The Central Texas Whitetail Rut Is On!
BuckManager.com | Breeding and Rutting Activity
As hunters prepare to head to the field this weekend for the opening of Texas’ general deer hunting season, white-tailed deer in the central part of the state have already begun their rutting activity. Cooler weather combined with the last week in October is a recipe to kick off the deer breeding season in the Hill Country and, yes, bucks are already chasing does!
As a matter of fact, I received a report from Coryell County late last week that several bucks were following does closely. In addition to decreasing photoperiod, the cold front that rolled through the central Texas on Sunday night really put the bucks on the move, so we know does are cycling into estrous. A number of biological and behavioural changes are dependent on photoperiod, but cooler weather always seems to put bucks on the move.
Over the last week, I’ve seen several white-tailed bucks that were road-killed — a sure sign that bucks are not thinking straight. Then Monday morning, I spotted two different bucks chasing does in Burnet County where I typically do not see deer. If you are planning on heading to the field this week to bag your buck be prepared to see some rutting activity and stay a little longer – because rutting deer can move anytime. But if you don’t bag your buck during the early rut this weekend, don’t worry. The rut peaks on the eastern part of the Hill Country around November 10 and the central and western parts near November 30.
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After I talked to you I saw a big buck chasing 8 to 15 does. They were running crazy everywhere I couldnt get a count of them cause he was running em crazy. 65 yds from the stand. I shot a hog after dark and …. well another long story involving Cottle Co. Sherrifs Dept. I am free and never saw cuffs. I think they thought I was tresspassing and shining deer. I was not. I will tell you more later.
J.L. | Oct 31, 2008 | Reply
I live in Travis County. It’s December 4th, is the rut still on, and if so how much longer will it go?
kenny | Dec 4, 2008 | Reply
The peak of the rut in your area is winding down. However, there are still reports of bucks rutting in Central Texas and bucks will continue to breed does that are not yet bred. In addition, doe fawns will come into estrus at about 7 months of age, which will be in December and January. So you may have missed the peak, but it is still on. Good luck!
Buck Manager | Dec 5, 2008 | Reply
So I’m finally seeing some deer movement. Guess it helps to go to the field every now and then. We, too, are at the end of the rut in Bell County, but still have movement. Fixin’ to be coyote hunting time.
Travis | Dec 9, 2008 | Reply