Late Fall Blues, Big Buck Down at Cotton Mesa, Caping and Caring for Your Trophy & Hunters Feeding The Hungry

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We kick things off this week by chasing late fall blue cats with longtime guide Greg Pavur of Pavur Outdoors. Greg talks about their behavioral shift as temperatures start to drop this time of year. What does that mean as far as where he is targeting them? Right now is one of the best times to catch good numbers of big fish as they have the feed bags on and are eating everything that crosses their path! We also discuss the biology of the catfish and why they can smell so much better than other predatory game fish. (Greg with a healthy Mr. Whiskers!)

Next we get an outfitter’s perspective on the whitetail deer hunting and breeding industry in Texas. Stephen Gegenheimer’s family has been breeding deer and elk for nearly 30 years, so to say it’s in the 22 year old’s blood is an understatement. I had the pleasure of hunting with him at the family place outside of Coriscana, TX last week and it honestly was one of the most impressive ranches I’ve had the opportunity to step foot on. Cotton Mesa Whitetail Ranch is 4,000 acres of paradise, from the food and lodging to the incredible whitetails and exotics that roam the property. Stephen gives us an inside look at the breeding process and what goes into managing and growing big deer. We also recap his recent Yukon moose hunt! You don’t want to miss that bucket list experience. ( Cotton Mesa takes pride in big symmetrical bucks like this 180 inch 8 pt taken this season)

Josh Guenther of Rustic Reminders Taxidermy drops by the studio next for a discussion on proper field care tips for your trophy. Whether it’s an elk in the backcountry where you won’t be able to get to the taxidermist for a couple days or just a nice buck you’ve taken at the lease and are planning on caping out for your taxidermist. There are certain measures and details that need paying attention too. He walks us through removing a hide from the skull completely and how to transport it. Josh even spends a couple minutes on what to do with that trophy bass or redfish as well!

We wrap thing up by checking in with Feeding Texas CEO Celia Cole who also happens to head up Texas’ Hunters for the Hungry program. Over 3 million Texans depend on Feeding Texas each year and this is a great way for hunters to give back to those in need through their deer harvest. Celia admits the program was in need of a major facelift and she talks about the direction she would like to see Hunters for the Hungry go in the near future. There is reason to believe the $45 donation fee that hunters pay processors in order to offset their labor might be waived completely in the future. Tune in for details.