http://www.tecomate.com/content/index.php/site/index/ en mnewell@tecomate.com Copyright 2012 2012-02-01T15:28:00-05:00 http://www.tecomate.com/content/index.php/site/comments/storms_of_life_part_2/ http://www.tecomate.com/content/index.php/site/comments/storms_of_life_part_2/#When:15:28:00Z We started a lesson last week about the hard times of life that come our way. These storms of life are real and all of us have been through them. For many of us life’s weather forecast seems to always be filled with dark and rainy days. Our human nature seems to always ask the question, “Why Me?” However, during our study of God’s nature we quickly see that His nature is not the same as ours. He is holy and just in whatever He sends or allows coming our way. This week as we look at God’s Nurture I pray that we all can find comfort from our Lord during the tornadic activity of life.  We started a lesson last week about the hard times of life that come our way. These storms of life are real and all of us have been through them. For many of us life’s weather forecast seems to always be filled with dark and rainy days. Our human nature seems to always ask the question, “Why Me?” However, during our study of God’s nature we quickly see that His nature is not the same as ours. He is holy and just in whatever He sends or allows coming our way. This week as we look at God’s Nurture I pray that we all can find comfort from our Lord during the tornadic activity of life. God’s Nurture As we look further into the subject of God’s Nature you cannot help but find out about God’s Nurture. * If you could name a second word that describes the nature of God, what would it be? The answer is probably the answer you gave the first time I asked you this question last week: He Is LOVE! God is Holy in all His actions, no matter the outcome; however, He seems to wrap us up in His Love as He carries those actions out. He primarily demonstrates His love to us by the great two bookends of love: Mercy and Grace. Grace is a gift from God that we do not deserve. When we were lost, it was by God’s grace that saved us. After we are saved, it is God’s grace that sustains us. We as sinful people do not deserve this great love. However, God gave and still gives it freely, though a great price was paid on the cross. Today grace seems to find us when we need it the most. And grace is not just a thing; It is a person. That It is Jesus Himself, who is always with us in the midst of the Storm. No matter how tragic the crises is, He is always there blanketing us with a covering of comforting grace. That is God’s love demonstrated to us by His Grace. Mercy is completely different. Mercy is not getting the punishment from God that we do deserve. We as sinful people deserve to be punished eternally, but God took that punishment that we deserve and put it on His Son at Calvary. Today mercy is something that is hard for us to understand and even harder to explain. We can understand grace because we can experience it. We can experience grace as we go through the storm, but when mercy came we never knew it. You see mercy stops the storm or reroutes it before it ever reaches our shores. And most of the time we will never see it coming or going. That is God’s love demonstrated to us by His Mercy. God’s nature if first and for most Holiness, you could say perfection. Second, God’s nature is Love. So you could say God’s nature is Holy Love or a Perfect Love. If you are saved today this is the promise that we can learn from this study on God’s nature and nurture: God would have to go against His nature to give us less than His very best. Settle this decisively in your mind. God showed the world His nature when He gave us His only Son. God perfectly demonstrated His Holiness by the Life of Jesus, and compassionately revealed His Love when Jesus died on the cross for our sin, even while we were His enemies. You could say that the nature and nurture of God is personified in Jesus Christ. Romans 5:5-11 “And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us. For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. 7 For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. 8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. 9 Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. 10 For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life. 11 And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement. Next time you ask the Question “Why” think about His Nature and His Nurture, Then if you still wonder if God loves you, take a long look at the cross and the One who loved you enough to hang on it. We will finish up this study with the third and finial lesson next week. God Bless and Happy Hunting. Man to Man Devotionals 2012-02-01T15:28:00-05:00 http://www.tecomate.com/content/index.php/site/comments/el_tecomate_ranch_part_i/ http://www.tecomate.com/content/index.php/site/comments/el_tecomate_ranch_part_i/#When:01:43:00Z Before 1995, I thought I had met the nuttiest of the country’s deer nuts. I couldn’t imagine anyone crazier about the whitetail deer than folks like Bobby Parker Jr., Steve Vaughn, James Kroll, Jackie Brittingham, #### Idol, Scott Taylor, Gordon Whittington, George Cooper, Bill Jordan, Chuck Larsen, Greg Miller, David Foster, to name but a few of the myriad of whitetail junkies with whom I’ve crossed paths. Not withstanding my wife’s opinion of me, I figured these guys were the most smitten of the smitten. Then, I met Dr. Gary Schwarz … Before 1995, I thought I had met the nuttiest of the country’s deer nuts. I couldn’t imagine anyone crazier about the whitetail deer than folks like Bobby Parker Jr., Steve Vaughn, James Kroll, Jackie Brittingham, #### Idol, Scott Taylor, Gordon Whittington, George Cooper, Bill Jordan, Chuck Larsen, Greg Miller, David Foster, to name but a few of the myriad of whitetail junkies with whom I’ve crossed paths. Not withstanding my wife’s opinion of me, I figured these guys were the most smitten of the smitten. Then, I met Dr. Gary Schwarz … Gary is an oral maxillofacial surgeon by profession, and an excellent one, but by love and by choice, he is one of the most dedicated, knowledgeable and innovative deer managers in the country. And as his accomplishments on El Tecomate Ranch in South Texas attest, he is one of the most successful. One of the great things about Gary’s success story is that he started with nothing, not even an acre or a dollar to buy it with. While still in dental school, Gary, along with a handful of friends, borrowed money to buy his first ranchland. Over time, using conservation easements to provide tax relief to help in the purchase of ranchland and to assure the long-term protection of the natural habitat, he added more acreage, some his own and some with partners. Today, Gary’s personal acreage, El Tecomate, totals about 3,000 acres. Making The Desert Bloom In the country’s most intensively managed state, Gary is Texas’ undisputed leader in food-plot-based nutrition. His ascension to that position took time, creativity, hard work and a lot of experimenting, often in the face of steadfast insistence that what he was trying to do with food plots would not work. And, the skepticism was not without bases. The fact is that there are few places where consistently growing decent crops represents a greater challenge than in hot, dry South Texas. That is one of the reasons I picked Tecomate as an example – if agricultural food-source management will work there, it’ll work practically anywhere. And as Gary has proven, does it ever work there! Size Does Matter! In recent years, Gary’s nutritional program on El Tecomate has produced buck after buck winning top honors in Texas’ many big buck contests. His success has even been documented through scientific studies that compared the body and antler size of his bucks to those of neighboring leaseholders who have the same herd management strategy but no nutritional program, beyond natural habitat management. The results have been nothing short of startling. In a three-year comparison of mature bucks, Gary’s bucks averaged 20 B&C points larger and 26 pounds heavier than those of like ages on neighboring leases! Twenty B&C points – that’s the difference between a 140 and a 160 or a 150 and a 170! To a trophy hunter, that’s all the difference in the world! And, the study was conducted four years ago. Today, the difference is even greater! Tecomate Ranch produces an astounding number of 160-plus bucks and no small number of bucks topping 170. In 1997, for instance, Gary knew of five bucks that may well have made the Boone and Crockett record book. I shot a 14-pointer grossing 172, and he was the smallest of four trophy bucks shot there that week! Amazingly, older-aged Tecomate bucks typically weigh between 210 and 230 pounds, weights unheard of for South Texas deer. When I was there in 1997, Gary’s daughter, Rebecca, shot a “management” 8-pointer that grossed 162 and weighed 240 pounds, setting an all-time record in the youth division of the Muy Grande Contest, one of Texas’ oldest and most popular deer contests. Amazingly, Rebecca’s deer bet the longstanding record held by none other than her brother, Blair! On a ranch where 150-class bucks were once at the pinnacle of the trophy latter, now 160s, 170s and even larger are realistic possibilities – all because of food-source management. Gary’s success with food plots on Tecomate has drawn so much attention that he was literally forced into starting a seed company to help others obtain both the drought-tolerate seeds and the expertise in dry-land farming necessary to put food plots to work on their property. Joining forces with Fred Schuster, a professional farmer in the Rio Grande Valley, and Dr. Tim Fulbright, a wildlife biologist and range scientist with the Caesar Kleberg Wildlife Research Institute, Gary put together a team committed to helping the private land manager succeed. Thus was born the Tecomate Seed Company. Since its inception in 1993, Tecomate Seed Company has led the charge in food-plot management in Texas. How did Gary achieve the kind of results that has caused even the diehards in the great deer state of Texas to sit up and take notice? Interestingly, the overall strategy is essentially the same as that of Fort Perry and any number of other successful programs, validating the underlying principles of food-source management. Gary’s program revolves around meeting the year-round nutritional needs of deer with cool and warm-season food plots. What makes Gary’s program different is how he has to go about it. Every region of the country has certain farming limitations that must be overcome to maximize food-plot production. In the South, it’s often acidic soils and poor nutrients, solved by liming and fertilizer. In South Texas, it’s a lack of moisture, solved by a combination of drought-tolerate plants and moisture-conserving farming techniques. Of course, no matter where you are, herd management principles remain the same, but how you get nutrition to the deer definitely varies by locale, as we’re about to see. Searching For The “Magic Bean” Gary, being a farmer and rancher at heart, was quick to recognize the need to provide year-round nutrition and the potential to accomplish this with agricultural plantings. So, in hopes of finding a warm-season protein source, he began experimenting with readily available plants, such as the different varieties of cowpeas, soybeans, alfalfas and clovers, using standard farming techniques. At best, he met with only modest success. It became obvious that South Texas’ hot, arid climate called for plants suited to dry-land farming in this demanding environment. His quest for such plants eventually led him to Australia and a drought-resistant forage legume called lablab, which is similar to cowpeas and soybeans. Subsequent testing revealed that lablab was indeed an excellent choice for the region. Deer eagerly consumed the high-protein plant and flourished on it. Interestingly, what at first might seem like a negative regarding lablab actually turned out to be a positive. Gary intentionally selected a variety of forage lablab, now trademarked Tecomate Lablab, which does not readily to go to seed in South Texas. What’s the significance of this? Once an annual plant goes to seed, it loses much of its nutritional punch, having completed its mission in life. Cowpeas go to seed in 80 to 90 days. Lablab, which can be planted as early as late February in South Texas, will continue to provide nutritious feed into December or until the first frost hits. As a result, lablab keeps on ginning for eight or nine months. Yeah, Gary has to buy his seeds from Australia, but he figures the tradeoffs are well worth it. Still, even with lablab in-hand, there were hurdles to overcome. One, farming techniques had to be refined to maximize the use of the limited water available. Two, lablab, like other dicotyleton plants such as soybeans and cowpeas whose growing point is above ground, was vulnerable to overgrazing during the first few weeks after emerging. Of course, the overgrazing problem during the sensitive first weeks could be moderated by either lowering deer numbers, an idea inconsistent with objectives, or by planting enough acreage to spread grazing pressure so that damage is minimal. The latter solution is what we opted for at Fort Perry, but that wasn’t an option for Gary because of limited tillable land on his property. To keep the deer out during the critical three or four weeks lablab is vulnerable, Gary had to employ a “reversible,” mesh-wire high-fence. After experimenting with several versions, he settled on a six-foot, six-inch-high fence consisting of a 32-inch lower section and a 47-inch upper section with an inch of overlap. When the plants are large enough to withstand heavy grazing, the lower panel can be raised to let the deer come under the fence. Gary went about meeting the cool-season requirements in much the same fashion as the warm – he searched for better-suited plants and experimented … lots. Find out next month, if Gary’s seed mix Big Buck 2012-01-31T01:43:00-05:00 http://www.tecomate.com/content/index.php/site/comments/solving_the_buck_movement_mystery_part_ii/ http://www.tecomate.com/content/index.php/site/comments/solving_the_buck_movement_mystery_part_ii/#When:06:20:00Z Seasonal Home Range The bucks in our study had the smallest home range during spring, which we defined as April 1st through May 31st.  