I wouldn't say that all Texas mule deer hunting is a waste of time - we've taken some real toads over the past few years, some were posted on here from time to time. The gross scores of the deer I have personally taken the last 7 years are 208" (197" main frame), 205" (201" main frame), 199", 197", 189 7/8", 176" (30",>6" bases, 2 drop tines), 176" (net 172" typical). Some other bucks that a couple of friends of mine hunting the same ranches are 208" (33"),207" (this year, 7" bases), 196", 189" (net 186" typical), several 31"-33" bucks in the 170" class. However, there is only one outfitter in our area and he is rebooked each year by the same guys and will probably remain that way for some time - all of the other land is leased by the landowners directly to the hunters and all that is good is pretty much tied up. There are a few ranches nearby that outfitters pick up each year (for 1 year only), they screw 5 or 6 hunters for big money by showing off pics of bucks we've taken "just down the road", knowing their ranch has no deer - usually not a pretty site (the hunters) after 5 days hunting with no deer seen. Texas mule deer hunting as a whole is improving each year - just take a look at the Texas Big Game Awards website for the past couple of years - also keep in mind that alot of the best bucks each year are not entered to keep down the publicity and prices. Watch out for the pic from the post above also - the big deer in the pic is a bruiser, but 99% of the deer taken in that area are similiar to the small one in the pic. In a nutshell, there are some incredible trophy mule deer in a few hotspots in Texas, there are alot of ranches/outfitters with average deer (150"-170"), and also there are alot of people getting screwed each year for alot of money by guys trying to make a dollar. If they are having to advertise to sell hunts, then it's probably not much good. The best ranches/outfitters have no problem keeping their existing hunters.