OK guys, im pretty new at this public land deer hunting in Texas, and although I hunted since I was 10 years old on public lands in Michigan it sure is alot harder here. So, with that being said. I have a few questions that I hope you all can answer for me. First, as the rut begins here, which I'm thinking would be middle of next month? Should I be looking for scrapes like the ones in the mid-west? Do deer scrape as heavy down here? Do they look the same? How about rubs and rub lines? Do they happen and look the same? Do scents work? Drag lines etc? If you can help me out with any of this stuff or have any tips for a new deer hunter on public land I would greatly appreciate it. Thanks
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I havent hunted in the mid west before so as far as comparison I couldnt tell you if rut signs are any different. I use scents and rattle during the rut. The one thing I can tell you on public land that I have hunted is if your gonna find the rubs and scrapes you gonna have to get deep. The big boys are gonna keep low profile and be in as much cover as possible. Most of my rubs and scrapes are places that you general wouldnt want to climb through just to do some scouting. Deep covered draws are gonna be a good place. Of course they are gonna be following the does so you will catch some of them out in the open during rut....
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What public land are you hunting?Originally posted by crod888 View Post
I'm familliar with most public land areas in texas and might be able to help you out the rut depends on region.Comment
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Somerville WMA and Sam Houston. Im surprised that the deer would rub and scrape in cover. Thats different from the mid-west bacause although sometimes you'd find them in security cover and thick stuff (ie buck bedding areas) for the most part you'd find them in the open areas. These types of deer sign were for the most part used as sign post and bucks would make and use them for all deer to see. Learning something new..... thanks guysOriginally posted by txbowhunter31 View PostComment
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I know where there is a scape and rub line about half a mile ling, but I'm not telling!
Deer sign should be the same. The rut here is a little later than the midwest, though. However, the first week of Novemeber last year, I saw a lot of rutting bucks.Comment
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At somerville you will usually find the rubs along well used trails the scrapes will be in cover where they feel safe.Originally posted by crod888 View Post
The forest you will want to scout the edges. The line between old stands of trees and newer growth. Find their rubs there and the scrapes should not be far away back in cover. also find some hardwoods mixed in with all the pines they love acorns and there isn't alot of them in the forest if you find acorns there you will find the deer.Comment
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I found most all rubs lastyear in some pretty thick cover areas. I would drive/walk into your area, find a good looking game trail and follow it into the thick cover for 50-100 yards to look for sign. I used this method when within an 1/8 mile of a water source with good results. Concentrate on small tree sappling around 1" in diameter. They seem to really love those small mesquite trees for rubs alot. I found 2 good skrapes so far on my place (its next to P.L.) that were on small trees under 1" that they completely shredded. Both are located along heavily used trails.Comment
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I was told before that bigger deer will use smaller trees to scrape and I have heard the same with public hunting the thicker it gets and as close to a water source you can get is good.Comment
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another thing to point out.... If you found the deer sign out in the open so did every other public hunter, you can expect to see several flash lights headed at you in the morning. If your first thought is "I'm not walking thought that" then you are on to something... look for sign there.Comment
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Very good point! I've set-up spots that I'd been watching for A couple months just to find out opening morning that the road going into my new awsome spot turns into a back country freakin' freeway that very same morning as well! or that there's 6 other hunters that loved that same area just as much as I did. My suggestion is getting as far back into the area you are hunting as you can possibly get, ......and then go a bit farther in still. It may take twice as long for you to get to your lil' secret spotOriginally posted by OPC Patrick View Post
but it will be much more worth it in the long run. It usually weeds out those that are committed to the hunt and the weekend warriors n opening weekend only types. The crowds always tend to fall off after a couple weeks after the season opener too , so don't get discouraged. There are alot of deer on public land. You just have to be crafty and committed. Most of all, have fun!
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I hunted some scrape line this weekend in Crockett, went out scouting some and found several more scrapes and rubsComment
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How 'bout an update? Harvest anything on the rub line?Originally posted by atexx2 View PostComment
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how far away from unit #732 are u?Comment
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go deep its the best option. people in general are lazy this also applies to hunters. the people who have the most sucess hunting public land are the people that go deep and find some good intersecting trails with a good amount of activity then mark it on a GPS and look some more because you never know who else has found the same place. good luck to yaComment
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