Whether I have a taxidermist mounted deer or just kept the antlers, the memory of the hunt surfaces and replays itself when I gaze at the antlers or my deer mount. As some know, I had a home fire many years ago which destroyed my deer mounts. I mourn their loss. I have killed NH bucks since but none I deemed mountable. Of those I mounted none were really big, just average size but they were mine and taken by me, making them special trophies and memories in my life.

I am not your classic trophy hunter always looking to shoot a big one, I meat hunt more often than not. On occasion I have been blessed as I said, with nice New Hampshire bucks…but a nicer buck is out there for me and perhaps not in New Hampshire this year or next, I keep at it never the less.

I have placed my chips on the table for a chance at a real wall hanger as part of my Texas Hunt this year so we shall see. The key here for me is “The Hunt” is fair chase and I can select the deer and antlers of my choice as I will see dozens a day so they say.

I have a great passion for symmetrical racks of a typical whitetail and not so much for a non-typical of points going every which way. Symmetrical racks are perhaps part of my DNA make-up as they have balance and beauty. So my goal is to harvest the largest, oldest in size and typical antler configuration. And attempt to rattle and grunt in a buck of a lifetime and take him home. Texas is one of the best places on the Planet to do it. The low fence ranch I will hunt is called Rocky Creek Ranch as I said in my recent article. It is one ranch, of many that are super large, that you can hunt. I chose this one in particular because of its size, (25, 000 acres /40 sq miles) management style and if Mr. Whitetail (Larry Weishuhn) likes it, i’m gonna like it for sure.  I have hunted Africa successfully and have my mounts to spur memories of “The Hunt”  but I just have to try for a big racked whitetail buck! Perhaps you do too or not. I am not getting any younger.

The fire in my gut burns brightly to keep hunting as it is part of my core being. I may bring two rifles so we shall see. They do not recommend rifles below 6mm or .243 caliber. A wounded un-recovered deer counts as your hunt animal.

On Rattling Whitetails I have seen video’s of those who tine tick in late October. That is fine for any buck and that is what usually shows up. But it is my belief that if there is a large racked buck nearby then you must give the rattle sequence with large antlers your very all. I think Larry will say similar. Banging and thrashing and grunting as if death was the outcome of the battle. The message sent is that a doe is nearby in estrous and the battle is life or death. I like to make this real and if I have access to tarsal gland I will use that smell in the battle royal. I took a nice 8 point in Exeter, NH years ago with this sequence but with lesser antlers as I figured there were no monsters lurking nearby and did not want to scare the lesser bucks.

A ground blind can be used here but my druthers is full camo and face mask like a turkey hunter would against a tree and be clean and use the best no-scent spray on the market.

Practice like I hunt will be my best friend.

Listen to the advice of your guide is best…

Good Shooting!