Breeder Spotlight - Heart of Texas Trophy Whitetails

An avid outdoorsman, Grant Evridge's love for the whitetail deer goes back to his childhood days where he first began to pursue the elusive creature. As he matured and his hunting skills developed, so did his quest for trophy deer.

After many years of lease hunting it wasn't too long ago when Grant took the jump into the life of a ranch owner. Six years ago he purchased 300 acres and was well on his way to improving the wildlife and habitat. Though there was just one problem - his neighbors didn't share the same goals as he did.

As Grant put it, 'I noticed my west fence looked like Cox's Army had crossed over it. It didn't take long before I realized I had a hunting problem with my neighboring hunters. They had 5 men hunting on 175 acres, as well as, my place."

Shortly following this new revelation, in September of that year, Grant began his quest to erect a high-fence around his property so that he could better manage his deer and wildlife. "I still remember driving the fence line and my neighbors hunters quickly drove up to my truck and asked, 'What are you doing'", Grant recalls.

"I told them I was high fencing. They asked me why and I said it was because I discovered dead deer on my property and I hadn't fired a shot. They proceeded to tell me it wasn't them because the land owner, my neighbor, told them not to hunt my land and not to go over on to my land without getting him. He then said, 'We only went over there 3 times last year and your neighbor went with us.'"

And like many frustrated wildlife management minded land owners, Grant soon found himself pursuing his whitetail breeder permit. He would turn to his brother, Joe Evridge, to help in developing a breeding program. Joe, having been a game biologist for over 20 years, had much to bring to the table, and plus, he was family.

Four years have passed and the Evridge's are full speed ahead in pursuit of producing trophy whitetail genetics. After having to piece-meal together the original herd, only one deer remains from their original purchases. Since beginning their program, the two brothers have learned many valuable lessons, and have found that producing calm gentle deer can make a breeder's life a lot easier, and that it also helps if they come from 300+ genetics.

In just the short amount of time they have been breeding, the Evridge's have seen much improvement from year to year. Their program continues to produce many young impressive offspring, a goal that all serious breeders try to achieve. In efforts to stay on top of the game, the Evridge's have reinvested much of their program's revenues back into the business, buying deer with 300+ genetics, purchasing additional land, and developing a commercial hunting operation.

Committed to their breeding program and ranch, the Evridge brothers are living their dreams and pursuing their passion. They show much pride in what they are pursing and is evident in the results of their program. Located just 4 miles from Brady, Texas, Grant tells me the door is always open, and that he would love to show any deer enthusiast around his ranch. I think I will take him up on his offer. See you soon Grant!