Whitetail Deer Hunts

For a hunter, Whitetail Deer are completely unique.  No other animal offers the diversity of antler shapes and characteristics you can see in a trophy Whitetail.  When you visit us, you will see everything from symmetrical bowl shaped frames to wide heavy frames and drop tines.  Of course, you will also see deer that are just plain big.  We believe it is the combination of antler size and variety that creates the "buck fever" so unique to Whitetail Deer.  That is the reason Whitetail deer have always been SMR's primary focus.  The ranch location itself was chosen for the native South Texas brush and the quality of deer that habitat produces.  "Of the 254 Texas counties, 71 percent of all Boone & Crockett Typical Whitetail entries and 45 percent of all Non-Typical entries have come from a 13 county area known as the 'Golden Triangle' of South Texas" (Boone & Crockett Record of North American Whitetail Deer, 4th Edition, 2003).  Within this 13 county area, LaSalle County, home to Santa Margarita, has gained a reputation as a proven hotspot for producing giant trophy bucks.

SMR is located along the Nueces River as it cuts through the Golden Triangle of South Texas.  The habitat ranges from the rich riparian area of the Nueces with its tall Willows, Hackberries, Elm and more to the heavy South Texas brush known for the protein content that produces big framed Whitetail Deer.  At SMR you will see all the A-list Whitetail brush, from Coma motts and Huisache to Guahillo, Guacan, Granheno, Twisted Acacia, and Blackbrush.  You will also see original growth Mesquites with the large twisted trunks that give them such character.

At SMR, we have put as much effort into managing the habitat as we have in managing the deer population.  We believe the two have to be managed in balance to consistently produce big trophy Whitetail generation after generation.  With prescribed burning, segmented roller chopping, and shredding we keep the native South Texas brush as healthy as it can be.  We augment that brush with food plots, supplemental protein feed and an abundance of water, so  that our deer get every nutritional advantage.  On the consumption side, we keep the number of deer and other animals in balance with the habitat.  Periodic browse studies give us a good indicator of where we are with that balance.

By managing both habitat and deer numbers, we qualify for a Level 3 Managed Lands Permit from Texas Parks & Wildlife (MLD Program).  This permit allows us a generous hunting season, running from October 1 to February 28.  Most Whitetail hunters choose to join us between Thanksgiving and early January to take advantage of the peak pre-rut, rut and post-rut periods.  We use the balance of the season for taking does and cull-bucks in accordance with our herd goals for that year.  See Whitetail Deer Hunts for pricing and description, or Contact Us to  discuss how we can serve your next South Texas hunt.

Exotics Hunts

The long summer often wears on a hunter and makes the trigger finger itchy.  For some, those summer months just won't pass to deer season quickly enough.  A chance at Scimitar-horned Oryx, Blackbuck Antelope, Axis Deer or a host of other extoics species provides a welcomed relief.  Santa Margarita offers a wide variety of exotics hunts and trophy caliber specimens.  Whether you're looking for an exciting summer hunt to pass the time, a bonus for a winter deer hunt, or the chance at the SCI Record Book, contact us to discuss how Santa Margarita can serve your hunting pursuit.  Details about the hunt and pricing information can be found on the Exotics Hunts page.

June 2011 update

Special on Summer Axis Hunts

SMR needs to harvest a number of mature Axis trophies in the summer of 2011.
Give us a call to hear the discount pricing.