Deer hunters to take aim across Texas
Ranchers and landowners open their gates in the 'Deer Capitol of Texas' - Llano County

By MINDY POEHL | Central Texas Edition

One of the most prominent deer hunting areas in the country is in the Hill Country of Texas; and the hottest spot in the Hill Country is Llano County. Thousands of hunters began finding their way there this weekend with the opening of the general hunting season.

Nov. 11, 2004 - Droves of people, wearing camouflage clothing, sporting boots and carrying guns (and bows) herded into many parts of Texas this past weekend when the General deer hunting season began. One of the leading locations for this activity centers around Llano County where hunters converge with high hopes of taking down massive bucks. These hunters travel near and far just to take a shot at a renowned buck in Llano County.

Once hunting season begins, the historic, rural county of Llano turns into the "Deer Capitol of Texas." Hosting over 15,000 hunters who contribute more than $3.5 million to the area economy, Llano has the highest deer harvest than any other county.

Local businesses are kept busy playing host to eager hunters from other areas, as the businesses see a 30 percent increase during hunting season.

"We literally attract thousands of hunters from all over the country," Kathy Hackney, office coordinator for the Llano Chamber of Commerce, said. "We are getting ready to go into a very, very busy part of the year."

The deer hunting season lasts until the first week in January, making the season two months long. Llano County is full of ranch land and "people open their properties to hunters," Hackney said, which allows hunters to hunt on private ranches.

Favorable summer and spring weather conditions have helped Texas' deer herd develop good physical conditions.

"All of the rain we've had has been good for the deer," Hackney added. "The bucks are said to have nice antler growth."

Miller's Llano Smokehouse and Mercantile owner, Bryan Miller, says he is looking forward to the hunters coming in. His company is ideal for the hunters - it processes deer for the hunters as well as serves as a grocery store.

"Llano almost turns into a gold rush town," he explained. "Hunters come from all over. Ten percent of the hunters come from Florida, and we have some from New York, Mississippi, Louisiana and California."

"We field calls throughout the year," Hackney said of the Chamber of Commerce. "We keep a list of ranches with hunting leases at the office and we have requests about lease information by phone calls, e-mail and mail."

Many of the ranches have lodges, cabins or ranch houses that hunters can stay in. Hunters also sleep in local motels or Llano has RV parks and camping grounds available, Hackney said.

For the two months that hunting season lasts and all of the money it brings into the county, Llano County will soon be busy preparing for next year's hunting season, hoping it will be as good as this year's.