Perhaps one of the most important factors to remember when hunting deer and other game is to consider the terrain and weather, and prepare the appropriate gear. As any seasoned hunter can tell you, the right tools can make or break your hunt. It’s important that you speak to your outfitter before your hunt to ensure you have the essentials.

Carefully read through the equipment list that your outfitter sends you in advance. If you have any questions or concerns you will have plenty of time to discuss them with the outfitter and purchase any new items you might need.

Quality footwear is of utmost importance on your hunt. Sprained ankles, cold or wet toes, or lack of traction on rocks can greatly impact your safety and the comfort and success of your hunt. Be sure that your shoes are well broken in before your trip. The last thing you want to worry about when stalking game is a huge, excruciating blister!

Also be sure to bring a good pair of optics on your hunt. Though your guide will have binoculars for spotting, it will help if you have a good pair or a spotting scope as well to aid in identifying your desired game.

Check weather conditions in the area ahead of time, and make sure you include rain gear or cold weather clothing if necessary. Weather.com and other internet sites can provide averages and weather patterns in a specific area to compare the time of year when you are hunting.

Texas has very diverse terrain, with plains, forested areas, streams and creeks. Weather patterns vary greatly across the state. These conditions can directly affect the success of your hunt, so remember to use careful consideration and preparation when packing for your trip.

Just is time for the Holiday Season, Monte Cruz has a gift just for you! Chef Kiley Morris generously shares her recipe for one of her favorites, Pecan Crusted Pork Tenderloin.

Pecan Crusted Pork Tenderloin
Ingredients:
1 cup apple cider
1 (1-pound) pork tenderloin, trimmed
1/4 cup packed brown sugar
1 tablespoon spicy brown mustard
Salt and Pepper
1 cup chopped pecans

Instructions:
1. Combine apple cider and pork in a zip-top plastic bag; seal and marinate in refrigerator 2 hours to overnight.
2. Preheat oven to 400°.
3. Remove pork from bag; discard cider. Combine sugar, mustard, pinch of salt and pepper; rub over pork. Roll pork in pecans.
4. Place pork on cookie sheet lined with parchment paper or sprayed well with non-stick spray.
5. Bake at 400° for 25 minutes or until a thermometer registers 160°.
6. Remove from oven; let stand 10 minutes.
7. Slice and serve warm with mashed potatoes and sautéed zucchini.

Whitetail deer season is upon us! Whether hunting on a buddy’s land or with a reputable outfitter, knowing how to field score a deer can be a valuable tool for a hunter. Some outfitters have minimum (and maximum) limits on their deer, so harvesting outside of this can result in costly penalties.

There are many different official forms of scoring an animal, whether Boone & Crocket, Pope and Young, or Rowland Ward. Each system has certified measurers and specific requirements that all vary from each other. Field scoring is the ability to look at a whitetail deer and estimate it’s score. Field scoring live whitetail can be tricky. Sometimes you may have an opportunity to take your time and really evaluate the deer, and other times you may only have seconds to make the judgment.

All forms of scoring whitetail come down to the antlers. When you spot a deer in the field, first look at how many points it has. Points are the projections that come off an antler. Many scoring systems require that points be at least an inch long, and also must be longer than they are wide. Normal points project off of the top, and are not branched off other points. The more points a deer has usually means the higher it’s score. Length of point is also taken into consideration. The longer the points, the higher the score. Compare the length of the points to the length of the buck’s ear. A typical whitetail’s ear will measure from 6 ½ to 7 inches in length. If the points seem longer than his ear, then he will score higher than if his points are shorter.

Next, look at the width of the buck’s spread. The wider the bucks spread between the antlers the higher his score. The easiest way to judge the spread is to compare it to the width of the deer while his ears are in the alert (or fully out) position. Whitetail have an average spread from ear tip to ear tip of about 16 to 18 inches when in alert position. Check to see if his antler spread is wider than his ears when in alert. Be careful to make sure his ears or not back or relaxed when estimating spread.

The length of the buck’s main beams also effect overall score. The main beam is the part of the antler that comes forward from the head and extends out, and that the points rise from. Main beams are measured from the base of the antler to the tip. To estimate, try and view the buck the side. When he turns his head, main beams that extend near the tip of the nose are usually measured approximately 22 to 25 inches in length. How much the main beams curve back together also effect the length, so if the antler tips come back around closer together that is a sign of more length.

Antler mass also increases a whitetail’s score. Both the ears and the eyes are a good tool to help determine mass. If the antlers seem spindly in relationship to the bucks ears, then he will have smaller antler mass than if the antler base appears close to his ears is size. Likewise, if the antler base is smaller than his eyes, he will have less mass than if his antler base is equivalent or larger than his own eyes. Though mass is not normally as important as other factors is scoring a whitetail, a larger mass can help to bump up the overall score.