At this time, average home range size was only 694 acres, an amount half as big as the other seasons.  The next smallest seasonal home range was during summer (June 1st through September 30th) at 1,154 acres.  Surprisingly, home ranges were largest during the prerut period (October 1st through November 31st) at 1,292 acres.  Average home range size during the rut (December 1st through January 10th) was 1,236 acres.  During post-rut (January 11th through March 31st), average home range size was 1,273 acres. Photo By Hardy JacksonSeasonal Home Range The bucks in our study had the smallest home range during spring, which we defined as April 1st through May 31st. At this time, average home range size was only 694 acres, an amount half as big as the other seasons. The next smallest seasonal home range was during summer (June 1st through September 30th) at 1,154 acres. Surprisingly, home ranges were largest during the prerut period (October 1st through November 31st) at 1,292 acres. Average home range size during the rut (December 1st through January 10th) was 1,236 acres. During post-rut (January 11th through March 31st), average home range size was 1,273 acres. I would guess that spring home ranges were smallest because this is typically when forage conditions are best, thanks to the flush of new plant growth that occurs each spring. Even without rain, brush plants will leaf out, flower and often put on new growth during spring. Spring showers, when they do occur, also result in forbs (broad-leafed weeds) carpeting the landscape. Forbs are, by far, the most preferred plant type for deer. Obviously, with improved forage conditions, bucks do not have to move as much to fill their stomachs, their main concern during spring. Summer home ranges were relatively small, likely because of the high temperatures south Texas experiences during this time of year. Bucks no doubt reduce movements during the hottest portion of the day, resulting in smaller home ranges. Unexpectedly, home range size was largest during pre-rut. During pre-rut, bucks break apart from their summer bachelor groups and travel alone until the post-rut when they begin to reform bachelor groups in late January. During pre-rut, a sudden increase in the hormone testosterone causes the antlers to harden and a buck’s focus to shift from forage to females. Now, instead of being most interested in filling their stomachs, their interest shifts to scent marking trees, making scrapes, and sparring with other bucks to establish loose breeding ranges. Mature bucks especially, increased their movements and resultant home range sizes during the pre-rut. Average home range size for a mature buck during summer was 1,218 acres. This jumped to over 1,800 acres during pre-rut, an increase of 50 percent. Then, during rut, home range size decreased to only 1,216 acres, an amount nearly identical to their summer home range size. During post-rut, home range size increased again to 1,396 acres. The pre-rut home range size for mature bucks was 113 percent larger than the home range size for old bucks, 68 percent larger than the home range size for middle-aged bucks, and 28 percent larger than the home range size for young bucks. The only plausible theory that I can think of for this is that mature bucks, more than any other age class, were in their prime. These bucks were at their peak in body and antler size and therefore the most likely to be dominant. As a result, they encountered the least resistance when traveling the perimeters of their home range to scent mark new areas. We expected home ranges to be largest during the rut when bucks were most actively chasing females. However, in our study, home range size during the rut was smaller than for either the pre-rut or the post-rut. My only guess for an explanation is that the buck segment of the deer population on this particular ranch was very well balanced. In fact, 40 percent or more of the bucks observed during the annual helicopter survey were estimated to be mature! The high density of older-aged bucks may have resulted in a more “structured” rut than typically occurs because a high percentage of bucks had prior rut experience. These bucks may have had a more defined dominance hierarchy as well that resulted in less movement. Smaller than expected home ranges during the rut may also have been due to our sampling technique and may not have been a true indication of what was happening during the rut. Standard telemetry is very time consuming and as hard as we tried, we were only able to get two to four locations per buck per week. The newer GPS collars on the other hand, work off satellites and allow for the gathering of locations as frequently as every 15 minutes. This translates to almost 700 locations per week versus only two to four! The infrequent sampling schedule for the telemetry method that we used may have resulted in missing long distance buck movements, especially if those movements only lasted a day or two. In fact, preliminary results of an ongoing buck movement study involving GPS collars, indicates a high percentage of bucks embark on “excursions” during the rut. These excursions can involve traveling straight-line distances of 15 miles or more and typically only last a day or two. Buck home ranges were surprisingly large during the post-rut. We expected smaller home ranges, thinking that most bucks should have been worn out from the rigors of the pre-rut and rut and less likely to move. However, in hindsight, bucks may have moved more at this time because they were worn out. On average bucks lose around 30 percent of their body weight during the rut. During post-rut, testosterone levels drop causing the antlers to cast and the focus to shift from females back to forage. It is likely that the “need to feed” was highest during post-rut, causing the increase in buck movements during this time of year. Site Fidelity Site fidelity is a fancy term used to describe the percent overlap in an individual buck’s home range from one year to the next. We tracked the movements of several bucks over multiple years, which allowed us to measure site fidelity. Surprisingly, bucks did not shift their home ranges much from one year to the next. In fact, home ranges for old bucks overlapped 73 percent from year to year. Mature bucks overlapped 66 percent and middle-aged bucks overlapped 61 percent. The above pattern of increased site fidelity as a buck gets older makes sense because the older the buck, the more familiar he is with his home range and areas nearby his home range. This familiarity should allow an old buck to move less to meet his day-to-day needs. Older bucks should also be more established in the local buck dominance hierarchy, also allowing for reduced movements. Finally, much like humans, older bucks would naturally be expected to move less simply because they are older. The opposite would be true for young bucks and to a lesser degree for middle-aged bucks. Seasonal site fidelity was highest during the summer, which means that bucks were more likely to stay in the same summer location from one year to the next than any other season. Lowest seasonal site fidelity occurred during the rut. This means that individual bucks altered their year-to-year home range more often during the rut than any other season. Apparently, bucks explored new areas most often during the rut, which was what we had predicted. This change in home range during the rut was no doubt influenced by the need to search for females, what I call the “need to breed.” Individual Bucks Are Highly Variable What the above averages do not show is how variable home range and core area size is among individual bucks. If you control for the influence age has on buck movements by only considering bucks within the same age class, there is still a lot of variability from one buck to the next. In fact, our more recent GPS data show that annual home range size can vary for two bucks of the same age from a low of only 300 acres to well over 10,000 acres! Therefore, it is important to keep in mind that although the averages indicate general trends, an individual buck may move a lot more or a lot less than the average. From a hunting standpoint, the most difficult buck to harvest is the buck with the smallest home range because this buck moves the least, reducing the chance of an encounter while hunting. Obviously, bucks that have the largest home ranges and that move the most, are the bucks most susceptible to harvest. As a result, our data support what every hunter already knows… young bucks are easier to kill than middle-aged bucks, which are easier to kill than mature bucks. Old bucks that are seven years old or older are the hardest to kill, not because they are necessarily any smarter than a younger buck, but because on average, they move the least and have the smallest home range. Tune in next week for the third part of this four-part series on solving the buck movement mystery. Hunting, Whitetail Wisdom 2012-01-30T06:20:00-05:00 http://www.tecomate.com/content/index.php/site/comments/storms_of_life/ http://www.tecomate.com/content/index.php/site/comments/storms_of_life/#When:21:06:00Z This past deer season was full of storms! I don’t believe that I have ever heard as much thunder, seen as much lightning, or felt as much wind and rain as I did this past December and January. Just this past Saturday I was literally scared for my life as two major storm systems pasted through my hunting area. You may be thinking, “What in the world were you doing in the woods in the first place?” Well we don’t have the time to discuss my craziness over a big whitetail so we will not go there. The fact of the matter is storms are serious! The storms involved with the weather, as well as the storms of life.  This past deer season was full of storms! I don’t believe that I have ever heard as much thunder, seen as much lightning, or felt as much wind and rain as I did this past December and January. Just this past Saturday I was literally scared for my life as two major storm systems pasted through my hunting area. You may be thinking, “What in the world were you doing in the woods in the first place?” Well we don’t have the time to discuss my craziness over a big whitetail so we will not go there. The fact of the matter is storms are serious! The storms involved with the weather, as well as the storms of life. You may call them hard-times or heartaches, troubles or tragedies, crises, valleys, battles, or even wilderness experiences. The fact is these storms of life are just as certain as the weather. It is in my thinking that there is an extreme need to prepare us for these storms. These storms are a challenge, but also an opportunity for the Christian. We are tempted during crises to surrender to the world’s viewpoint. During such difficult times we endure the loss of friends and loved ones. We undergo the loss of ambitions and the loss of possessions. These and many other storms of life often leave us discouraged. From a human perspective tragedy means loss. But God’s perspective is something completely different. It is a way that brings us closer to Him; and that my friends are a big gain. Many people blame God for these storms that do hit like a hurricane. They ask “Why did God do this to me?” Or “Why did He allow me to suffer?” “If He is so powerful, why didn’t He stop this tragedy?” This mind set will drive you crazy and can drive you away from the Lord Himself, the only one who can truly give you rest. The fact of the matter is that God does not think like we do. (Isaiah 55:8) As Christians we need to better understand God’s Nature and God’s Nurture. God’s Nature You see in times of distress there is a revealing process: 1. These troubles reveal a persons true character. 2. These troubles reveal ones true beliefs about God’s character. Unless you clearly understand God’s character or God’s nature, you will never be able to properly respond in times of crisis. * If you could name one word that describes the nature of God, what would it be? You can find the answer in the verses below: 1. Exodus 15:11 “Who is like unto thee, O LORD, among the gods? who is like thee, glorious in holiness, fearful in praises, doing wonders? 2. I Samuel 6:20 “And the men of Bethshemesh said, Who is able to stand before this holy LORD God? and to whom shall he go up from us? 3. Psalms 99:9 “Exalt the LORD our God, and worship at his holy hill; for the LORD our God is holy. 4. Isaiah 6:3 “And one cried unto another, and said, Holy, holy, holy, is the LORD of hosts: the whole earth is full of his glory. 5. Ezekiel 39:7 “So will I make my holy name known in the midst of my people Israel; and I will not let them pollute my holy name any more: and the heathen shall know that I am the LORD, the Holy One in Israel. 