Got questions? Ask us.
The Tale of a QDM Club by Dave Edwards
Own Your Own by Virgil Peritts
What Is TSI? by Matt Ross, QDMA
Native vs. Non-Native by Gabriel Karns, M. Colter Chitwood, Chris Moorman, and Dr. Chris DePerno
Oaks For Bucks by Chris Moorman
Deer Season: A Time For Kids by Stephanie Mallory
The Need For Minerals by Brian Murphy, QDMA
Perlitz Ranch Hosts Youth Camp by Kelly Haydel
Timing the Rut With Fawns by Gabriel Karns, M. Colter Chitwood
Ecological Reasons For Hunting by Dr. R. Larry Marchinton and Dr. Karl V. Miller
What percentage of a buck's antler development potential comes from the doe's genes? by Realtree Whitetail Team
Where were the bucks? by Team Realtree
Growths on Deer? by Team Realtree
How Many Teats? by Team Realtree
Why No Oaks? by Team Realtree
Special thanks to:
Quality Deer
Management Association
Whitetail Insider
Perlitz Ranch Hosts Youth Camp
“The high is expected to reach 106 degrees today…” came through the radio while riding with Travis, one of the counselors to the famous Perlitz Ranch. The Perlitz Ranch was the location for the week of the first deer camp hosted by Outdoor Texas Camp. The mesquite and prickly pear forever reminding me of the first time I ever visited south Texas on a bow hunt. South Texas is such vast and wild country and I was pumped up.
As we pulled up, some kids were on their way to the rifle range while others were headed inside to learn about deer management. I had an hour before I had to start my own class on animal communication and game calling, so I went over to say hello to David Todd the camp director.
“I am so excited to be here and be able to offer an opportunity like this to these campers. I’m so thankful to Mr. Perlitz,” I said.
David went on to tell me about the schedule for the next several days and the activities that would take place. Since this was a specialty camp, the kids were going to experience many things that they had not experience at the regular camps that Outdoor Texas Camp provides.
“Imagine a wagon wheel and the hub of that wheel,” David said. “Now imagine the spokes of that wheel, this is my concept for Outoor Texas Camp. The general hunting and fishing camps are the hub and the specialty camps being the spokes.”
I could totally relate to the idea and really knew this had taken a lot of thought and planning. Many of these kids or “campers” had been to the general hunting camp where they got their hunter safety course conducted by Texas Parks and Wildlife as well as great general knowledge of hunting.
I headed off to my first of six game calling classes feeling very excited to explain how animals communicate and behave. I had so many great resources right at my fingers tips, and the kids were extremely enthusiastic to learn. I explained how predators used there senses and listen to sounds to find an easy meal. Then I got into how whitetail deer communicate and thanks to Mr. Jimmy Perlitz, I had one HECK of a set of rattling antlers to use. I finished the class by giving each camper their own personal calls and taught them how to use them.
The next morning during my off period, I went with the campers on the “walk about” in which we covered about half a mile of a creek looking at sign and becoming truly aware of our surroundings. Jason Sekula the wildlife manager of the Shiner Ranch was the instructor for this class. This was truly a unique and very hands-on class.
We learned about different types of forage that various animals feed on and could identify which animals had been feeding according to various signs. The campers had great questions and got the chance to find antler sheds and even arrowheads. Thanks to counselor Michael Shiply, we were able to look at a fawn that he had found bedded down. The campers were able to learn how extremely well fawns can hide. At this point the sun was getting high and time was quickly approaching for the next class.
The day’s classes resumed indoors for a while so that the campers could get a break from the 100 plus weather. Karl Kinsel the Executive Director of Texas Deer Association talked with the campers about genetics and the importance of deer management. Karl explained that the goal of TDA is to improve the quality and quantity of whitetail deer in the state of Texas. He also explained the great economic impact that whitetail bring to the state. Karl’s dedication and passion for whitetail deer was very evident and the campers were able to learn about different aspects of whitetail that they probably had never been exposed to.
Later I went down to the rifle range for the afternoon class where Robert Ramirez with Texas Parks and Wildlife worked with the campers on their shooting skills. These campers had the opportunity to shoot all the way out to three hundred yards. I was very impressed with these young men and their shooting ability. Robert, who is a certified shooting instructor, did a great job teaching and reinforcing the correct code of conduct for the rifle range as well as proper technique.
One of the last things I got to experience while at the deer camp was going on a tour of the deer pens and look at some unbelievable deer. Mr. Perlitz rode several of us around on the mule and explained the concept of his deer pens before we got pounded by a very welcomed summertime thunderstorm. Once the lighting was barely a flicker and the thunder a distance rumble it was time for the Outdoor Texas Camp tradition, ice cream sundaes for the last day of camp, awards for several outstanding campers.
Saturday morning came as quick as the thunderstorm from the night before and it was time to pack and get ready for the trip back to Louisiana. A final group picture, a surprise goody bag for all the campers and it was time for good byes. The campers exchanged numbers, hand shake and high fives as they get ready to depart. While riding back I reflected on the camp and learning opportunity that I was so fortunate to be a part of. I don’t know many places where campers can learn so much information from some of the top experts in their field. From setting up at the right location, to calling, shooting a rifle, to proper scoring of deer, to field dressing and processing the game, the whole aspect of deer hunting was covered in a week. Not to mention swimming, staying up from time to time after “lights out.”
I have always realized that there are many people the outdoor industry that are passionate about spreading the knowledge and love for hunting to the next generation. It sure was great to be involved in a camp like this with unbelievable instructors and a truly remarkable location sure as the Perlitz Ranch. I look forward to the general hunting camp that I will be working at and sure hate that I’m going to miss out on the two week saltwater fishing camp.
I am thrilled to know that as of right now, several locations are being reviewed for the first waterfowl specialty camp to be hosted by Outdoor Texas Camp. I know that it will be just as successful as all the other camps, because of the dedication of the wonderful outdoorsmen and women that care about the future and heritage of the great outdoors.