East Texas hunting 2022-‘23 season

[GarGuy]

Boys, it is gonna be a historic big buck year in east tx. Unlike the area barely west of us, we had enough spring rain to really get the ball rolling. Couple that with deer coming out of winter in amazing condition, and a near non existent acorn crop from what I am seeing... we are about to shoot some studs. Horns are looking super in leon, Houston, and trinity cos.

I'm perking up pretty good.

[GarGuy]

Originally Posted by Tshelly

They are still crushing the cotton seed as fast as we can keep it out. Questions on closest ton sacks of cotton seed to Huntsville, TX for next year really? We have been buying it at Tractor Supply or our local feed store


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That cotton seed will make the racks narrow like that.

[Gumbo Man]

I’ve been meaning to ask the crew about acorns. We’ve been wetter than most up to a month ago and I’m not seeing a crop at all.

[Preacher Man]

Originally Posted by Gumbo Man

I’ve been meaning to ask the crew about acorns. We’ve been wetter than most up to a month ago and I’m not seeing a crop at all.

Haven’t seen much for acorns in my neck of the pineywoods

[Snowflake Killa]

Originally Posted by Gumbo Man

I’ve been meaning to ask the crew about acorns. We’ve been wetter than most up to a month ago and I’m not seeing a crop at all.

My white oak in my yard is loaded

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[Gumbo Man]

Originally Posted by Snowflake Killa

My white oak in my yard is loaded

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Can I set a pop up in your yard? I’ll only hunt while your sleeping.

[Tyrex750]

Don't even have a pic of a buck yet. Got about 600 yrds of pipline that I can look at. Hopefully they just bypassing the cameras.

[GarGuy]

Originally Posted by Snowflake Killa

My white oak in my yard is loaded

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That might be a gold mine. I looked around pretty good and see almost no acorns here. Of course one eye is blind. Heck after surgery Tuesday there may be a full crop!!lol

[hogslayer78]

I had a nice 8 show up last night👍

[Gumbo Man]

Nice one Micheal. Looks like he might have some spread to him.

[andre3k]

Nothing exciting yet in Newton county. Same old scraggly does are hitting the feeders. Seen one maybe two bucks all year on camera. I don't even get hogs often on my camera.

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[Oldskool67]

Getting a couple on camera

[ElfEyes]

I really think nutrition is the limiting factor on my newton lease. We have bucks on camera for multiple years that can't get out of the 120s. Last year I really thought our top buck would hopefully be in the 140s this year but looks like he's backslide a little

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[ZachW]

I am ready to get back from Florida for my clinical rotations and get my fields ready for a fall food plot. I have a few good deer showing up this year and a ton of good young deer as well.

[Etxbuckman]

Originally Posted by ElfEyes

I really think nutrition is the limiting factor on my newton lease. We have bucks on camera for multiple years that can't get out of the 120s. Last year I really thought our top buck would hopefully be in the 140s this year but looks like he's backslide a little

You're exactly right. I know our lease could go to the next level if we all fed, but I have a hard time justifying the cost when you're on a year-to-year contract.

And if you're the only person doing it, you're really just wasting time and money.

[jershua]

Gentlemen,

My knowledge of bow hunting East Texas bucks was zero when I joined the lease 3 years ago and thanks to all of you, I have been writing down all of the advice / input I can find on these yearly threads. I greatly appreciate all of the input!

Your advice worked. I built 2 hand corn feeder pens in remote areas where other hunters do not go on my lease (total of 5 for 500 acres - high pressure). The first one is only does. The second one is covered in mature dear and has a bachelor group of 6 deer hitting the hand corn w/ vanilla spray. I would estimate 2 of them are 5 1/2 years or older and would score around 135 to 145!

I am trying to hunt this spot come October and I have a couple questions I do know the answers to and wanted get your input:


1) The bucks are only coming out at night, about 1-2 hours past sunset. Is there anything I can do to increase my odds of a day-light sighting / shot in October?

2) Should I build my tree stand over the feeder pen or should I drop some new hand corn about 50 yards away from the feeder pen and set up there to hunt in October? I finally found some mature shooters that others have never seen and I don't want to ruin this hand-corn spot for future years - would hunting directly over it ruin it? I don't have a lot of other options to hunt where others don't go so trying to kill the bucks without ruining it b/c I have no idea or experience here.

