After several years of trying, I managed to draw a rifle deer permit on the Chapparal WMA for January 10-14th. I usually come down and hunt with friends around Uvalde in December, but that schedule didn't work this year. I'm hoping that with a good rut, and only 40 total tags that over 5 days I can get a good one.

Question for you Texas hunters - Is it much different being a hundred miles south of Uvalde, or will I just expect the same conditions and cover. What kind of a deer should I really hope for on a TPWD property in South Texas?

Probably use a pop-up ground blind, or bring a tripod down from the ranch at Uvalde.

Never hunted there (Chapparal) myself, but Uvalde is kinda on the line between the Hill Country and South Texas Brush country. If you hunted South of Uvalde it should be pretty much the same. Thick brush, all with thorns and you can't see anything off the senderos or man made clearings.

I wouldn't expect anything huge, but quein sabe???

It will be far thicker, brush wise than Uvalde but with fewer trees. There was a huge wildfire that ran through there last summer or summer before so it will probably be a lot of re-growth. Range conditions have been excellent with lots of sticker points on mature deer. I wouldn't settle for anything less than a 140" buck and you can probably do better. The thick of the rut is around Dec.20 but the mature bucks will still be out and about when you're there. If I were hunting there that week I'd be pretty fired up!

Perry

Thanks for the info. Appreciate everyone's input. Pretty excited about the hunt, and yes, I will hold out for a good one or go home empty. What is it they say - "Life is about the journey, and not just the destination". When I leave home, there is 3 feet of snow, and it is 10 below zero; just being in Texas again is enjoyable!

The weather has been good up North at the place on the Nueces and there are more turkeys than we've seen in a long time, and up at Brackettville the hogs have over-run the place. A guy can have fun just about anywhere.

+1 to the above. We have had great weather this year, and the the deer hunting is expected to the best in a long time.

Good Hunting,

Bob

Blank. Good luck. I would not go home empty. Deer management is deer management. If I had a chance on the last day, I would take an old deer or spike or doe if I couldn't get the big one. But then I am more of a meat hunter anyway. Have a great time, whatever you do.

quote:

Originally posted by Bob in TX:
+1 to the above. We have had great weather this year, and the the deer hunting is expected to the best in a long time.

Good Hunting,

Bob

Bob
When was that huge, 60k acre, fire they had? Everyone was crying about it except the brush management guys.

Perry

http://www.buckmanager.com/200...tailed-deer-habitat/

Pretty good read on the results of the fire.

Also found a TP&W report stating a good rain year with above average fawn crop 6 years ago. Couple that with the range conditions they are expecting above average to excellent antlers in the mature bucks.

Perry