The bucks were going crazy this morning. Larry took a nice 8 point. While we were gutting it a couple of other bucks ran by chasing does. Then later I went to move the gut pile and 2 more bucks came by after a doe. And now they are starting to stink.

I agree the rut is definitely on.
We saw a half dozen different bucks this weekend all running does and in a couple of case a second buck came thru on the same trail 15-20 minutes later.
We did shoot two of the bigger bucks and both of them stunk like crazy and their tarssel glands (hocks) were black and smelled awful which tells us they are rutting hard
We also had great luck rattling bucks in. One of the bigger 10 pointers came to a rattle & grunt sequence and we shot him at 75 yds.
Atleast on our ranch south of Breckenridge

I think it's still about ten days early in the hill country....but at least their minds are on it.

It's still a month out in south Texas, longer in the southern counties

Don,
where do you guys hunt? I am out by the HC State Natural Area. Only saw one buck this weekend. It was slow, slow, slow. Saw him Saturday evening right before dark. He stood back behind a cedar bush about 150 yards away and only showed his head and half of his neck. We looked at each other for about 10 minutes before he turned around and melted into the brush. Hard to tell exactly because of the low light and the angle, but he looked like a high horned 8 or 10. Spread was just outside the ears. Nice deer for that area.

The deer are going crazy in Central Oklahoma. We saw deer on each sitting this weekend, even with the wind.

My son saw a couple of does and I saw a pack of four cruising along. Was in hopes one of the nice bucks we have seen would be following along...no luck. Did not see one all weekend.

About 3 miles S.W. of town. They really started yesterday. Yesterday afternoon they were chasing and this morning was like I had not seen in a long time. Usually around here you just see one or 2 chasing. This morning I saw 5 different bucks after does.

You off of 1077? Lots of exotics in that area. We have almost zero in the way of exotics. A very occassional audad and thats about it.

we are in jack county and brother had a 8 point and 6 point fighting hard about 50 yds in front of him. the 8 won and took over doe that 6 had with him so that doe seemed to be in estrous because she didn`t run away just walked off and 8 followed.

I'm outside of Breckendridge, and I also think the rut just started. We saw several good bucks chasing does, and rattled in a few bucks.

Off 470 the road to Tarpley. Quite a few axis at times here. Other stuff rarely.

Seen 4 on the big ranch this morning two were chasing.

I agree with this. We saw a few bucks trailing does in Llano County this weekend, but it wasn't in in full swing yet. I have high hopes for next weekend through Thanksgiving.

Chad, which way outside Breckenridge? I am too, of 1148 headed to the lake.

I'm north of Abilene about an hour and the rut is not officially on. I've had 4-6 doe at my feeders morning and evening, and the bucks that walk by aren't even interested in them yet. I've had a few TC pics of bucks with their heads down but it's still pre-rut north of Abilene. I had 2 different bucks come and go this morning and 2 big doe in the same area, and the bucks didn't seem to care much.

Just got back from town and I saw a pretty good 8 point after a doe on the county road. Believe me the rut is going full blast.

Friend of mine has a place just north of S.A. near 1604 and they were chasing this weekend (Saturday) with one in the 140 class.
Saw some this morning on my place about 30 south and they were chasing the does this morning.
It's just starting but it's about a week early.

I used to hunt in Bandera County and it wasn't unusual for bucks to be rutting hard on opening weekend or first week in November right up to Thanksgiving.

Rut is on in Coryell Co. too bucks chasing does everywhere and bucks fighting to beat all heck!!

Every buck I seen was chasing does in Montague County.

I'm on a new lease about 10 miles west of Stephenville (Erath County). This past weekend saw 2 young bucks running and sparring in the middle of the day. I'm interested to know when the rut typically starts in this area. I'm thinking or hoping it starts this week. As I won't have the opportunity to hunt next week.

per TPWD, it is now?

http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/huntwild/hunt/planning/rut_whitetailed_deer/table/#prairies

Yep, it's on. Last nite in Denton Cnty I rattled up a buck after two minutes of cranking on the horns. Came in on a rope to 30 yards. Bummer that it was only a dink of a fork-horn.

There are a few on this forum who are questioning my ability to say that the rut is on here where I live. They seem to think that it is still a week to 10 days away. I am 66 years old and except for 2 years I have not lived on pavement. I live out in the country and this past couple of days are like non I have seen in a long time. I have not seen the amount of bucks after does like this in a real long time.It reminds me of the way the bucks act in South Texas. Very seldom around here do you see the amount of activity that I have seen yesterday and today. I do not know how long it will last but it is a sight to see.

I believe you don! I've seen them also and probably as many years as you being I'm 65!
Lot of those experts on here are young wippersnappers who were wearing diapers when we were chasing those bucks in our early forties.