Its all about perspective!

[TX Trophy Hunter]

Thanks for the clarification. I thought it came from something I said.

Where do live in Texas ? i always thought highly of West Texas

Yeah sorry I read the first post and commented, forgot about the whole rest of the conversation

My username is actually kind of a joke, but I did live in San Angelo for a couple years. I agree with you, the big bend area is particularly interesting, just not enough public land for my taste. I fished the devils river a few times on day trips and plan on doing a full float when I get a chance. That place is awesome.

 

[KingOfTagSoup]

Im a farmer/rancher in texas who is being forced out by development. We are soon making a move to the missouri river breaks of montana. I read a lot on here about the issues with people shooting “small” 140-150” muley bucks. We have the same issues here and it used to bother me greatly! Ive come to the realization that the problem isnt the “once in a lifetime” guy who shoots an up and coming buck that has tons of potential and the memory stays with him forever. The PROBLEM is the guy who shoots the same class of deer every single year and throws them in a pile in the barn. Its generally the same type of guy who complains about not seeing any GOOD deer! Texas changed a lot when wildlife began being viewed as a resource rather than a nuisance by private landowners and its changed even more since many hunters have begun to embrace management over success. We now have antler restrictions on mule deer in the counties i have property. I know its a source of contention in the west but its made such a dramatic difference on deer quality and quantity here that it cant be ignored. Before, every out of town hunter would leave on closing day with a spike or forky in the bed of the pickup because its just not acceptable for many to pay money and not kill. Those times have changed and its been a blessing for the mule deer. Anyway, i guess my conclusion is not to hate on the guy who takes a 150” deer as HIS deer of a lifetime and is one and done. Hate on the guy who takes the same class of deer EVERY SINGLE YEAR because he cant stand to not kill something.
Thoughts?

I still can't imagine calling a 150" deer "small"

 

[antlerradar]

I still can't imagine calling a 150" deer "small"

The OP is going to be killing quite a few 150 and smaller mule deer if he sticks with taking mature bucks. Where he is going to run into issues is not having the nice two year old four points and three year old 170 bucks not get shot on the neighbors or blasted from the road.