any thoughts pros cons of either county and why one might outweigh the other.. thanks

I hunted in Stonewall and Kent Counties north and east of Jayton in the late 90's to 2000 so I can only speak for that area and during those times. Back then there were a lot of ranches not leased or hunted that much. But there were also lot of places with a lot of hunters on them. Some areas have good deer numbers and others did not. Some Mule Deer (not that good of quality) closer to Jayton in the red canyon areas. We had a few turkey, ton of hogs, some aoudad and really good quail/doves when the rains hit the right season to grow sunflowers in the fields. The deer quality on the 14,000 acre ranch we hunted was really pretty good but we also joined a really big ranch to our north that was not hunted. We killed deer that were close to 170 gross typical and in the 145-165 range on others. Poaching was a concern also and were told that 2 bucks had been killed off the ranch in prior years with one 190 class NT and one low 170 class typical. Habitat on our lease was mainly mesquite draws with cedar in the rougher red wash canyons areas. If it rains good there is lot of forb and grass growth. Some browse- what I remember was Hackberry, Vine Ephedra and Western Soapberry. Lot of CRP and old farm land. Water was a key for us as Croton Creek and other drainages were mainly salty on our lease. We did have several wells and windmills but the LO would turn them off when there was not cattle in those pastures. Some stock ponds but they did not hold water very well. We also had an oilfield easement road that went from a county road back across ranches to the 6666 and Gutherie. It was always an issue with "workers" going thru during the early and late hours of daylight. Don't know much about Cottle County.

Ranchman is right on, as usual. Personally, I don't know much about Cottle. I did see 2 WT running with a Mulie once when driving through Paducah at night.

If you could get a place close to Matador WMA in Cottle, that would hunting heaven for me. My favorite place in Texas.
BTW, the rack in my sig line was taken in Cottle.

STXRanchman is spot on for Stonewall and pretty much the surrounding areas. Cottle is a little more flat with rolling plains in most areas I hunted around Paducah but the was for ducks,geese and quail.

Cottle county with out a doubt. Specially on the river north of Paducah has lots of whitetail and some mule deer get more mule deer the farther west you go from there with less whitetail and number of deer but very great hunting there north of it and big big deer along with plenty of everything else you would want to hunt in off season

Never hunted Stonewall. I've hunted Matador WMA a few times.By far the nicest place I've ever hunted. WT, Mule Deer, turkey, javelina, hogs, dove, quail, etc. I would take Cottle over "most" counties in Texas.

I've got a cousin who has a ranch about to go on the market in Stonewall county up near Peacock and on the brazos. It is around 2-3500 acres but I forget the exact number. Has been well managed and they border the Patterson ranch which is a huge piece. They kill 150-170s on average. Few muleys here and there. Lots of pigs, yotes and turkeys. Usually has good dove hunting. He has thrown a ton of money at the ranch updating everything and building new things...tractor barn, work shop, bunkroom cabin, new updated house, cleaning station and much more. You name it and this place has it. It has been very well thought out and is turn key. It will be going on the market with Ekdahl Real Estate out of Stamford. Might be worth going to look at.