2017 East Tx Rut Report Thread.

[BigThicketBoy]

I have an uncle with a large place bordering DCNF in Houston Co. he doesnt hunt but feeds deer in his yard every day and has done so for 30 years. There are 20 plus mature does that he can almost touch. Anyway, virtually every one of them bred last week. 19th, 20th, 21st he had monster bucks in his yard and actually breeding. These are public land bruisers that came in with the does. he said he could hardly run them out of the yard..

Where his places lol.


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[tbgascorer]

I have an uncle with a large place bordering DCNF in Houston Co. he doesnt hunt but feeds deer in his yard every day and has done so for 30 years. There are 20 plus mature does that he can almost touch. Anyway, virtually every one of them bred last week. 19th, 20th, 21st he had monster bucks in his yard and actually breeding. These are public land bruisers that came in with the does. he said he could hardly run them out of the yard..

Yep. It happens earlier than a lot realize.

[MnM]

I went yesterday evening in Anderson County. Saw one small buck chasing a doe. Also saw a group of doe feeding together.

[Anvilheadtexas]

Yep. It happens earlier than a lot realize.

One has to wonder if “the peak” Is really the tail-end and the majority of the does are already bred. And the uptick in activity is just simply bucks cruising and chasing those does that have not been bred earlier???

[tbgascorer]

One has to wonder if “the peak” Is really the tail-end and the majority of the does are already bred. And the uptick in activity is just simply bucks cruising and chasing those does that have not been bred earlier???

Nail on head Brandon. Resident does get bred first and I think in a lot of cases, earlier and much more quieter. Everyone is bred and the bucks get panicked and frenzied into looking elsewhere for more action. I am itching to get to my place because I know it's happening, contrary to what others may think, but I'll have to wait until rifle opener. Who knows, maybe something bigger will move in on my unpressured area.

[tbgascorer]

167" killed in Waller County recently...stud.

[Babolathunter]

Anyone here hunting in Henderson County? I am planning on hunting this weekend and have not had many chances to go out to check rutting activity. We saw a good buck chasing the second week of the season but not much since.

[tbgascorer]

Another thought on the rut and bowhunting. It is hard for the weekend warrior to gauge IMO, unless you truly observe a lot of deer on a regular basis. Think about it...you sit in your treestand or pop up in mid October seeing 25 yards into what looks like the mosquito infested Vietnam jungle of vines, yaupon, and japanese honeysuckle. Just because they aren't running does through your tight window doesn't mean there isn't a breeding party 100 yards to your right.

[tbgascorer]

That being said, ETX is on fire right now (a lot of Texas is also right now), so get yourself in a blind and kill Ole Blue.

[Antlers86]

Anyone here hunting in Henderson County? I am planning on hunting this weekend and have not had many chances to go out to check rutting activity. We saw a good buck chasing the second week of the season but not much since.

Rut is in full swing at my place southeast of Athens

[GarGuy]

That being said, ETX is on fire right now (a lot of Texas is also right now), so get yourself in a blind and kill Ole Blue.

You are correct! the absolute best hunting in east tx(in my opinion) is right after they come off the first big wave of does. they are much more apt to walk into a corn pile and eat for thirty minutes straight. they also will be much more apt to check does where they are feeding. I just saw a very nice 8pt since i posted last.

[Babolathunter]

Rut is in full swing at my place southeast of Athens

Great to hear. I am hunting in Murchison and my wife has given me the green light for the weekend while she watches the kids so I should be able to put some in some long days.

[Kurdawg]

I know i see a lot of does always getting chased this time of year. I also know by running games cameras all year the past few years that 95% of the does in my area don't give birth until after memorial day weekend. That puts them being bred late November into December.