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Thursday, November 7 , 2019 | TYLER COUNTY BOOSTER | Page 5A
Chilly season opener sparks thoughts on love-sick bucks, whitetail lingo
By Matt Williams
Outdoors Writer
As the weather goes, the timing
of Texas’ 2019 season opener for
white-tailed deer couldn’t have been
scripted any better.
Opening day, Nov. 2, came on
the heels of back-to-back frontal
passages that ushered in the coldest
air masses Texas has seen since last
winter. Temperatures ranged from
near freezing to the low 40s across
much of the state with relatively
clear skies and light winds that left
the woods still and quiet as dawn
fell on deer hunting’s biggest day.
Deer hunters likely welcomed
the shift in the weather, but not just
because it stifled mosquitoes and
put a pleasant nip in the air just in
time for the opening kickoff of a big
game played by more than 800,000
Texans.
Cool snaps can be like magic
for getting deer on their feet and
putting bucks on the prowl. Dips in
the temperature can be especially
beneficial for hunters when they
happen around the rut.
Rut is a popular word in the deer
hunter’s vocabulary. It’s frequently
used in discussions about the white-
tail breeding season.
Research studies conducted by
the Texas Parks and Wildlife De-
partment have shown peak breeding
activity varies with the geographic
region. In the Pineywoods, the rut
usually peaks during the first two
weeks of November; South Texas,
mid-December; Central Texas, early
November to early December.
Unsettled weather doesn’t mean
much in the timing of the breed-
ing season. Deer breed at about
the same time of year regardless of
what the weather does. However,
most experts will agree that chilly
weather during the rut can be a
blessing for hunting prospects.
Cooler temperatures put deer
on the move and typically result
in more daytime breeding activity.
Mature bucks are most active dur-
ing the height of the rut. Plus, they
are more prone to take chances and
make stupid mistakes they normally
would not make.
 Timely cool snaps also have a
way of giving hunters the confi-
dence to get in the woods more of-
ten and stay put for longer periods
while they are out there.
I’ve interviewed dozens of lucky
deer hunters over the years who
have tagged outstanding bucks.
Probably 90 percent of those deer
were under the heavy influence of
testosterone and lost their lives be-
cause of an uncontrollable interest
in the ladies.
Leta Thomas of Lufkin knows
all about the magical powers of
the rut. Thomas was hunting on a
Managed Lands Deer property in
Trinity County on the afternoon of
Oct. 30 when she shot a remarkable
16 pointer. Hunters on qualifying
MLD properties are allowed to
open their rifle season ahead of the
general season opener.
 Details about the buck were
limited at press time, but Thomas’
husband, Mike, did indicate that the
buck showed up shortly before dark
in a shooting lane in company of
three does.
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S A M H O USTO N . N E T 8 0 0 - 4 5 8 - 0 3 8 1
venison located on both sides of a
deer’s backbone.
 DEER STAND: A place where a
hunter takes cover to wait for deer
to come into shooting range. A
good hunter will spend hours there
over the course of the deer season.
There are several types of deer
stands including elevated boxes,
leading ladders, portable climb-
ers, lock-on platforms and ground
blinds. Ground blinds can be built
from natural brush or mesh netting.
Some companies are manufactur-
ing ground blinds made from heavy
duty material that can be erected in
minutes.
 DEER CAMP: A place where
hunters congregate to eat, sleep
and reflect on the day’s hunt. Some
deer camps are equipped with all
the modern conveniences of home.
Others are strictly makeshift.
 GROUND SHINKAGE: The term a
hunter uses when he learns a buck’s
antlers are significantly smaller than
he thought when he pulled the
trigger.
COMING TO HORNS: Used to de-
scribe a buck attracted to the sounds
PHOTOS BY MATT WILLIAMS of clashing antlers, which often
Bucks typically make ground scrapes beneath bushes or trees with low hanging limbs as means marking their territory and making them- means a buck fight. Hunters can
selves known to others. It’s not uncommon for does to visit scrapes, as well. The author’s game camera captured multiple bucks and does simulate the sounds of a buck fight
visiting the same ground scrape on consecutive nights.
by “rattlin’.” This involves banging
real or synthetic antlers together
Thomas added that the 5 about 10 yards behind his ground prematurely. It’s never a good thing. or using a “rattle bag” in staggered
1/2-year-old buck has been green blind and he put him down for Deer often “blow” or “snort” sequences. Rattlin’ tends to work
scored at 185 1/8 and 181 2/8 as a good. The deer was subsequently when they sense danger. The reso- best around the rut on managed
non-typical. The enormous rack car- scored at 200 6/8 gross and 192 nant sound can be heard from a
property, where buck/doe ratios are
ried 39 6/8 inches of mass and 20 net by veteran Boone and Crockett considerable distance on a crisp fall
relatively close.