6. Rev. 4:8 “And the four beasts had each of them six wings about him; and they were full of eyes within: and they rest not day and night, saying, Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come. 7. Rev. 15:4 “Who shall not fear thee, O Lord, and glorify thy name? for thou only art holy: for all nations shall come and worship before thee; for thy judgments are made manifest. The answer is: He Is HOLY! His Holiness gives Him authority to ordain or allow these storms to come our way in order to bring Him Glory. Now we will never understand the specifics of God’s nature and His will, we just need to realize the fact they are Holy. We will look to the second part of this lesson next week: God’s Nurture. Until then, God Bless and Happy Hunting. Man to Man Devotionals 2012-01-25T21:06:00-05:00 http://www.tecomate.com/content/index.php/site/comments/tecomate_teams_up_with_all_terrain_bridge/ http://www.tecomate.com/content/index.php/site/comments/tecomate_teams_up_with_all_terrain_bridge/#When:22:14:00Z All Terrain Bridge, a division of New South Equipment Mats, has teamed up with Tecomate Whitetail Nation as a new sponsor for our 2012 season of Tecomate Whitetail Nation on the Outdoor Channel. Constructed of Emtek®, a select southern hardwood laminate that is treated with Lifewood ™ materials, All Terrain Bridges are designed to have less impact on the environment. “They are half the weight yet twice the strength of traditional wooden or steel bridges, solving a multitude of access issues for landowners,” said CEO Drew St. John. All Terrain Bridge, a division of New South Equipment Mats, has teamed up with Tecomate Whitetail Nation as a new sponsor for our 2012 season of Tecomate Whitetail Nation on the Outdoor Channel. Constructed of Emtek®, a select southern hardwood laminate that is treated with Lifewood ™ materials, All Terrain Bridges are designed to have less impact on the environment. “They are half the weight yet twice the strength of traditional wooden or steel bridges, solving a multitude of access issues for landowners,” said CEO Drew St. John. Whether your wildlife management and/or hunting goals require the need to span washouts, creeks, ditches, or small rivers, ATB is the best solution on the market for accessing your land and increasing your property value. All Terrain Bridge offers bridges in a variety of options to meet everyone’s needs, including a pre-assembled bridge, an unassembled bridge kit complete with parts and instructions or a turnkey solution that includes ATB installation. They are easy to install and the kit can be transported to your bridge site location on an ATV. “We want to give sportsmen and wildlife managers access to the inaccessible areas on their land. Whether you’re establishing a new food plot, building a new pond or simply want access to wildlife on your inaccessible land, All Terrain Bridge can provide you access to accomplish your goals,” stated St. John. Made out of the same material used on large constructions projects, these pre-eminent temporary bridges with their unique post tension steel supports can bear loads from 4,000 to 12,000 lbs. ATB Off Road Vehicle Bridges Designed for all off road utility vehicles, these bridges are excellent for use over ditches and small streams. The light duty bridge is available in eight sizes: • 4 x 16 • 4 x 24 • 6 x 16 • 6 x 24 • 6 x 32 • 8 x 16 • 8 x 24 • 8 x 32 For more information on All Terrain Bridges, please visit their website at http://www.allterrainbridge.com and http://www.newsouthmat.com Featured Articles 2012-01-23T22:14:00-05:00 http://www.tecomate.com/content/index.php/site/comments/buck_movement_part_i/ http://www.tecomate.com/content/index.php/site/comments/buck_movement_part_i/#When:06:17:00Z Hunters have likely debated the factors influencing buck movement patterns ever since Native Americans first began chasing white-tailed deer more than 10,000 years ago.  In the late 1950’s our knowledge regarding whitetail movements took a giant leap forward when the radio-transmitting collar was invented.  Dr. Larry Marchinton was likely the first person to put one of these new radio collars on deer in the early 1960’s in Florida.  During the decades that followed, literally tens of thousands of whitetails have been captured and fitted with radio collars.  Researchers and DNR staff from nearly every state inhabited by whitetails have tracked the movements of radio-collared deer at one time or another.  Photo By Hardy JacksonHunters have likely debated the factors influencing buck movement patterns ever since Native Americans first began chasing white-tailed deer more than 10,000 years ago. In the late 1950’s our knowledge regarding whitetail movements took a giant leap forward when the radio-transmitting collar was invented. Dr. Larry Marchinton was likely the first person to put one of these new radio collars on deer in the early 1960’s in Florida. During the decades that followed, literally tens of thousands of whitetails have been captured and fitted with radio collars. Researchers and DNR staff from nearly every state inhabited by whitetails have tracked the movements of radio-collared deer at one time or another. Unfortunately, the vast majority of these deer were either females or young bucks less than three years old. This is because throughout most of the whitetail’s range (1) adult sex ratios are unnaturally skewed toward females due to an overharvest of the buck segment of the herd; (2) buck age structure is unnaturally young, resulting in very few middle-aged (3-4 years old) and mature (5-6 years old) bucks (also due to an overharvest of bucks); or (3) middle-aged and mature bucks are present, but too difficult to capture because tree height precludes the use of the helicopter and net gun. As a result, the average home range and core area size for middle-aged and older bucks was unknown until recently! A Big Buck Movement Study Is Born It was not until the early 1990’s that a study was specifically designed to address the movements of middle-aged and older bucks. I was the lucky Ph.D. student assigned to this project under the guidance of Drs. Marchinton, Karl Miller, and Charlie DeYoung. The study took place on the 44,000-acre Faith Ranch in Dimmit and Webb counties. Our research goals were to determine the seasonal and annual movement patterns of different age classes of bucks and to document how movement patterns changed in individual bucks as they matured. During 1992-95, we captured 125 bucks using a helicopter and drive net or net gun. All bucks were captured at random to provide a representative cross section of the buck segment of the deer herd. All bucks were aged and placed into one of eight age categories based on tooth wear. All bucks were uniquely ear tagged, tattooed, measured to determine gross Boone and Crockett Club (BCC) score and body size, photographed, and most importantly, fitted with radio-transmitting collars. The radio collars that were placed on the 125 bucks allowed us to use telemetry to determine the locations of each buck on a daily basis. With the help of 11 different interns, we radio-tracked the bucks during one of three eight-hour shifts each day for the duration of the three-year study. By the end of the study, we had amassed nearly 20,000 individual locations for the 125 bucks! The Results Unfortunately, several bucks died or their radio collars stopped working before we had enough locations to determine a seasonal home range or core area, so these bucks were excluded from the analysis. As a result, our sample size was reduced from 125 bucks to 96 bucks. However, our study included more middle-aged/older bucks than any other telemetry study on whitetails. Before proceeding with the results, we need to get a couple of definitions out of the way. Home range is defined as “the area traversed by the buck during normal activities of food gathering and mating” over a given time frame. Most home ranges are defined by the season or calendar year. Core area is defined as “that portion of the home range where locations are most concentrated.” Nowadays, computer programs are used to calculate both the home range and core area. In this case, the home range includes 95 percent of a buck’s locations, while the core area usually includes the 50 percent of a buck’s locations that result in the smallest area. A Surprise! Prior to our study, most researchers and hunters assumed that older bucks had the largest home ranges. The theory was that older bucks were the most dominant and therefore the most likely to range over the largest area. If this were true then home range size should increase as an individual buck increases in age. Surprisingly, we found the opposite to be true. Young bucks (1-2 years old) had the largest annual home range, while middle-aged and mature bucks had smaller but similar-sized home ranges, and old bucks (7+ years old) had the smallest home ranges (see Table 1). This same pattern held true for the average size of a buck’s core area as well. Average annual home range size for young bucks was 2,278 acres. Middle-aged bucks had a home range that averaged 1,233 acres. Mature buck home range size averaged 1,366 acres, while old bucks had a home range that averaged only 1,055 acres - less than half that of young bucks. Average core area was 356 acres for young bucks, 180 acres for middle-aged bucks, 210 acres for mature bucks, and only 151 acres for old bucks. In my opinion, young bucks have the largest home ranges because they are the least dominate antlered buck in the population. These young bucks begin life within their mother’s home range. Then, usually around 18 to 22 months of age, they abandon their mother’s home range or are forced out. They then go in search of a home range of their own. Because nearly all-suitable habitat in south Texas already has deer present, these young bucks no doubt encounter resident deer everywhere they go. As a result, I would assume that it is fairly difficult for a young buck to establish a home range and “fit in.” In fact, this process often takes several months. When a young buck finally does find a place to fit in, he must learn where all of the best food and water sources are located, all of which results in longer distance movements and larger home ranges than occur for older bucks. The situation is the opposite for old bucks. They have lived in their home range for at least five years already, so they know every nook and cranny. They have likely reached dominant status by this point, so no other deer are forcing them to move. And, they are old! We all know that older-aged animals, just like humans, move slower and less often. All of this results in old bucks having the smallest home ranges. Join us next week as we investigate more the buck movement mystery in part two of this four-part series. Hunting, Whitetail Wisdom 2012-01-23T06:17:00-05:00 http://www.tecomate.com/content/index.php/site/comments/seasonal_nutritional_needs_of_the_whitetail/ http://www.tecomate.com/content/index.php/site/comments/seasonal_nutritional_needs_of_the_whitetail/#When:01:40:01Z In order to formulate a nutritional strategy (plan) for whitetails, it is necessary to know their seasonal nutritional needs. Biologists and scientists can get into tedious detail on this subject, but from the game manager’s standpoint, it’s really quite simple. From a timing standpoint, bucks and does have quite similar nutritional needs, but for very different reasons. Basically, they both have two distinct periods with specific nutritional requirements – during one period, they require protein; during the other, carbohydrates. Generally, when bucks have the highest need for protein, so do does. In order to formulate a nutritional strategy (plan) for whitetails, it is necessary to know their seasonal nutritional needs. Biologists and scientists can get into tedious detail on this subject, but from the game manager’s standpoint, it’s really quite simple. From a timing standpoint, bucks and does have quite similar nutritional needs, but for very different reasons. Basically, they both have two distinct periods with specific nutritional requirements – during one period, they require protein; during the other, carbohydrates. Generally, when bucks have the highest need for protein, so do does. The same is true for carbohydrates. Convenient, isn’t it? It is, however, no accident. The needs of the deer are adapted to when nature supplies the appropriate nutrition in greatest abundance. During the spring and summer, plant growth is underway and protein production is at its peak. During the fall and winter, plant growth is largely complete and plants have produced carbohydrate-rich mast and seeds. Even the leaves of many plants are high in energy-yielding sugars and carbohydrates in the fall. Interestingly enough, the whitetail’s need for protein is highest in the spring and summer and is greatest for carbohydrates in the fall and winter. Two Seasons, Two Nutritional Needs The whitetail’s nutritional needs can be divided into two parts and two needs –warm-season (spring-summer) protein need and cool-season (fall-winter) energy need. Happily, the needs of both bucks and does are virtually identical during both periods, but for different reasons. Warm-Season “Management” Plots During the warm season, bucks are in their annual antler growth cycle. They start out having to rebuild muscle and mass lost during the stressful rut and winter. From early spring through summer, protein is of utmost importance in both growing antlers and rebuilding muscle and body mass. If protein is in short supply, the body gets first dibs and antler size suffers. During this time, does also need to regain muscle and body mass lost during the winter. Also like bucks, they need to nourish something