3) When in the season would you think is best to hunt it? Might scare all of them away? Or should I try and hunt the area October 20 - Nov 5 when only a single buck might be cruising?

I really appreciate the input and can't wait for the responses!

[Snowflake Killa]

Originally Posted by GarGuy

That might be a gold mine. I looked around pretty good and see almost no acorns here. Of course one eye is blind. Heck after surgery Tuesday there may be a full crop!!lol

Good luck with the eye

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[GarGuy]

If you keep corning, they will start coming in daylight. The key is setting up where you can get in and out on a certain wind. I wouldn't put corn outside the oven or you will be inviting the hogs to ruin your spot

[jershua]

Appreciate the input. Should I be concerned about shooting over the feeder pen if multiple other bucks are there at one time? Would this train them it is a death trap and might not hit it again?

[Hayek'sPupil]

Originally Posted by GarGuy

Boys, it is gonna be a historic big buck year in east tx. Unlike the area barely west of us, we had enough spring rain to really get the ball rolling. Couple that with deer coming out of winter in amazing condition, and a near non existent acorn crop from what I am seeing... we are about to shoot some studs. Horns are looking super in leon, Houston, and trinity cos.

I'm perking up pretty good.

Dont jinx it man

[stickemhard3]

The deer look extra healthy at our etx place. I am still looking for a really nice 10 w/kickers that seemed to make it through last season. Acorn crop looks to be same as other years. I will look again next trip but we have about 7-8 big oaks that the deer flock to and they all seemed to be carrying typical loads.

[GarGuy]

Originally Posted by jershua

Appreciate the input. Should I be concerned about shooting over the feeder pen if multiple other bucks are there at one time? Would this train them it is a death trap and might not hit it again?

No. Especially if bow hunting. Decide who's on the hit list and shoot him as soon as you can. During Oct, it's unlikely you will have that issue anyway.

[jershua]

Do you guys ever mess around with Mock Scrapes? If so, what are the thoughts of putting one near a hand-corn feeder pen where you could see the pen and the mock scrape?-

Not sure if a mock scrape would be a good idea or a bad idea next to a feeding area. Never done one before.

Thanks for the input!

[Tshelly]

Originally Posted by jershua

Do you guys ever mess around with Mock Scrapes? If so, what are the thoughts of putting one near a hand-corn feeder pen where you could see the pen and the mock scrape?-

Not sure if a mock scrape would be a good idea or a bad idea next to a feeding area. Never done one before.

Thanks for the input!

I’ve been looking into it. I’m probably going to use synthetic buck urine and some other stuff. Look into some podcasts with a guy named Troy Pottenger. He hunts big deer in the Idaho mountains. I think it will work especially if the deer thinks that’s his pen or is active around it.


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[Hix]

Originally Posted by jershua

Do you guys ever mess around with Mock Scrapes? If so, what are the thoughts of putting one near a hand-corn feeder pen where you could see the pen and the mock scrape?-

Not sure if a mock scrape would be a good idea or a bad idea next to a feeding area. Never done one before.

Thanks for the input!

I have a natural scrape near my hand corn on the trail coming to it. I keep a dripper over it starting late September through the season to keep it fresh. They use it every year.

If you have a good trail to your pen with a good licking branch set it up with a cam. I’ve made mock scrapes before and they work just as well.


I’ll see 15-20 different bucks visit it and some never touch the corn. It’s less than 50 yards from it.


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[East6101]

Originally Posted by jershua

Do you guys ever mess around with Mock Scrapes? If so, what are the thoughts of putting one near a hand-corn feeder pen where you could see the pen and the mock scrape?-

Not sure if a mock scrape would be a good idea or a bad idea next to a feeding area. Never done one before.

Thanks for the input!

Been making mock scrapes for a couple years now. After reading the mock scrape thread on here(you should search for it, lots of info). Just make the scrape under a low limp or hang a vine. Pee in it! Yes pee in it, you do not need deer urine. Put a camera on it and you will be amazed at how many deer will check it out. Well it at least works great at our lease in North Newton county. Buddy thought I was crazy because of the old "Don't pee near your hunting area" which we were all taught. It works. Hope this helps!

[Antlers86]

Acorns everywhere at my place. Have a really impressive 8 that I will be focusing on this season. 7-8 yrs old based on history and an absolute stud. Couple other targets as well roaming that are very similar in size but younger.

