The place we used to hunt in Texas has been in this guy's family for three generations. They are now having to sell it because the mother (elderly) needs the funds for retirement living.

I think I'm sadder than the family member losing it. It's one of the prettiest spots I've ever seen in the Texas Hill-country.

That is a shame, Norman. There are some out-of-the-way beauty spots in the Hill Country and it's teaming with deer. Of course parts of it seem to team with ever more people these days. I hope you had some good seasons enjoying hunting the place with your friends.

I live in one of the big deer hunting counties of Texas and we have a place that's been in the family for five generations two counties away. This region, just north of the Hill Country, is productive for deer but is mostly uninspiring to look at.

Norman, do you have a favored deer rifle/cartridge? An "ol' faithful" that you've toted afield for many years?

I just went and picked a couple of boxes of 12 ga ammo for pheasant and some slugs for deer ... they only wanted one leg, must have been on sale.

I use my Rem 1187 12ga with a rifled Hastings barrel for deer. I got it from my Dad the first year I hunted deer. Fantastic slug gun! Accurate up to 100 yards as long as you compensate for the drop.

The youth season remark made me laugh so hard I had to explain to my fellow employees what was so funny!

Norm - my brother has property in Utopia he uses for hunting...i'm sure he won't mind you using it

I've always shot a 270 Mossberg with a 130 Grain load.

I don't need anything fancy. The 270 is a pretty easy gun, I just make sure it has a Leupold on it and I'm happy. Have never had a misfire.

Utopia...

I heard the weather there is perfect. :}

My son and I have been keeping tabs on nearly a dozen bucks this past spring and summer with game cameras. There is a truly monster 10 point buck with well over a 20 inch spread that we have seen many times. There is also a huge 9 point, an 8 point with a very impressive rack, along with several nice 8 and six points. We are fortunate to be able to hunt the family farm of 110 acres. My son will be using his Youth .243 and I am investing in a Savage model 11 xp in .270 with a Weaver 3x9 scope. Our gun season does not start until the Monday after Thanksgiving.

Since his success last year, it has been easy to get my son out in the woods with me this year. I am hoping everyone has a safe and successful hunt this year as well.

I use an old 550 Mossberg 12 ga. it isn't pretty but it is lethal. If I am not seeing anything, I break out my grandfather's old Ithica 3700 featherlite for luck.

Last year was not a good year for me, but the son, using my grandfather's 3700 brought home the meat.

Never know when someone is serious around here. I exercise caution.

Now if I can just get him to send me the address I will print off this thread and show the Warden.

Pheasant season opens on Saturday taking Friday off and only staying long enough on Thursday to deal with meetings. This might not be the best timing but I am completely checked out ... can't wait to be in the middle of a switch grass field with the puppy and family.

checked out ....

Went to check our cameras last night and came across two flocks of turkeys on the way in. My son was pretty excited, this will be his first season hunting turkey.

At least three big 8 and 9 point white tail bucks in addition to the monster 10 point are frequenting our hunting area, can't wait for the first day.

Heading out to do some scouting this weekend since modern rifle deer season opens next Saturday. There were fires in the area we hunt so we want to see what fields will be green and which ones are not. Getting really excited to hunt this year, especially since I can take two deer with the special draw permit I got for this season. There's something about being out there and the smell of the sagebrush that immediately takes me back to being little and hunting with my dad and grandpa.

My dad hasn't hunted in 25 years and he's decided to go out with us this year. I can't tell you how happy that makes me! He always enjoyed hunting with my uncles but stopped going when my parents started a business in 1990. Since my husband hunts and has gotten my son and I into it, Dad has been taking the time to go out bird hunting and now deer. I think it's really special to him to be able to enjoy it with his kids and grandkids!

Late breaking news: I scored a new place yesterday. I've never been out there but may run out tomorrow to look around a bit. It should just be me on the land.

Wouldn't that make for difficult hunting?

Hunting, no. Killing something, probably.

Good for you Norm. Hope you are right about you being the only one. I have been the "Only One" before, only to have someone else who did not have the permission to be on the land come waltzing right infront of me

Hi Norman Paperman;

Great news! Please tell all! At least all you care to reveal here. Size, topography, cover, deer numbers, number of other hunters, proximity to you, and did you feel it was a "real deal" $-wise?

Would love to have a spare minute to "run out" to a place for a hike and a look around. Our old family place of large acreage on a lake is only an hour from me and I've not been out in months. Would love to have time to build a duck blind or scout for deer.

Oh. I'm a bit thick. I thought you meant just you and the land when you go have a look. You mean you'd be the solitary hunter on the place. Wow! Always a good thing.

Native Americans will be able to shine deer off reservation in northern WI. This does not sound like a very safe proposition. How will they be able to verify what is behind their target? Glad I am south of the line.

http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/sports/332594042.html

when does Twins/Vikings fan season open?

Kids didn't see anything this morning. Cold front rolled through about 3 and it was really windy. Maybe Sunday morning...

That article shows what happens when politics gets mixed in where it doesn't belong. Another example of the law of unintended consequences. I would think that legal spot lighting would really increase the incidence of illegal poaching deer at night. Not to mention the huge safety risk.

Legal spotlighting...really?