The hunts that have opened up here are on offer by Johnnie Hudman, wildlife manager of Stasney's Cook Ranch. Seems Hudman has made some deals with landowners around the 25,000-acre headquarters ranch he manages. "One of the properties I've gained access to has never been hunted for deer, and I expect it to produce some good bucks," Hudman said at press time. "I don't expect the other place to be as good, so I'm pricing the hunts accordingly."
The hunts will range from $2,500 to $4,000. Hunters will stay at the Stasney's Cook Ranch headquarters, a wonderful, historic old ranch house assembled from buildings moved from nearby Fort Griffin. The accommodations are very good, and the food is excellent.
Hunters who do not like the idea of hunting deer inside a high fence will enjoy Shackelford County. None of the areas Hudman will hunt have game-proof fences. Nor will the hunters sit for hours in a blind. Shackelford County is big country, mostly rolling and open, with heavy brush in the creek bottoms and clumps of brush scattered across the pastures. Most hunting is done from vehicles, and you'll see a lot of deer on an average day. When the deer are coming to horns, rattling can be very productive. So can spot-and-stalk techniques.
A flat-shooting rifle in the .270 or bigger caliber is perfect for this hunting. Though most shots are inside 150 yards, you should know where your rifle shoots out to 300 yards and practice at that range. Good-quality, 10-power binoculars will come in........(continued)
