has anybody seen any rutting signs? I checked my cameras today and have couple picture of some guys with their noses down in the middle of the day. Think that last cold front did it?

It might be best to start the discussion by getting everyone on the same page in terms of what constitutes the various phases of the rut. While not everyone agrees with what to call each phase, there are titles that seem most common.

Rut Phases

I would not be surprised to learn the Chase Phase is now getting started in East Texas.

Think more than anything depends on where your at.

Our deer just barely shed velvet.

Bucks are starting to roam again with all the cooler weather and rainfall this past 7 days in Goliad County. I just spent a week hunting in South Texas to my west and bucks were sparing like crazy. Some bucks were still grouped up but most are running in singles. Whipping brush and keeping their distance from each other as they find their place in the herd. Lot of bucks checking out does and lip curling on any doe that urinates. They had bucks on TC 3.5 miles from their normal feeder location only to see them move back 3 days later. Then move the opposite direction a mile and return back to their home area. Starting to see a few broken tines already on both places I hunted this month. There were way more younger bucks active than mature bucks this week west of me.

They were moving this morning.

watched one nice buck hook a tree and within 20 minutes (3) other smaller bucks hooked the same tree. Definately some pre-Rut activity in the San Saba area. VERY VERY green.....with all the natural browse deer are not flocking to feeders or road corn

They're devouring my road corn. Feeders, not that much though. Weird. Been seeing lots of rubs, a few scrapes, some sparring. With the 'new' moon approaching along with cooler weather, things are fixin' to get real.

Tis tough seperating the from d rest of d crap.

Rut tis usualy associated with after deer come outa velvet. Might be why called "racks" instead of horns like on cows. Deer only breed whin "horn's are hard"? Tis this only time does come in heat ? Deer ranchers would have best impute. Have seen late-late fawns in d wild.
Buck-doe ratio plays big roll in "Rut".
As pappy once said: "Hunters are the eyes & ears of the woods." Old school here, were i was raised, hunting was "poormans foodstamps." Twas a Blessing when WMA opened up just down road. Rising costs of hunting leases, going ta highest bidder, games played.
We signed in, at end of hunt gave info what seen, taken. It got replaced by cams. Twas archery, deer, chance ta take doe. Cheaper leases, rifle buck only, hmmm, buck-doe ratio, couldnt get doe permit.
Pretty much stayed out of the deer hunting section, keeping me for discussion forum. Giving voice of a low-income hunter.

have been seeing several scrapes & rubs here for few weeks, on topic ta op.
still gots cheap posts.

Bucks have been chasing for about 10 days in Bastrop County......Not full tilt but definitely looking for the ladies.

Watching deer in north Texas, not seeing any real rut sign, no following or chasing doe, no big battles, just yearling jousting.

Still in bachelor groups up here North...........

Bachelor groups have broken up at my place in northeast Tx, only seeing single bucks now. No doe chasing but I have seen a couple bucks hanging out near the feeders that the does are starting to come in to...

Is that hay in your feeder?

Doc, It is a bale of alfalfa.

I still have pictures of that guy sniffing behind does. the other bucks are still in groups of 2-3.

I saw 2 different bucks chasing does yesterday morning here in Lee county.