Managing property for wild game hunting

[Both Tacos 1806]

New blind.  Nice and big.  Could actually sleep in it if you wanted to get a jump on an early morning hunt.  Seals up nice and warmed up quickly.
 

Nice blind. I would suggest getting it secured by more than those t-posts.

[BabaYaga 15298]

Just now, Both Tacos said:

4 hours ago, BabaYaga said:

New blind.  Nice and big.  Could actually sleep in it if you wanted to get a jump on an early morning hunt.  Seals up nice and warmed up quickly.
 

Nice blind. I would suggest getting it secured by more than those t-posts.

Good call out.  It will be anchored this summer with wires & straps.  

[williemackgarza 1826]

Just saw this thread. Really cool topic.
Nice places yall

[deadshank 24653]

Foggy and wet.   Burn pile time for old blinds.  

[hornmpa96 2618]

First load of protein went out today. It was delayed by 2 weeks due to equipment failure. There is always something to fix.

[deadshank 24653]

5 minutes ago, hornmpa96 said:

First load of protein went out today. It was delayed by 2 weeks due to equipment failure. There is always something to fix.

We refilled today.  Range conditions are poor and dry.  Recent rains have greened up a few things.  Low lying areas have some wild rye springing up.  Deer are really hungry. 

[hornmpa96 2618]

14 minutes ago, deadshank said:

We refilled today.  Range conditions are poor and dry.  Recent rains have greened up a few things.  Low lying areas have some wild rye springing up.  Deer are really hungry. 

It’s the same at my place. I’m pumping water into my tank overnight to try and get back to close to full.

[fattyflattie 4639]

I've got one.   We've got a ton of turkeys.  More specifically, hens.  They run the deer around at the feeders, and generally make life difficult.  Since we can only shoot gobblers and bearded hens, what the hell do you do when your ratio gets so far out of whack?    I was really happy to have them on our place, but man they are wearing out their welcome.  

[Both Tacos 1806]

I've got one.   We've got a ton of turkeys.  More specifically, hens.  They run the deer around at the feeders, and generally make life difficult.  Since we can only shoot gobblers and bearded hens, what the hell do you do when your ratio gets so far out of whack?    I was really happy to have them on our place, but man they are wearing out their welcome.  

If you want them gone, go bother the piss out of them at their roost.

[fattyflattie 4639]

45 minutes ago, Both Tacos said:

2 hours ago, fattyflattie said:

I've got one.   We've got a ton of turkeys.  More specifically, hens.  They run the deer around at the feeders, and generally make life difficult.  Since we can only shoot gobblers and bearded hens, what the hell do you do when your ratio gets so far out of whack?    I was really happy to have them on our place, but man they are wearing out their welcome.  

If you want them gone, go bother the piss out of them at their roost.

Problem is they seem to have several.  I know of 2 other blinds that get them bad and they are both clear across the ranch.  I like having them, I just want to get them into check.   I need to get some more people down there to smoke them, is probably the best way to go about it. 

[Both Tacos 1806]

Problem is they seem to have several.  I know of 2 other blinds that get them bad and they are both clear across the ranch.  I like having them, I just want to get them into check.   I need to get some more people down there to smoke them, is probably the best way to go about it. 

Never gone turkey hunting but would love to go if you ever need another gun. Could trade ya a good duck hunt.

[Both Tacos 1806]

Foggy and wet.   Burn pile time for old blinds.  

I went swiping by and just saw the picture and thought "guess someone had a bad deer season and got fed up" before reading what you wrote.

[fattyflattie 4639]

34 minutes ago, Both Tacos said:

Never gone turkey hunting but would love to go if you ever need another gun. Could trade ya a good duck hunt.

Step #1 - Fattyflattie needs to return to Texas.  

[Lat22 4014]

20 hours ago, fattyflattie said:

I've got one.   We've got a ton of turkeys.  More specifically, hens.  They run the deer around at the feeders, and generally make life difficult.  Since we can only shoot gobblers and bearded hens, what the hell do you do when your ratio gets so far out of whack?    I was really happy to have them on our place, but man they are wearing out their welcome.  

