Hunters Insight

🐂 Epic Texas Ranch Find: Meet the Majestic Ankole-Watusi (Watusi Cattle)!

Fellow hunters, check out this absolute unit we spotted roaming a Texas ranch! This is an Ankole-Watusi bull. commonly called a Watusi – one of the most unique and impressive animals you’ll see on any game ranch.

These “Cattle of Kings” originated in East and Central Africa over 6,000 years ago. They were prized by tribes like the Tutsi for their regal looks and incredible hardiness. What makes them legendary? Those massive horns, they can span up to 8 feet tip-to-tip, with the thickest bases of any cattle breed. The horns act like built-in radiators, circulating blood to help the animal stay cool in blazing heat. And yes, they keep growing for life, so every bull is truly one-of-a-kind.

In the U.S., Watusi were introduced in the 1960s and have become a staple on Texas ranches. They’re hardy, adaptable foragers with striking spotted coats (just like this brown-and-white beauty), and bulls typically weigh 1,000–1,600 lbs. You’ll often see them pure or crossed with Texas Longhorns for even more impressive horn spreads.

For hunters, they’re a year-round trophy favorite on exotic game ranches across the Lone Star State. Their presence alone is unforgettable – whether you’re after a mount, lean flavorful beef, or just appreciate a true king of the pasture.

High butterfat milk, disease resistance, and a generally docile (but still impressive) nature round out why these animals are so special.

What do you think, hunters – have you ever seen (or hunted) a Watusi this impressive? How do you think the meat tastes?? Drop your stories below! 🔥

❄️ Lots of snow rolling into the Colorado Rockies. we’re looking at over a foot in spots, with some mountain areas getting 2+ feet!

I said “see ya” to the whiteout and headed south to the Texas Blue Rooster for some serious exotic hunting. No seasons, no tags, no limits. Just 400+ acres of thick, wooded brush country made for true spot-and-stalk hunting.

These animals take two jumps and straight-up vanish in the brush. It’s exciting, challenging, and downright perfect for experienced hunters. They’ve got over 35 different species roaming the property.

What’s your favorite exotic to hunt? Drop it in the comments 👇

🌲 Just spotted this big bull elk hunkering down during the first flakes of a serious spring snowstorm up at 8,300 feet! 🌨️

I was out on a hike this morning when the sky opened up and the wind started whipping. Everything was still brown and dry from this unusually warm spring… until today. As I crested a ridge, there he was.. laid up tight in the sage and grass, calm as could be, just waiting it out. You can see the fresh snow starting to dust the ground around him already.

We’re supposed to get a solid dump over the next couple days, and I’m pumped. Nothing beats that first good blanket of white on the ground for scouting and glassing. After the heat we’ve had, this moisture is exactly what Colorado needs for the high country.
Fellow hunters — there’s something about seeing a mature bull like this in the early season snow that gets the blood pumping. Makes you start thinking about next fall already, doesn’t it?

Drop a comment and tell me:
• Do you prefer hunting the first snow or the last?

Can’t wait to get back out there with fresh snow on the ground and see how these bulls are moving. Stay safe out there and enjoy the moisture, friends! 🇺🇸

🦌 Spike elk in Colorado are STILL holding their antlers in early May!

I spotted this handsome young bull out in the sagebrush today. While most mature bulls dropped their racks weeks ago (usually Feb–April, with the big boys shedding first in March), spike elk — those yearling bulls with their first, unbranched antlers — are almost always the last to let go.
Nature’s timing is wild! Once they finally drop, new velvet antlers kick in fast — growing up to an inch a day.

Anyone else still seeing antlered elk around the Rockies this spring, or are you already out shed hunting? Drop your sightings or photos below 👇 I’d love to hear what you’re spotting!

🌿 Check out this young bull absolutely crushing it in full velvet mode!

Did you know elk antlers are some of the fastest-growing tissue in the entire animal kingdom? While in velvet, they can shoot up to 1 inch per day — that’s bone growing faster than almost anything else on the planet!

The “velvet” you see is actually a soft, fuzzy layer of skin packed with blood vessels and nerves. It acts like a super-efficient nutrient highway, delivering oxygen, minerals, and everything the antlers need to explode in size. Without it, that insane growth just wouldn’t happen. Bulls typically stay in this velvet stage for about 4-5 months (spring through late summer), then rub it off on trees and brush once the antlers harden into solid bone right before the rut.
And get this — a mature bull’s full rack can weigh up to 40 pounds! Imagine carrying that kind of headgear around the mountains every fall.
Nature is wild, right? This little guy is just getting started… what do you think his rack will look like by opening day?

Drop your answers below 👇
• Ever come across a bull in velvet while out in the field?
• What’s the biggest velvet rack you’ve ever seen?
• What’s your favorite crazy antler fact?

Tag a hunting buddy who needs to see this and let’s get the comments rolling! Who else is already counting down to elk season?

If you’re ready to chase big bulls this year, hit us up — we’ve got some epic hunts lined up! 🦌🔥

Across the West, elk herds are looking strong this year thanks to a very mild winter! 🦌

Here are some pictures we took yesterday in the backcountry.

We’re seeing increased numbers and healthier populations with better calf survival and strong recruitment. Easier forage access and less stress on the animals have made a huge difference. NW Colorado herds are rebounding nicely and hitting objective ranges again—great news for wildlife and hunters alike!

