Big rains in West TX

[TX-RAT]

Normally we have 14 to 16 inch's of rain per year. I just poured out what amounts to 34 inch's so far. That means big horns this year, have already taken 3 bucks over 140 B&C. My pastures have never looked so good.

[Redneck Socialist]

1. You're living in a deer hunting fantasy land.

Us north easterners have a hard time wrapping our heads around multiple deer limits, much less actually shooting three over 140 B&C.

Up here rack size is secondary to weight though. If it's not over 200 pounds it doesn't attract much attention.

[alwynsw]

2. In the area I'm hunting, I get 2 bucks and 7 does.

That is, if I can get that many. Actuqally, I'm happy with a buck or no buck. Just so long as I get 3 or 4 for the freezer. Does taste better IMO.

[Redneck Socialist]

3. Nine deer! Ack!

It's a different world, man. Up here if I filled every possible tag, bow hunting, firearm, extra doe, etc. I could take four. One pretty much fills my freezer though. Occasionally I'll shoot a second to really pack the freezer full.

I'm with you on the does, they are much tastier and more tender then a gnarly old, rutted up buck.

[alwynsw]

4. We're terribly overpopulated here.

If you add archery and blalck powder, you can take up to 11 in most areas.

[Romulus]

8. *unlimited* antlerless by bow in some MD areas

due to overpopulation (which is no joke around here).

http://www.dnr.state.md.us/huntersguide/map.html

Not so enticing if you are looking for racks, but great if you are simply freezer-filing. :D

[TX-RAT]

6. No 200 lb deer around here.

I didn't shoot any of those deer, all customer bucks. I won't allow anything under 140 to be taken. We're going to take 3 more bucks and about a dozen doe's this season. I may have a cull buck hunt last week of season. Theres 4 bucks hanging around that just ain't going to make it. 3 of the bucks are big 8 points and 1 has 4 on his left side and 1 main beam on the other, very strange looking. I haven't fired a shot at a deer on this place in 7 years. I do hunt in Nebraska, and Kansas, when i get a chance, much bigger bucks in that country. I'm still waiting for that 180+ typical, Would love to have a buck that made the book.

[alwynsw]

5. So. Does this mean that many of you Texicans are finally going to swim?

Look for a huge cottontail and jackrabbit crop in the spring. Quail should do nicely as well.

[TX-RAT]

7. Haven't shot any of the Cottontails yet, waiting for good hard freeze.

Have already taken over 100 Jackrabbits this year. Recently bought a Remington semi-auto in .17 rim-fire, a most excellent Jackrabbit weapon. This has got to be the best Quail hatch we've ever had. I'm jumping coveys of blues that have 50-75 birds in them. The Bobwhites seem to stay in smaller coveys.

[alwynsw]

9. I do miss those big western coveys.

About 15-20 is the biggest we get around here.

I got an NEF single in .17 HMR last spring. It's a dandy for groundhogs around here. Since one groundhog can devastate up to an acre of soybeans, we tend to dispatch them whenever possible.

I do like that little flat shooter.