Three ways to hunt Heart of Texas whitetails.
Heart of Texas Bowhunting offers three-day unguided DIY, guided management, and guided trophy bow hunts on low-fence, free-range Central Texas ranches.
3-Day Unguided Bow Hunt (DIY)
Hunters check in with HOT staff Thursday morning. HOT will assign an area of roughly 350–500 acres per pair of hunters, and provide information on bedding areas, deer movement, food sources and likely setup locations.
Thursday afternoon is for scouting, setting blinds or stands, and putting out corn. Ground blinds—especially well-brushed pop-up blinds—are typically best suited to the terrain, although hunters may choose other blind or stand types.
HOT recommends putting out about 50 pounds of corn Thursday afternoon across roughly a 100-yard area in front of the blind location, then adding about 2–4 pounds of corn directly in the shooting lane for each hunt.
The unguided hunt allows one trophy buck, two does, and all hogs and varmints the hunter wishes to take.
There are no trophy fees for the standard DIY deer hunt, but deer must meet minimum score and age requirements. Management fees apply to undersize deer.
- Mainframe 9-point or less: minimum 125 inches.
- Mainframe 10-point or more: minimum 135 inches.
3-Day Guided Management Hunt
Guided management hunters use HOT stands and blinds, with guides transporting hunters to and from their blinds.
Harvest allowance: one management buck (9 points or less, over 5 years old, maximum score of 120 inches or less), two does, and all hogs and varmints.
Guided hunters meet at ranch headquarters or Lodge before each hunt. HOT staff transport hunters to properly prepared blinds and provide corn. Deer taken on guided hunts must meet the applicable score and age requirements.
3-Day Guided Trophy Hunt
Guided trophy hunters use HOT stands and blinds, with guides transporting hunters to and from their blinds.
The hunt includes one trophy buck, two does, and all hogs and varmints.
Guided trophy fees (9pt or less):
- 120–139 7/8 inches: $20 per inch of antler.
- 140–149 7/8 inches: $25 per inch of antler.
- 150 inches and up: $30 per inch of antler.
Guided trophy fees (10pt or more):
- 135–139 7/8 inches: $20 per inch of antler.
- 140–149 7/8 inches: $25 per inch of antler.
- 150-169 7/8 inches: $30 per inch of antler.
- 170 inches and up: $40 per inch of antler.
Guided hunters meet at ranch headquarters or Lodge before each hunt. HOT staff transport hunters to properly prepared blinds and provide corn. Deer taken on guided hunts must meet the applicable score and age requirements.