SkyJacker,

Thank you for not "flipping out" like Madgoat. It is obvious that you actually have a brain and are capable of civilized conversation without name-calling and the like. We simply have a difference of opinion, and that is okay. In fact, that's what this country is all about, freedom to do whatever the hell we want (with the exception of a few things).

To answer your question.......no, I have never hunted in Georgia. However, I have hunted in a very wide range of habitat here in Texas. So far, all of my Whitetail hunting has been done on open range land (because otherwise, it's too damn expensive). I have hunted both extremes: I have hunted on paper company land in East Texas where you are lucky to see 4-5 deer per year. I have also hunted brushy, rocky, hilly riverfront property in the Hill Country where it is common to see between 100-200 deer EVERY DAY!! So......I have a fairly broad range of experiences.

I agree that we would probably get along just fine. As for the bud goes, I would prefer a nice cold Shiner Bock.

I can show you places here in wide open Wyoming where private land is fenced, one in particular is the Antler Ranch near Meeteetse. They maintain a 5 wire, electric fence around thousands of acres of land. Very little comes and goes through or over that fence. Most game is scared shitless of it. I elk hunt across from it and watch the same elk herds year after year and huge herds of mule deer as well as whitetail. Few if any ever leave this place. Occasinally you will see wolf and lion tracks going under it in washes and near gates. THat's about it. The fence is intended to keep thier private buffalo herd in, but it also keeps everythig else in.

Adjacent to this property is where I elk hunt, on the rare occasion that I draw a tag. I spend countless hours glassing the Antler as well as where I hunt. Myself and my sons have hunted the same area for at least 15 years, and I can assure you that the same elk frequent the same area outside of the fence. An area about 2000 to 3000 acres is inhabited by the same herd of elk year in and year out. They just work the same timbered draws, wind blown ridges, and drainages all year long. It is a herd of about 40 to 60 elk and on any given day I can take you up there and find them. The only time they leave this area is if they are pushed off by hunters, but they soon return. Never fails. They are like cattle. And most elk are the same. You just think they range huge areas, they don't. They are very much like whitetail, they stay where they are most comfortable and where they are born and raised.

So my point is, the only thing a fence does is it contains them. That wild elk herd would live generations on the same 2000 to 3000 acres if not pressured by hunters and never leave. Hunting game behind a fence, in an area of even a 1000 acres can and is quite challenging at times. THe only thing in your favor is the fact that the owner knows the game like a herd of cattle, much the same as the elk I know. (Consequently we have taken 25 elk in 15 years on the same place out of the same herd. Easy to pattern.) Also, I am an avid whitetail hunter, prefer to eat them over muleys, a white tail can live and die on the same 200 acres. And they do. When I used to go to my grandparents in Nebraska to hunt deer, I hunted the same 80 acre pasture every year. About 50% timber the rest grass and pasture, you would not believe the numbers of whitetail on it. My grandfather saved the hunting on it for me and new with out a doubt where and when the deer would be. It was a gimee, but I enjoyed it and the deer were free to leave at any time, even though I dount they ever did, they had water, feed, cover, and safety.

In Africa, RSA especially, I think every ranch is high fenced, no bigee. You try to find a kudu on 15,000 acres! And an eight foot fence is meaningless, I have seen countless, warthogs blow right through a fence,impala to, as well as eland cows and bulls, take one running leap and clear the fence. A sight to behold for sure.

I would love to hunt on a Texas ranch for axis or aoudad, fenced or not! Hunting is hunting, you look for the game, you wait, and you shoot it, or at it, if it presents itself. Then you eat it!

kudu56,

Well put!! I don't think I could have said it better myself.

