You're already seeing bucks chasing does?

Yes sir, this morning. Talked with some others in this area and they are seeing the same (this front may have something to do with it too).  Doe came out in our yard this a.m. urinating on her legs, 3 times that I saw, while drinkin' my coffee and within 3 or 4 minutes out comes young 8 point and they were off to the races in and out of the yard for about 10 minutes.  Later while driving out of the neighborhood, there they were again, doe in the lead with buck on her tail.  I live in a country subdivision, lots of woods and 5-10 acres tracts, we're about 45 miles NW of Houston.  Kind of figured something was up when three fawns have been hanging around without their mamas for the last few days.

Beats anything I've seen in that part of the world, but according to the TPWD that's not entirely out of the question.  Look at this (scroll down to 'pineywoods', south...I think that's where Waller and Auston Counties would lie either that or post oak savanah, south).

David, yes Austin and Waller Counties lie in the Post Oak Savannah region.  I am pretty sure the "peak" will still occur as usual around the first week of November but it's not all that unusual around here to see this activity now.  Funny thing is I had just gone to the TPWD site you linked a few hours ago!  Also, look at the chart for Gulf Praries and Marshes, the peak for the northern area is mid September!

Now for where I hunt in NW Edwards County these charts have been spot on for the peak rut occuring about Dec. 7 or so on our place.  First few years hunting out there always threw me off as I was conditioned that the "Hill Country" rut was early November.  This was definitely one of the better studies that TPWD has done.  I never was crazy about the spike study.

That's really interesting.  Be curious to see if you have fawns running around in May then.

Yes we do see fawns in late May on occassion, but they really don't get up and follow mama around til first couple weeks of June.  I have had feeders set up at home for a few years now and can observe them most every day. Of course there's no hunting in the subdivision (about a 2000 acre ranch that was divided up about 25 years ago) and the population is getting out of hand.  But they are fun to watch and as I've always said, I'll never learn every thing about these critters, but it's fun to keep trying!

Well said Ken.  The only thing I've learned for certain in all my years of chasing/observing/photographing/hunting/studying them, is when it comes to deer and their behavior, never say never or always.  They'll prove you wrong.

yes I saw an 8 chasing a doe for over 300 yards this morning. Also in pos oak savannah, data says 5% of does come into heat now with majority going into heat Nov 5-15th according to stats and eye witness every year.  doe-buck population is way too high thats why people have seen bucks chasing does for close to 2 weeks now.

Agreed Matt. It would be interesting for TPWD to do another study after the antler restrictions and increased doe allowed in this area has time to have an effect and see if these new regs have any effect on the rut. 

I think moon phase has alot to do with rut timing and we are due for an early hunters moon and therefore I expect an early rut.  I have heard reports of chasing bucks near our hunting place, but have not seen it first hand yet.  should make for an interesting gun opener though.

Ran into a hunter who just took a 12 point last weekend tending does up in Jack County (NW of ort Worth).  The hunter said he was trying to split them off.

We took a 10" spike off our place in freestone county two weeks ago, which my brother-in-law called in with a can . We have seen the bucks chasing a few does around up there the last two weeks. Ill be heading up tonight to see what me and my 9 year old son can stick this weekend. If no deer i know he will get a good shot at a hog. Cause we are over run like everywhere else.

I went to waller county this past weekendd and found rubs and does running with 2 bucks feeding and running together in Hockley near clear creek no scrapping yet but yes early to be running together . The bucks where in full velvet beautiful. 6 point and a 4 point. Do ya'll know if these deer will grow more points before the season open in October?