Finally, take into account the overall body mass of the deer. A smaller, lower weight buck might have an average rack that seems huge in comparison, while the exact same antlers on a heavy-bodied, mature buck could appear much smaller. The body size of the animal is an important factor when estimating antler size. Also keep in mind that live whitetail almost always seem bigger than harvested bucks.

When officially scoring a deer, all the points and measurements are tallied by a certified measurer and added together to create a total score. If you are quick on your toes you can add up your estimates to determine a rough score on the deer. If you are not so savvy at mental math, then take these factors into consideration to determine if you think the whitetail you’ve spotted is a shooter buck. Most often, if the deer is going to score 140 or over you will know that it’s a good buck when you see it. For practice, visit the whitetail gallery page on our website. Many of our pictures include scores than you can use to test your skills.

Monte Cruz is always looking to add good country to our hunting operation. When adding more property, there are several things to look for before a deal is made.

Do we need the pasture? As our bookings increase, we need to ensure adequate acreage of land to hunt our clients.

Where is the pasture located in relationship to our ranch and lodge? This is important, as we don’t want to drive two hours to a pasture. Being within a close distance of the lodge is important.

Sometimes ranchers or cattlemen contact us, and other times we receive information from friends in Uvalde. Always be on the lookout for new opportunities. Once a ranch is offered to us, it’s very important to research the history of the ranch. Who hunted it last? What did they harvest? Is there plenty water on the ranch? Is the land grazed? If so, then how much? How big are the neighbors? If we like the answers we discover, then we go with our gut and the next step is scheduling a site visit.

Once you’re at the ranch for a site visit, continue to ask questions. If the rancher has nothing to hide, he will answer all inquiries you have. Be sure to look for red flags. Get numbers from the last hunt groups, call local game wardens, and check with neighbors.

If we are still interested in the property after a site visit, the last stage we take is to fly the ranch. This allows us to get a more accurate feel for the deer herd, knowing even the best of surveys only show 40- 60% of a herd.

Once all the above items check out, then it’s time to start negotiating. Once an agreement in finalized, we immediately start feeding in preparation for hunting season.

If you are looking to lease or buy a ranch, these tips can help you assess a property to confirm you get the best possible hunting acreage.

With 95 percent of Texas in extreme drought, dangerous conditions exist for fires throughout the state. Our most destructive wildfire on record is still burning, and over 25,000 acres have been destroyed in Bastrop County and over 1,500 homes destroyed between the Bastrop and Union Chapel fires according to the Texas Forest Service. Texas Parks and Wildlife reports only 100 of the 6,000 acres of Bastrop State Park survived. And with new fires spreading across the state each day (131 reported in the past week), and dry conditions persisting to the fall, it’s now especially important to think about fire safety as you gear up for your dove or whitetail hunting trip.

Check to see if the area you are hunting in is under a burn ban. In Texas, 250 of the 254 counties have reported burn bans. Follow the counties regulations and restrictions.

If camping, obey all local restrictions on campfires. Build fires only in a metal box or fire pit and make sure to cover with mesh top and keep at least 15 feet away from low hanging branches and dry or brushy areas. If cooking outdoors, make sure that the grill is on bare soil or a fire proof surface such as asphalt. It’s also a good idea to wet down the surrounding area, and do not build campfires or grill on dry, windy days. You can also use an approved gas stove, etc. as an alternative form of cooking or heating. Absolutely never leave a fire unattended.

Avoid parking any vehicles in tall or dry, grassy areas. If using an ATV, be sure it is equipped with a spark arrestor. Trailer safety chains can also be a fire hazard. Make sure all chains a short enough not to drag across the road. Also, if you smoke, be aware of your surroundings and where you are smoking/ashing. Never toss cigarettes on the ground or out of your vehicle. Dispose of butts in proper receptacles, or keep a used soda or coffee can with sand in your truck to dispose of used cigarettes when traveling.

Finally, make sure you (or your guide) pack fire safety equipment with your hunting gear. Carrying a 5 gallon jug of water, fire extinguisher, and a shovel could be the only thing that keeps a small spark from becoming a scorched pasture.

Be smart and be prepared this hunting season to help protect yourself, the land, and the wildlife from a devastating wildfire.

With Dove season upon us and Whitetail season quickly approaching, we thought it was the perfect time of year to review firearm safety. According to the International Hunter Education Association, there are hundreds of hunting related accidents in the United States each year, so please use caution whenever handling firearms or weapons.

Keep your weapon unloaded until ready to use. Always have your weapon pointed in a safe direction so that if it accidently were to go off, no one would be harmed. Be very mindful of where the front end or muzzle is directed at all times. Another rule of thumb to follow is when the weapon is loaded, never rest or place you finger on the trigger until you are absolutely ready to fire your weapon. You can rest you finger on the trigger guard or along the side of the gun. A hunter must always be cautious of what is beyond the intended target. Make sure to observe prospective areas before firing.

