Former Soil Conservation Service employee and longtime writer Mat Taylor offers his outdoors column for Dispatch Record readers. He can be contacted at (254) 518- 2262 or via e-mail at mntaylor@wildblue.net. Texas Gov. Rick Perry recently signed a proclamation that recognizes November as Hunter Appreciation Month in the state. In part, the proclamation reads as follows.

“For more than a million Texans, the iconic colors of fall have little to do with autumn leaves. Instead, crisper temperatures bring the muted greens and browns of camouflage and the occasional blaze of safety orange -- the colors hunters wear as they take to the field in pursuit of the state’s abundant wildlife resources.

“Texas ranks first in the nation in hunting participation, with an internationally acclaimed whitetail deer herd and vast opportunities for a wide variety of other game animals.”

The proclamation continues: “These natural resources could not exist without hunters, whose conservation ethic and passion for the sport have helped maintain strong and healthy wildlife populations. Their conservation efforts have helped restore numerous wildlife species to native ranges in Texas.

“Texas hunters contribute through their pocketbooks, with an annual economic effect of more than $4.6 billion.

“Our state’s rich hunting heritage is passed from generation to generation and represents an integral component of family life. It is through these traditions that young Texans experience the wonders of the great outdoors. Hunting bolsters a strong foundation in family values, sportsmanship and conservation.

“One of the cornerstones of hunting is hunter education. More than 850,000 Texans have been instructed in sporting arm safety, conservation and hunting ethics by more than 3,000 active instructions, many who volunteer their time. As a result, hunting-related accidents have been reduced by nearly 70 percent during the last 50 years, and hunting ranks among the safest of outdoor activities.”

Perry said he urges all Texans to recognize and appreciate the contributions of hunters.

In regard to hunting, I spent most of the opening day of deer season at M&M Deer Processing on Farm-to- Market Road 580 East. The plant has conducted a big buck contest for the last four years.

I was asked to judge the contest and gladly accepted. From about 8:30 a.m. until noon, a number of deer were brought to the facility. Using my own modified Boone and Crockett system, I measured 10 of the largest bucks. My system measured the length of each main antler beam, the length of each antler tine and the inside spread.

Winner of the contest was Roy Hussey, whose buck sported 12 points with an 18- inch inside antler spread and field-dressed 134 pounds. Coming in second was local huntress Lisa Dibble, who brought in the first buck of the day. The deer had nine points with a 16-inch antler spread, and it field-dressed 140 pounds, the heaviest buck of the contest.

Placing third was John Dean, whose buck had 10 points with a 15-inch inside spread. It fielddressed 138 pounds.

All deer brought into the processing plant that weekend were in very good body condition.

I can remember when I first hunted in Lampasas County that if you killed a buck that dressed 100 pounds, it was a very good deer.

I also talked with Robert Keller at Sulphur Creek Taxidermy and Deer Processing. He said the plant received a large number of deer, about the same as during the opening weekend last year.

Keller said antler development was about average, and the deer body condition was excellent.

Why are the deer larger and have better antlers than 10 years ago? I think it is because most landowners are doing a better job of managing their rangeland and the deer herd. Also, it seems the antler restrictions in place are allowing bucks to live a few years longer, and mature deer grow larger antlers.

From all indications, this will be a good deer season.