[Gumbo Man]

Stud 8. Good luck sir.

[Bayouboy]

I have seen more shooter bucks this year than the last 5. Bucks are looking extremely good.

[AgHntr10]

I haven't started running cameras yet but I am optimistic for this season. Dry years have been good to us historically, they come running for the corn when there isn't much else to eat!

[Snowflake Killa]

Originally Posted by AgHntr10

I haven't started running cameras yet but I am optimistic for this season. Dry years have been good to us historically, they come running for the corn when there isn't much else to eat!

You better get your azz in gear

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[AgHntr10]

Originally Posted by Snowflake Killa

You better get your azz in gear

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I normally start early, get frustrated in August because the bucks don't summer on me then late September they show up. Trying a different approach this year!

[trhunter]

Originally Posted by AgHntr10

I normally start early, get frustrated in August because the bucks don't summer on me then late September they show up. Trying a different approach this year!

Tell Russ and Lonnie to let you put a couple cameras on their spots till the bucks start showing on the pipeline. They always got a couple good ones.

[AgHntr10]

Originally Posted by trhunter

Tell Russ and Lonnie to let you put a couple cameras on their spots till the bucks start showing on the pipeline. They always got a couple good ones.

I will just wait for them to push them back across the creek to me.

[ElfEyes]

Do y'all think he will get to 130"? My goal is an east Texas 130 and I just can't get him to 130.

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[jershua]

Elfeyes - I have the BuckScore app and it is very accurate. I will do it w/ your deer and let you know. I think yes, that is a good 135+ deer. Go get him!

[Gumbo Man]

Good buck either way. Mature and healthy. I think that he makes it with the brow tines. Hope that he stays around and gives you an opportunity at him.

[trhunter]

Originally Posted by Gumbo Man

Good buck either way. Mature and healthy. I think that he makes it with the brow tines. Hope that he stays around and gives you an opportunity at him.

Come on Gumbo, I know you got a stud over there on your food plot. Post him so we can see.

[Snowflake Killa]

I say yes

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[tward1604]

I'd shoot him if I were looking for 130+

[Tshelly]

Originally Posted by ElfEyes

Do y'all think he will get to 130"? My goal is an east Texas 130 and I just can't get him to 130.Attachment 1098148Attachment 1098149

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Close but I believe he falls just short if I had to put money on it.


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[Gumbo Man]

Originally Posted by trhunter

Come on Gumbo, I know you got a stud over there on your food plot. Post him so we can see.

Food plot is completely gone now. They’re hitting the feed pretty heavy. Haven’t seen a single buck beyond 3 years old but they’re coming in another month. Some of the other lease members are getting pictures of the bucks that they are feeding for me. LOL. In my area Pat ( Snowflake Killa) is the one with all of the studs. He’s a few miles down the road. But he don’t post pictures. I don’t think he trusts you guys. LOL

[trhunter]

Originally Posted by Gumbo Man

Food plot is completely gone now. They’re hitting the feed pretty heavy. Haven’t seen a single buck beyond 3 years old but they’re coming in another month. Some of the other lease members are getting pictures of the bucks that they are feeding for me. LOL. In my area Pat ( Snowflake Killa) is the one with all of the studs. He’s a few miles down the road. But he don’t post pictures. I don’t think he trusts you guys. LOL

Yes Snowflake Killa is the President of the pines.

[tbgascorer]

Nice deer but I don't see more than mid 120's.

[Hix]

Originally Posted by ElfEyes

Do y'all think he will get to 130"? My goal is an east Texas 130 and I just can't get him to 130.Attachment 1098148Attachment 1098149

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127” is what i got tops


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[Gumbo Man]

Originally Posted by Hix

127” is what i got tops


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He has a couple of more weeks to put on 3” more inches hopefully.

[trhunter]

He is close! When he finishes out, maybe that will push him over the goal line.

[jershua]

The picture is at night so not perfect. However, on BuckScore it is estimating 127. I would estimate this buck is 125 to 130.

[jershua]

If you get a closer pic later in daylight, I will do it again for you.

[Snowflake Killa]

Originally Posted by trhunter

Yes Snowflake Killa is the President of the pines.

You guys want to see a bunch of junk that's all I have

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