Oh, and yes, hunting Axis and Aoudad is VERY fun!! Aoudad are, without a doubt, the wildest and hardest animal to hunt that I have ever been around. I worked on a 7,000+ acre ranch in Medina, TX during the summer of 2005. The owner is a friend of the family and I really just wanted to get away from the house for the summer. I didn't really care if I made any money. The ranch was split into 3 sections: the Lower Ranch (1,800 acres-high fenced), the Flower's Ranch (3,550 acres-low fenced), and the Upper Ranch (1,750 acres-high fenced). There were large populations of Aoudad on all 3 sections, but you hardly ever saw them. The Lower Ranch was the main section where all the really expensive exotics were and that's also where the houses and equipment buildings were. I lived on the Lower Ranch for 2 months and I was in the field from dawn till dusk EVERY day, scouting, checking fence, riding around, hog hunting, etc.... The Aoudad population on the Lower Ranch was well over 200 animals, but I only saw Aoudad on 3 different occasions and on none of those occasions were the Aoudad being still. The only time you saw them was when they were halling ass at about 300-500 yards over the next hill. Working on that place was one of the coolest experiences of my life. I got to work around all kinds of critters (Axis, Blackbuck, Fallow, Manchurian Sika, Aoudad, Elk, American Bison, Pere David Deer, Barasingha Deer, Kudu, Waterbuck, Scimitar Horned Oryx, Zebra, Rheas, Emus, Capybaras, and even Red Kangaroos!!)

Reloader,

I really can't help you out on your endeavor, but I just wanted to say that it's a shame how many posts on this site get "hijacked" or "taken off subject", leaving us who are really interested in the topic to sort through pages of unrelated fluff. I too hope to go on a hunt for a 150+ someday, likely using a bow. Good luck.

If oyu look at the "I" states, you will see a lot of bif bruisers being killed. Indiana, Illinois, and Iowa are great places to hunt, as is neighboring Ohio. Much of this area is restricted with hunting methods-oten only bows, muzzle loader, or handgun, depending on the area.

Montana and Canada from northwestern Ontario and everything west are also great places to hunt for big ones.

A littl closer to where you are, there is a triangle in Arkansas from Little ROck to the NE border and from Little Rock to the SE border have a lot of B&C entries. I used to live in th eAR delta and saw incredible bucks there. The largest whitetail I have killed came from there. The problem is that most of it is private hunting clubs which often cost $25k and up to join. Very little guided hunting, but if you can find soemthing , it will up your odds of killing a very big deer. I have seen soem monsters coem from inside the levee on the Mississippi

sky: You sound like a good guy to me, also. And I fully understand your point of view. "It's how I was brought up" means a lot.

But just a single thought about the idea of how "tough" a hunt needs to be before it can be called a "hunt" (and I realize each of us has our own criteria).

I grew up as a fishing nut. I could tell you every sand bar in Aransas Bay, knew the exact lure or bait for every fish, lusted over the latest rods and reels. An I fished whenever and however I could, regardless of the conditions.

Now I get down there once a year, hire a guide, watch the sunrise over the bay through the thunderheads and thoroughly enjoy myself. But once or twice a year is enough.

No doubt the locals, look down their noses at me and laugh after I have left and they have my $$. But I still think of myself as a fisherman. I do it differently now but still enjoy it and think of myself as part of the fishing fraternity. And you can bet if there is a bill in the legislature, that I'll be all over it.

No doubt, you and others on this site hunt tougher than I do. I no longer have any interest in backpacking into a wilderness area, killing an elk, quartering it, and packing it out. But I still enjoy the hunting experience, "soft" as it may be.

I know lots of guys who hunt once a year, pay a package fee, sit in a blind, watch the sunset, kill a deer, pay their fee and return to their urbane life. Bet most of them think of themselves as hunters. We might not be impressed with their ability, but we need their numbers. Last figure I read, there are only about 12.5 millioin hunters left, and that's down 10% in the last few years. The mega trends are against us, let's enjoy our sport, and stop looking down our nose at folks who enjoy it to a lesser degree than we do.

BTW, I know several folks who have a high fence around their yard...wifie got tired of the deer (rats with hooves) eating her bushes. And today I drove past General Tire's test track south of Uvalde. They have a high fence around it so they won't hit deer while they are testing tires. But then some folks would declare that these are all game farms, 'cause they have a high fence around them!

Reloader...to answer your question, it depends on how much $$ you want to spend. I'm sure some here have pets the would gladly let you blast.

