The Thrill of Strategy: Crafting Adventures That Rival the Chase

As you are reading this, I’m certain you won’t need a reminder about the frigid blast of Arctic air that swept through the state this week. Just step outside, but you’d better don your thermal wear first.

It’s early Sunday morning, and I’m snug and warm at my desk. Just heard the weatherman declare without doubt that we are about to experience our first genuine cold snap of the winter. I have an action-packed day ahead that I’m eager to share with you. Us hunters never truly know how a hunt will develop, particularly when it’s timed alongside the arrival of a rush of icy air paired with strong winds.

This afternoon, I’ll be heading to Edgar’s ranch in Kaufman County to meet up with my good companions Edgar and David Cotton. Also joining us will be two other close friends, Larry Weishuhn and Rick Lambert (Miranda’s father), for what might turn into either an afternoon in deer stands with howling northern winds or perhaps a cozy gathering by a warm fire at the camp house.

One thing I can assert is that we will be dining quite well. Edgar has ribeye steaks marinating, and I possess all the ingredients needed to make a substantial Dutch kettle cobbler. Who knows what the other guys might bring to the table? I’m hoping Rick will bring his guitar for a few songs after our meal. It’s clear where Miranda gets her talent from. He jokes about covering his costs through entertainment, but in reality, Rick is just a wonderful person with plenty of fascinating tales to share. We won’t pressure him about the entertaining part.

And what can I express about my friend Larry Weishuhn, a.k.a. Mr. Whitetail? For the past 18 years, Larry has played a significant role in my weekly radio program “Catfish Radio,” and for the last 5 years, in the digital TV series “A Sportsman’s Life” alongside our friend Jeff Rice. I’m frequently asked, “Luke, what’s it like to actually spend time hunting with Larry?” I reply that it resembles spending time with one of the best friends you could ever have. I have immense respect for all that Larry has contributed to enhance the outdoor lifestyle we cherish, but I genuinely believe we would be friends no matter the paths we chose. His status as an outdoor legend has nothing to do with our friendship.

I’ve been acquainted with the Cottons for a couple of years, yet it feels as if I’ve known them forever. That’s often the case with individuals who share a genuine passion for the outdoors. Over the period of our friendship, we’ve had plenty of enjoyable moments hunting, fishing, and cooking together. I’ve heard people express, “I wish we’d met earlier in life.” Well, as the Bible says, there is a time and season for everything, and in my view, this is the intended time for us to come together.

One thing all my friends share is their affinity for a delicious peach cobbler cooked over oak coals in a Dutch kettle. At our annual outdoor gathering in Greenville at the Top Rail Cowboy Church, I have been instructed not to arrive without my 14-inch Dutch kettle and the ingredients for a large cobbler. I thought it would be a pleasant surprise for my friends this evening. The only difficulty I face is finding a spot protected from the biting north wind so the coals can perform their magic.

The Cotton Ranch operates under a Texas Parks and Wildlife management plan that Weishuhn assists in setting up annually. Hunting on these ranches continues until February, but the general deer season concluded this past weekend. Following the general season comes the muzzleloader season and the special youth season (Jan. 6-19). Be sure to consult the TWPD website for regulations regarding the county you’re hunting in.

When pursuing late-season deer, identifying the food source is crucial. Determine what the deer are consuming, and you will be on track for some late season venison cuts. At the Cotton Ranch, as well as in most of the state, the acorn harvest is depleted, and deer are regularly visiting food plots and corn feeders. Some of those old bucks with mossy horns that have been holding tight to cover, except during the peak of rutting, will begin to emerge from the brush, making this a prime time to harvest a mature animal.

A lot is spoken about hunting during the peak of the rut, and while it’s an excellent time to observe many deer in general, patterning a specific buck during the rut can be quite unpredictable — he may be frequenting the area you’ve noted him in on trail cameras or, alternatively, he may be roaming several miles away in search of a willing doe.

Late-season deer hunting presents a different scenario. At the Cotton Ranch, we will focus on sizable food plots or green fields, as we used to call them back in the past. Each plot features a feeder dispensing corn a couple of times each day, which will be the locations we explore for our hunt.

On our hunt later today, the conditions will be a mix of good and bad. The icy weather prompts deer to be more active, but they sacrifice many of their safety instincts when a persistent strong wind is gusting. The wind shakes the foliage, hindering their ability to detect impending dangers with their vision or sense of smell. Additionally, deer often seek out sheltered regions at the start of a significant cold snap accompanied by wind.

As I sit here at my desk, I would predict minimal deer activity this afternoon due to the fierce cold north winds, yet I’ve been pursuing deer for far too long to wager on their behavior. The largest buck of the season might just step into one of the food plots shortly before dusk, regardless of wind conditions. Therefore, I’m weighing the decision of whether to head out to one of the elevated blinds on the ranch, where the north wind will be whistling, or stay at the camp house, ignite the campfire on the sheltered side, and prepare my cobbler.

At present, I’m leaning towards tending the fire and crafting the cobbler, but who’s to say? I’ll likely become excited when I join my friends and we head to a stand. Regardless, this promises to be an excellent hunt cookout. I’ll allocate some space in next week’s column to update you on how the evening unfolded. Knowing me, I’ll probably end up taking a hog from camp and preparing some backstrap on the fire when my friends return from their hunt.

I have a muzzleloader hunt arranged with my CVA .50 caliber Optima later this week in Wood County with my friend, where I plan to get a hefty doe or spike following this blue Norther’s passage.

Don’t forget our sixth annual outdoor Rendezvous on March 1 at the Top Rail Cowboy Church grounds in Greenville. Booth space is available. There will be live music and numerous campfires. All my friends mentioned in my column this week will be present around the campfire to share their stories with you. For more information or to secure your booth, please contact Rev. Charlie Nassar at the church by calling (903) 217-3778.