Had the same problem a couple times this season. You know what scattered them? The green laser on my AR. It spooked the shit out of them. Wish it worked on the javelinas but they give zero fucks. 
 

Granted, it’s a very short term solution. 

Edited January 31, 2021 by Lat22

[fattyflattie 4639]

1 minute ago, Lat22 said:

Wish it worked on the javelinas but they give zero fucks. 

I’ve got a few Javies that are regulars, too.  They never cause any shit with my deer, surprisingly.  One is massive, and is on the list to take a nap when I get back. I just didn’t have enough chances to sit this year to waste on them. I’ll try one of those laser pens with the turkeys.  Right now I’m going to try and kill as many bearded hens as I can (this spring). 3 out of our 7 blinds have a serious issue with them right now.  I haven’t been able to dig too deep into it, natural ratios and whatnot.  I just know we have a lot more that we can’t shoot, than ones that we can.  Was hoping someone on here was a turkey guru or something I guess ha.  I’m at the point where if I saw an old Tom, I probably wouldn’t take him.  

[Reagan1k 3024]

[williemackgarza 1826]

Nice set up.
What you pay for CS this year?

[Reagan1k 3024]

24 minutes ago, williemackgarza said:

Nice set up.
What you pay for CS this year?

Honestly, I don't know at this point.  I'm not "local" anymore so I don't handle the ordering.  I just show-up, pay-up and shut-up.

 

[Reagan1k 3024]

Exhibit 1A in the "Don't Shoot Me" category!  3 years old this season.  No chest, long legs, 6-pack abs.  Should add enough bone to be high 130's as a 4 year old after camping out at this feeder all spring.  He'll be even better at 5 in the fall of 2022 if he doesn't take on a Ranch Hand grill guard one night.

[Reagan1k 3024]

This little guy is hunkering down like all of TX.

 

[fattyflattie 4639]

3*. Oof. 

[Reagan1k 3024]

Was showing 0* around sunrise.

Camera at the other big feeder pen has been iced over - Can't see shit, but temps correspond.

Somebody asked how accurate I thought that was - My response was - don't care / don't want to find out.

[Reagan1k 3024]

This is what old, tired, and pissed off looks like.

He's not a spike, or at least not in the normal sense of the word.  He wasn't until this year and has digressed to a one horn curmudgeon.  Very run down and I'm surprised he made it through the storm to be honest.

[fattyflattie 4639]

16 minutes ago, Reagan1k said:

This is what old, tired, and pissed off looks like.

He's not a spike, or at least not in the normal sense of the word.  He wasn't until this year and has digressed to a one horn curmudgeon.  Very run down and I'm surprised he made it through the storm to be honest.

Shit that salty old dog probably didn’t mind. One horned curmudgeon lulz. 

[deadshank 24653]

On 2/16/2021 at 9:51 AM, Reagan1k said:

This little guy is hunkering down like all of TX.

 

Why are using the apartment-size protein feeder?

[Reagan1k 3024]

2 hours ago, deadshank said:

Why are using the apartment-size protein feeder?

Feed prices are per ton plus a trip charge.  Fewer trips per year lowers net cost per ton annually. 

[deadshank 24653]

23 minutes ago, Reagan1k said:

Feed prices are per ton plus a trip charge.  Fewer trips per year lowers net cost per ton annually. 

Dude.  It’s a joke. 

[Reagan1k 3024]

Touché! 

[deadshank 24653]

Reroofing the well house.  Stripped off the 3 tab shingles and felt paper,  installed galvalume drip edge at eaves, installed Polyglass high temp peel and stick membrane over the wood deck and then galvalume drip edge at the rakes.  
 

Will sheet it with 5-vee crimp galvalume panels next time I’m here.   
 

Made it all the way through with no loss of life or limb until I got down and hung the web between my left thumb and forefinger on a metal burr.   I know better than not checking for burrs.  I checked 3 of 4 corners and the unchecked corner got me.  

[Johnny Sack 8397]

Great weather to be working outside.  

