Hey everyone I have a question as few on here probably know From previous posts I have my own property and normally hunt in Stephens County.
A coworker today told me if I wanted I could come down a weekend in Dec/January to his 570 acre farm 6 miles outside of Dilley.
He explained to me that his dad and himself run 2 feeders on the property and depending on the weather of course they normally have wheat/oats.
During early season they do quite a bit of dove hunting he said and normally the week of Christmas the family all go down there and hunt deer however the rest of the season no one‘s there!
He told me other then the week of Christmas I can pick any weekend in December or January and come down and hunt this property. Being that I am from North Texas I figured this would be a cool opportunity to visit some of y’all’s part of the state and see how different deer hunting really is compared to my parts. I understand all depends on the weather however between December and January if you had to pick a weekend which month and around what weekend would you pick?
He says the buck population has really done well The past four years as they Have concentrated more on Dove and less on deer since his father is getting older and is more into shooting something more often rather than sitting in a blind.
He also said this would be a great easy weekend at filling the freezer with venison as he normally always see’s Doe!
I’m just trying to figure out when is peak for this area and when is a good time after peak for this area?
This is a low fence farm so we are not talking about high fence.

I figured I would ask you guys on here and pick your brains before I made a decision!


Thanks

Well, if the 'week of Christmas' includes both weekends, then your options are Dec 15-16 or Jan 5-6. Personally I would rather hunt ahead of somebody else than behind them; my choice would be Dec 15-16 even though that may be a bit early for their peak.

That area has the potential for some really big deer. I would get a clear definition from the coworker if there is anything off-limits, so you don't end up shooting a great deer and angering the coworker.

Just be sure you go.

On average the rut around Dilley kicks off around Middle of December. Plus or minus a few days the weekend of December 15-16 could be boon or bust. If still hot the young bucks will be trailing does but the older mature guys will be waiting and watching. If it is a colder December, then it could be down right fantastic.

Post Christmas the big guys will still be looking for the does that did not get bred the first go round, but there is a big chance that a good amount of them will have broken horns. It amazing how some of those guys can break those head gears, but if you ever witness two mature deer that are equal go at it, it makes you glad your just a spectator.

If it were me, I would go before Christmas and take my chance the bucks are moving and not broke up.

Watch out for monkeys

Thank you for those who have responded I will look at the calendar now and figure out my date.
Can’t wait to see the difference in my area compared to south Texas!

As stated above..anytime after Dec15 or so and plus dark of the moon

I have hunted in Cotulla (just south of dilley) for years. Right around Christmas seemed to be when they were in full rut. Bring your camera. Hunting south is night and day compared to Stephens Co. While you are there be sure to check out the Los Cazadores store in pearsall.
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Good Luck....

I've hunted that area years ago, and some of that area is hunted pretty hard, with a lot of small acreage ranches, so it all depends on where you are going to hunt.
If you have a chance for a late season hunt after Christmas, that is what I would pick.
His family knows this is during the rut, and why they go down and hunt, not just because it's Christmas, and early to mid January can be good as well and the weather is colder.

Don't forget, this is south Texas, and the deer don't like to move during the day when it's hot, and sweating and swatting skeeters doesn't feel like hunting, especially not seeing any deer.