The Rut for Texas Whitetails is soon to kick in. Most states have one annual time period covering the entire state. Texas, because of it's sheer size and climate regions has several peak periods for rut. The information below comes from Texas Parks and Wildlife and is based on a three year study. If you want to get a chance at that old buck you've been seeing on the trail cam, the rut is perhaps the best chance you're going to get all season long. Buck deer, like most male mammals, seem to loose a lot of their natural precaution when the scent of a receptive female is in the air.
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Gulf Praries and Marshes
The earliest whitetail breeding in the state occurred in this ecological region. Breeding occurred in the period August 24 to November 25. There were two study areas: the northern study area had a peak date of September 30, while the southern area was a month later with an October 31 peak breeding date.
Post Oak Savannah
The conception dates for does in this region ranged from September 30 to January 16 during the study period. Two study areas were used. The peak breeding dates for the central and southern portions were almost identical. The peak dates were November 10 and 11, respectively.
Trans-Pecos
Conception dates in the Trans-Pecos ranged from as early as November 4 to as late as January 4 during the 3-year study. The peak date of the breeding season was December 8. This ecological region experienced drought conditions during the last two years of the study. The resulting poor nutrition was reflected in the observed reproductive rates.
Rolling Plains
Most does were bred from October 8 to December 30 in the three years studies. Study areas showed a peak date of December 3 in the north and November 20 in the south. The Rolling Plains had the highest incidence of pregnancy, with 97 percent.
Edwards Plateau
Conception dates for this region ranged from as early as October 9 to a late date of January 30. The Edwards Plateau, Texas' highest deer production region, was divided into three areas for the study. The eastern part had a peak breeding date of November 7. Peak breeding for the central portion was November 24, and the western area had a peak date of December 5.
Cross Timbers
Representing the north-central part of the state, conception dates in the Cross Timbers and Prairies were as early as October 13 and extended to December 17. In the northern portion of the region the average breeding date was November 15. The average breeding date in the southern part was November 17.
Trans-Pecos
Conception dates in the Trans-Pecos ranged from as early as November 4 to as late as January 4 during the 3-year study. The peak date of the breeding season was December 8. This ecological region experienced drought conditions during the last two years of the study. The resulting poor nutrition was reflected in the observed reproductive rates.
South Texas Plains
South Texas had the latest rut in the state. Breeding dates ranged from November 9 to February 1 during the three years. In the eastern part of the area the peak breeding date was December 16, while in the west it was December 24.
Gulf Praries and Marshes
The earliest whitetail breeding in the state occurred in this ecological region. Breeding occurred in the period August 24 to November 25. There were two study areas: the northern study area had a peak date of September 30, while the southern area was a month later with an October 31 peak breeding date.
Post Oak Savannah
The conception dates for does in this region ranged from September 30 to January 16 during the study period. Two study areas were used. The peak breeding dates for the central and southern portions were almost identical. The peak dates were November 10 and 11, respectively.
Trans-Pecos
Conception dates in the Trans-Pecos ranged from as early as November 4 to as late as January 4 during the 3-year study. The peak date of the breeding season was December 8. This ecological region experienced drought conditions during the last two years of the study. The resulting poor nutrition was reflected in the observed reproductive rates.
Rolling Plains
Most does were bred from October 8 to December 30 in the three years studies. Study areas showed a peak date of December 3 in the north and November 20 in the south. The Rolling Plains had the highest incidence of pregnancy, with 97 percent.
Edwards Plateau
Conception dates for this region ranged from as early as October 9 to a late date of January 30. The Edwards Plateau, Texas' highest deer production region, was divided into three areas for the study. The eastern part had a peak breeding date of November 7. Peak breeding for the central portion was November 24, and the western area had a peak date of December 5.
Cross Timbers
Representing the north-central part of the state, conception dates in the Cross Timbers and Prairies were as early as October 13 and extended to December 17. In the northern portion of the region the average breeding date was November 15. The average breeding date in the southern part was November 17.
Trans-Pecos
Conception dates in the Trans-Pecos ranged from as early as November 4 to as late as January 4 during the 3-year study. The peak date of the breeding season was December 8. This ecological region experienced drought conditions during the last two years of the study. The resulting poor nutrition was reflected in the observed reproductive rates.
South Texas Plains
South Texas had the latest rut in the state. Breeding dates ranged from November 9 to February 1 during the three years. In the eastern part of the area the peak breeding date was December 16, while in the west it was December 24.
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