South TX Deer Hunts

[okiedoke]

Whats a good ranch to shoot a trophy buck in South Texas?

Can I get it done for 5 grand? Trophy is anything over 160 to me in this case.

Thanks,
Marc

[Encinal]

I don't know of anywhere with that kind of pricing anymore with decent success rates... but you may be able to find a deal somewhere considering the state of the times. You never know.

Lots of places will sell you a hunt for a 160 for 5k... but you aren't going to kill one.

I love this quote from an old rancher talking to a guy who was planning to sublease... "Mr landowner, I just don't know if there are that many $5000 deer out there to sell these slots on this lease"

Landowner: "That may be so, but there are that many $5000 deer hunters"

[okiedoke]

haha good point.

I emailed the San Miguel Ranch and asked about two of there packages. Do you think 7000 would get a good 160+ hunt?

[Encinal]

That's more in the range... I sell hunts too... I'm a little higher than that... but I have very high success rates...

[okiedoke]

Just a quick question....

Why in TX does a hunt cost $7000 when in the Midwest they are closer to $3500.

Is it just because of more deer in TX? I have hunted in Midwest,(we are going to Hadley Creek this year!) there are alot of big bucks, just curious.

[Encinal]

Well... I for one have a different strategy for selling hunts than many outfitters...

I only sell the number of hunts for deer I actually want to harvest.

Lots of places will sell 3 or 4 times the number of hunts for the deer that are actually taken...

I generally let people come back within reason until they take their deer too...

Plus... most of these places that sell hunts in the midwest... just have deer out there running around... we actually take care of them and spend a lot of money to make sure that they have large antlers... with feed, labor, water, electricity for pumps, fuel for tractors etc... so our front end cost is high... whereas their front end cost is going the weekend before and cleaning out the deer camp.

[sqiggy]

Why in TX does a hunt cost $7000 when in the Midwest they are closer to $3500.

This is why I go out of state to hunt trophy deer. The most I have ever paid is $2500. In the last 3 yrs, I haven't paid more than $1800, $1500 being the least. And this was for 7 days with lodging and meals included. Haven't shot a 160+ yet, but have seen them. Of course, this was bow huntin. After 4 yrs, the biggest I've shot is 143 and some change. It's just a matter of time before I do. Last year, one guy in camp shot a 182 MONSTER!!!

[Txnrog]

It's just a factor of what people are willing to pay. I wouldn't necessarily say there are more 160 class bucks on most S. Texas ranches - unless they are bred/released deer. But I would venture that a 160 class buck in Tx has probably had a more protected life than a similar class deer in the Midwest, and may be a bit more predictable - MAY is the key word there, it totally depends on the ranch. I would also venture that the services are typically nicer on those high-dollar ranches than most midwest options.

[Grayson]

Contact these guys: http://www.lasraicesranch.com/

Feel free to drop my name....I know the owner(s) personally, and I've been told their hunts drop 50% when they hear my name.

[Codie]

My uncle runs a ranch in North Texas that sells hunts for 160" bucks at $6,000. You pay $1000 deposit, if you kill you pay the other $5,000. This is rifle hunting only, no bowhunting, don't know if that is a deal breaker or not. www.hattonranch.com

[whackem and stackem]

The reason Texas gets that kind of money is because they can. It's like Encinal said, Supply and Demand. I personally think it's crazy to spend that kind of money for a chance. If you want a true trophy, stay with the Midwest in my opinion. You can kill a 180" deer there and not have to sell your first born. South Texas is all about money and when you have a large hunting community that is willing to pay, that's what drives the cost. The midwest places you hunt have alot of upfront costs as well as those guys are paying over $30/acre for their good properties. The difference being, the Midwest deer will get to 160" at 3 1/2 to 4 1/2 whereas most Texas ranches won't harvest until the right age. Good Luck

[SCOUT1]

is this going to be a high fence hunt?

[Stupid]

keep posting! I love this topic.

[Encinal]

If I can help any further... PM me or email me... markobarrett@yahoo.com the vultures are circling this thread...

[muddy]

hooksandhornsoutdoors.com will get you close, something in the 150's for the money ur talking about. 5k acres high fenced in zapata co.