Chasing Down Buzzer-Beater Bucks and Frying Up Backstrap in Tecomate Country

For David Morris, the founder of North American Whitetail magazine and the co-host of The Bucks of Tecomate television show, the month of December often revolves around two things.

The first being the celebration of the Christmas season with his family.

And the second being the pursuit of big rutting white-tailed bucks roaming the senderos and prickly pear flats deep in the heart of Tecomate land, the fabled Brush Country of deep South Texas.

And this current year is no exception either as Morris eagerly answered my question of "What's on your Christmas wish list this year?"

"Spending time with my kids and grandkids," he enthusiastically responded back.

Like many Outdoor Channel television personalities, Christmas is – and has been – a big deal for Morris over the years.

Ditto for late-season hunting, something that he seemed destined to do thanks to a memorable Christmas morning a number of years ago.

"My best Christmas memory has to be when I woke up to find my very own .22 caliber rifle under the Christmas tree when I was 12 years old," said Morris. "That was definitely bad news for the squirrels and the rabbits in south Alabama!"

Fast forward a number of years and Morris is still chasing game animals in December, albeit with a slightly bigger rifle in his hand when he visits a South Texas ranch where big deer are known to roam.

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Does he have any advice for late-season deer hunters in Texas and across the Deep South?

You bet he does!

"My first tip would be to hunt quietly around undisturbed major food sources, especially near hot agricultural fields and food plots (that late season deer are using)," said Morris.

"Second, in the absence of any major food sources where a hunter is hunting, I'd suggest hunting in or nearby to thick bedding cover," he added.

"And third, I'd (work hard to) seek out areas that have not been heavily pressured (yet this season). (At this late date), get away from the crowds and the hunting pressure."

For those hunters who have already been successful – or who will be during the waning days of the 2015-16 deer hunting campaigns – Morris has a favorite venison preparation method and recipe that should prove to be a hit at family holiday gatherings.

"My favorite way of preparing venison," he said. "I like to pan fry thinly sliced, lightly battered pieces of backstrap. Dip the backstrap pieces in buttermilk and flour, season them with garlic, salt and pepper, then fry them up and enjoy."