Growing up hunting in San Saba, two hours outside of Austin, it was all about deer for Mason Tharp.

That changed when he joined the Texas Tech football team. When he arrived in Lubbock, Tharp got to know quarterback Behren Morton, heading back to Morton's native Eastland to hunt a different species: ducks.

"It was probably the most fun I've ever had in that aspect," Tharp said of the trip.

Over the course of his Red Raider career, Tharp and his fellow big men, especially the tight ends, have made hunting trips an annual thing. They mostly happen during down times in the Tech schedule, such as open dates during the regular season.

More: Texas Tech football letterman Ben Kirkpatrick conquering cancer in life's hardest battle

Or just before a bowl game, which the Red Raiders clinched with last week's 24-23 victory over UCF. Tharp said the crew is in the process of figuring out their next excursion, which will come after Friday's showdown with Texas.

It's a trip Tharp looks forward to with each occurrence.

"Getting out in the outdoors where it's just quiet," Tharp said. "There's no worries. You're just out there having a good time with your friends. You don't have to worry about football or school or any of that stuff."

The group had a trip earlier this month which consisted of Charles Robinson, Monroe Mills, Haydon Wiginton and student assistant Braiden Martin.

After his initial excursion with Morton, Tharp said he and Robinson — who's physical appearance alone fits the bill for a hunting type — bonded over their love of hunting. The same goes for Baylor Cupp, who is a typical attendee while Mills grew up hunting duck and waterfowl while growing up in Missouri.

"The adrenaline rush," Tharp said," when there's like 500 birds flying over you and then you have to pop out and shoot 'em. It's awesome."

More: The real Andre Emmett: Family, friends recall the late Texas Tech basketball legend

There weren't quite that many birds on their last trip — Tharp said the group nabbed just five on their last outing.

Dust Devil Outfitters, owned by Austin and Hunter Daughtry in Lubbock, support the trips. Robinson is usually the one that cooks up the kills while Martin also knows his way around the kitchen.

Tharp said hunting deer is fun, but requires a lot of sitting quietly by yourself. That's changed while hunting for duck and geese with his teammates.

"You go with a group of 10 of your best friends," Tharp said. "Just go out and just have a great time."

This article originally appeared on Lubbock Avalanche-Journal: Texas Tech football's big boys get to plan another hunting trip