2/8 inches of abnormal growth. It is scorer Ken Witt of Burleson. morning and sends a warning signal
Not every deer hunting tale takes to other deer that might be in the  GRUNT: The low-pitched sound a
sure to be one of top bucks reported
such a bizarre twist, but one thing area. buck sometimes makes when chas-
in eastern Texas this season.
Jason Sluder’s magnificent Fan- they all share common is the unique  “SHE WAS HOT”: Refers to a doe ing or tending a doe. The sound can
be simulated with a store-bought
nin County 20 pointer taken near language used in telling them. in estrus that appears to be receptive
Bonham on opening weekend of Deer hunters are no different to breeding. call, or by burping into cupped
the 2014 general season is another than members of other sporting  “HE WENT NOCTURNAL”: Used hands.
good example of how quickly a rut- fraternities. They talk a certain talk. to describe a buck that suddenly  CULL BUCK: A buck deer that is
crazed buck looking for love can get A seasoned hunter probably drops off the grid and chooses to shot because it is thought to carry
into serious trouble. won’t get much of an education move around only under the cover inferior genes. Cull bucks are usu-
Not long after daylight, a doe from here on out, but a novice of darkness. Mature bucks have a ally determined by antler character-
showed up at corn pile near Sluder’s might learn a little something. tendency to go nocturnal after the istics deemed unsatisfactory under a
makeshift ground blind. A young Here’s a lexicon of terms and rut winds down. A nocturnal buck particular management program.
spike approached the doe and even- phrases frequently used in discus- can be next to impossible to kill.  Bedding Area: A place where
tually chased it out of sight. sions about North America’s most  RUB: A tree or sapling with the deer go to lounge or rest. The best
 Moments later, a mature buck popular big game animal: bark removed just above the base. hunting spots are usually found
with enormous antlers came bar- SCRAPE: A spot on the ground Bucks rub trees with their antlers to between bedding areas and feeding
reling into the opening, about 50 where leaves and other debris have remove velvet and polish hardened areas.
yards away. Sluder said buck had its been cleared or pawed away by a antlers. As the rut nears, rubs are  BUCK FEVER: The uncontrollable
nose to the ground as it zig-zagged buck deer. A scrape can be as small made as bucks condition their neck shaking sensation some hunters
across the flat on the trail of the as a basketball or as big as truck muscles for fighting, mark their experience when they see a deer.
doe. hood. territory to ward off other potential Lucky hunters get buck fever after
“It was the most picture-perfect Scrapes usually occur beneath a suitors or release energy. the shot is made. The unlucky ones
example of a rutting buck that you’ll low hanging tree limb or bush, and GAME CAMERA: An electronic start shaking the moment a deer
ever see,” he said. they are often made at night. Bucks device strapped to a tree or post comes into view.
The buck eventually stopped personalize scrapes by urinating in that automatically records digital  SPIKE: A buck with one or more
broadside 25 yards in front of Slud- them. They also leave their scent on images and/or video of everything unbranched antlers.
er’s blind. His bullet connected, but overhanging twigs by mouthing and that passes in front of it. Deer hunt-  ANTLER RESTRICTIONS: Rules that
the deer didn’t fall. Instead, some- rubbing them with their preorbital ers rely on game cameras to scout define a legal buck in 117 Texas
thing bizarre happened. Unaware gland, found in the eye’s tear duct. potential stand sites, feeders, ground
counties. The rules limit hunters to
of where the shot had come from, Does receptive to breeding are scrapes, crossings, trails and other
two bucks, only one of which may
the wounded deer bolted in Sluder’s prone to be are attracted to ground points of interest. Data is recorded
direction and crashed into the side scrapes. to a removable SD card. Some cam- have an inside spread of 13 inches
of his brush blind. BUTTON BUCK: Usually a yearling eras are capable of sending images or more. The second legal buck must
“It was totally unreal,” he buck that has not yet developed instantly to cellular phones via text have at least one unbranched antler.
