The Biggest Deer in Texas*
In 2009 the ranch was high fenced, much of the native deer herd was
harvested, and South Texas genetics were introduced into the
ranch. Since that time the herd has been managed to produce
trophy whitetail deer. Our primary management goals are: 1) to grow BIG,
TYPICAL framed, whitetail bucks, 2) maintain a 1:1
buck:doe ratio, and 3) maintain an appropriate age structure to perpetuate
our trophy buck population. Early in our herd development, we grew some
giant Non-typical bucks, several scoring in excess of 270"
gross Boone and Crockett (B&C). Currently, most of our mature deer have
very typical frames (gross B&C scoring 170-220").
As stated above, early in our herd development, we grew some giant non-typical
deer. In each of our first two commercial seasons (2015-16 and 2016-17)
we harvested deer with gross B&C scores over 270". In our third season we
harvested a Non-typical that gross scored over 290" and a
Typical that gross scored over 190". Each of those deer
placed NUMBER 1 in the State for the 2017-18 hunting season
in their respective categories of Non-typical and Typical,
High-Fence Division of the Texas Big Game Awards (TBGA). At the
time, the Non-Typical was the Number 4 all-time in the TBGA. Since then,
TADD Ranch has had four more deer win Top 3 awards for the TBGA;
three Non-Typical, and one Typical. One of the Non-Typical deer is the
number one all-time for the TBGA (380") which moved the previously mentioned deer
to number five all-time. We believe one of the typical deer is in the top 10
all-time TBGA. We have harvested several other deer that would
have won a Top 3 in the TBGA, but we did not enter those deer at the hunters'
request for anonymity. For the last several hunting seasons we have managed the
herd for more typical frames. This has resulted in almost every mature deer
harvested having a much more "South Texas" look. Often, they will have
"kickers and stickers" that require them to be scored as a Non-Typical to maximize
their gross B&C score, but the antler frame is very typical.
While we have been blessed by the combinations of all the
genetics on the ranch, it is critical that
our hunters understand that even though our perimeter is
high-fenced, our deer are WILD deer. All of our current herd have
been conceived and born on this property, and have never
been inside a breeder pen. The harvest of one of our older
age-class bucks requires hunting, and is often very
challenging. It is rare, but sometimes, it is required to schedule
an additional hunt to harvest one of these older age-class bucks.
If additional days are required, the additional days are billed at
the rate described on our Rate and Policy Page.
We will make every effort to accommodate your schedule and provide
those opportunities.
See the most recent pictures on our Facebook page and some historical pictures in our
photo
gallery.
*According to the TBGA
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