ranchhand 79

Well, I killed a pretty good 8 point on a does tail Sunday morning in Newton County, so I guess I can honestly say the rut is on. Also, my dad had a real good buck chasing a doe all around him all morning long. They are not touching the corn so everybody can guess what's on their minds.

I do understand where you are coming from spoonbill. A lot of public and private lands will be hurt for possibly several of years until the herd as a whole matures. I hunted for years growing up on a lease where if you see horn, shoot. Not only that, the pressure was intense (too many hunters, overkills, poaching, etc.). If you killed something around 16", it was a "Monster". Well, when they finally let some walk, they kill 18-20" regularly now, by putting age on them. That is the point of this regulation. Additionally, Public or private, poaching will always be a problem. I have family that have done it in the past, and still for the life of me can't figure out why, I have a family of four, and we barely can eat 2-3 deer a year and we eat it a lot. BUUUUUTTTTTT, I guess I get my opinion on all this due to the fact, if I don't kill something for meat, I can always go to market basket. I take pride in watching a herd mature. I always say, I am a hunter, not a killer. But again, I can see many people's frustration on this, because for some, it could take years to get a mature group, and we all no, a lot of places in east texas seem to be missing genetics, or they haven't gotten old enough for us to see them.

Back to the topic, I am all for the restrictions. We have had an "unwritten" rule for years of killing mature, trophy bucks. We have had a few "mistakes", but that is nothing but lost genetics. It does work against you on culls, but they are a lot of times few and far between, and personally on our lease there are several who couldn't tell the difference between culls and young deer. But overall it works, IMO. We hunt thick swamps and bottoms, and get very little time to "examine" our deer, but when a true trophy walks out, an experienced hunter knows (tine length, mass, body size, older characteristics, etc.). I do know a game warden, and they do understand mistakes on this rule, and their option on writing a ticket depends on maturity. Other than that, if one really wants meat, use your doe tag or "unbranched" antler tag. Proper management involves taking these as well.

Our campsite is higher and was the only thing on the road that was ok. I have a new 2009 that I wasn't able to get to in time, so I got very lucky. I checked the Sabine River Authority, and it shows what I have seen the last few days to be crested and dropping so we should be ok. Good luck, those newton co. deer get BIG.

VB, where exactly are y'all at? We are close to Artesian Springs.

VB, I drive within 10 feet of the river driving to my stand and it looked pretty good to me. It did look a little higher this morning (Thursday), but not too bad. The creeks are still backed up in places, I hunt in the bottom, but I didn't go through anything deeper than 8-12". Haven't seen as many deer as usual, think they are confused. Our whole lease had anywhere from 8" to 3 foot. Don't get me wrong though, there are tracks everywhere, just there pattern is messed up. We had one 10 pt. about 125" killed and that is it.

Finally get to hit our lease in Newton Co. with a gun tommorow. The few people who have been up there said the flood waters we have had have the deer all confused and are seeing them everywhere. Hopefully, there is a lack of food now and they will be looking for corn. Hopefully rut is not messed up.

Last weekend they weren't rutting in Newton Co. Right now, they are trying to avoid water where we hunt. Have to miss opening morning of gun season, waiting for water to drop. Terrible luck. Looks like it will be OK Sunday morning though.

Personally, I have killed all my deer with a Remington 700 .270 w/ 130 grain. From 20 yds to 400 yds, all over Texas, never had a complaint. As far as archery, the Mathews Monster is just what the name implies. Have had one for about two months and it is a fine bow. Took a shot on a 130+" @ 50 yds, and if it wasn't for me misjudging the distance, would have been no problem. Don't leave without a range finder now.