Nine Bar Ranch Blog
Holiday Gifts that Will Make the Mark for a Texas Hunting Enthusiast
Do you have a Texas hunting enthusiast on your holiday shopping list? Are you struggling to find a gift they haven’t already purchased for themselves? You’re not alone! Shopping for hunters can be tricky because they often have very particular needs and preferences when it comes to guns and gear.
The good news is that we have a pretty good idea of what the hunter you’re shopping for will love. Whether your loved one is just getting into the hobby, or has been hunting for a lifetime, you’re sure to find several perfect ideas on our list of holiday gifts that will make the mark for Texas hunting enthusiasts.
L.L. Bean Northwoods Rain Jacket
In the rain, sleet, and snow, hunters need a jacket that’s whisper-quiet while staking game, fully waterproof, hooded (without obstructing their line of sight), and “blaze-orange” for safety. The L.L. Bean Northwoods Rain Jacket checks every box.
Ryan Cleckner is a former US Army Ranger and Special Ops Sniper. His book, the Long Range Shooting Handbook, teaches the fundamentals of long-range shooting in a way that elevates a hunter’s abilities regardless of their skill level.
The ammunition your hunter will save by employing these techniques will cover the cost of the book dozens of times over. Change a hunter’s life with this invaluable manual.
Gerber Randy Newberg DTS Folding Knife
For tens of thousands of years, hunters have relied on their knives. Once upon a time, most of these knives were made by the hunters themselves. Now, very few knives are designed by hunters. The new Gerber Randy Newberg DTS is an outstanding exception to this rule.
Because Mr. Newberg has been a hunter for decades, he was able to design the perfect knife for hunters. If the hunter in your life skins and butchers deer, elk, moose, or bear, this is the knife they need.
This lightweight knife has two rust-resistant steel blades, one serrated, the other standard. The grip on this blaze-orange knife is reflective, ensuring that it’s easy to find in all hunting conditions.
This knife was released in 2020 and is available at the Sportsman’s Warehouse link above as well as at Cabela’s and on Amazon.
Hunters do their best to make sure they pack sufficient supplies for their hunting trip. Unfortunately, life doesn’t always go according to plan. To help the hunter in your life survive and thrive in unexpected situations, we recommend the LifeStraw Water Filter. This compact, easy-to-use filter works just like a straw, and it filters out 99.99% of bacteria, protozoa, and mud from water.
There’s no need for iodine, electricity, chlorine, bromine, or an hours-long wait (as required by solar purification). Anyone who spends a significant amount of time outdoors in wild areas will love this gift!
A good portion of hunting is waiting and watching. If your hunter sits, stands, or crouches at the edge of clearings, or under trees, this packable, lightweight tree seat will let them set up a comfortable seat at any height or location they wish. Hunters who use tree seats rarely want to return to sitting on the ground, or standing for hours! Give the gift of comfort to the hunter you love.
Deer Behavior in Fall: Overcoming the October Hunting Lull
Deer behavior in fall is fascinating, and understanding it is key to hunting success throughout the month of November.
November 1 – 7
In this first week of November, bucks ramp up the rubbing and scraping of their antlers as they begin to search for does. Does are not yet receptive this week, making the bucks even more restless.
As you hunt, focus on areas where bucks have scraped up the trees. Set up your blinds near bedding areas, feeding zones, funnels, and pinch-points. If you have a tree stand, now is the time to use it.
November 7-13
This week, the first does are entering estrus. This makes it a tough time to be a deer hunter, because bucks lock down within a 100-yard zone with their doe. You may get very lucky and find that sliver of land, but if not, keep moving and wait for lockdown to end.
Once a buck leaves the doe, they’ll begin searching for another. This is the perfect time to snag them, because they’ll return to their goofy rutting behaviors. This week is definitely hit or miss, but if you’re patient and persistent, you’ll likely succeed.
November 14-20
Normally, lockdown has ended by this week. You should be able to return to the plan we laid out for the first week of November, albeit with an emphasis on stealth. This week, deer will be on high alert, prepared to dash away at the slightest hint of something amiss.
Optimize your hunt by setting up your stand downwind of trail intersections, ridges, and near bushes, brush piles, and low tree branches.
November 21-30
By the end of November, you’re probably bone-weary, yet sad to see the end of this year’s rut. Before you settle in for a long late-fall nap, there’s a bit more time for you to work on filling your deer tag.
Bucks have bred the does, so they will resume their goofy chase behavior we saw at the end of October and during the first week of November. They’ll loop back to inspect scrapes, so you may have success setting up near scraped trees again.
Counterintuitively, a large percentage of bucks are bagged during this last week. We tend to think we’ll have the best luck during the first or second week, but somehow big bucks are often snagged this week. Younger bucks are often exhausted by this week, but mature, large bucks are still trucking—perfect for your hunting goals!
During the very last few days of the month, you may not see any more deer. Keep an eye on indicators of deer behavior, and adjust your plan according to the activity in your area.
Despite the challenges of hunting through rutting season, you are capable of accomplishing your goals. Stay focused, use your knowledge and your intuition, and remember that even a “failed” hunt adds to your experience and understanding of deer behavior in your neck of the woods.