Nine Bar Ranch Blog
New Year’s Resolutions for Texas Hunters
Every time you head out for the hunt, it’s a unique experience. Still, you may feel like you’ve been in a bit of a rut, especially if you haven’t worked on any new skills or explored new territory in a few years. Read on for four New Year’s resolutions for Texas hunters that will freshen things up.
Clean and Organize Your Gear
This one is a bit of a chore, but we guarantee that it’s worth it. Break out all your hunting gear in the off season to take stock of what you have, from bullets to bows and beyond, replenishing your stock for the year to come.
This is also a great opportunity to clean your gear. Not only can this lengthen the lifespan of your hunting equipment, but it can teach you more about how it works, deepening your connection to the sport.
Become a Sharper Shooter
How often have you spotted a beautiful white tail from the blind but lost it due to inaccuracy? Worse still, how often have you hit your target, but not accurately enough to kill?
Target practice during the off season can help you hone your skills and become a more impressive hunter. Whether you’re a bow hunter or prefer a shotgun, improving your aim will help you bag more game.
Try a New Recipe
Hunting may be a great way to spend a Saturday morning, but it’s also a humane and low-waste way to feed your family. In 2025, it’s time to make more than just deer jerky. Make a commitment to try at least one new recipe using the game you bring home.
Stay warm with a slow-roasted venison stew or spice things up with pulled venison tacos. Alternatively, set your sights on something totally different and bring home a new protein, like wild hog or dove breast.
Explore New Territory
Nothing can add novelty to your hunting life like exploring new territory. Native Texas hunters are in luck! All you need to do is head to a new region and you’ll find totally different terrain.
If you’re ready to give North Texas (and our massive population of deer) a try, consider Nine Bar Ranch. Access over 12,000 acres across multiple tracts and enjoy shifting topography and varying ground cover without having to travel outside of the Dallas/Fort Worth area. Discover our hunting packages today and book your 2025 trip.
The Magic of Texas Hunting in December
As the days get shorter, the sun doesn’t set on Texas hunting. Here at Nine Bar Ranch, winter is one of our favorite seasons to explore our 12,000 acres in search of seasonal game. Read on to decide if this is the year you’ll enjoy the magic of Texas hunting in December.
Hunting for Winter Season Game
Novice hunters tend to think of fall and spring as the biggest hunting seasons in the state of Texas. However, the game available to hunt in fall is often still on the roster through late December and early January. This includes white-tailed deer and wild turkey. You can hunt doves in late December and while hogs are fair game year-round, you’ll find that they’re often more active and easier to find in the winter. Winter is also a great time to pursue game like sika deer if you’re hoping to bag one with hard antlers.
Enjoying the Quiet of Winter
In North Texas, we enjoy mild temperatures through most of December, with daytime highs of around 40 or 50 degrees. It’s also a remarkably peaceful season, particularly in wooded areas, where the leaves have fallen and the birds have gotten quieter. You may even see a bit of snowfall! After spending hours in a hunting blind, nothing is more comforting than returning to your Nine Bar Ranch cabin and enjoying a warm drink or a hot meal.
Bringing Home Christmas Dinner
Thanksgiving isn’t the only holiday meant for feasting. By scheduling a hunting trip for early or mid-December, you can bring home freshly caught meat for your Christmas dinner. There’s no better way to celebrate with family than over turkey or venison that you bagged yourself. Plus, things like homemade deer jerky can make the perfect stocking stuffer!
Hunting Alongside Serious Hunters
When you schedule hunting trips in the fall and spring, you’re hunting alongside just about every hunter, including new hunters and hobbyists, in the state of Texas. On the other hand, hunting in the winter presents unique challenges. For example, the weather can become harsher and more unpredictable. By this time of year, white-tailed deer are usually more suspicious and harder to bag. As a result, you’re bound to hunt alongside serious, experienced hunters when you schedule your trip to Nine Bar Ranch in December.