This will be my first trip to Eastland, and I have no idea what to expect. I just know I'm going to a family friends ranch. I have no idea about feeders or anything. I do know that this ranch has not been hunted much (if at all) the past few years.
I am hoping to be out there by around 3 or so on Friday.
How would you approach this?

Deer are starting to move better that the acorns are thinning out. Sit on a water source. They will go to water because of the heat

Hunt as much of the daylight as you can. They're still not moving good but more than they were. I just started getting pics of does at my feeder.

Alright thanks for the advice. I have zero knowledge on this place so it could be an interesting weekend.

The good thing about this is you will go out there WITHOUT expectations of that GOOD hunting spot.
Good luck to you

Yeah, I have expectations of a good time and that is all. I know there are pigs on the land as well so I wouldn't have a problem with one of those. Just be a good time with my dad and that will be more than enough.

I talked with one of the processors in central Eastland county and they said in their 16 years, this is by far the slowest. The acorns are starting to thin out but it's still pretty warm. Feeders and attractants haven't worked well for a lot of folks but have for others. It's hard to see rutting activity when you don't see many deer in the first place. I'd stick it out and hunt as much as possible. The moon will be at about 30% so that's a plus. Water, cover, pinch points and trails.....that's what I've gone to already. The corn will be there but if the deer aren't at the corn, I can't pull the trigger.

Where are you hunting? That could make a difference.

Good luck

To be honest I have absolutely no idea meeting up with my dad around 1 on Friday and heading out. I have no knowledge of what I am getting into.

Its always nice going to a new place to hunt, I know I enjoy it myself. I personally have never hunted in that area, but stay focused on enjoying the trip and the rest will fall in place....and pigs....just more targets of opportunity!!! Good Luck and Shoot Straight!!!

When you get there Friday afternoon hope in the truck and go for a drive. Look for trails that r right off the roads and think back to places you have set up feeders and blinds in the past at other hunting locations and use that to your advantage. Water sources are a plus but if there isn't heavy cover or an area for them to gain easy acess then I wouldn't put to much emphasis on hunting it. Now if there's a spring fed creek or a pond with a flat side next to cover corn out the dry flat area and find you a spot to watch it. Deer travel roads just like we do just in heavier cover. If you see a lot of game trls off a road corn it out Friday evening and Saturday mourning and hunt it. If you feed them on a traveled area chances are you will see more than one deer. Good luck

Yeah it will be a good time regardless of getting a deer or not. That's the most important thing.

Well said

X2

If it is like the place I hunt in Eastland County you should be intime for the secondary rut. Good luck and have a great time. Hope to be out that way Sunday and Monday.

Alright guys thanks for the advice. I am looking forward to scouting a new place and experimenting to see what happens. Should be a blast!

drive down the roads (dont walk thru...to much scent on the ground )and look for any kind of funnel area with well worn trails .......be down wind of those areas and still at last light and first light .....
lightly corn the area of the road where the funnels cross it ....
do not touch the corn and its best to pour it out of the truck window as you drive by the spot
....if you do this you will see deer
without more knowledge of the place this will work well
best of luck to ya ......
you might also think about a fairly deep grunt call .....
with rut slowing down bucks sometimes come to grunts to see if there is one last doe available