When storing a gun make sure to use proper precautions as well. Like other tools, proper maintenance is key to keeping a weapon in good working condition. Regular cleanings are imperative for firearm safety. If your weapon has been store for a long period of time, make sure it is properly cleaned before firing.

As always, treat any weapon as if it is loaded, and use caution whenever you handle any firearm. We hope you keep these tips in mind, and have a safe and happy hunting season this year.

It’s the time of year when the future whitetail bucks and does are born. We spotted this little guy checking protein stations the other day. It’s a critical time for the fawns that are being born. The babies’ main defenses against predators during this phase of their life are that they are born without scent and they must have cover to hide in. Protective cover is the most crucial until the fawn is old enough to feed with its mother. A doe’s condition is important as well because if the mother is forced into survival mode, she will take care of herself and abandon her offspring. Lush green conditions are the best way to have a high fawn count, however that’s not always the case. Drought conditions and over grazed ranches will have a severe impact on their own fawn survival. Well managed ranches will have higher fawn survival rates. Low fawn crops now will affect mature buck herds five, six and seven years down the road. Do what you can for the deer herd now by providing plenty of water, feed, and cover and your fawns will have a better chance of surviving that first year.

For many serious hunting enthusiasts and outdoorsmen, exotic game provides variety and an exciting change of pace. Exotic animal hunting in Texas provides a smart alternative to going all the way to Africa in pursuit of new trophies. After all, the trip out to the savannah comes with an extravagant cost, not to mention it’s a riskier travel with much more paperwork and headache involved.

The terrain and mild climate of Texas is just right for raising and hunting exotics originally from India and Africa. In fact, the practice has been popular in the southern half of the state for decades, especially for hunters who are on the lookout for an alternative to the yearly hunt for the common Whitetail deer. In the Lone Star State, hunting lodges like Monte Cruz offer exotic game for hunters to spot and stalk, or harvest over shooting sticks.

Most of the exotic game brought to Texas falls under the following categories: deer, sheep, goats, and antelope. These cover a number of species, such as the Axis deer from India. Despite their exotic name, their anatomy resembles the North American elk more than it resembles the local deer. Aside from their distinctly beautiful spotted coat, this particular species of deer features succulent meat that any hunter is sure to enjoy.

Another interesting species to take note of while participating in exotic animal hunting in South Texas is the Blackbuck antelope. Also a native of India, this antelope is one of the fastest animals on earth, which will certainly give even expert hunters a thrill.

These exotics and many other animals are available to hunt at Monte Cruz Ranch. We make the experience of hunting exotic animals closer to what your ancestors would have experienced in the wild. The South Texas climate is very similar to that of the species native lands, so the animals thrive. Clients will feel the true challenge of the hunt for a fraction on the cost without the hassle of passports, importing firearms, and exporting game internationally.

Monte Cruz Ranch would like to congratulate our five jacket winners for the Los Cazadores Deer Contest from this past 2010/2011 Season:

Tommy Adkins - Score of 192 B&C- High Fence Buck

Jr. Davis - Score of 178 B&C –High Fence Buck with Bow

Kenny Roof - Score of 174 B&C – High Fence Buck

Robert Boehme - 171 Gross - Free Range Buck

Ray Bryant - 166 Gross with a 7″ drop tine - Second place finish in low fence for longest drop tine.

Monte Cruz enters all our trophy hunters into this deer contest. We are especially proud of the two free range bucks harvested by Robert and Ray. We also had several hunters who were close to winning a jacket but a broken tine or kicker prevented it. MCR has had 11 jacket winners over the last two years, and we are hoping to have a least 10 winners this upcoming season. Monte Cruz certainly has more great bucks where these came from, so make sure to reserve your trophy hunt with us for a chance at next season’s jacket!

Oasis Outback in Uvalde, Texas, named Monte Cruz Ranch the 2010-2011 “Outfitter of the Year” for the Oasis Outback Deer Contest. Ranch Manager Bret Ferguson accepted a plaque this April on behalf of Monte Cruz.

We are very excited to have received this prestigious award from Oasis, and we look forward to this coming season. Monte Cruz is proudly displaying the award for our guests in the main room of our South Texas Lodge. Monte Cruz would like to thank Oasis Outback for this past season’s deer contest, as well as our great staff.

Oasis Outback is a sporting goods store located in Uvalde that offers a wide range of hunting and fishing gear, as well as a variety of equipment for various outdoor activities. It’s a great source for all your South Texas hunting, fishing, and outdoor pursuits. More information on Oasis and their deer contest is available online at www.oasisoutback.com.