[Johnny Sack 8397]

In South Texas we have snared 122 coyotes, 9 bobcats, and two badgers since August.

I have mixed emotions about the bobcats.  I love seeing them and stopped shooting them years ago. But they do eat quail and the yotes we are killing make it worth it. If I could put snares out and not catch bobcats I would, but can't.  I do think after years of experimenting that making the snare loop bigger catches more coyotes and less bobcats.

Our small place 1 hour from Houston we have snared 66 coyotes and one bobcat.

I think predator control is crucial to fawn survival.  And also think coyotes are hard on mature bucks who are run down after the rut -- they gang up on them. 

I love running snares.  We check them every day as we don't want them stuck in a trap for a long time.

[fattyflattie 4639]

28 minutes ago, Johnny Sack said:

I love running snares.  We check them every day as we don't want them stuck in a trap for a long time.

I wish I knew more about them (snares). We need some coyote control in a bad way.  And I’m the same way on cats, now.  If it’s a spectacular one I want to do something with I’d take it but other than that I let them walk. We have great quail more years than not though. If we struggled with the quail, it would be another story. 

I remember a couple years ago the Holden’s (on their 1500 page 2cool thread) went on a big predator trapping campaign.  They were hundreds and hundreds of coyotes, maybe more. And hundreds of cats too, tbh. They would have pics of 20+/night several times a week.  They are big acreage like y’all (except leased). But man I was feeling bad for all the cats they were taking. 

[Reagan1k 3024]

9 hours ago, fattyflattie said:

I wish I knew more about them (snares). We need some coyote control in a bad way.  And I’m the same way on cats, now.  If it’s a spectacular one I want to do something with I’d take it but other than that I let them walk. We have great quail more years than not though. If we struggled with the quail, it would be another story. 

I remember a couple years ago the Holden’s (on their 1500 page 2cool thread) went on a big predator trapping campaign.  They were hundreds and hundreds of coyotes, maybe more. And hundreds of cats too, tbh. They would have pics of 20+/night several times a week.  They are big acreage like y’all (except leased). But man I was feeling bad for all the cats they were taking. 

@Johnny Sack Add me to the list with @fattyflattie wanting some snare education on this forum.  We've dabbled in it but never had any success because we didn't know what we were doing.  I'd be grateful if you could drop some tips on this thread.  

[Johnny Sack 8397]

1 hour ago, Reagan1k said:

@Johnny Sack Add me to the list with @fattyflattie wanting some snare education on this forum.  We've dabbled in it but never had any success because we didn't know what we were doing.  I'd be grateful if you could drop some tips on this thread.  

There is no special trick to it.  Just buy snares at the hardware store and clip the swivel it to the fence.  Make the loop about 10-12 inches.  Put the loop in a hole where they have dug under the fence to crawl through.  If the hole is too big, fill it up where the only way to go is through the snare.

I have only done it on a high fence (south texas) or hog paneling, which we have on our fences at our place in Waller County.  So we just do holes where they are digging under the fence.

I also wear surgical gloves when handling so my scent does not stay on them. Make sure you check them every day.

There are some good videos out there on running snares.

 

[Johnny Sack 8397]

11 hours ago, fattyflattie said:

I wish I knew more about them (snares). We need some coyote control in a bad way.  And I’m the same way on cats, now.  If it’s a spectacular one I want to do something with I’d take it but other than that I let them walk. We have great quail more years than not though. If we struggled with the quail, it would be another story. 

I remember a couple years ago the Holden’s (on their 1500 page 2cool thread) went on a big predator trapping campaign.  They were hundreds and hundreds of coyotes, maybe more. And hundreds of cats too, tbh. They would have pics of 20+/night several times a week.  They are big acreage like y’all (except leased). But man I was feeling bad for all the cats they were taking. 

You don't realize how many coyotes are on a place that has not been doing much trapping until you fly it with a helicopter.

