At Cotton Mesa Trophy Whitetail Ranch, we have spent decades building a thriving herd of quality whitetails in Central Texas. Our experienced guides, magnificent lodge, and trophy whitetail bucks make for the perfect whitetail hunting season in Texas. If a trophy whitetail buck is on your hunting bucket list, Cotton Mesa is the destination for you during Texas whitetail season! The Cotton Mesa team is always here for you, and now, we’re here to share the ins and outs of Texas whitetail deer hunts, sharing the vast experience amassed by our expert guides and seasoned hunting team at Cotton Mesa.
Whitetail deer hunts in Texas follow the traditional schedule and patterns of deer behavior during hunting season.
Many hunters consider the pre-rut to be the best time to target a mature trophy buck in a known area while their movement is more predictable. At Cotton Mesa Trophy Whitetail Ranch, we are incredibly familiar with our whitetail population and can locate the specific score quality buck you are after.
What to Expect in Buck Behavior Pre-Rut
Bucks begin establishing their dominance during this period which means that they will heavily rub on trees and saplings, as well as scraping. They will begin to travel a little further than their normal range pattern. They increase in activity as they get ready for and begin the rut.
Best Location & Strategy for Hunting Whitetails Pre-Rut
In this pre-rut phrase, the scouting guides at Cotton Mesa Trophy Whitetail Ranch will typically focus on areas where rub lines and scrape clusters are visible. You can also follow game trails and highlight areas that connect the whitetail bedding areas to feeding areas. At this time, an ambush stands or blind set up on the downwind side of the does’ food source is a good location. A good strategy would be to use a few light grunts to intrigue a buck without a full challenge. They also may be drawn into a territorial investigation if they believe they hear a fight with rattling and grunting which may draw them toward the blind.
Buck Behavior During the Peak Rut
During this phase, bucks are most actively chasing, driving, and trying to connect with receptive does. There is a potential for mature books to be locked down with a doe for a few days at a time. The bucks that are not locked are constantly moving, following the easiest path to track down does.
Strategy & Best Location for Whitetail Hunts During the Peak Season
During this time, bucks are incredibly active, which means that if you commit to hunting from dawn until dusk, you have a good chance of bagging the big one. Whether you are on the move or in a blind, your chances increase during the day in this phase. Focus on travel paths that include a food and bedding source. Setting up near a water crossing or funnel point is always a good strategy. Intermittent grunting with a mix of doe bleats may attract a cruising buck during this phrase of the whitetail season. Rattling is best avoided, as most bucks are already actively chasing. If you’re set up in a blind, using a dough, decoy may draw a buck into your shooting range.
Buck Behavior During Post-Rut Hunting Season
This is when the intensity of the rut drops and bucks are severely fatigued. Most likely they are focusing more on recovery and beginning to withdraw. In some cases, however, there is a second rut. If a doe was not successfully bred, she will cycle again 28 days later, opening up the opportunity for a second rut.
Hunting Strategy for the Post-Rut
At this point bucks have typically lost body weight and will refocus back on feeding. This means that the best location for hunts will be the high-energy food sources nearby. Look for late acorns, protein feed, and winter browse areas with thick cover. They will feed heavily and then retreat to rest. You can target thickets and locations where a late cycle doe might be available for a second rut which may draw out a mature buck during daylight hours. This may give you an opportunity to get them in your sights. During this time, calling is less effective than during the earlier phases. Light rattling may work, as more dominant bucks may have been harvested or are feeding, allowing a lesser buck to respond to a challenge.
When you book an all-inclusive trophy whitetail buck hunt in Richland, TX at Cotton Mesa Trophy Whitetail Ranch, the above strategies, tactics, and knowledge are regularly employed by our seasoned guides. Our guides are well-versed in the movements and habits of our deer populations after having observed them year after year. As such, when you hunt with us, we will ensure you get in close to a quality trophy buck for the takedown. All of our hunts are customized so you can be as involved as you like. Once the hunt is on, if you’re a more seasoned hunter, your calling tactics and blind placement can be practiced as you apply your knowledge and skill. Beginner hunters may prefer dedicated guidance, provided by our expert hunting guides, providing everything from scouting and calling to shot placement. Whatever your preference, Cotton Mesa provides it, setting you up for the perfect opportunity to harvest a trophy animal and have a blast!
When the hunt is over and you’ve harvested the animal on your bucket list, relax in style and comfort at our luxurious hunting lodge. With a talented kitchen team and ample entertainment, the all-inclusive experience at Cotton Mesa is everything you’d hope it would be. Contact our team at Cotton Mesa Trophy Whitetail Ranch today to book the all-inclusive trophy whitetail hunt of a lifetime, complete with world-class service, experienced guided hunts, and quality trophy animals!
