quote:

Originally posted by eezridr:
Back about the early 80's I hunted mule deer on a place called the 33 cattle company ranch.
It was 180,000.00 acres. The Mule deer season lasted about 1 week and was at this time of the year (Thanksgiving). The ranch bordered I 10 ( north side) from about Sierra Blanca going west about 1/2 way to EL Paso. As I recall about 18 miles along I-10.
One of the roughest places I ever hunted. Most ranch roads were comprised of rocks from the size of grapefruits to soccer ball size. Very few roads through it. Did a pretty good job screwing up my fathers 4X4 truck. I liked hunting a little bowl at the base of Sierra Blanca mountain.
Also had to jump the rise on the rails of the train track paralleling I-10 about daily.
This was prior to the stump jumper truck designs with +37" tires where a big tire on a truck was a 31X10.5x15.
Amazing the wildlife you would see in that country if you just sat still on a rock for 30 minutes. Quail, road runners, ground squirrels, bobcats, coyotes, javelins,all sorts of doves, hawks, incredibly colorful birds.
First time ever saw a mountain lion in the wild (fleeting glance).
Snowed all three consecutive years I hunted there. Took 3 mule deer but none were giant.
One I had to drag close to a mile. Could not do that any longer. Rubbed all the hair off one side of his body.
Looks desolate. Greasewood and rock but a magical place if you just sit still and watch.
Do not recall any Aoudad back then 40 yrs. ago.
There were some incredible lakes back in that place that were stocked full of BIG bass. Seldom if ever fished.
Ray with all your years out there you may be familiar with this property perhaps a bit further north than your stomping grounds.
40 years ago; Place may not exist as it was (Ownership). Who knows? 33 cattle company may have been a business that managed multiple properties that made up this land I hunted.
I could not find it by google.

EZ