growing rapidly – developing fetuses and later nursing fawns. All this takes lots of protein. If you want more and bigger deer that stay close to home, you’ve got to plant warm-season plots. You can’t have a serious nutritional management program otherwise. Tecomate built its reputation on unsurpassed warm-season products. Typically, legumes are employed to meet warm-season protein requirements. Lablab, cowpeas, soybeans, clover, medics and alfalfa are all legumes. There are annual and perennial legumes, and some type of legume will grow practically everywhere. Chicory, a forb, is right up there with legumes for protein. Though considered a cool-season plant, its heat and drought resistance make it an important protein source during the warm-season. Contrary to popular belief, corn, sorghum and milo are not good summer sources of protein. And brassicas, i.e., rape, kale and turnips, are not good choices for summer protein because of low palatability while actively growing. Cool-Season “Hunting” Plots During the cool period, bucks and does need energy to fuel rutting activity and to ward off winter’s cold; otherwise, they’ll burn muscle and fat and consume body reserves. Retaining more muscle and body mass entering the spring means bigger antlers and healthier fawns. So, cool-season food plots need to both attract deer for hunting and provide lots of energy. Fast-growing annuals have been the traditional cool-season choice. Cereal grains, such as oats, triticale, rye and wheat, are favorites and excellent sources of energy. In the North, brassicas are popular and will attract deer once “frost-cured” and their sugar content increases. Unfortunately, if you only plant cereal grains, brassicas or any other single species, the nutritional value is largely limited to fall, with little carryover into spring. A much better plan is to include clovers, winter peas, vetch and/or chicory with fast-growing, high-energy annuals. By doing so, you not only get better attraction, but you’ll also deliver essential nutrition in late winter/spring, a critical time in deer herds everywhere. That’s the logic behind our fall annuals – we added chicory and a variety of legumes to grain-based Max-Attract 50/50 and brassica-based Ultra-Forage. By the way, deer can readily break down protein into energy, thus legumes and chicory are also important sources of fall energy. Meeting Seasonal Nutritional Needs Understanding the seasonal nutritional needs of the whitetail makes it relatively easy to develop a nutritional strategy for a management program. The basic strategy is to provide a source of high-protein feed beginning in spring (corresponding to antler-drop) and continuing through summer (to velvet-shedding). Then from the start of fall through winter, provide a carbohydrate-rich food source. Ideally, all or most of this strategy can be carried out employing agriculture. If not, direct feeding is an option, at least as a supplement. It’s a simple strategy really. Since the best way to meet the whitetail’s nutritional needs is agriculture, then let’s apply an agricultural strategy. The warm-season protein requirements can best be met by planting some type of legume. Legumes are nitrogen-fixing plants, meaning they take nitrogen from the air and, with the help of bacteria in their roots, put nitrogen back into the soil. Since nitrogen is one of the essential nutrients for plant growth, legumes are natural soil-builders. Legumes are typically warm-season plants and are characterized by having seeds that grow in pods. Peas, clovers and beans, including soybeans, are legumes. There are many types of legumes suitable for deer, and almost anywhere whitetails are found, some kind of legume will grow there. Some are annuals, meaning they grow for one season then die, and some are perennials lasting for years. But, the one thing legumes have in common of particular interest to us is that they are typically very high in protein. So, some type of clover, pea or bean, either an annual or a perennial, is probably the best source of agricultural protein for deer anywhere in the U.S. If direct feeding is required during the warm season either as a primary or supplemental source of protein, the usual answer is high-protein pellets, of which there are many choices suitable for deer on the market. Natural and less expensive options, such as cottonseeds, may be available locally. Deer normally have to be trained over time to eat both pellets and other feeds they have no previous experienced with. What about carbohydrates? In warmer climes where cool-season agriculture is an option, small grains that grow in winter, such as rye, wheat and oats, are excellent sources of carbohydrates. Some warm-season crops harvested in the fall, such as corn and small grains, can continue to be a valuable source of carbohydrates well into winter. However, agriculture may not be a total solution in cold regions, in which case direct feeding is probably the best alternative. Corn, which is cheap and readily available, is hard to beat as a direct carbohydrate source. In some areas, such as high acorn-producing locales, mast production can be encouraged by reducing competition and by fertilizing, thus offering some natural carbohydrate support. Is a nutritional program worthwhile if cool-season feeds aren’t included? For instance, will planting a warm-season high-protein crop do any good if a winter carbohydrate source isn’t provided? The answer is yes! Everything that elevates the nutritional plane helps deer. Obviously, the more the nutritional plane is elevated the more gains are realized. Even cool-weather carbohydrate feeding alone helps some; but not to the same degree as a warm-season high-protein source. Deer, especially those in cold climates, are adapted to survive the cold times with minimum nutritional intake. The strategy is to bulk-up as much as possible in the summer and fall in preparation of having to burn body reserves of fat and eventually muscle to carry them through. Plus, they have adopted an energy-conserving lifestyle during the cold times. Barring extreme conditions, they can get through the winter in decent shape, but every pound of muscle that is preserved by having sufficient energy-providing carbohydrates available adds to the overall health of the herd, the antler development of bucks, the fawning success of does and the survival rate of fawns. One other question often arises. Which is better, annuals or perennials, particularly in regards to legumes since perennial carbohydrate options are somewhat limited? The answer depends on many factors, like the amount of tillable farmland available, budget, goals, soils, topography, and the list goes on. The choice lies with the manager, but generally speaking, annuals produce more tonnage and allow for easier weed control. Plus, double-cropping both warm and cool-season crops on the same acreage cuts down on the acreage of farmland necessary for the program, an important consideration on many properties. Yes, it really is quite simple and logical isn’t it? That’s why it works! Deer/Plot Management 2012-01-17T01:40:01-05:00 http://www.tecomate.com/content/index.php/site/comments/lessons_from_the_ant/ http://www.tecomate.com/content/index.php/site/comments/lessons_from_the_ant/#When:01:01:00Z “Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise.” Proverbs 6:6 * It is amazing the lessons we can learn from animals. Here are a few life lessons that we can learn from the wee little ant. I think we can use these during this New Year, as well as in all of life.  "Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise." Proverbs 6:6 * It is amazing the lessons we can learn from animals. Here are a few life lessons that we can learn from the wee little ant. I think we can use these during this New Year, as well as in all of life. 1. Let’s look how ants respond to the Future. I. The Pondering of the Future (Outlook for Opportunity) A. Thinking about the near Future. B. Thinking about the distant Future. C. The Sluggard does not think this way II. The Preparing for the Future (Organizing the Opportunity) * In preparing for the future the ant does so early and earnestly. A. Early: The ant does not wait until the last minute to prepare for winter. B. Earnestly: The ant’s attitude and work ethic is always good. The ant works hard all day long never complaining. C. Eternal: Have you prepared for your future eternally today? *The sluggard waits until the last minute to do the work if he even does it at all. He is lazy and his attitude is rotten. 2. Let’s look how ants respond as a Family. I. Ants Prepare as a Family. (Arrangement) Example: Food Preparation. The Line. (The column) Think about how ants team up and spread out looking for food. When they find some they always work together in a long line transporting the food back to the bed. II. Ants Protect as a Family. (Attack) Example: The Horde. The swarm. (The cloud) Think about how ants cover you up when you step into an ant bed. It’s not just one ant it is hundreds. Also, have you noticed that it seems like they wait until lots of ants are on you and then all at once they bit. III. Ants Plan as a Family. (Assemble) Example: The Hug. (The cuddle.) Think about how ants react to a flood or in crossing a river. All of the ants get together and have a massive group hug. They cuddle together with each other making a huge ball of ants as they float across a river. * The Sluggard does not take care of his family the way the ant does. 3. Let’s look how ants respond to Failure. I. Their Mind-set never changes. (Always a Positive “A” attitude) II. Their Motion never changes. (Always Actively Working) III. Their Motivation never changes. (Always saying “We will never give up”) Examples of the things I have done to ants: 1. Stomped the ant bed. 2. Drown the ant bed with water. 3. I even poured gas on the bed and lit it with a match and burned them. 4. Used many different types of chemicals. They always come back stronger and build a bigger bed. We need to be like the ant and never give up, always working hard no matter what, and always keeping our heads up by having a positive outlook. This is the way Jesus wants us to live. So consider the ways of the ant and apply its ways to your life today. God Bless and Happy Hunting. Man to Man Devotionals 2012-01-17T01:01:00-05:00 http://www.tecomate.com/content/index.php/site/comments/increasing_your_successfulness_in_harvesting_a_mature_buck_on_a_small_prope/ http://www.tecomate.com/content/index.php/site/comments/increasing_your_successfulness_in_harvesting_a_mature_buck_on_a_small_prope/#When:15:36:01Z Reality. Life. Whatever you want to call it, it has definitely found its way into my world this year. Up until this year I have always had a work schedule that was flexible enough that I could take off when ever I wanted to spend in the woods. This flexible work schedule has allowed me to hunt more than the average Joe, therefore giving me the opportunity to be more successful as well. This year, however, has been a different story. With the Lord’s leadership, my wife (Emily) and I decided for her to stay at home with our now 20 month old daughter, Anna Grace. This decision meant having to work more and hunt less in order to make ends meet.  Reality. Life. Whatever you want to call it, it has definitely found its way into my world this year. Up until this year I have always had a work schedule that was flexible enough that I could take off when ever I wanted to spend in the woods. This flexible work schedule has allowed me to hunt more than the average Joe, therefore giving me the opportunity to be more successful as well. This year, however, has been a different story. With the Lord’s leadership, my wife (Emily) and I decided for her to stay at home with our now 20 month old daughter, Anna Grace. This decision meant having to work more and hunt less in order to make ends meet. So when a storm system rained us out at work just before lunch on December 20, 2011, I quickly headed home, gathered up my hunting gear, and made my way to the deer woods. By the time I parked the truck most of the storm system had passed leaving just a steady light rain. As I begin to pump myself up, like a pre-game speech from a football coach, I told myself, “This is going to be a good afternoon! The bucks are going to be walking! They have got to get up and move after that storm!” So being suited up with my best rain gear, I slowly made the long walk to the back side of the place to my ladder stand. The stand viewed a cutout lane in-between a pine plantation that was just 150 yards or so from a food plot. The plan was to catch a mature deer staging in the pines as he waited for darkness to head to the food plot to feed and search for a hot doe. Along the way I saw a doe in the woods feeding on what was left of a bumper acorn crop. This was a motivation boost to me because it confirmed my earlier thoughts and hopes that deer would be moving. After making sure that there was no buck with her, I moved on up the path toward my hunting area. As I made it to the back side of the food plot I noticed a small doe on the edge already feeding. I quietly slipped around the outer edge into the road that goes out the back side of the plot and curves around close to my stand location. I finally settled into my ladder stand with confidence levels high and hopes even higher of a shooter buck coming into view. I was looking for one of the three shooter bucks that we had gotten game camera pictures of earlier in the year. There was one buck that we called, “The Kicker”, (mainly because of his kicker point off his G2) that I really wanted. We had pictures