West Texas

West Texas

Thursday, December 28, 2023

Central Alabama Whitetail Buck Aging Guide

December 28, 2023

0.5 Years
Bucks weigh between 40 and 60 pounds. Antlers typically show as buttons or small spikes.














1.5 Years
Bucks weigh between 80 and 100 pounds. Antlers show first forks and can develop into 4-points or small 6-points. The neck is not smaller and more defined at the shoulder.












2.5 Years

Bucks weigh between 120 and 140 pounds. Antler frame will be fully developed, but with short tine length and less mass. The antler's inside spread closely matches the ears. The neck is larger and begins to lose definition at the shoulder.













3.5 Years
Bucks weigh between 160 and 180 pounds. Antler frame is usually the same as the prior year, but with longer tines and more mass. The antler's inside spread can reach outside of the ears. There is less definition between the belly and rear hams making the deer look "blocky" from the side. Most bucks begin to develop grey hair on their faces, especially around the eyes.

The photos of the 9-point are from the 2022 and 2023 seasons. This buck was always cruising through the Sylvan Springs property, but never showed his antlers during daylight hours. His tines grew in length and he gained some weight between the 2022 and 2023 seasons.


4.5 Years
Bucks weigh 200+ pounds and are considered fully mature. The antlers are fully developed and wider than the ears with long tines and more mass. Very little definition between the shoulders and neck. Very little definition between the belly and rear hams. The buck will have a noticeable sway in its back.



Wednesday, December 27, 2023

Central Alabama Whitetail Deer Rut Phases and Hunting Strategies





September 15th - October 15th: Pre-season Scouting
Deploy game cameras to map early season deer movement.









October15th - November 15th: (Bow Season): Late Summer Feeding
Find oak flats that are dropping acorns and expect deer to move short distances between bedding and feeding areas.










November 15th - December 1st: (Gun Season): Pre-rut
Rubs and scrapes appear in late November. Deer movement will increase during this time and is highly dependent on weather conditions. Colder weather will generate more day-time movement.
 




















December 1st - 15th: Chasing
Bucks are actively checking scrapes and chasing doe. Find an active scrape and still hunt. Just be in the woods between Thanksgiving and Christmas! 








December 15th - January 1st: Peak Rut
Mature bucks are holding with mature doe. Daytime activity slows as deer breed overnight and mid-day activity is more common.








January 1st - January 15th: Lock-down
Bucks are locked down with doe and there will be very limited day-time activity. This is one of the slowest parts of the rut cycle.









January 15th - February 10th: Post-rut 
Deer are recovering and using food plots. Check food plot for heavy scat indicating the food plot is being actively used.