Seco Valley Ranch - Trophy Whitetail Deer & Feral Hogs

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Seco Valley Ranch
Trophy Whitetail Deer & Feral Hogs
Real Hunting • Fair Chase

The Seco Valley Ranch consists of 1883 low-fenced acres in the Hill Country of Medina County, located 8 miles southwest of Tarpley, Texas. The terrain varies from rough and brushy limestone hills to open pasture broken by live oak motts with plenty of underbrush. The ranch is located on the Balcones Escarpment where the Edwards Plateau oak and juniper savanna, meets the South Texas Brush Country. Vegetation is a mix of species common to the two areas. Several wet-weather creeks run through the property and fourteen livestock/wildlife watering sites are spaced through eight pastures.

Due to the mix of vegetation, Whitetail deer in this area tend to grow larger than average Hill Country deer. It is not uncommon for mature bucks to field dress over 130 pounds and score between 130 and 140 Boone & Crockett. Older bucks may score well over 140 and approach 160 Boone & Crockett. The population of mature bucks has increased as the Seco Valley Ranch game management program entered it's tenth year. We provide protein and mineral supplementation from the onset of dormant season in the summer through the end of our deer season. Hunters make frequent sightings of heavy-antlered mature bucks from our ten available deer blinds (mostly elevated box stands).

Outlined below are the rates we have charged in the past for package hunts. In effort to improve the quality of our deer we are looking for a single corporate lessor for the entire 2010-2011 season. We would like to establish a relationship with a single group of guys skilled in aging deer and interested in working toward long-term herd improvement through management hunting of cull bucks and does. We are looking for eight guns for a rate of $3000 per gun with hope of leasing to the same group subsequent years. Collectively as a group, the lessor will be required to harvest the number of bucks and does recommended taken by our Texas Parks and Wildlife Biologist under our Game Management Permit. Trophy hunting is also permissible with the understanding that the most desirable animals of younger ages should be allowed to reproduce in order to improve the herd in future years. Our season runs from October 2, 2010 through February 28, 2011. This lease will include only those dates and not extend into off-season recreational use of the property. Texas law will not uphold a hold harmless waiver signed by children under 18 years of age as a legal or binding document. Laws prohibit a parent or guardian from the ability to sign away the rights of a minor in their care, so we do not offer youth or father/son hunts. All hunters must be a minimum of 18 years old. This is why we are looking for a corporate group instead of families. With our livestock operation and naturally occurring hazards associated with entering native rangeland, we do not wish to assume liability for minors. Members in a season lease will be permitted to bring ATVs for use in transport to and from blinds and will act as their own guides. Hunters will have use of our cabin for lodging and we will provide a once weekly cleaning service. Meals are not included. The kitchen is stocked with basic cookware and dishes. There is an electric range and refrigerator and a game cooler outdoors. There are two bathrooms with showers. As is the cabin is livable, but is in need of repair (new front porch, new roof, paint, calk and stucco walls interior and exterior, new weather-stripping, we would like to add walls to divide the sleeping porch into two separate rooms with a central entryway, possibly replace the old windows, we eventually want to tear out the current bathroom addition and replace it with something nicer and possibly someday even add another bedroom on to the back of the building). We would entertain hunting fee negotiations with a group of contractors willing to exchange labor for hunting.

Whitetail Deer hunting, Texas package hunts

Seco Valley Ranch Hunting Packages:

Under our Managed Land Deer Permit, our rifle season opens the first day of archery season in the fall and extends through the last day of February, for bucks and does. Hunters may use our game tags and reserve theirs for other hunts elsewhere.

Whitetailed Deer

• This is a hunt, not a guaranteed hunt.
• A guide will be provided for every group.
• Hunt packages are non-refundable
• A wounded deer is considered a kill. Every effort will be made to find it
• Non-Hunters - $75.00 per day
• $500 deposit is required to hold hunts
• Minimum of 2 hunters is required to book a hunt. A four-hunter party has exclusive use of the ranch and lodge. Minimum of 4 hunters for doe hunts.

8-9 Point Buck Hunts: $1,800 per person

4 Days – 3 Nights
Hunting begins on Thursday at noon and ends around noon Sunday.
Bucks harvested must be at least 3-1/2 years old.
Bag limit: price includes an opportunity to harvest one Whitetail buck, one doe or spike, and one feral hog. Additional does are $150 each and additional hogs are $50 each.

10 Point or Greater Buck Hunts:

4 Days – 3 Nights
$2,300 per person minimum for a Whitetail buck scoring up to 139 using the Boone and Crocket scoring system.
$3,200 per person for a Whitetail buck scoring 140-149 using the Boone and Crocket scoring system.
$4,200 per person for a Whitetail buck scoring 150-159 using the Boone and Crocket scoring system.
$4,800 per person for a Whitetail buck scoring 160+ using the Boone and Crocket scoring system.
Hunting begins on Thursday at noon and ends around noon Sunday.
Bucks harvested must be at least 5-1/2 years old.
Bag limit: price includes an opportunity to harvest one Whitetail buck, one doe or spike, and one feral hog. Additional does are $150 each and additional hogs are $50 each.

Doe Hunts:

3 Days – 2 Night Whitetail Doe Hunts: $500 per person, minimum 4 hunters
Hunting begins on Friday at noon and ends around noon Sunday.
Bag limit: Two doe, and one feral hog. Additional does are $150 each and additional hogs are $50 each.

Wild Hogs

2 Days – 1 Night Feral Hog Hunts: $300 per person, minimum 4 hunters
Hunting begins on Saturday at noon and ends around noon Sunday.
Bag limit: Two feral hogs. Additional hogs are $50 each.

Meals: Meals are not included. Mac & Ernie's Roadside Eatery, a popular local gathering place in Tarpley, offers the finest in casual dining preparing lunch from 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and supper on those same days from 5 p.m. - 9 p.m., and is now also serving Sunday brunch from 10 a.m. - noon and lunch from noon - 2 p.m.. Visit their website http://www.macandernies.com/ to see what's on this week's menu.

Williams Creek Depot and Party Pavillion in Tarpley http://www.williamscreekdepot.com/ offers live music every Friday and Saturday nights and serves sandwiches and burgers. They serve lunch from 11-3 Wednesday and Thursday, breakfast, lunch and supper 9 a.m.-10 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and lunch on Sunday from 9 a.m. - 6 p.m.

To book a hunt, contact: Don Davis 
Phone: (830) 562-2333 day, (830) 562-3650 evening, FAX: (830) 562-3652
E-mail: dwd@dwdlonghorns.com

Please review our Hold Harmless Agreement we require all hunters to sign.

Whitetail Deer hunting, Texas package hunts
Big Boy & Smudge
Our Resident Mouse Patrol

Guest lodging is a masonry cabin with two indoor fireplaces, central heat/ac, satellite TV, full kitchen, game cooler, two semi-private bunkhouse-style bedrooms with three twin beds each, and two baths with showers. The location is secluded and quiet, conducive to relaxation and a quality hunting experience. Non-hunting attractions include great bird watching and Texas Longhorn cattle.

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