of him all of last year and decided to give him another year of growth. This year he was fair game, but the last game camera picture that we had gotten of him was in early October. He seemed to have vanished from the property. As the evening continued the rain slowly progressed. Not storming but was enough to have me dripping wet by 4 pm. At around 4:30 the first buck showed up just 30 yards in front of me. It was a year and a half old seven point. He worked his way out of the pines into a lane where several scrapes were placed. After checking them out, he headed toward the road that leads to the food plot. Ten minutes later in the direction of where I had seen the little buck I heard horns tickling together. It was not a loud cracking noise of two bucks fighting to the death, but a light sparring sound. I turned back to see what was going on when suddenly a shooter buck stepped into view. It was a big bodied mature deer and I quickly swung around and put my cross hairs into the only hole that I had to shoot in. When the buck walked into the kill zone I grunted at him with my voice to stop him and pulled the trigger. The buck bolted into the pine plantation like he had not been touched. After saying to myself, “what happened,” I had to rewind in my head what just really took place. Because from the time I saw the buck, realized that he was a shooter, and pulled the trigger only about eight seconds had passed. After giving the deer some time and making sure I marked the exact location the deer was standing in, I climbed down to look for the deer. I knew there would be no blood trail because of the rain, but I knew where he went into the pines. So I started down a trail that I thought he would have taken. After only 30 to 40 yards I found him piled up just off the trail. It was “The Kicker!” The prodigal son had returned and thanks to the Lord I was fortunate enough to get a bullet in him. This was the end result of careful planning and a lot of hard work setting up this property to maximize its effectiveness and “huntability”. There are many ways to increase your success rates on harvesting mature bucks. From being an opportunistic hunter, which means hunting whenever time allows you no matter the conditions, to booking a quality hunt somewhere in the mid-west or Texas. However, there are some things you can do to a small property of your own to increase your successfulness as well. In order to do this you need to create the best “huntable” habitat on your property that you can. The property that I killed this buck on was on a 200 acre tract of land that is just five minutes away from my house. Starting in June the land owner and I went to work on the property. Finally during the first week of December we got the last stand moved and the property ready to hunt. Here is a run down of what we actually did to set up this property to maximize the nutritional aspects while at the same time increasing the “huntability” factor as well: Project 1: The first project was to establish a food plot on the back side of the place. There was an open area of old crop field that was not planted in pine trees. I used this area to create a one acre food plot out of the five acre opening. Now this may sound easy enough, but this opening has been fallowed for about ten years which in Mississippi equates to a full blown thicket. After many hours of chain saw work and an hour or so pulling a bushhog, I had an acre or so of ground that was ready to plant. A road also was cleaned out that lead out the back of the plot. In September it was disked up and a Tecomate food plot was planted. Project 2: The second project was to create some shooting lanes in and around some of the thickets that were otherwise not “huntable.” One lane was created with a chain saw that was in-between a pine plantation and a cedar thicket of about 100 yards or so. Another lane was made with the bushhog that runs in-between two other pine plantations. This lane measured 175 yards long and is located only 150 yards or so from the food plot that I created that was mentioned earlier. The next set of lanes was created in a 20 acre grown up fallow field with a box blade. Three lanes were created in a fan pattern that extended 150 yards each or so from a large red oak where a stand was already in place. Project 3: The third project was to produce a large winter food plot with future plans of summer plantings involved with the design of the plot. With about ten acres of open ground to utilize, and with only head high weeds to deal with, I went to work. I bushhogged about a five acre swath long ways in the middle of the field for the plot and left the other weeds standing for cover and browse. Again, in September it was disked up and a Tecomate food plot was planted. The area left standing is where the summer plots will be planted. Also, for a hunter to be more successful, the stand’s location is crucial. This property had five existing stands. With the exception of stand location 1, a tower blind on the big food plot, the other stands had to be repositioned or relocated. There are four important factors to remember that I always take into consideration when positioning a stand: Wind direction, ability to enter and exit that minimizes deer “spookage,” visibility, and obviously deer usage. Here is a run down on where and how each stand location was setup: Stand Location 1: A tower blind on the big food plot that can be hunted with any kind of a north wind. Stand Location 2: A small box blind was moved to the front side of the lane in-between the pines and cedars. This stand will work perfectly with a south or west wind. This lane will work great cutting deer off on their way to and from the big food plot. There were two paths cleaned out also to enter and exit from without spooking deer during a morning or evening hunt. Stand Location 3: A tripod was moved to the backside of the smaller food plot. The stand was positioned in order to see the entire plot obviously, but also to see down the road that goes out the opposite end. This stand will work with a north wind of any kind. Stand Location 4: A double ladder stand was moved to the lane that runs in-between the two pine plantations. It was positioned in a way that the land could be viewed as well as the back side of the road that leads to the smaller food plot and into some hardwoods. A lot of limb cutting was involved here to be able to have the maximum visibility. This stand will work with any kind of south wind. (This is where I killed “The Kicker”.) Stand Location 5: A double ladder stand was repositioned on the big oak in order to see the fan of lanes in the twenty acre fallow field area. This habitat type is located on the opposite end of the big food plot as the small box blind stand location with the same principle in place. This stand will work best with a north and east wind. These were just a few things that we did to increase the quality of hunting on this property. Its has already paid off personally for me and hopefully the land owner will be successful as well on one of the other shooter bucks or even another mature buck that is drawn to the property. You can do the same thing on your property as well. I hope you will be more successful in the future and kill a buck of a lifetime the next time you go hunting. God Bless and Happy Hunting. Deer/Plot Management 2012-01-16T15:36:01-05:00 http://www.tecomate.com/content/index.php/site/comments/the_hunt_for_the_huisache_buck_part_iii/ http://www.tecomate.com/content/index.php/site/comments/the_hunt_for_the_huisache_buck_part_iii/#When:15:10:01Z We were 40-50 yards along the buck’s escape route when we found the first signs of blood and a bone chip that we both identified as a one-inch section of rib.  This was a good sign and our confidence rose as we began to find more and more blood.  At the time, everything about the shot indicated that we would find the buck; as Glenn and I constantly scanned ahead of the blood trail looking for the carcass. We continued to blood-trail the buck, but unbelievably, after 500 yards of tracking, we lost the blood trail.  We spent the last 30 minutes of daylight searching for the next spot of blood, but never found another drop.  Major depression now began to set in for both of us as we each wondered what could have gone wrong.  It was obvious that the buck had been hit hard by the way he stumbled.  It was also obvious that the shot had entered the rib cage, but why then did the blood trail end without us finding the buck?  We both concluded that the buck must have been hit just a little high and a little too far behind the shoulder.  Although it was likely the lungs had been damaged, it was also obvious that not enough damage had been done. We were 40-50 yards along the buck’s escape route when we found the first signs of blood and a bone chip that we both identified as a one-inch section of rib. This was a good sign and our confidence rose as we began to find more and more blood. At the time, everything about the shot indicated that we would find the buck; as Glenn and I constantly scanned ahead of the blood trail looking for the carcass. We continued to blood-trail the buck, but unbelievably, after 500 yards of tracking, we lost the blood trail. We spent the last 30 minutes of daylight searching for the next spot of blood, but never found another drop. Major depression now began to set in for both of us as we each wondered what could have gone wrong. It was obvious that the buck had been hit hard by the way he stumbled. It was also obvious that the shot had entered the rib cage, but why then did the blood trail end without us finding the buck? We both concluded that the buck must have been hit just a little high and a little too far behind the shoulder. Although it was likely the lungs had been damaged, it was also obvious that not enough damage had been done. I had an obligation to guide another trophy hunter for the next three days, which meant that I would not be able to return to look for the Huisache Buck when the chances for recovery would be highest. Fortunately, Oscar agreed to spend some time searching for the buck while I was involved with other guiding duties. However, Oscar’s efforts also ended without recovering the buck. The day after my hunt ended, Oscar and I were back at the location where the last spot of blood had been found. We spent a couple of hours that afternoon fruitlessly searching for the Huisache Buck without success. Over the course of the next three weeks, I returned to the area multiple times to search for the buck, but again without success. Then, on January 21st, a full month after Glenn wounded the Huisache Buck and after all of our trophy hunts had ended, I had the opportunity to get in a helicopter to search for the Huisache Buck from the air. Daryl Kneiszel, with Mesquite Helicopters, picked me up at the Laureles Division headquarters and we immediately headed for the Huisache Pasture. We began our aerial search where the last spot of blood had been found. Daryl made tight transects with the helicopter as we continued in the general direction the blood trail had taken. Thirty minutes into our search Daryl spotted a fresh shed antler from the helicopter. At nearly the same time, I spotted a second fresh shed antler 20 yards away from the first antler. I immediately recognized the sheds as those from the Huisache Buck and instructed Daryl to land the helicopter. Amazingly, the Huisache Buck had survived the wound from Glenn’s 30-06, but was obviously injured enough to shed his antlers 30-45 days early. As Daryl turned the helicopter back toward headquarters, I was hopeful the buck would survive to be hunted again next season. After Daryl returned me to my vehicle, I headed back to the Huisache Pasture - we had spotted other shed antlers while in the air and I had taken waypoints of their locations with my hand-held GPS. I successfully located the four shed antlers from the ground and then decided to spend some time searching for other shed antlers from the Huisache Buck from previous years. I spent about an hour walking the core area of the Huisache Buck on foot. Surprisingly, during my search I managed to find the right side shed antler from the Huisache Buck from two years earlier. I then turned back toward my truck, continuing to search for shed antlers along the way, when I stumbled upon the carcass of a buck that had shed his antlers before dying. When I looked down at the carcass, I noticed that the right ear had a notch in the lower margin and I immediately realized that I had just found the Huisache Buck! My heart sank as I pieced together the story of the monster buck’s last few minutes on earth. It was obvious by the trail of hair tufts, that coyotes had crossed paths with the buck after he shed his antlers and had dragged him to his death. Although I was ecstatic that I had recovered Glenn’s buck, I was saddened that the monster buck would no longer be out there in the brush to challenge our hunting instincts. My heart rose again when I called Glenn to give him the good news. Needless to say, Glenn was also both ecstatic that the buck had been recovered, but also saddened at the same time. I later used the scanner to scan the microchips in the ear and front leg of the carcass to confirm that the buck was indeed the Huisache Buck. Judging by the remains and the missing rib bones, it appeared the bullet had entered almost exactly where Glenn was aiming, but unbelievably, the buck managed to survive for several weeks and was likely on his way to a full recovery, when he encountered the coyotes. Global positioning system (GPS) waypoints taken where the shot occurred, where