Three in a Row
Classic South Texas and Mexico Bucks

Rick Hale, of Corpus Christy, Texas, has had a string of good fortune while hunting the brush country of Texas and northern Mexico, and the 3 fine bucks shown above prove the point.

Rick was hunting a fine 12 point buck in 1976 on the Adobe-Welder Ranch in LaSalle County, Texas, when in classic style the beautiful 10 point on the left in the photos above appeared at a rattling session. However as is so often the case, the buck escaped without a shot being fired. Knowing that he was in the area though gave Rick the chance to setup a tripod and when the buck walked out at 4:00 pm at 75 yards, Ricks 7 Mag made the most of his second chance. This buck has 14" G2s, 27" mainbeams and grosses 176. By the way, the 12 point that Rick thinks was his bucks offspring due to antler configuration wasn't seen again that season.

The buck shown in the middle above was taken in 1984 in Zapata County south of Hebronville, Texas on the Asherton-Voight Ranch on one of those severly cold days that are so rare for south Texas. Rick used his Remington 270 to take this fine 10 point on the way back to the camp for lunch which emphasizes the need to "always be ready"..! He has a 19 1/2" spread, and with a combination of good mass and tine length grosses 154.

The buck on the right is the "Birthday Buck" and was taken on January 5, 1992, Rick's birthday, with a 300 Win. Mag. at noon on a cool cloudy drizzly day in the state of Coahuila, Mexico. The Macho Ranch produced this fine basic 10 point with a 2" kicker on his right G2. A spread of 22", 13" G2s and good mass all contributed to a gross of 165.

Rick has been fortunate to take these fine animals, but all readers will hopefully note that not only was he hunting great country but he stayed alert to make the most of the situation. Also 2 out of 3 came at "noon", maybe those nocturnal bucks really do have us hunters patterned and feel free to move about at mid-day when most of us are shoveling down lunch and thinking about a nap..!

Additional photos and comments.