Took a very healthy spike buck in Coryell Co., Texas opening day...

[Eleanors38]

Whereas before I would usually take a doe, this season I took a small buck. Same as last year (2 bucks). The reason is because the population has "crashed" due to overpopulation and the drought. The game warden in Coryell recommended we take the small bucks ("they won't survive winter&quot . This left more does to replenish the population. Seems to be working already: We saw many fewer deer, but what we did see looked healthy; in one case a mother had two yearlings with her, and not the one commonly seen when things go dusty and the foliage dies off.

I saw one big buck. He was blocky, thick, casual in pace, and able to detect me down-wind. He bugged out, of course, but gave some proof that the antler restrictions in the area (min. 14" width when both antlers branch) seem to be working. Country side looks good, spring is healthy, animals (fewer) are healthy. Should have a good increase in deer for next season.

My hosts do an excellent job of managing for natural diversity. And the abandoned feeders are relics from past owners.

[Broken_Hero]

1. After two days

Nothing, Brother in law saw a baby this mornng...hopefully with the colder temps they will be more active.

[Eleanors38]

2. Heat, pop. crash adds up to hard hunting.

[Broken_Hero]

5. I got one, but didn't shoot it.

I think it was the 7th day I had a shot at a Doe, missed but my brother in law came running up stating I hit it. Went down to investigate and the Doe he saw was no where near where I took my shot, I mean the deer was close to 70plus yards away from the clearing where I took my shot.

Didn't see any wounds on the doe, but it was still warm(steam was still rolling off of it), we rolled it over and saw the wound on its back end where it got hit by a car. We talked to law enforcement and they let us have it since it rolled onto our back property. So, we did get one and it was a learning experience cleaning it out, fwiw got 67lbs of meat.

[ileus]

3. two weekends ago we saw two small bucks

but I couldn't get my son on either of them (Va muzzleloader season) this past weekend nothing but does.

Our rifle season comes in Saturday, hopefully we can get him something to put his crosshairs on.

Around here coyotes are eating about 75% of the fawns so our population is in serious decline. You'll have pic of does with fawns for a few weeks then just the doe(s).

I figure in a few more years our liberal seasons will take a serious turn and go back to what we had in the 70's and early 80's.

[Eleanors38]

4. Coyotes are making their presence felt. Lots of yappingu

and howling that I hadn't heard before. Our ranchita is surrounded by game ranches for the high-dollar people. More buffet for coyotes.