the last spot of blood was found, where the sheds were located, and where the carcass was recovered revealed that the buck traveled 0.2 miles from the location of the shot to the last spot of blood and that the carcass was 0.6 miles from the last spot of blood and 450 feet from the shed antlers. The shed antlers later gross-scored an amazing 157-7/8 inches. The estimated score jumped to 177-1/8 inches, when the inside spread measurement of 19-2/8 inches (measured when the buck was captured during October 2002) was added. The 6 x 6 typical frame gross scored 174-5/8 inches, with a net score of 165-2/8 inches. Join me next week when we investigate the factors influencing buck movement patterns. The tale of the tape for the “Huisache Buck”: Right Left Number of points 7 7 Main beam length 25-7/8 25-2/8 First point (G1) 5-1/8 4-1/8 Second point (G2) 6-1/8 6-7/8 Third point (G3) 9-4/8 7-4/8 Fourth point (G4) 8-3/8 7-3/8 Fifth point (G5) 6-2/8 5-5/8 First circumference (H1) 5-2/8 5-0/8 Second circumference (H2) 4-3/8 4-2/8 Third circumference (H3) 4-5/8 4-6/8 Fourth circumference (H4) 4-6/8 4-3/8 Total 80-2/8 75-1/8 Abnormals 1-3/8 1-1/8 Inside spread 19-2/8 (estimated based on spread in 2002) Gross B&C 177-1/8 Gross typical B&C (green) 174-5/8 Net typical B&C (green) 165-2/8 Featured Articles 2012-01-16T15:10:01-05:00 http://www.tecomate.com/content/index.php/site/comments/this_week_on_tecomate_whitetail_nation_november_18_20_2011/ http://www.tecomate.com/content/index.php/site/comments/this_week_on_tecomate_whitetail_nation_november_18_20_2011/#When:13:04:00Z Tecomate Whitetail Nation Episode 4 Blaine Burley in Saskatchewan - Blaine Burley is in search of another giant Saskatchewan buck with his Traditions Vortek Ultralight on this week’s Tecomate Whitetail Nation Airings: Monday, January 16, 2012 at 7 pm EST Tuesday, January 17, 2012 at 9 am EST & 7:30 pm EST Thursday, January 19, 2012 at 8:30 pm EST Tune in each Monday at 7pm on Outdoor Channel. Shows are re-aired on Tuesday at 9am and Thursday at 8:30pm. All times are Eastern. Tecomate Whitetail Nation Episode 4 Blaine Burley in Saskatchewan - Blaine Burley is in search of another giant Saskatchewan buck with his Traditions Vortek Ultralight on this week's Tecomate Whitetail Nation Airings: Monday, January 16, 2012 at 7 pm EST Tuesday, January 17, 2012 at 9 am EST & 7:30 pm EST Thursday, January 19, 2012 at 8:30 pm EST Tune in each Monday at 7pm on Outdoor Channel. Shows are re-aired on Tuesday at 9am and Thursday at 8:30pm. All times are Eastern. Tecomate Television 2012-01-15T13:04:00-05:00 http://www.tecomate.com/content/index.php/site/comments/this_week_on_the_tecomate_whitetail_nation_episodes_4_6/ http://www.tecomate.com/content/index.php/site/comments/this_week_on_the_tecomate_whitetail_nation_episodes_4_6/#When:18:47:00Z Tecomate Whitetail Nation Episode 4 Blaine Burley in SK - On this week’s Tecomate Whitetail Nation, Blaine Burley is in search of another giant SK buck with his Traditions Vortek Ultralight. Airings: Monday, January 16, 2012 at 7 pm EST Tuesday, January 17, 2012 at 9 am & 7:30 pm EST Thursday, January 19, 2012 at 8:30 pm EST Tecomate Whitetail Nation Episode 5 David and Kristin Morris in West TX – The boundaries of Tecomate Whitetail Nation now extend to their farthest edge. It’s the rough country of west Texas for host David Morris and daughter Kristin, and the chance for the king of the exotics, the Aoudad. Airings: Monday, January 23, 2012 at 7 pm EST Tuesday, January 24, 2012 at 9 am & 7:30 pm EST Thursday, January 26, 2012 at 8:30 pm EST Tecomate Whitetail Nation Episode 6 David Shashy in SK – What looks like a frozen waste to some, is a deer haven for hunters on this snow covered episode. Hunter David Shashy braves the frigid temperatures in hopes of catching buck fever at the sight of a SK giant. Airings: Monday, January 30, 2012 at 7 pm EST Tuesday, January 31, 2012 at 9 am & 7:30 pm EST Thursday, February 2, 2012 at 8:30 pm EST Tune in each Monday at 7pm on Outdoor Channel. Shows are re-aired on Tuesday at 9am and Thursday at 8:30pm. All times are Eastern. Tecomate Whitetail Nation Episode 4 Blaine Burley in SK - On this week's Tecomate Whitetail Nation, Blaine Burley is in search of another giant SK buck with his Traditions Vortek Ultralight. Airings: Monday, January 16, 2012 at 7 pm EST Tuesday, January 17, 2012 at 9 am & 7:30 pm EST Thursday, January 19, 2012 at 8:30 pm EST Tecomate Whitetail Nation Episode 5 David and Kristin Morris in West TX – The boundaries of Tecomate Whitetail Nation now extend to their farthest edge. It's the rough country of west Texas for host David Morris and daughter Kristin, and the chance for the king of the exotics, the Aoudad. Airings: Monday, January 23, 2012 at 7 pm EST Tuesday, January 24, 2012 at 9 am & 7:30 pm EST Thursday, January 26, 2012 at 8:30 pm EST Tecomate Whitetail Nation Episode 6 David Shashy in SK – What looks like a frozen waste to some, is a deer haven for hunters on this snow covered episode. Hunter David Shashy braves the frigid temperatures in hopes of catching buck fever at the sight of a SK giant. Airings: Monday, January 30, 2012 at 7 pm EST Tuesday, January 31, 2012 at 9 am & 7:30 pm EST Thursday, February 2, 2012 at 8:30 pm EST Tune in each Monday at 7pm on Outdoor Channel. Shows are re-aired on Tuesday at 9am and Thursday at 8:30pm. All times are Eastern. Tecomate Television 2012-01-12T18:47:00-05:00 http://www.tecomate.com/content/index.php/site/comments/lbv_ranch_webb_county_tx_1_3_12_1_8_12/ http://www.tecomate.com/content/index.php/site/comments/lbv_ranch_webb_county_tx_1_3_12_1_8_12/#When:19:15:00Z Day 1: Morning Hunt Videographer Matthew Carman and I arrived at the LBV Ranch headquarters yesterday in preparation for our Bucks of Tecomate hunt that started this morning.  The 14,500-acre LBV Ranch is in Webb County, about 30 miles from the Rio Grande River and Mexico. This morning we sat over a food plot where we watched 2 does feed for 30 min.  Matthew spotted a fully mature 8-point buck trailing a doe off the plot in the distance.  We also saw 2 more does and a fawn in the distance.  No other deer visited the plot during the first hour of daylight.  Day 1: Morning Hunt Videographer Matthew Carman and I arrived at the LBV Ranch headquarters yesterday in preparation for our Bucks of Tecomate hunt that started this morning. The 14,500-acre LBV Ranch is in Webb County, about 30 miles from the Rio Grande River and Mexico. This morning we sat over a food plot where we watched 2 does feed for 30 min. Matthew spotted a fully mature 8-point buck trailing a doe off the plot in the distance. We also saw 2 more does and a fawn in the distance. No other deer visited the plot during the first hour of daylight. We then stalked to another food plot to watch several does and fawns leave the plot. A fully mature 8-point buck was tending a doe in one of the corners of this plot. Matthew got some great B-roll video of this buck with the doe. We then fed a half-mile loop of corn around a trail camera site where 1 of the 4 "target" bucks for this hunt was photographed during the fall trail camera survey. He's a symmetrical 12-point buck that should score in the 160s. After feeding the route, we then re-traced our steps and saw a young buck, 2 middle-aged bucks, a mature buck and several does, but not the targeted buck. Lastly, we stalked back to the food plot where we sat at daybreak and saw what appeared to be a 4-year-old buck tending a doe at the edge of the plot. Day 1: Afternoon Hunt This afternoon we "stand" hunted out of a parked, high-rack suburban at an intersection of 5 senderos where we had earlier stand hunted at midday.We saw lots of deer activity, including 3 fawns, 3 does, and 8 different bucks! The bucks included 2 yearlings, 2 2-yr-olds, 1 4- to 5-yr-old, and 3 fully mature bucks. The best buck was the 4- to 5-yr-old, which was a high 130-class 9-pointer. One of the fully mature bucks was a 6-pointer that we elected to harvest as a low-end management buck just before the end of shooting light. After a 150-yard shot, the buck crumpled. At the skinning shed, I determined the buck was 7-years-old by tooth wear. He weighed 175 lbs. and gross-scored 98 inches! The mid-point of his neck measured 28 inches. We elected to harvest this buck for 4 reasons. First, for the recreation... the opportunity to harvest spikes, cull bucks and low-end management bucks provides TONS of hunter recreation. On the LBV Ranch, 70-80% of bucks harvested each year fit within one of the 3 categories above... that is a lot of recreation! Second, removing these types of bucks reduces the deer density, which is obviously important where deer numbers are near or above the maximum recommended by the biologist. In this case, removing "mouths off the habitat" allows for more forage for remaining deer. And it reduces the ranch bills for food plots and supplemental feeding. Third, although genetic change is unlikely, landowners and managers obviously would prefer these small-antlered bucks be removed to reduce their overall breeding success. Day 2: Morning Hunt We sat at a third food plot at daybreak. We saw 4 does, 3 fawns, and 6 bucks including 1 young buck, 3 middle-aged bucks, and 2 mature bucks. The largest buck was an 11-point, but his short tine height on the 1's, 3's and 4's kept his gross B&C score under 140 inches. Mid-morning we moved to a 6-way intersection of senderos and sat in the parked high rack for a couple of hours. Deer movement was good... we saw 4 does, 1 fawn, and 9 bucks. Bucks included 1 spike, 2 young bucks, 3 middle-aged bucks and 3 mature bucks. The best buck was s tall, big-framed, mature 9-point that was very tempting to harvest as a management buck. I guessed his score in the low- to mid-140s. He would be a great buck for my wife Noemi to kill when she arrives tomorrow. Day 2: Midday Hunt STRATEGY CHANGE Last night I elected to change our primary target buck after a strategy session with the ranch guide. And after reviewing 2 SD cards from our Reconyx cameras. I placed these cameras 2 weeks ago at the 2 feeder sites where the original 'primary target' buck was photographed during the pre-season trail camera survey. Unfortunately, the buck did not show up a single time in 2 weeks at either feeder... a clear sign that it would be unlikely for us to see this buck during our 5-1/2-day hunt. As a resilt, I elected to change our primary target buck despite the fact that this buck is likely the largest of the bucks available for harvest - with less than 6 days to hunt, we need to target a buck with better odds of success! Our new target buck is a typical 12-point with a deep split on his left brow tine giving him 13 total points. His tine height is average, but his beams are above average. MIDDAY HUNT During midday we first stalked to the food plot we had hunted at daybreak... no deer on the plot. We then walked a short section of a new loop of corn we had placed following the morning hunt in the area of where the new target buck was photographed during the camera survey. No deer sighted. Next, we parked at a 4-way sendero intersection for 2 hours following a short lunch break. Only 2 does appeared. We could have been sunburned! This afternoon's temperatures rose to the 70's and likely slowed deer activity. Finally, we moved about a quarter mile north to another 4-way intersection in the hopes that we were just in a bad spot earlier. No luck, we only saw 2 bucks in an hour-long sit... a young buck and a middle-aged 8-point buck. We even tried a sequence of antler rattling, but no response. Day 2: Afternoon Hunt We spent our evening hunt overlooking a cool season food plot, the same plot where we sat this morning. We had high hopes based on flushing more than a dozen deer from this same plot yesterday evening on our drive back to camp following yesterday's evening hunt. Several of the dozen-plus deer were bucks. It turned put however that the action was slow for the evening hunt at the plot. We saw a total of 6 deer, including 2 does, 1 fawn, and 3 bucks. The bucks included a spike, a yearling buck and a small-antlered mature 9-point buck. I think the warmer temperatures slowed movement, although on our drive to the plot before the afternoon sit, we watched 4 non-shooter bucks chasing a doe. Temperatures were warm enough for the no-see-um gnats to come out and be a nuisance. The beautiful sunset however, made it all more than worth it! Day 3: Morning Hunt We hunted a new 5-way sendero intersection at daybreak about a 1/4-mile from one of the two feeder locations where the new target buck was photographed during the Pre-season trail camera survey. We saw a lot of deer... 20! Including 10 does, 5 fawns, and 5 bucks. The bucks included 3 young bucks, 1 middle-aged buck, and 1 mature buck. The mature buck was a 120-class 8-point. After deer movement slowed, we moved to a 6-way intersection we had visited the day before and sat for 30 minutes. We saw 2 does before I had to leave to meet a real estate agent and a potential buyer for the LBV The 14,100-acre ranch is being marketed as the trophy deer hunting paradise that it is, with the agent limiting the initial pool of buyers to those interested in continuing the 30+-year history of trophy management on this ranch. I have been working with the folks at the LBV Ranch as their consulting deer biologist since the mid 1990's. They have a 15-year history of intensive, year-round supplemental feeding, food plots, year-round predator control, and a very selective buck harvest program. In addition, the LBV Ranch folks have been working with myself and the folks at the Caesar Kleberg Wildlife Research Institute at Texas A&M