[Reagan1k 3024]

1 hour ago, Johnny Sack said:

There is no special trick to it.  Just buy snares at the hardware store and clip the swivel it to the fence.  Make the loop about 10-12 inches.  Put the loop in a hole where they have dug under the fence to crawl through.  If the hole is too big, fill it up where the only way to go is through the snare.

I have only done it on a high fence (south texas) or hog paneling, which we have on our fences at our place in Waller County.  So we just do holes where they are digging under the fence.

I also wear surgical gloves when handling so my scent does not stay on them. Make sure you check them every day.

There are some good videos out there on running snares.

 

I was afraid you'd say that about the fences.  We're not high fenced and the thought of, or our experience with setting snares seems like pissing in the ocean.

[NotActuallyALonghorn 4976]

Other than cost, why snares vs a conibear? They both kill, but the conibear is more humane. Also less likely to get a bad catch and end up with anything within reach torn up by a desperate animal.

[fattyflattie 4639]

7 hours ago, NotActuallyALonghorn said:

Other than cost, why snares vs a conibear? They both kill, but the conibear is more humane. Also less likely to get a bad catch and end up with anything within reach torn up by a desperate animal.

I'll say this, in the post I made about the Holden's doing it.  They guy they had out there assisting them had some special way he buried the traps.  Guy would never expose his secret.  But man they were stacking predators like I've never seen.  It was a few years ago or I'd dig up the link. 

[Reagan1k 3024]

Mentioned up-thread that we get a lot of what some call velvet bucks, cactus bucks, or other homophobic terms.  Bucks don't develop balls, have little to no testosterone, don't breed, nor do they have the same antler cycle that a normal buck will.

In our area its caused by a toxic plant growing in granite outcroppings that sterilizes younger bucks - most often permanently.

Here is a cool example of their horn cycle.  Buck below stayed in velvet all fall and winter, never dropped, but instead, in Feb., his horns started to rot away from the tips backward.  Doesn't have enough testosterone to harden them and they just finally deteriorate.  He's crossed the point where the decay has stopped and the regrowth has begun. 

He was a fairly typical (velvet notwithstanding) 8 last year about 15" wide with 7-8" G2's.  Withered away to basically short main beams and a brow tine.  Now he's growing again.

Will repeat over and over unless we shoot the steer.  Antlers get more and more distorted and atypical through each cycle.

[CHIEF 5087]

1 hour ago, Reagan1k said:

Mentioned up-thread that we get a lot of what some call velvet bucks, cactus bucks, or other homophobic terms.  Bucks don't develop balls, have little to no testosterone, don't breed, nor do they have the same antler cycle that a normal buck will.

In our area its caused by a toxic plant growing in granite outcroppings that sterilizes younger bucks - most often permanently.

Here is a cool example of their horn cycle.  Buck below stayed in velvet all fall and winter, never dropped, but instead, in Feb., his horns started to rot away from the tips backward.  Doesn't have enough testosterone to harden them and they just finally deteriorate.  He's crossed the point where the decay has stopped and the regrowth has begun. 

He was a fairly typical (velvet notwithstanding) 8 last year about 15" wide with 7-8" G2's.  Withered away to basically short main beams and a brow tine.  Now he's growing again.

Will repeat over and over unless we shoot the steer.  Antlers get more and more distorted and atypical through each cycle.

I've seen that, my Dad always called them stags.

My younger cousin once shot a six point doe on the ranch we used to own. She had a big body but poor antler growth and Dad wanted that deer culled. My cousin was about 10. It's his favorite story to tell. He shot her, and my Dad was giving him "atta boys". He looked at her and said, "Uncle Mel, that's a doe." My Dad said "no Cody, it's got horns." So my cousin said, "well that buck has a big ol' fat pussy." My Dad, "well I be, I guess it is a doe." Dad didn't cuss around kids, it was all he could do to keep from laughing.

CHIEF

[Reagan1k 3024]

46 minutes ago, CHIEF said:

I've seen that, my Dad always called them stags.

