What is the most reliable source for determining best times to deer hunt by location in Texas?

I think I'm a pretty reliable source. I hunt the first hour or so of day light and the last hour or so of day light. Worked pretty good for me over the years. Should be pretty consistent anywhere in the state. Maybe stay a little longer during the rut

I am lucky enough to be able to hunt as often as I want to...and I do, so there are no bad times as far as I am concerned. Sitting in the blind observing all wildlife is much better than working or sitting around the house any day. Matter of fact, I will be heading to the blind in about 2.5 hrs even with gusty winds and temps of 82 or so are not going to keep me from hunting.

That is a pretty good generalization. Pretty much what I do now, maybe spend a little longer on each hunt than an hour. But some days are better than others.

There are lot of websites, just wondering if one is more reliable than others.

https://www.google.com/search?sourc...CDoQ4dUDCAs&uact=5#spf=1574278404539

My buddy just called and said the rut is on. I think it's time. He's pretty reliable only lives 4 miles from my place. He's retired and likes to sit on his porch and watch enjoy his coffee. He texted me last night and said Bucks are running and does are hot!

Best times to be out vary based on a lot of factors. Moon is a big one. Temperature is another. I didn’t see a single deer move in the morning until about 8:30 on my last three morning sits. OTOH, they have been moving much earlier in the afternoon than usual. Also, I think many would be amazed at how many mature bucks are killed in the middle of the day during the rut.

IMO the “hour after daybreak/hour before dark” philosophy can cause one to miss seeing a lot of game. Bottom line, I’m like stx. I try to be out as much as possible especially during this time of year, because anything can happen.

You can play odds but the best time to hunt is anytime you can. I shot my two biggest bucks between the 3 and 3:20 pm in the middle of the afternoon. In fishing, Ive caught as many big flatheads during the middle of the day as I have over night. Always heard to hunt the noon on full moon and it has rarely paid off for me.

^^^^^

A whole lotta game!

The last couple of weeks I haven't seen a deer one...until 8:30-9:00 a.m. and later. Shutting down about 11:00 a.m. (a few moving mid day) then again as early as 2 p.m.

During the rut...if you can be out there...DO! I am just now beginning to see 'new' bucks....which is normally my cue to start hunting seriously.

yep, I sit as long as possible anytime I can. In general, from an hour plus before sunrise until 10:00-10:30 and back in the stand 2:30-3:00 until an hour after sundown ... but if I can sit longer, I do.

the first cold front in December

Half an hour before sunup until half an hour after sun down, during deer season.....

Great feedback. I agree with the "anytime you can" approach, you gotta play to win especially during the rut. However I am limited to the amount of time that I can spend and I believe some days are better than others. I have hunted the first 3 weekends of gun season, the first two were good with activity, last weekend not so much. Just looking for a reliable reference that can help be smarter about which days I hunt in the Cross Timbers region.

Sometimes 'how' you hunt is more important than a particular day or conditions. We don't know how large/small a property you are hunting and if you are confined to one area or not (stand hunting). IF you have the luxury of moving around (different spots) or still hunting, then simply trying a different area can make all the difference.

IF you are on a lease and are restricted to a small area...then yes, try to determine the best times of day and be there as much as you can.

I don't really know if there is a reliable source. It is like fish. I have a stock tanks I feed the catfish in. One day they will meet me waiting to be fed. Another day they will not even come up to feed. Deer it seems are the same. One day they will be running all over the place any time of day and the next you will never see a deer. I have seen sometimes more at noon that you see in a morning or evening. Why? Only the deer know. I am like Ranchman. I just like to look at them and try to understand them. A lot of times I will experiment with them to see who they react to different sounds or movements. Then to see how long it takes for them to forget what alarmed them. And all deer are different on how they treat a sound or movement.

Like others have said, moon, temperature, weather all play a part. But animals will act differently in different parts, put in time in the stand or scouting and you should be able to figure the schedule those animals live on.

White tail deer are generally considered crepuscular, meaning they are primarily active during low light hours, early morning and late afternoon.

If the moon is full and the sky is clear, hunt 10 AM to 2PM and then dusk.

Set the alarm when it's cold and get up. If you see a heavy frost outside, go back to bed. Deer do not eat frozen stuff, start hunting about 9 AM.

Minutes 1 through 5 after legal in morning and 1 through 5 before unlegal time at night. Hunt no other times.

I have several cellular cames that I look at daily. Helps me determine when the best times to hunt are. As others have mentioned - most of the activity is consistently before sunrise and shortly after sunset. This is for both bucks and does.

As others have mentioned - there are a lot of factors that change their behaviour through the season. Moon, weather, rut, acorns dropping, pressure from hunters and/or other animals... etc.

Does and younger bucks are more consistent year-round. Though the past few weekends - they weren't showing up at their usual times. I think the change in weather and the amount of acorns on the ground has temporarily changed their habits.

Older bucks are often not predictable. Especially during rut. If you are looking for a nice buck - your chances will increase the more you hunt. Lately, it seems more activity is happening late morning or mid-afternoon. I'm sure this will change as the rut goes on and native plants they feed on disappear.

Good feedback but I should have asked "Best Days To Hunt" in my subject line. Thanks for all of the replies so far.

every day is the best day to hunt if you have that luxury ... but not many of us do, so any day I can be in the woods, I am.

but with that said, I grew up hunting by where the moon was ... if the moon was up, we went hunting. if the moon was coming up afternoon, we would make a point to hunt the afternoon ... and if the moon was setting sometime during the morning, we would hunt the morning. Personally, I like hunting around the full moon, but usually only a couple of hours are first light and at last light.

During the rut, I will hunt anytime I can - regardless of moon phase, wind etc. Otherwise will be in the woods for 3 hours in the morning and 3 in the afternoon regardless.

That is pretty much my plan.

Best time is: WHENEVER you can! Never know when it is gonna happen!

LIke the man said Anytime you can hunt is a good time to be out there.

This year it was 9:50 CST