Texas Hunt Report
Texas Mule Deer (2009) Hunting Report
Our Season was once again a huge success with between all our Texas leases harvesting 61 bucks/ 61 hunters for another 100% harvest rate. Our managed Leoncita Ranch is on the increase for antler development and fawn reproduction due to our elevated feeding practices and management buck harvest. We harvested 6 bucks gross scoring over 180 BC and 9 over 170 BC. Terrell McCombs took the states region 1 largest net scoring typical which will make the awards book for Boone & Crockett at 181 typical. We also harvested 9 of the top 15 highest scoring deer in the Texas Big Game Awards this season and took 2 legitimate bucks in the 30" class. Thanks again goes out to all of our clients making this an absolute record breaking season for quality bucks as we anticipate an even better year in 2010-2011. In addition lucky hunter Chris Walters of Longview, Texas was fortunate to harvest a beautiful free ranging 6x6(325 BC) bull elk being the first of the Leoncita Ranch during mule deer season this winter as well.
Mexico Mule Deer (2010) Hunting Report
Our Mexico hunts this winter were hot and cold for deer movement. Warm weather and rutting conditions were a factor in finding bigger deer this year along with unseasonable rains during season which changed deer patterns. Antler development was better than in 2009 and clients experienced a 60% success rate with a 90% shot opportunity. We have added a new set of properties for the 2011 season being over 50,000 acres on 4 different ranches. Our bucks average scores were in the 180 BC class with good mass and 28-31" average antler spreads.
"We really enjoyed working with Desert Safaris and think your slogan 'come as a client, leave as a friend' is accurate!"
~Conrad Evarts~
Pronghorn Antelope (2009) Hunting Report
This past season we had a decrease in adult pronghorn does and next to none for fawn reproduction. The state cut back most landowner permits due to these factors and thus we cut back our number of hunters by 20%. We were still able to obtain a 100% success rate for our 15th straight season with 37 solid bucks being harvested. Range conditions are looking much better for the 2010 season and numbers should gradually rebound providing a great hunt for this year due to an increase in moisture during winter and spring months. Macy Ledbetter, Kevin Leinhart and Tom Barber all harvested bucks over 80" BC this season.
Free Range Axis Deer (2009) Hunting Report
Clients experienced another 100% hunt for Axis this past season with 11 hunters, harvesting a buck. Our populations are strong on these free range ranches and everyone took 30"-35" bucks and reported seeing over 50 different bucks a day. This is one of the best free range Axis Deer hunts to be found anywhere as our operation is one of the only outfitters in the state that facilitates this species under 100% fair chase conditions with no high fences or feeders.
Free Range Aoudad Sheep (2009-2010) Hunting Report
We kick off our hunting season annually by beginning with our sheep hunts in September and wrapping them up in April. This has become one the most popular hunts we offer, and our operation facilitated over 42 sheep hunts this past fall/winter with a phenomenal 100% client success rate. We are hunting 6 properties (over 240,000 ac) of prime mountain habitat. 26 rams were harvested over 30", 4 over 34" and 1 over 37" with the rest all being in excess of 28" . Rick McCue ended up taking our largest sheep to date being 37" with over 14" bases which is a contender for the new world record free range Aoudad harvested in Feb 2010. We have added additional properties this season in addition to the ones we currently have and fully expect to take some more bruiser rams this upcoming fall/winter. We have been on the fast track to taking the largest Aoudad on a consistent basis in North America by surpassing any other outfitters average in the Trans-Pecos region.. This is noted as being one of the most underrated sheep hunts in the world and the best value in the hunting industry today.
Exotics (2009-2010) Hunting Report
Always being fun off-season hunts for our clients we had another great year and it’s not over yet. We have harvested 23 exotics this season with over 8 species represented. Axis Deer, Blackbuck Antelope, Scimitar Horned Oryx , Mouflon sheep, Fallow Deer and Buffalo were just a few of the great trophies harvested this year. We look forward to seeing many old clients again this year for some no-stop exotic action during the off-season.
Please contact to inquire about any additional species Texas hunting reports not listed here and we’ll be glad to help. Thanks and looking forward to seeing you this season.
Desert Safaris
2935 Thousand Oaks #6-217
San Antonio Texas 78247
Phone. 210-264-1745
Phone. 210-764-1827
