer numbers started suffering.

[BBBGP]

Water, feed....food plots... make yours better than theirs...

This

If the land owner is removing 10-15% of cedar a year for several years then it sounds like some of the general deer population might of moved to other ranches.

AND THIS

What about predator control? I had a place in Throckmorton and in just 2 years our deer numbers declined and we started seeing tons of coyotes. I believe that between the drought and predators our deer numbers started suffering.

One more. It looks like they have your problem surrounded!

[deerplanter]

When you lose cover you lose deer also if you've been hunting the same stand for awhile you may want to change locations

[Bowhuntamistad]

Are you on the McNutt?

[ted_kennedys_liver]

Been wondering about same thing about my place in Caldwell county. Chalking it up to acorns and fewer cams out for time being. Disappointing but glad and thankful I have a place.

[Droptine0908]

My buddy hunts in Kimble County he has been there for the last 7 years and said he has seen a recent decline in good whitetails

[Txarrowhunter]

Water, feed....food plots... make yours better than theirs...

Do this.

If the land owner is removing 10-15% of cedar a year for several years then it sounds like some of the general deer population might of moved to other ranches.

Deer live where they are left alone cover is huge part of their habitat but if they aren't comfy they will move.

[Full curl]

I hunt in Kimble county and we have had a decline in numbers and size.

[Corey93]

I've hunted the same property in Throckmorton county for 3 years now and our deer numbers have diminished dramatically each year. Tree clearing, numerous coyotes, drought and too many hunters in one area has been the cause for us. 9 and 10 years ago 160's were taken off the property and deer numbers were great but in the 3 years we have hunted it we've only seen 2 deer that would even break 130in. It's crazy how good properties can go downhill so quickly.

[BrianG]

I'm in the same boat. 4500 acres low fence and our rancher started clearing cedars. The first few years after the clearing it was tough. But after a few years it leveled off. We don't have the numbers we used to, but we've maintained our quality overall. We have plenty of water and we feed year round with very little pressure around us. I would stick it out to see if the same happens for you. It's tough to find a good ranch to hunt long term.