Just let me get those ear tags out first, and measure him for the sliding scale....

If you're looking for a truly wild deer, there are probably 150 class deer to be found just about anywhere, someplaces just have better chances than others.

MG

quote:

Originally posted by kudu56:
...I hope MG don't see that fence in the back ground!

Contrary to the belief of many here, most of Texas and Oklahoma where I hunt are cut up by 5-6 ft "livestock fences" to keep cattle out of roadways and people's yards. The fence in the background in my photo is that kind of fence, and I have watched literally hundreds of deer flat foot jump it without any trouble. I am not a fan myself of the 8 ft deer proof fences, but anyone who compares 5-6 ft "livestock" fences to 8 ft "deer proof" fences is just showing his ignorance of deer and deer movement.

Jeff, if you think I'm talking about a 5 foot livestock fence you're mistaken. My reference to "high fence" is just that, and deer proof. Eight foot is a starting point.

Demographic stochasticity ring a bell to anyone here? Wildlife disaster in the making....but who case as long as we got big bucks off the place for awhile right?

MG

goat where do you hunt on what land owned by who?

quote:

I really can't help you out on your endeavor, but I just wanted to say that it's a shame how many posts on this site get "hijacked" or "taken off subject", leaving us who are really interested in the topic to sort through pages of unrelated fluff

Not only that, but every time some one hunts on a fenced ranch, it gets drug though the mud as a canned hunt. All about trophys heads. Fatherest from the truth. Baiting makes the difference. No bait and 100 acres of Texas brush country and you could hunt your butt off and be lucky to even shoot "A" deer! Same goes for Arizona. Neither as easy as finding and shooting a nice muley here in Wy.

I hunt 60 acres of walk-in on the Big Horn river, last two years, I have seen a 150+ class buck 5 times and no chance for a shot, to many russian olives. Maybe this year. A sheetrock contractor found the sheds this spring, same little place. The deer is pushing 160.

Canned hunts aside, high fences = a major screwup with genetics, habitat, migration, emigration and the like. If you want to be a slob and shoot shit behind a fence...go for it. I just can't believe most of you can't figure out that high fences have A LOT of problems (wildlife management and population dymamic) associated with them.

MG

Reloader,

You can't beat South Texas for big bucks. The Halff Brothers Ranch is, from what I hear, a top notch operation. Here's their website: Halff Brothers RanchThe ranch is 19,600 acres in Pearsal, TX on the Frio River. It is low fenced, but they have killed deer in the 180-190 class range. I'm not sure of their prices, but the "going rate" for a 150-170 class deer in Texas is usually $3,500-$6,500. How much are you looking to pay for this quality of deer?

Here are a few pics of bucks killed on the Halff Brothers Ranch within the last couple years:















It just so happens that Realtree's Bill Jordan killed most of the larger deer the last few years.

quote:

Canned hunts aside, high fences = a major screwup with genetics, habitat, migration, emigration and the like. If you want to be a slob and shoot shit behind a fence...go for it. I just can't believe most of you can't figure out that high fences have A LOT of problems (wildlife management and population dymamic) associated with them.

Eland Slayer,

On their website it says they no longer outfit.

I'm willing to spend up to 4K for the cost of the hunt. I have found several places on the web that offer hunts for trophy whitetails in that price range. Even some in Texas but most were pay by the inch and I absolutely refuse to hunt that type of ranch, that's one of the most ridiculous things I've heard.

I'll only go with an outfitter that trys to put his hunter's on the biggest buck he can. I have no desire to have a guide say: "That one will be $2999 and that one over there will be $5999, shoot which ever one you like." I'd rather go to the cattle auction.

Thanks,

Reloader

quote:

Originally posted by Reloader:

I'm willing to spend up to 4K for the cost of the hunt. I have found several places on the web that offer hunts for trophy whitetails in that price range. Even some in Texas but most were pay by the inch and I absolutely refuse to hunt that type of ranch, that's one of the most ridiculous things I've heard.