Fall can’t get here fast enough. Who else is pumped for elk season?

🌿 Spotted this impressive bull elk grazing on some prime native grass on our hike last night. 🦌

Look at those antlers coming in — these guys can grow up to 1 inch of bone per day during peak season. Think about that: growing this much antler every single year. It takes us humans about 18 years to fully grow and develop our bones… and these animals pull it off in just a few months.

It’s straight-up amazing how they turn simple grass into all that meat, muscle, and massive bone. Elk are smart about it too — they’re selective foragers that actively seek out the most nutritious native grasses and forbs. In their young, vegetative growth stages, these plants often deliver 12–20% crude protein (sometimes even higher in forbs like lupine), exactly what the bulls need to fuel explosive antler growth and stay in peak condition.

Nature is the ultimate protein converter. Mind blown every time.

Fellow hunters, wildlife lovers, and outdoor folks — what’s the most incredible animal adaptation you’ve ever learned about? Have you ever watched bulls in velvet or seen them zero in on the best forage? Drop your favorite elk facts or stories below and let’s get the conversation going! 👇

Who else can’t wait for next season?

I just spotted this big bull moose munching breakfast while scouting the Rockies this morning! 🫎

Look at him — dark coat, thick neck… but damn, check out those shredded ears and the big patchy, hairless spots on his neck and shoulders. Looks like he’s been rubbing himself raw on every tree he could find.
This is straight-up winter tick damage (aka “ghost moose”). Those ticks hit hard in late winter, driving bulls crazy until they rub off huge chunks of hair trying to get rid of them. Classic sign we’re seeing more of out here.

What do you guys think?
• Seeing more ghost moose in your areas this year?
• Ear damage from fights or mostly the tick rubbing?
• Ever tagged one that was covered in ticks? How was his condition?
Drop your stories and pics below, let’s talk moose! 🔥

🦃 Fresh wild turkey in the cooler. Another successful hunt in the books! Do you prefer the breasts or the thighs?

One of our hunters put in the work: followed a hot trail through the brush and hit some prime turkey habitat. Boom.. he connected on a beautiful tom that’s now providing some serious quality meat for the table.

Just look at this truck bed haul! The big fan is already drying out for what’s gonna be an awesome full-body mount to remember the hunt. Then they got the bird cleaned, quartered, and vaccume sealed into all these Ziplocs.. thick breasts, drumsticks, thighs, and everything in between. Nothing beats field-to-table wild game. This is the real deal: lean, flavorful, and 100% free-range protein that actually tastes like the outdoors.

There’s something special about knowing exactly where your meat came from and putting in the effort from sunrise stalk to the dinner plate. Huge congrats!

Who here has had fresh wild turkey meat? How does it compare to store-bought for you?
And more importantly… drop your best turkey recipes below 👇

• Smoked? Fried? Grilled? Cajun injection? Breakfast sausage? We want the good ones!

Let’s hear your stories and favorite ways to cook these birds. The comments are about to get delicious.

🦌 Scouting find of the day!
Was out scouting and spotted this deer with a pretty wild-looking growth on its neck. It was moving pretty quick (and yeah, it had a bit of a limp), but I managed to snap a few pictures before it disappeared into the brush.

After some quick research, this is a classic cutaneous fibroma — better known as a deer wart. These are super common, benign (non-cancerous) skin tumors caused by a species-specific papillomavirus that ONLY affects deer. It spreads through direct contact between deer, fighting, or even biting insects. You’ll usually see them on the head, neck, or shoulders — exactly like this one.

They can look dramatic (sometimes pea-sized, sometimes softball-sized or bigger), but in almost every case the deer does just fine. They eat, move around, and survive normally. A lot of the time the growths even shrink or disappear on their own, and the deer gains immunity afterward.
Good news for everyone: it’s 100% harmless to humans, pets, livestock, or other wildlife. The meat is safe to eat if you were to harvest the animal (no link to CWD or anything like that).
Nature throws some weird stuff at us out there! I love these little reminders that wildlife has its own quirks and challenges.

A few questions for you all:
• Have you ever seen a deer with fibromas/warts while hunting or scouting? How big was it?
• How common are these in your area?
• If you hunt, would something like this affect whether you harvest the deer or not? (Meat is safe!)
• What’s the strangest wildlife “growth” or injury you’ve ever come across?

Drop your stories and thoughts below 👇 I’m genuinely curious what you’ve seen!

🔥 Out in the Rocky Mountains chasing Merriam’s wild turkeys.. and they’re right where we’ve been finding them: tucked along water sources in the canyons and foothills!
These birds love reliable creeks, streams, and riparian zones for drinking and cover while they move through the timber. Their absolute favorite? Mature ponderosa pine forests. Those tall, open-canopy pines provide prime roosting spots and the perfect mix of cover and foraging ground that Merriam’s thrive in here in the Rockies.

Spring is in full swing, and the peak of the mating season is wrapping up. Toms have been strutting, gobbling, and gathering harems through March and April. Now the hens are shifting gears into nesting season — they’ll be laying their clutches of about 10 eggs any day now, with peak hatching hitting late May into early June.

If you’re looking for that classic mountain turkey hunt, now’s the time to get after it before the woods quiet down. We’re booking spring hunts and know exactly where these birds are hanging.
Drop a 🔥 if you’re hunting Merriam’s this season or tag a buddy who needs to see this!

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