Whitetail Deer Hunting in the Texas Hill Country

Antlers
Some strive to achieve the “golden challis” of deer, those with antlers that will measure over 170 inches in total calcium growth. While the purpose of the handsome headgear they carry is not fully understood, most biologist believe it is merely a tool for one animal to show its dominance over the others. So, why at times can a younger buck defeat one of his piers of a larger stature? Strength and stamina, along with a good bit of gumption. When a whitetail buck is dominant, he has the possibility of servicing more does, which allows more of his genetic traits to be carried on and influx the herd, and these younger boys also want their genes placed. To quote a common phrase, only the strong survive, & this is mother natures way of working her magic.

Age
Many ranches will not harvest a buck until he is over 4 years old. The reason is simple, a whitetails skeleton, primarily the sternum, will complete its growth cycle at 4.5 years. Then all of the calcium that has been used to assist in body growth reverts to antler growth for the remaining years of his life. For most ranches the true trophy will not be realized until that deer is 6 or 7 years of age.

Timing
The most reliable time to find one of the true monarchs of the woods is dusk or dawn as the older, wiser bucks become crepuscular in their activities. Also try to coordinate your hunt time with moon phases in the rut. When these giants decide to chase does, there is only one thing on their mind, and it isn’t the guy sitting 15 feet in a tree dressed like shrubbery. Movement also patterns best around cooler temperatures, so when the weatherman says there’s a cold front coming in, head for the field.

Whitetail Diet
A whitetails appetite is satisfied by forbes, mast, and browse, with a portion of succulent young grasses. Many ranches supply a protein supplement to help them achieve their maximum potential in health and growth ability. Corn is merely a starch and while they love to gobble it up it performs no benefit to the whitetail. Too much corn can actually affect their ability to digest their normal roughage, thus reducing their food intake, which can also affect the growth of antlers.

The whitetail deer is a beautiful and mysterious animal not to mention great table fare. He can appear from nowhere and vanish just as quickly as he came. For many, hunting is a way of life, and in a modern day society it still remains one of the best escapes from the hustle and bustle of the concrete jungle we try daily to conquer. With all of the gang interactions these days it is also a way to teach our children how to get back to nature and experience that all important father-child bonding that is essential to keeping them on the straight path to goodness.

Book a Hunt
Give us a call and let us book a hunt for you and some of your best friends, or get the family together. Mom can go out hunting with you or relax at the Lodge, Grandpa can sit with the youngster he hasn’t got to spend time with in so long and pass on some of his wisdom and family history. One thing is certain, we will defiantly help you to make a memory and quality family/friend time will be soaked in during your visit here at the 7 Canyons Ranch.

Sit by the roaring fire in the evening at our “Liars pit” and tell stories about the days events, play pool on our antique pool table, watch a hunting show on our big screen T.V., or soak up the stars that you never see in town while lounging in the hot tub. Perhaps you may enjoy a round of skeet at our range. You will enjoy rib-eye steaks, yellow fin tuna, and honey glazed quail to list a few of our meals.

Take time out of your busy schedule to enjoy life a little. We do it all for you, so you can relax and unwind. Your memories await you in the Heart of the Texas Hill Country!

7 Canyons Ranch
Main Office & Ranch House
Tel: 830.562.3333
Fax: 830.562.3337
Email: info@7canyonsranch.com