For that amount you could try Mesquite Country Outfitters. Of course, it is low-fenced and they make no guarantees that you will get a 150 class buck. I suspect they are booked up but they may have had a cancellation. You could also try the Nail Ranch. Again, no guarantees and I do not think they tend to have a lot of openings. Finally, there is the Cook Ranch. Same story there about guarantees.

I have not hunted these ranches, but have been on the Pitchfork and hunted next to the Nail on a ranch that is now managed with the Cook Ranch. If you like one of them and they have an opening, be sure you do your due diligence and check references. I have not hunted that part of Texas in quite a few years.

As others have noted, Canada and the Midwest have areas with great deer and some are taken in Western states as well. There are so many places in Texas (low and high fenced) that I simply do not know that many of them. Most of the South Texas hunts I know about either charge more for larger deer or cost more than you want to spend. Good luck.

I would look at the King Ranch as well. No high fences and plenty of deer.

There is no doubt that the King Ranch is, hands down, the absolute best low fenced Whitetail hunting in the world. But unfortunately, they are VERY expensive. Here is the King Ranch's price list: King Ranch Pricing. The cheapest trophy hunt they offer is $5,500 for any buck scoring up to 150. The trophy fees go up from there and if you happen to shoot a 200 inch deer, you will be paying a total of $25,500. There used to be affordable hunting on parts of the King Ranch when they used to lease sections to other outfitters. But recently they took over all hunting on the ranch and now you have to book through the King Ranch directly and the result is the high prices. They will continue to get these prices though because it is simply the best free-range whitetail hunting anywhere.

Reloader,

Sorry about that, I didn't realize they had stopped offering hunts to the public. Here's a place that might suit you just right: The Mariposa Ranch. Their trophy whitetail hunt is a flat fee of $3,500 for everything included (lodging, meals, guide, etc...). The Mariposa is 45,000 acres and is wedged between the King Ranch and the Kennedy Ranch. It is not a guaranteed hunt, but you should get a chance at a quality deer. Take a look at their website. You won't find a better deal that that.

Here's a few pictures of bucks taken off the Mariposa Ranch

Seems a lot of posts for a simple question of where to get a 150 inch deer.

If the question had been - "Where is the best place to have a great hunting experience and have a chance at a mature deer?" - the responses would likely have been different.

I think we get mixed up with getting a "big" deer versus have a fun hunt.

I have a little experience hunting in Texas. It seems we spent a lot of time sitting in a box blind on stilts near a mechanical deer feeder waiting for the deer to come by. Or, we rode around in a truck that was equiped with a seat high above the cab looking for deer, the tear off after them. To me, that was not hunting but shopping. Whether or not it in a high fenced ranch or open country. I don't do this and do not recommend it - whether in Texas or wherever.

That is not for me, nor do I consider it hunting - it is just shooting. However, it is legal and done with great panache in
"the great state of Texas" and other places.

True deer hunting is not sitting in a box and shooting at deer huddled around a feeder.

So, to Reloader, I wish you luck. You will find a 150" deer but I would look a lot harder for a good memory and a fun hunt. THere are some great places and great experiences to be had.

quote:

Originally posted by Eland Slayer:
There is no doubt that the King Ranch is, hands down, the absolute best low fenced Whitetail hunting in the world. But unfortunately, they are VERY expensive. Here is the King Ranch's price list: King Ranch Pricing. The cheapest trophy hunt they offer is $5,500 for any buck scoring up to 150. The trophy fees go up from there and if you happen to shoot a 200 inch deer, you will be paying a total of $25,500. There used to be affordable hunting on parts of the King Ranch when they used to lease sections to other outfitters. But recently they took over all hunting on the ranch and now you have to book through the King Ranch directly and the result is the high prices. They will continue to get these prices though because it is simply the best free-range whitetail hunting anywhere.

So, in other words, you get what you pay for?

Hands down! Golden Triangle of the great brush country of "S. TEXAS"!

Wisconsin consistently produces the biggest whitetail bucks in the nation. Buffalo County, Wisconsin leads all counties in the nation. Anecdotes and wishful thinking aside, the data tells it all.

