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Texas Mule deer hunt

Posted on 6/19/24 at 8:11 pm
Posted by jgthunt
Walker
Member since Feb 2010
2644 posts
Posted on 6/19/24 at 8:11 pm
I've been talking with a few outfitters in the panhandle. Looking at booking next year. Has anyone hunted out that way? How was the experience?
Posted by 4mileduckman
orig from lake charles
Member since Jan 2013
912 posts
Posted on 6/19/24 at 10:35 pm to
I've hunted quite a bit out there and taken some big ones. Which area specifically? I can definitely point you in the right direction. I'm going again in late December. Mld tags are a must if you want to hunt the rut. Finding a big buck in early December is needle in a hay stack. Ill answer any questions if I can.
This post was edited on 6/19/24 at 10:39 pm
Posted by jgthunt
Walker
Member since Feb 2010
2644 posts
Posted on 6/20/24 at 8:16 am to
Leaning towards the Muleshoe area in middle of November. They are MLD tags. Outfitter says lots of deer. Sounds like a fun hunt. Most likely would be targeting a management buck.
Posted by 4mileduckman
orig from lake charles
Member since Jan 2013
912 posts
Posted on 6/20/24 at 9:02 am to
Yeah that is a lot of farming Country up there. I'm hunting them near Kermit Texas in the sand hills adjacent to Jal, New Mexico. There are some massive deer in those sand hills but not as much density there. There are good hunts further West and South as well. Mule deer live in a crazy amount of habitats.

Where I hunt I can typically find groups of doe every morning and afternoon but if it's not the rut the Big bucks aren't linked up with the doe. Thats why I hunt late December early January. if you find a group of doe 9 times out of 10 there will be a Solid buck with them and other good bucks around as well looking for their piece of the action. Obviously good glass is needed. We typically will glass up groups a mile plus away and get a plan together to stalk them. By far my favorite type of hunting spot and stalk.

We always remember where we see doe because even if there's a non shooter buck with them that afternoon or the next morning a big one can move in at any time. we've seen this on numerous occasions. The big bucks are transient and don't have home territories and move quite a bit. we've shot nice bucks off of groups only to see them, group of doe, the next day with another nice buck. These things are warriors with scars and puncture wounds on their necks and faces. I passed a monster a few years ago whos whole right side was broken off. During the rut their neck is huge and a few have pushed 350 lbs. Took 2 one year that were 8 and 9 years old. The drought out there since 2018 has really hurt numbers and antler quality.

You will be hooked if it's a good experience. They are impressive animals and I'm blessed to have a place to chase them. While your up there chk if you can do some chukar and pheasant hunts. Also great goose, duck, and Sandhill hunting up there as well.

I should add weather plays a more crucial role than whitetail. If its cold all day we hunt all day. They will be on their feet much longer. Warm days make it hard. Wind doesn't bother them near as much as whitetail bc they r used to it. They have great eye sight but are curious to a fault. They smell u then good bye. Most r used to ranch and oil field trucks so u can get close in some instances. We spot some by driving right by them and keep going till we get to a spot to glass. Elevation is key there. Also they taste fine to me. Some people say they taste like sage but in your area they are probably hitting ag fields a bunch. I take back straps and tenders out and turn the rest into burger at a 90 10 deer to beef fat mix. Makes good tacos.
This post was edited on 6/20/24 at 9:16 am
Posted by The Torch
DFW The Dub
Member since Aug 2014
27531 posts
Posted on 6/20/24 at 10:47 am to
quote:

Has anyone hunted out that way?


We had a lease in Crowell several years, there were several 160's whitetail killed.

We didn't have Mule Deer but you could drive about 45 minutes north and get on the side of a hill and spot them.

I miss that place, that country is rough and some serious storms come through it.
Posted by Lefty Diego
West of the Pecos
Member since Aug 2009
714 posts
Posted on 6/20/24 at 5:56 pm to
Check out High West Outfitters. Southwest Texas, My choice would be Brewster, Jeff Davis or Presidio Counties. Rugged terrain and beautiful. Take a Mule Deer off a Mountain.
Posted by chrome1007
Toledo Bend
Member since Dec 2023
584 posts
Posted on 6/21/24 at 8:08 am to
I’ve hunted with Hunter Ross of Desert Safaris out of Ft Davis, Tx. Can do a mule deer and Auodad combo.
I used WTA many years ago for a panhandle mule deer hunt.
You will enjoy the experience. Some big mule deer in that panhandle country.
Posted by magicman534
The dirty dell
Member since May 2011
1795 posts
Posted on 6/21/24 at 8:26 am to
Also following, a Texas mule deer hunt is on my bucket list
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