I have never seen such an incredible buck to doe ratio as they have at the West Kerr Ranch.  I was fortunate enough to spend a weekend hunting for a nice whitetail buck on the 11,000 acre ranch that butts up against the YO Ranch in Kerr County.  I was just out there guiding for a youth hunt a few weeks back and knew I was going to see some nice game this weekend.

It was pretty hot for a January afternoon even though I was down in south central Texas.  My guide, Ashley, drove me over to a nice blind where some good bucks had been coming in lately.  I had been there no longer than 30 minutes and a couple does came in with a fawn.  I caught a glimpse up the road to my right where three mature gobblers were in full sprint coming up the road straight toward me.  I reached down and grabbed my camcorder to catch them on tape.  They should be great for their spring turkeys hunting.

Click here to view them.

A few more minutes went by and a huge Axis in velvet wondered out of the brush.  His rack was not fully formed but you could tell when it does he will be a monster.  I always see the nicest Axis at this ranch.  I grew up in north Texas so exotics were not part of our hunting list, but after moving to Austin I have really enjoyed getting to know more about them being in the Hill Country more often.  I really enjoy the Axis (especially when they’re on the grill).

The afternoon went on and I didn't see any bucks I was after. As the sun dropped, so did the temperature, but my guide was there promptly to pick me up.

The next morning came quick after I watched three videos and finally crashed.  Ashley picked me up and we headed out to the Mouflon Tower.  This stand was in the intersection of two roads with a feeder out in front down in a little dried up creek bed.  What a gorgeous view it was too looking out of thousands of acres of virgin Hill Country.

The sun started to peek up out of the thick cedars and oaks. As it did I saw game everywhere.  Out in front of me there were Sika, Fallow and Axis bucks.  I followed a couple doe walking out in front of me to the right and saw a group of bucks feeding in the road.  There must have been 7 or 8.  Never have I seen this many bucks in one place.  I could not even look at the huge exotics because I did not want to get too excited.  I kept my attention focused on the whitetail and started to narrow down my pick of these fine deer.

There were two I was able to pick out of the group that caught my eye.  One was an older 9 point buck that was thick and wide and the other was about a 3.5 year old 9 point that was taller and really pretty.  I usually don’t like to shoot a deer unless it’s older, but this one’s rack was really impressive.  I had waited a long time to go on a nice deer hunt like this and kept contemplating whether to shoot or wait until my last hunt this afternoon.  I decided to take the shot and squeezed the trigger.

I waited about 30 minutes and trailed the deer about 40 yards into the brush.  What a nice buck!

After getting back to the camp I saw the other hunters had shot some really healthy whitetail and Sika does.  They were extremely happy and having a great time just being outdoors with each other.

That afternoon I told Ashley I wanted to do some bowhunting and get some shots on film of other game on the ranch.  She sat me at a great spot once again.

I had been there no longer than 20 minutes and saw something move in the brush about 40 yards away.  I could tell it was a deer, but did not know what kind.  Finally it stepped out and was a smaller 8 point buck and a yearling buck followed out.  They came over and started feeding in front of me and then out walked the biggest deer I have ever seen in the woods personally.  He was not just huge, but had a really pretty unique rack.  He was a wide, tall 12 point buck which included two kickers off the G2s. He walked over not 17 yards away and started feeding.

WOW WHAT A TROPHY! I immediately started thinking of what I could sell to come up with the fee for another buck.  After a few minutes of math in my head I could not justify it, at least without my wife putting my head on the wall.  I tried to get my video camera, but with three deer 15 yards away and being on the ground there was no way. They would have never even gotten that close, but I was wearing Brush Country Camo which blends in perfect.

It has been two evenings of nightmares already.  I cannot get that buck out of my head.  If the week goes on like this there will be a need for professional pshyciatric help.  I think the only solution is to start saving up the money to return to the West Kerr next year and put an end to my nightmare by putting it on my wall.

Thanks to Ashley, Kelcie and Barbara for another fine hunting trip on the West Kerr Ranch.  If you’re in the market for a really nice trophy Whitetail buck, Axis, Sika, or Fallow give the West Kerr Ranch a call today.  They book up early in the year, so the sooner the better.  I'll tell you what, you’re not going to find a better price on a trophy deer of this class in Texas, not to mention it includes a doe, turkey, hog, lodging and meals!

Visit Their Website At WestKerrRanch.com.

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