University-Kingsville since 1998 on the South Texas Buck Capture Project. Day 3: Afternoon Hunt A TROPHY BUCK SIGHTING... AND MORE! Following a quick lunch at 11:00, we returned to the field to the same location we had hunted in the morning where we saw 20 deer, hoping for a continuation of high deer activity. Thirty minutes later, exactly zero deer had appeared so we elected to leave early and try a different spot. ANOTHER NEW TARGET BUCK By this point in the hunt we had invested 1-1/2 days hunting for target buck no. 3 of 4 target bucks identified from the pre-season trail camera survey. I was starting to doubt our odds of seeing buck no. 3 so I decided to make a quick check of the 3 trail cameras we had placed the day before. We checked the cameras, pulled the cards, and re-baited the sites. After reviewing nearly 700 images from the 3 cameras, my doubts increased regarding target buck no. 3 because he did not appear in any of the photos. We then made the decision to try for the 4th of the 4 target bucks. A QUICK RECAP... We hunted for the first of the 4 target bucks the first morning of the hunt. This buck was closest to camp and was likely visiting a food plot with a box blind for us to sit in comfortably. The first afternoon, with daylight to guide us to the best spot, we switched to the 2nd of the 4 target bucks. This buck was the buck I most wanted to try to harvest before the hunt. Unfortunately however, we learned that evening after reviewing 2 weeks of Reconyx images from 2 locations, that we would have low odds of seeing this buck. We then switched to the 3rd of the 4 target bucks beginning with the morning hunt of the 2nd day, bringing us to where we are at now. After reviewing the images from the 3 trail cameras, we elected to switch over to hunting target buck no. 4. This fully mature buck is a mainframe 6x5 with short, 1-inch kickers on each G-2 tine giving him 13 total points. He has exceptional height on his G-3s and G-4s and good brow tines, pushing his score into the 160s. This buck was on the 'Hit List' last year as well but was not seen by hunters. Buck no. 4 had been photographed at 2 different feeder sites during the pre-season trail camera survey. I like to target bucks that are photographed at more than one site because this gives you a much better idea of the buck's home range than if he is only photographed at one site. THE TROPHY BUCK APPEARS At 1:30 pm we arrived to the area where buck no. 4 had been photographed. We then corned 4 different directions from a 4-way intersection nearest the middle of the 2 feeder sites he frequented and parked the high-rack suburban at the intersection. Amazingly, within 10 minutes of parking Matthew spotted target buck no. 4 stepping into 1 of the 4 senderos! The buck was only a 100 yards from the truck and was obviously skittish of it as he quickly trotted across the sendero too fast to get any footage. However, he stopped about 20 yards into the brush and looked over his back trail just as a doe stepped into the sendero where the buck had first appeared. To my great benefit, the doe calmly fed on corn within 100 yards of us. It was obvious she was in heat and paired with buck no. 4 as he nervously stepped back into the sendero near the doe. THE MOMENT OF TRUTH ARRIVES My moment of truth had arrived as I tried to get the buck in the crosshairs of the Leupold scope. The rail of the high rack platform was too low for me to get a comfortable rest so I knelt down on the floor. The buck turned from quartering toward me to quartering away... the perfect angle for a shot. When Matthew gave me the ok to shoot, I squeezed the trigger. The buck crumpled, but regained his footing and dashed across the sendero with a front leg flopping. The shot sounded solid and the buck's reaction also indicated a good shoulder hit. Thanks to the video we were able to review the shot several times in the high rack while waiting the standard 30 minutes to climb down and begin trailing the buck. The video review confirmed what I thought I saw through the rifle scope, that the buck was hit hard in the front shoulder. It even appeared on the footage that the buck was already bleeding before getting across the sendero. THE (ATTEMPTED) RECOVERY The shot occurred at 1:50. We climbed down at 2:25 and walked to where the buck was standing at the time of the shot. I found his dug-in hoof prints and started following his hoof prints across the sendero and into the brush on the other side. I expected to see blood on the sendero, but none was present. In fact, we did not find the first blood until we were 15 yards into the brush and 25 yards down the buck's trail. The first blood was also unusual, a finger-sized clump of clotted blood?! I followed hoof prints and broken branches another 10 yards before the next spot of blood was found, a single drop. At this point I became concerned and elected for us to stop tracking and back out of the brush only 30 yards onto his trail. We returned to the vehicle and drove back to camp to review the shot on the big screen tv at the camp. Matthew connected the camera to the tv and we watched the footage over and over. By hitting the pause and play buttons, we were able to view the footage almost frame by frame. Our 2nd review of the footage confirmed to us that the shot was good. However, the review on the big screen allowed us to finally tell that it was the buck's right front leg that was hit in the shoulder, not his left, which was the opposite-side shoulder for the shot. This fact told me that the buck may have only been hit in his right lung versus both lungs, which usually means a longer blood trail. All-in-all the video review refreshed my confidence that the buck should be dead within a couple of hundred yards of the shot. As a result, I elected for us to return to the blood trail with Mr. Pete Mauricio, the Camp Manager, and his blood-tracking dog. My wife Noemi was also bringing our white Labrador to help. Both dogs have assisted with recovering dead and wounded deer many times, but much more experienced tracking dogs and their handlers were a phone call away. In hindsight, this was a bad decision on my part not to bring in the professionals. Two-and-a-half hours after the shot, we were back on the blood trail with 2 dogs and 6 people. Pete's dog was led to the first spot of blood and then the 2nd and released from the leash. First, We all attempted to find the 3rd spot of blood, but when no additional blood could be found, we fanned out as the dogs worked in front of us. Forty-five minutes later everyone had returned to the trucks without anyone ever finding a 3rd spot of blood. The 2 dogs had moved around 200 yards into the brush, but never 'got birdy' as though they were on the buck's trail. By this time I was depressed and dejected. What had seemed an easy recovery, had quickly turned into a horror story. We sat in the high rack at the same intersection where I had shot the buck as the sun sat on the 3rd day of the hunt. I was not looking forward to a sleepless night's wait until daylight to begin the search anew tomorrow morning. Day 4: Morning Hunt NOEMI'S HUNT BEGINS My new bride Noemi (our wedding date was 12/28/11, 4 days before the start of our BofT hunt) arrived yesterday afternoon to assist with the tracking of my buck. And to begin her hunt for a high-end management buck. I had selected 4 management bucks for us to target for this hunt when reviewing the images from the pre-season trail camera survey. One of these buck's was photographed at the same feeder site where target buck no. 3 had been photographed. While hunting for this trophy buck, we sighted another management buck on the mid-morning hunt of day 2. This was the 9-point, 140-class buck that I had been very tempted to shoot myself. The fact that 1 trophy buck and 2 very nice management buck's were all in the same area, made the decision an easy one on where to begin Noemi's hunt. Our plan for the morning of day 4 was for Noemi and Matthew to hunt together for her management buck as I continued the search for my trophy buck. Noemi and Matthew sat for 2 hours, but no management buck appeared. THE SEARCH CONTINUES... While Noemi and Matthew were hunting for her buck, I continued the search for the buck I shot yesterday afternoon. I drove to the spot where the buck was shot and parked. At daybreak my lab "D" and I then made 3 passes on foot through the block of brush the buck had entered after the shot. We were looking for any sign, including cara caras, a carrion-feeding member of the falcon family that South TX hunters cue in on when searching for dead deer. Two hours later I had had no luck in my search. Noemi, Matthew, and I then got back together and began driving all of the senderos within a one-mile radius of where I shot the buck, looking for cara caras and vultures. Noemi and Matthew rode atop the high rack in order to have a better vantage point. We drove for 3 hours stopping at 2 different locations to search where we had spotted cara caras on the ground and perched in nearby trees, but no luck. We also stopped at the 2 nearest water sources and circled these areas on foot and with our dog. Again, no luck. We then returned to camp for lunch. Day 4: Afternoon Hunt During the lunch break I made several calls to professional deer trackers in South TX and was able to schedule an afternoon search with Pepe, a Ranch Manager from a neighboring ranch who has 2 very good tracking dogs. While waiting for Pepe, we returned to the area where I shot the buck. Noemi, Matthew and i fanned out to ground search the block of brush where the buck had disappeared, as well as the next 3 blocks of brush. We slowly walked through these areas, but did not find any sign. After Pepe's arrival, We showed him the blood and he then released his 2 tracking dogs, each wearing radio-transmitting collars. While Pepe was following his dogs through the brush, we moved back into the high rack to continue driving senderos in the area in search of cara caras and vultures. Sadly, 2 hours layer no additional sign had been found by anyone. Pepe and his dogs even circled a 3rd and 4th stock tank to the south of where I shot the buck. In a repeat of the evening before, we watched the sun sit from our seats in the high rack at the same intersection where I had shot the buck. Day 5: Morning Hunt SAD REALIZATION After watching the shot on video more than 100 times and spending 2 days searching for my buck by vehicle, on foot, and with 2 groups of tracking dogs, I've come to the disappointing realization that I made a poor shot on the buck. My shot was likely 2-4 inches too far to the right. I clearly missed the opposite side shoulder that I thought I had been aiming at. I likely missed the left side lung, and I may have even shot in front of the right side lung, missing the chest cavity altogether. In hindsight, I deeply regret not hiring a professional deer tracker. I have no doubt we would have recovered my buck the evening I shot him if we had more experienced dogs on the trail. I'm convinced the buck's shoulder is broken, which should have made it a very high likelihood for his recovery with tracking dogs. After talking with several deer tracking experts about the scenario regarding my buck, they all believe the buck is still alive. Fortunately, I have until February 29th, the remainder of the deer hunting season for ranches enrolled in TPWD's Managed Lands Deer Permit program, to hunt for my buck. You can be sure that I will be in his 'neighborhood' at every opportunity looking for him. I will also continue foot searches around the 2 stock tanks, and their drainages, inside his home range. I hope to report to all of you that I have finally recovered this great buck! NOEMI'S HUNT CONTINUES... With our 5-1/2-day hunt winding down, we decided to focus on hunting for Noemi's management buck for the remainder of the hunt. This morning we decided to hunt a whole new area of the LBV Ranch at a feeder site where 2 different management buck's were photographed during the pre-season trail camera survey. These 2 buck's are uniquely different. One is a very wide, tall-tined typical 7-point. The 2nd is an even taller, basket-racked 9-point that is also very heavy. We drove to a 4-way intersection nearest the camera site and waited on daylight. Unfortunately, very heavy fog rolled in limiting visibility to less than 100 yards. We tried sitting out the fog, but by 9:00, the fog was still heavy so we changed game plans. We drove back across the ranch to hunt mid-morning for the original 2 management buck's. We were hoping that the fog was less in that area of the ranch. As soon as we arrived, it was obvious it was just as foggy on this area of the ranch so we elected to check all of the trail cameras while waiting on the fog to lift. We reviewed images from 4 cameras, but there were no images of any of the targeted trophy and management buck's. The fog was still heavy so we drove to the earthen stock tank nearest the center of the home range of the buck that I had shot. Noemi, Matthew and I all got out to make a wide loop around this tank in the hopes that we might stumble across my buck. After a 45-minute search nothing was found but 5 large shed antlers, 4 of which were matched sets from the same buck 2 years apart! By the time we finished the ground search around the tank, the fog had lifted, allowing us to start hunting again. Day 5: Afternoon Hunt For our afternoon hunt we shifted to a different pasture closer to the camp to hunt for the 2 management buck's we targeted at daybreak. We first sat at a 3-way intersection. Matthew spotted a big-bodied buck well down the sendero so we exited the high rack and began a stalk to the buck for a closer look. After cutting the distance in half, the buck disappeared. We then relocated to a different 3-way intersection where we sat for 30 minutes without seeing any deer. We then drove back past the initial intersection and exited the high rack in order to stalk to a winter food plot. We spotted a couple of bucks while stalking to the plot. One buck turned out to be one of the shooter bucks from the hit list... a mid 150-class 10-pointer. We stalked closer to the plot and after glassing over the 15 or so deer on the plot, we recognized that the wide, 7-point buck was one of the deer on the plot. Because daylight was disappearing fast, we hurriedly stalked closer to the plot but ran out of video light before getting within rifle range of the management buck. Based on all of the deer activity at the plot, and the presence of one of the target management bucks, we made plans to spend the last morning of the hunt at the edge of this food plot. Day 6: Morning Hunt Noemi didn't feel well so Matthew and I spent the final morning of the hunt without her. We arrived at the food plot well before daylight, where we saw 1 of the 2 targeted management bucks the evening before. Unfortunately, after a 3-hour sit at the plot, no management bucks appeared amongst the 15 to 20 deer that fed on the plot. Reluctantly, Matthew and I returned to camp to conclude the hunt that had some incredible highs, but also one of the worst lows any deer hunter can experience. Hunting 2012-01-10T19:15:00-05:00 http://www.tecomate.com/content/index.php/site/comments/the_huisache_buck_part_ii/ http://www.tecomate.com/content/index.php/site/comments/the_huisache_buck_part_ii/#When:04:41:00Z As mentioned during Part I, the 2003 buck capture ended without us capturing the Huisache Buck.  