Cotton Mesa Whitetails

Cotton Mesa Trophy Whitetail is a hunting ranch near Richland, Texas, known for trophy whitetail deer hunts on about 4,200 acres of Central Texas habitat. The ranch also offers more than 20 exotic species, including axis, blackbuck, elk, fallow deer, kudu and zebra, and bass fishing. Robert Gegenheimer, a professional outfitter for 32 years, runs the operation with his son Stephen.

Exotic hunts can be combined with a whitetail hunt or booked on their own. Hunters stay in a six-bedroom lodge built in 2010, with a private bath and cable television in each room, and a chef prepares meals daily. Alcohol is not allowed in the field, but wine and drinks by the fire are offered in the evenings. The ranch is located about an hour south of Dallas, and hunts are booked by phone or through the website.