Im hunting a VERY small place again out there this year and still have not been able to figure out when they rut out there. The problem is that there are few deer and in the 5 years I've hunted out there I've never seen a legal buck. I've shot a few does, a spike and a bunch of hogs. I know there has got to be a good buck out there breeding those does but have never seen one or gotten one on TC. What am I doin wrong? The does have fawns every year and I see yearling bucks out there every year? Where are they going? Very frustrated... Ive had a TC out there for 3 weeks now and think I'm gonna go check it today. Hopefully it will report good news, I doubt it but am still hopeful. I KNOW there will be a TON of hog pics, there always is.... I dont wanna kill hogs at this point, I need to kill a buck.... Its been 5-6 years since I got one.... I dont know what to do...
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How small and in what general area? -
Are you hunting over the feeder?Comment
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50 acres off 812 on Boyd rd. I'm hunting over a feeder at 25 yards. Went there today and checked the TC and had (as usual) does and hogs...LOTS OF HOGS!!!!! 1 buck that is a 2.5 year old (NOT LEGAL!!) thats a ugly 7 point. At this point I'm ready to trade an unlimited hog hunt for a deer hunt. UGH, I dont know what else there is to do..Comment
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Try funnels, game trails and put up tc there? Don't give up, keep looking and scout real good. I bet you there's a buck somewhere!Comment
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I hunt in far southeast caldwell county - like you, very limited deer herd. Rut is around 3rd weekend in november. This is my third year on lease. I have had trail cams out on feeders for over 2 months and all I have had are 2 (Two) pics of deer. They are in a major summertime lack of movement stage. Last year was slow on trail cams but they were regular visitors at feeders by september - no this year but drought last year made all "normal" patterns obsolete. I did not have a chance to check acorns today out there but word is they are falling. If this is case feeders will not be deer magnets till december. This is what I faced in 2010. I am getting a bit concerned.
Last year I got biggest deer of my life - 1st and only wall hanger. Scored 132. He was only one out there that looked like this and have not seen any others with that potential.its like hunting in north east texas there - lots of pressure.
Hang in there. Could be worse I promise u.Comment
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I live very close to there and used to hunt off 672 in Dale. Very pressured for the deer. Ive never seen a big deer out there. Tons of pigs is about it. You actually pass my house comin down 812. I live down elroy rd.Comment
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I hunt in far southeast caldwell county - like you, very limited deer herd. Rut is around 3rd weekend in november. This is my third year on lease. I have had trail cams out on feeders for over 2 months and all I have had are 2 (Two) pics of deer. They are in a major summertime lack of movement stage. Last year was slow on trail cams but they were regular visitors at feeders by september - no this year but drought last year made all "normal" patterns obsolete. I did not have a chance to check acorns today out there but word is they are falling. If this is case feeders will not be deer magnets till december. This is what I faced in 2010. I am getting a bit concerned.
Last year I got biggest deer of my life - 1st and only wall hanger. Scored 132. He was only one out there that looked like this and have not seen any others with that potential.its like hunting in north east texas there - lots of pressure.
Hang in there. Could be worse I promise u.Comment
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Caldwell County can be tough hunting.
Normally the deer are in thin herds in pockets spread around. In some places they are non existent.
The pressure on them is high. Everybody and their brother that has 5 acres will be trying to pop one. Legal or not.
(Or at least it seems.)
There is a lot of trespass and drive by poaching. The Sand Hills seem to be a popular place for this.
The drought really knocked the deer down.
Here's what I'd do if you haven't already.
1. Call TPWD biologist Meredith Longoria and ask for help.
2. Do several stand counts of 2 hours each with the goal of getting an idea of how many deer you have on and off the property during the day. Cameras are great but they don't give you extended periods on each deer.
Once you have that it might tell you you can afford to thin out some.
3. Trap and sell every hog you can. Don't want to trap then kill them all.
It's a never ending process but it keeps the population down at your feeders and lowers you feed bill and give more access to you deer.
Hope this helps.Comment
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Great advice bubba. Arent you somewhere near lockhart?Comment
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Southeast of there. Postal address is Dale. Go figure.Comment
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