Texas Free Range
Red Stag
Hunt Price: $2500 (javelina and small game included)
Trophy Fee: $4000
On this hunt, you'll get a little taste of New Zealand, no passport necessary. Most Americans think that harvesting a red stag requires either international travel or a high-fence hunt for half-tame livestock. There is a third option!
This hunt takes place on a 34,000-acre ranch in the historic Quitman Mountains of far West Texas. This is big, wild country, over an hour drive from the nearest town. It takes well over an hour to cross the property diagonally by 4-wheeler. The red deer have been free-ranging here long enough that every animal present was born in the wild.
The Hunt Experience & Trophy Opportunities
While they haven't seen a lot of hunting pressure from humans, the abnormally high mountain lion population has given them a very wild, skittish disposition. This trip will feel more akin to hunting New Mexico elk than Hill Country stag. There is no guarantee of harvest, but your odds are high. Their wily nature will make for an exciting pursuit and the reward of a trophy well-earned. They do come to alfalfa on occasion, but the hunt will primarily be spot and stalk and glassing, with driving in a side-by-side as an additional option.
There have been some giants on the ranch, but you are more likely to harvest something closer to Argentina sizes than to the upper end of the genetically modified New Zealand varieties. 400 inches is a possibility, but we recommend shooting something in the 280-320 range when an opportunity presents itself.
You may be able to combine the hunt with other species if desired. The ranch is home to exceptional free-range auodad and mule deer. Javelinas abound, and you'll most likely get a shot opportunity on one. The red stag hunt comes with one free javelina, as well as any birds, predators, and varmints you want. The dove and quail hunting is very good, and the ranch boasts some of the best waterfowl hunting in the country.
Wild Terrain, Rich History, & Diverse Game
There's also an abundance of coyotes, foxes, and bobcats, if you want to do some predator calling. Mountain lions have been spotted on numerous occasions, and a great many have been trapped on the ranch.
The property lies along the old Butterfield Stage Coach line and is right around the spot where an old stash of stolen gold from the days of cowboys and Indians is rumored to be buried. Perhaps someday it will turn up in one of the ranch's many caves.
The 15+ miles of Rio Grande frontage have large, swampy back-sloughs that literally hold thousands of ducks of many varieties. The river sits at 3,000 feet and the mountaintops break 6,000 ft, so there's a great deal of topography.
If you are looking for a multi-species stateside adventure with a novel twist typically reserved for far-flung destinations, give us a call.