To make matters worse, none of the other guides had even caught glimpses of the wary buck during the first 11 weeks of the hunting season.  Was the huge buck still alive?  Or, had he died of natural causes, never to be seen again?  My trophy hunter and I were about to find out. On December 17th, I had the privilege of guiding my first trophy hunter of the season, Marcel Robichaux from Richmond.  I had guided Marcel twice previously, so we were already familiar with each other.  In fact, I had suggested to Marcel before his arrival that we should concentrate on hunting for the Huisache Buck.  Although the buck had not been seen in nearly 10 months, I felt confident that if we stuck to a game plan of hunting only for this buck, we would eventually cross paths with him during his three-day hunt. As mentioned during Part I, the 2003 buck capture ended without us capturing the Huisache Buck. To make matters worse, none of the other guides had even caught glimpses of the wary buck during the first 11 weeks of the hunting season. Was the huge buck still alive? Or, had he died of natural causes, never to be seen again? My trophy hunter and I were about to find out. On December 17th, I had the privilege of guiding my first trophy hunter of the season, Marcel Robichaux from Richmond. I had guided Marcel twice previously, so we were already familiar with each other. In fact, I had suggested to Marcel before his arrival that we should concentrate on hunting for the Huisache Buck. Although the buck had not been seen in nearly 10 months, I felt confident that if we stuck to a game plan of hunting only for this buck, we would eventually cross paths with him during his three-day hunt. Things started off with a bang the first morning. By mid-morning, Marcel and I had already seen, and passed up opportunities at four potential “shooters,” all within the core area of where I expected us to find the Huisache Buck. Just before lunch that first morning, we decided to expand our search for the buck by checking out a drainage area that led into the Huisache Pasture. As we were circling the drainage area, Marcel spotted a large buck trotting away from us along a second drainage. A quick check of the buck through binoculars indicated the buck was worth investigating, so we veered off the road in the direction the buck was headed. A short time later, a second look through the binoculars confirmed that not only was the buck a “shooter,” he was the Huisache Buck! The excitement level climbed as Marcel and I eased within rifle range, but each time that Marcel attempted to rest the gun for a shot, the buck would begin trotting away from us again. Finally, after several tense minutes of “cat and mouse,” the buck stood his ground long enough for Marcel to steady the gun and shoot. At the sound of the shot, the giant buck dropped with a hit to the spine. After rushing to the downed deer, I was stunned to find out that he was not the Huisache Buck. The Huisache Buck, from previous captures, had a notch removed from the lower margin of his right ear in order to obtain a DNA sample. Marcel’s buck had never been captured before because the lower margin of his right ear was not notched. A quick check with the microchip scanner proved conclusively that the buck was not the Huisache Buck. The monster “look-a-like” buck later gross-scored 164-7/8 inches. The 9 x 6 frame included three abnormal points, two of which were nearly identical to the abnormals that the Huisache Buck had when he was last captured. Other similarities included relatively short G-2 tines, long, heavy beams, and a “picket fence” of typical points on the right side. Although I was very happy for Marcel, I was also a little disappointed because his buck was not the elusive Huisache Buck. While Marcel and I were field dressing and photographing his trophy buck, Marcel’s partner, Glenn Schaaf, and King Ranch biologist Oscar Cortez, arrived on the scene to offer congratulations. Glenn was also into the first day of a trophy hunt being guided by Oscar. After a quick lunch in Kingsville, Marcel and I decided to help Glenn and Oscar look for their trophy buck. That afternoon, Marcel and I located a 150-class, 10-pointer that we thought Glenn would be interested in seeing. After a quick call over the ranch radio, Oscar and Glenn headed our way. Unfortunately, the buck, which was in obvious pursuit of a “hot” doe, had disappeared into the brush before Oscar and Glenn arrived. The following day, Oscar and Glenn took over pursuit of the Huisache Buck, as they hunted throughout the area where the buck had been seen. By late afternoon however, the buck still had not made an appearance. Toward dusk that day, Glenn passed on the opportunity at a 7 x 5 that would have scored around 150 inches, ending day two of his King Ranch trophy hunt. As luck would have it, Oscar had other obligations for the third day of Glenn’s hunt so he asked me if I could take over guiding duties. I said “sure” because I was “chomping at the bit” for another opportunity to hunt the Huisache Buck. I met Glenn the following morning at Lydia’s Café in Kingsville. After breakfast and coffee, we headed to the field in what would later turn out to be a very fateful day. Our first plan of action was to use my tailgate feeder to spread corn along a route through the Huisache Buck’s home range. We then parked at the end of the route and re-traced the feed route on foot with the wind in our face and the sun at our backs. Near the beginning of the route, we spotted a large, 10-point buck that Glenn chose to pass. We then turned back in the direction of the parked truck, but this time we veered off the route through the brush, stopping to rattle at likely locations on our way back. We completed the loop back to the truck without catching sight of the Huisache Buck, although I did manage to rattle in a nice 11-point buck that we decided was not yet 6-1/2 years old. The rest of the morning’s hunt was uneventful and before we knew it, it was mid-afternoon of the last day of Glenn’s hunt - it was now or never. That afternoon, my stubbornness got the best of me, as we found ourselves right back in the core area of where the Huisache Buck had been seen and captured, to make yet another loop through the area. This time, my persistence paid off because as we rounded a curve in a sendero that had been driven at least 10 previous times over the past three days, the Huisache Buck magically appeared only 30-40 yards off the sendero. I slammed on the brakes and told Glenn to “shoot!” While Glenn tried to get a solid rest, the buck eased off into the brush. Fortunately for us, the “waspy” Huisache Buck was with a “hot” doe that was content to stand 30 yards from our parked truck and look at us. It was obvious that the Huisache Buck was nervous, but it was also obvious that he was not going to venture too far from the doe, as a smaller, satellite buck stood nearby. After waiting several anxious moments for the Huisache Buck to step clear of the brush, we decided to make a loop around to the other side of the buck and doe to see if we could then get a clear shot. Once on the opposite side, the buck was still behind too much brush to offer a clear shot, so we eased back around to the original location where we had first seen the buck. This time, the skittish buck spooked from the truck, but unbelievably stopped in the open a few steps later, to look back at the doe. Glenn took this opportunity to ease out of the truck, rest his rifle, and shoot. At the sound of the shot, the Huisache Buck stumbled hard, but regained his footing and bolted to our right behind a brush motte. Glenn rushed around the motte in time to get a quick, off-hand, follow-up shot as the buck stood briefly in an opening. Then the buck disappeared. I congratulated Glenn on the shot and suggested that we give the buck plenty of time to expire. We both got back into the truck and drove to the other end of the pasture to calm ourselves. Forty-five minutes later we were back at the scene of the magical encounter. We walked to where the buck had been standing and then slowly followed in the direction to where the buck had run. But to our surprise, we did not find any blood. Find out next week if the Huisache Buck was found or if he escaped death disappearing once more into the brambles of the brush country in the conclusion of the hunt for the Huisache Buck – Part III. Featured Articles 2012-01-10T04:41:00-05:00 http://www.tecomate.com/content/index.php/site/comments/keeping_christ_in_the_new_year_all_year/ http://www.tecomate.com/content/index.php/site/comments/keeping_christ_in_the_new_year_all_year/#When:15:42:00Z Colossians 3:2 - “Set your affections on things above, not things on Earth.” I hope you had a good Christmas. It is always a blessing to fellowship with family and friends, many of whom we may only see at this time of year. It’s also nice to get gifts! I got a new vacuum sealer that I’m just tickled about. However, I hope you remembered what Christmas is truly about and kept Christ in CHRISTmas this year.  Colossians 3:2 - "Set your affections on things above, not things on Earth." I hope you had a good Christmas. It is always a blessing to fellowship with family and friends, many of whom we may only see at this time of year. It's also nice to get gifts! I got a new vacuum sealer that I'm just tickled about. However, I hope you remembered what Christmas is truly about and kept Christ in CHRISTmas this year. As always during this time, our focus shifts to the upcoming year. New year's resolutions, new plans, and even new jobs are the focal point of our lives now. I know personally that one of my New Year's resolutions is to kill a mature buck or two before the season ends (end of January) here in Mississippi. Nothing is wrong with these resolutions, goals, or plans you make. However, we must be careful not to allow the things and doings of life become our life's focus. Again we look to the book of Colossians, where Paul tells us simply what our focus should be on as followers of Christ. He says to focus our lives on things above, heavenly things. These are the things and doings of life that bring our Lord honor and glory. He is telling us to focus through our selfishness of self and concentrate on the Savior. Focus through the materialism of the man and concentrate on the Master. It is just like looking at a buck through a pair of binoculars or a spotting scope. We want to check him out good to see if he is a shooter or not. There is a lot of distance between you and him, as well as some brush and possibly fog. We have to turn the focusing dial perfectly to concentrate on our target. That is what Paul is explaining in this verse. Focus through the fogginess and filthiness of the world, and though our heavenly prize may seem far away, it will come clearly into view. This is how our affection should be set on the Lord. It is like when you realized the buck you focused on turned out to be the buck of a lifetime. You set tour crosshairs and pulled the trigger. Your full attention, your full focus, and your full affection were on that deer, and now you can claim your prize. We can enjoy so much from heaven now if we just focus on the things above and set our affections on Jesus. So throughout this year, remember to keep Christ in this New Year, and all year! Here is the other part of the compare/contrast outline I gave you 2 weeks ago: II. Set Your Affections on What You Find A. Set your affections on the world 1. Life is short, "live it up." 2. Be one step ahead of the "Jones'", the more you have the happier you are. B. Set your affections on God. 1. Life is eternal, "Live it Up!" 2. See life as God sees it, we then will live in harmony with Him. "Don't become too attached to what is only temporary. " God Bless and Happy Hunting! Man to Man Devotionals 2012-01-09T15:42:00-05:00