Will be doing some hunting in Schleicher county this year. In particular east of Eldorado. What should I expect for this area? What’s usual rut time frame?

I will also be hunting in that area for the first time this year, on a place NW of Eldorado. So far I've seen lots of deer, some turkeys and hogs. Seems like the deer are bigger then the hill country, but not as big a south TX. No exotics on our place, but are there axis near by? I'd like to hear more from folks that know the area too.

We hunt in Menard, my dad said the deer have been scant this year compared to years past. With that said we only have 100 acres. Drought has been bad there. We get axis deer often through out place. I will go find out week of Thanksgiving.

We are west, not east

We hunt 75 acres east of Eldorado. Last year was pretty rough. A lot fewer animals overall on 3 cameras, and not nearly as much mass (body or antler) as 2021 (which was exceptional). This year bodies and horns are looking a lot better, but numbers still seem to be low. And I agree--deer are typically bigger than the Hill Country and not as big as S TX. Axis on the cameras for the first time this year. Lots of turkeys.

My brother struck out with a bow early this month. The true test will be opening weekend.

Good luck!

We are west of Eldorado 20 miles. We lost deer last year due to drought or they moved somewhere else for better forage, this is on 4k acres only one doe was shot. This year
our numbers are looking alot better and we are seeing some good bucks in the 140-160 range.

I was on a lease for 5 years just north of the Eldorado Air Station. We always had lots of deer, but no true trophies. 130” was tops. It wasn’t unusual to see 10-20 deer per sit though, so it was always a good time. No exotics on the place we had. (2700 acres +/-)

Depending on the ranch there are some nice bucks east of Eldorado.. Peak runs from about the 12th to Thanksgiving