My younger cousin once shot a six point doe on the ranch we used to own. She had a big body but poor antler growth and Dad wanted that deer culled. My cousin was about 10. It's his favorite story to tell. He shot her, and my Dad was giving him "atta boys". He looked at her and said, "Uncle Mel, that's a doe." My Dad said "no Cody, it's got horns." So my cousin said, "well that buck has a big ol' fat pussy." My Dad, "well I be, I guess it is a doe." Dad didn't cuss around kids, it was all he could do to keep from laughing.

CHIEF

Yeah - that's a true rare genetic defect - these "stags" have dicks and ball sacks, just undeveloped or underdeveloped nuts and varying degrees of testosterone depending on how much of a toxic load they ingest.  No interest in mating, no aggression, and they get FAT like a steer.  Heaviest "bucks" we've ever shot have this condition.  

Frequency of occurrences depends on this plant's proliferation from year to year and if the yearling bucks have access to it and like to eat it.  Fredericksburg up through Mason are the areas most affected and varies by terrain within that region. 

[Johnny Sack 8397]

I’ve personally killed 500+ deer and seen ten times that brought in.  Never seen that.  Never had an albino either.  Guess we are just plain Jane in Frio and Zavala county.  

[fattyflattie 4639]

X posting from hunting thread for views.  
 

Gentlemen, got a question on land valuation.  Friend of friend just inherited 2k acres in Wharton, not on the river but near. Has 5 bedroom modern house. Assume 50/50 wooded (trying to verify).   Lots of ducks, lots of hogs, several tanks with bass to 10# confirmed caught.   He has several other properties and wants to lease this out. Preferably would be a corp type deal.  Any idea on estimate on acreage in that area?   
 

eta: hasn’t been hunted in 20+ years from my understanding.  

Edited May 8, 2021 by fattyflattie

[Reagan1k 3024]

Anybody have a guestimate on basic fencing costs for a basic 3-wire or 4-wire fence, installed in the Edwards County area?  

 

[deadshank 24653]

10 hours ago, Reagan1k said:

Anybody have a guestimate on basic fencing costs for a basic 3-wire or 4-wire fence, installed in the Edwards County area?  

 

No clue.
 

Oof.  That area is so blasted rocky.  Must be expensive to bang in t posts.  
 

Why 3 or 4 strand and not just the standard 5 strand?  What livestock are you trying to keep in / out?

[Spaulding Smails 1552]

10 hours ago, Reagan1k said:

Anybody have a guestimate on basic fencing costs for a basic 3-wire or 4-wire fence, installed in the Edwards County area?  

 

My cousin's husband owns a fence company in Boerne.  He covers all over the western hill country.  I just got a quote for him that was around $9/LF for 1500 LF, but that included several corners, a few H-braces and a gate.  DM me if you want his info.

[Reagan1k 3024]

36 minutes ago, deadshank said:

No clue.
 

Oof.  That area is so blasted rocky.  Must be expensive to bang in t posts.  
 

Why 3 or 4 strand and not just the standard 5 strand?  What livestock are you trying to keep in / out?

No cattle.  Just 100 acres of old land we have had for decades with no fence.  Once (if) the economy and material pricing returns to some level of normalcy I’m thinking of putting up a simple perimeter fences to mark the property lines and create boundaries for hunting or hiking around.....with the idea that my kids’  families might get some use out of it as a getaway in a few years when their kids come of age. 

[CHIEF 5087]

On 5/29/2021 at 8:06 AM, Reagan1k said:

No cattle.  Just 100 acres of old land we have had for decades with no fence.  Once (if) the economy and material pricing returns to some level of normalcy I’m thinking of putting up a simple perimeter fences to mark the property lines and create boundaries for hunting or hiking around.....with the idea that my kids’  families might get some use out of it as a getaway in a few years when their kids come of age. 

Do you have an ag exemption? Or is the place big enough?

CHIEF

[hornmpa96 2618]

It was windy in South Texas this week. Arrived at the ranch to find this old windmill laying over the fence. I wish someone had recorded the truck pulling it off the fence.

[fattyflattie 4639]

Yeah we've had gobs of Red on the radar all week.  I'm sure there were some good winds mixed in.