Hill Country Hunting Guide 2021
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Local Groups Help to Improve Area Deer Quality Promoting good stewardship of the land and natural resources while improving the quality of white-tailed deer is the mission of four wildlife management associations in Gillespie County. The four wildlife management associations include Cave Creek, Cherry Spring, Doss and Harper. The associations are under the umbrella of Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service, Gillespie County.
All meetings are open to the public and individuals wanting more information or to join are encouraged to contact any of the officers. Members conduct three spotlight census surveys and collect data for Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. “By counting the number of females, males and fawns, we are able to get an idea of the buck-todoe ratio and fawn crop,” Burrow said.
Along with their efforts to help Due to the abundance of acorns manage the deer population, all last year, hunting was hard and four groups have sponsored youth hunts to expose children to hunting deer were not forced to move from the bedding grounds. and the outdoors. However, this year, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, some of the groups are currently planning with modifications. The Cave Creek WMA was the first in the state to offer such a program. Following is information on the four groups:
“We could possibly see a slight increase in population this year,” Burrow said. The Cave Creek WMA will be hosting a meal, prize drawing and social on the Friday night before the opening weekend of hunting season. Social distancing and wearing of masks will be in place.
The group has a membership of 55 people. Wilfred Crenwelge is the president of the organization. Other officers include Ruben Sagebiel, vice president, and Alice Klein, secretary/treasurer. Meetings, which are open to the public, are held in February, August and October. Anyone in the north-central part of Gillespie County can join the Cherry Spring WMA by paying the yearly dues. Currently, dues are $25. Most meetings include a potluck dinner and presentations by speakers, including representatives from Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. Members conduct three deer counts in August, September and the first two days of the whitetail hunting season. The association also hosts a youth hunt in January with voluntary participation by landowners.
Members also participate in Kerr During opening weekend, the and Mason wildlife areas. With approximately 70 members, Cave Creek WMA will have a big One of the goals of the group, buck contest, cull buck contest, and according to Crenwelge, is to the Cave Creek Wildlife a doe pot for members and hunters. provide guidance in wildlife Management Association covers the eastern part of Gillespie County. All entries will be weighed and management and related resources. aged. The winners will be Officers include Kade Burrow, Another goal is to help determined on Sunday night at 8 president; Keven Eckhardt, vice landowners produce high quality p.m. president; Carol Birmingham, and healthy wildlife. secretary, and Larry Ahrens, A reason to join the group, treasurer. Crenwelge said, is to help Cherry Spring WMA The organization meets three to landowners develop best four times a year. Covering about 19,574 acres in the management practices for north-central part of Gillespie improving wildlife and to help County is the Cherry Spring WMA.
Cave Creek WMA
