With this being roughly the half-way point of the general season, where do you stand with the harvest?

I've seen more deer than I remember seeing during any past season. Seen a couple of bucks that would have passed the 13-inch rule but we're still on the young side, and a lot spikes and lesser bucks. Took a doe and spike for a couple of the landowners. Expecting to get many more hours in the stand during the Christmas and New Years holidays.

Nothing comes to the feeder regularly. Been a waste of my time so far.


I'll add that I'm currently wasting my time as well. But it doesn't help that the wind is 20-30

Worst year in 5 years.

A good friend of mine has food plots scattered all over his place and has not seen near the deer that I have this season. And our tracts are in the same general area with less than a half mile between our gates. I also know him well enough that I know he's telling the truth. His place mostly pines on high ground and he planted late in mid October. The tract that I hunt is hardwood creek bottom and I planted in mid September. And his place has seen less pressure.

As they say in the real estate business, when it comes to deer habitat, it's all about the location of your property that matters most.

Have not been in a deer blind yet.

Like WCallaway, I haven't hunted yet. I leave midweek.

I have not personally saw a live deer since season started. But the cameras say they are here.

Glad I'm not the only one then.


Over the last few hunts I've about seen as much yote activity as I have deer activity which is part of the problem. But even last year I was seeing a lot more deer so i don't know. I do know I'm about to start hitting the yote hunting. They're lucky I've been bow hunting instead of rifle hunting.

Opening weekend I was absolutely covered up in small bucks.

I've tagged out for the year, though, on deer the owner wanted gone, mostly does. Now I'm just guiding for friends/family.

Weird year. Deer are there and healthy but had plenty to eat up until recently so not as much activity in the plots. Feeders have been mostly ignored since about the second week of bow season.

That said, we have seen some nice deer with a little change in tactics.

Seems like there have been more "dead" days than usual with little/no movement. Only about a week of "magical" days during November when usually we have 2-3 weeks of excellent movement.

I have always really considered the season to be over after this weekend. I know that is purely a mental thing and I will continue hunting, but I just don't like hunting once the leaves fall. I start on the woodcock with my dog then. This year will be different though as my oldest daughter is still hunting so I'm looking forward to some more time with her.

Still plugging away in Baylor county. Worst in 3 yrs that I have been on. Guys on the place that have been there for 14 yrs say its never been this bad. Land around us is now leased up and lots of shooting, at what we aren't certain. Possible thoughts of the drought finally affecting us, coyote issues etc.

Price you pay I guess.

It's been bad for me in jack county. I've spent 40-50 hours in the blind and seen 4 deer. 2 were over 500 yards away, one I missed (scope ring issue that's since been fixed) and one buck who was a shooter, but was chasing so hard even when I yelled at him he wouldn't stop. I'm hoping the next couple weeks puts a deer in my freezer.

I have my buck tags filled. Seeing 15-20 does every morning in the stand.

Reading all these reports, I'm blessed and need to give thanks!

I'm seeing about the same number that we normally see in Coke Co, just not seeing any quality bucks. I harvested a 7 pt cull buck this weekend, going to give it a few more weeks and hopefully take a nice 8. If that doesn't happen I'll burn both tags on management bucks.

Judging from the amount of gunfire on our neighboring property, it's a pretty safe bet that our neighbors are taking the 2.5-3.5 year old 8's that we were seeing on cameras this fall. They have all disappeared over the last month.

It's been a big waste of time for me, but I did introduce a new hunter to the woods, and my dad killed his first buck since he introduced me to hunting 16 years ago. So I'm pretty happy with those results

It's been a big waste of time for me, but I did introduce a new hunter to the woods, and my dad killed his first buck since he introduced me to hunting 16 years ago. So I'm pretty happy with those results

Me too. Thank you Lord for a great year!

Add a third one to being a happy camper.

For those of you having success, just wondering where you're located?

Seems like a lot of us not seein much are in East Texas.

I spend most of my time hunting a small tract of hardwood bottom in Houston County (East Texas). The first legal buck I saw was a 15-inch, 3-1/2 that walked past me Opening Morning while hunting the Davy Crockett National Forest.

In terms of deer sightings, this year has been as great as last season was poor while hunting the same stand sites.

I hunted steady this year. I helped both my nephews shoot their first deer. Things slowed way down lately though.

Hill country good as always, nothing huge (antlers), as always, free range axis off, tons of turkeys

We have had a pretty good year so far, as far as seeing deer on every outing.. My dad shot a good buck opening weekend nice older 8 with huge brows, I missed the biggest buck we have on camera!!... And have seen some other shooters but to far off... All in all I guess so far so good.. Sounds like we are blessed too compared to others... Good luck rest of the year..

Good year so far.

Shot my new personal best opening weekend 173 2/8" low fence. Had some of our other target management deer taken. Been pretty slow so far at our corn feeders. Have had to hunt a little different this year.