Cool map jackfish, I would never have guessed Wisconsin.

I would love to try a whitetail/nilgai combo on that Mariposa. And cheap to! Only $4300 Madgoat, two weeks wages, or one guided lion hunt. But damn, that makes me a slob hunter! Who gives a shit! I want to go! Go ahead call me a slob!

Jackfish, that is good intel that many hoped to keep to themselves. It is difficult to find guided hunts (relatively) in Wisconsin though...I have seen many deer on local's walls in Wisconsin that would have scored near the magical 170 mark, that were never even submitted to the record keeping demigods...

Reloader, if you can find a hunt there, it is a cold and fantastic place. I've not been since a kid, but giant deer are there indeed.

Good Luck on finding the right hunt.

And I thought he was looking for a small 150 class animal! Is he now after B&C 170+? Sometimes hard to keep up with the question the original poster is asking.

quote:

Originally posted by muygrande:
And I thought he was looking for a small 150 class animal! Is he now after B&C 170+? Sometimes hard to keep up with the question the original poster is asking.

Yeah, and he's more likely to find a 150+ in Wisconsin.

And how naive do you think we are in S. Texas. Yeppers, born at night but not last night. As you may be aware, most of our large deer in S. Texas do not qualify for B&C - smiling of course. Actually many of my friends use 150 class for rattlin' horns!

When the time comes. Contact me. I will gladly put you on some of my hot spots in Illinois, if I still have them when the time comes. For the past five years my hunting partner and I have taken 1 to 2 bucks each every year ranging smallest 140 to largest 200 gross.
I should mention it is bow hunting only.

quote:

Originally posted by Reloader:
Eland Slayer,

On their website it says they no longer outfit.

I'm willing to spend up to 4K for the cost of the hunt. I have found several places on the web that offer hunts for trophy whitetails in that price range. Even some in Texas but most were pay by the inch and I absolutely refuse to hunt that type of ranch, that's one of the most ridiculous things I've heard.

I'll only go with an outfitter that trys to put his hunter's on the biggest buck he can. I have no desire to have a guide say: "That one will be $2999 and that one over there will be $5999, shoot which ever one you like." I'd rather go to the cattle auction.

Thanks,

Reloader

Half Brothers Ranch is a joke Pay by the Point operation. They made hutning their own shopping mall.

For 4K you can find a bunch of places in Kansas, Oklahoma, Illinois, Kentucky, Ohio, etc. etc that will give you a chance at a 150 class buck and if you exceed that, you don't have to pay for it.

quote:

Originally posted by dogcat:
I would look at the King Ranch as well. No high fences and plenty of deer.

I know King Ranch is big enough to not need high fences, but I thought that part of their operation was fenced. But I'm not the authority on that.

What I don't like about the King Ranch, is that its a pay by the point grocery shopping operation. Go look at their price listing.

Last time I was on the King (a small piece of what I see as heaven), it has it all. Some high fence areas for "trophy deer" and the other 750,000 ac low fence. Much of the ranch is leased to large corporate hunting clubs and has been for years. Very well controlled even on the leased land on what can and cannot be shot, however. At least that is what I understand of the operations.

quote:

Originally posted by SkyJacker:

quote:

Originally posted by dogcat:
I would look at the King Ranch as well. No high fences and plenty of deer.

I know King Ranch is big enough to not need high fences, but I thought that part of their operation was fenced. But I'm not the authority on that.

What I don't like about the King Ranch, is that its a pay by the point grocery shopping operation. Go look at their price listing.

Sky,
YOu are correct on the "pay by the point/inch" system. I do not think there are high fences there as I have never seen them, but I could be wrong.

the real crime about this is not what kind of fence is around a place but how these assholes want to sell me a deer I and every other resident of the state allready own. I have no problem with selling exotics they are livestock but where did a white tail deer originate in the u.s.a. that it is not public property you know the kings deer from common law here we the people are the king .

you no high fence guys are gonna be screwd if they build the border fence around th u.s.a. it looks deer proof to me not deer resistant like the 8 ft. fences in south texas.