recalled. “I was sitting there on its first set of antlers. It will have messaging.  TEXAS BIG GAME AWARDS: A
the ground with a 200-inch buck two bumps or “buttons” on top of FIELD DRESS: Involves removing hunter/landowner recognition
running right at me and there was its head beneath the skin. Hunt- the internal organs of a dead deer program run jointly by the Texas
nothing I could do.” ers should evaluate antlerless deer before transporting it to camp or a Wildlife Association and TPWD to
The hunter said the buck came closely with binoculars to avoid meat processor. Deer should be field promote quality wildlife and habitat
so close he could have grabbed his shooting button bucks by mistake. dressed promptly to avoid taint- management across the state.
antlers or touched him with rifle Button bucks shot during legal doe ing the meat, especially in warm SHOOTER: A deer a hunter deter-
barrel. days may be tagged using an antler- weather conditions. mines is worthy of harvest.
“His eyes were sort of rolled back less tag from your license.  COMING TO CORN: Refers to deer  Matt Williams is a freelance writer
in his head,” he said. “Looking back, “I GOT BUSTED”: When a deer that are habitually coming to feed- based in Nacogdoches. He can be be
it was very surreal.” hunter says he got busted he often ing stations to dine on corn. reached by email, mattwillwrite4u@
 Sluder said the buck stopped means he was detected by a deer BACKSTRAP: Tender strips of yahoo.com.
ACROSS
TEXAS
46 rattlesnake casas
1 2 3 4
1 Midland “swinging” 47 TXism: “he was around
CROSSWORD
FM station when the ____ ___ 5
5 TXism: “busier than was only sick” (old)
_ ___-armed fry 49 activity at TX Hippie 6
cook in a truck stop” Hollow: skinny-_______ by Charley & Guy Orbison
6 TX-film “Two ____ 52 La Quinta or Pizza 7 Copyright 2019 by Orbison Bros.
Together” (1961) 53 TXism: “within ___ shot”
54 south of the border: 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15
7 TXism: “____ to”
(similar) _____ Laredo 17
16 18 19 20
8 TXns like it iced 55 TXism: “that dog
9 eyeballs won’t hunt” 21 22 23
16 this Roberts starred
with TX Sissy Spacek 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34
in “Raggedy Man”
18 TXism: “his _____ 35 36 37 38
____ hot” (active)
39 40 41 42 43
21 TXism: “a shy dog
don’t get __ biscuits” 44 45 46
22 map of house lots 58 “Get along,
23 this Vigoda starred little _____” 47 48 49 50 51
with TX Barrie in 59 TXism: “she’ll
TV’s “Barney Miller” be ____ to her 52 53 54
24 ballroom dance own funeral”
55 56 57 P-1453
30 TX Tech grad who 60 OJ’s judge, Lance
was president of 61 comfy room 58
Panama: 12 highest point in TX:
Deme____ _____ DOWN Guadalupe ____ 59 32 TX Terry who was
34 Ozona H.S. class 1 TX rancher Chuck 13 TX Howard Hughes an NFL Redskin
35 TXn who lives in Norris was a left a big one 60 33 submarine sub-
westernmost city: ______ champion 14 ex-Cowboy Staubach mersion? (2 wds.)
2 in Lipscomb County (init.) 61
El ______ 38 _____ pad
36 Robert de ____ on highway 15 15 an Amtrak depot, one 40 TXism: “blister ___”
was in “Cape Fear” 3 1924 slogan: “Me of 19 in TX (abbr.) (handle)
with TX Joe Don for Ma, ___ _ 17 it’s good with TX chili 27 tune by 24-down: 41 Glen ____, TX
37 exams ____ Got a Dern 19 subsiding “Wonder _____ _ 42 TXism: “_____ __
39 TX band: The Fab- Thing Against Pa” 20 leavening agents Live There Anymore” __ the wall and
ulous _________ 4 at 36, Sam Houston 24 TX singer Pride (init.) 28 WFAA-TV sports- see if it sticks”
43 Amarillo’s Big Texan married one 25 TXism: “talking caster Dale 48 west TX climate
has free-if-you-can- 9 “__” Ferguson through his ___” 29 Fort Worth Zoo’s 50 thick soup
___-__ 72 oz. steak 10 how the golf ball (lying) Raptor Canyon has 51 TX 7-11 Slur___
44 “the man” south of left the sand trap 26 TXism: “changes his ______ condors 56 TXism: “dead
the border (2 wds.) 11 TX “Babe”: Mildred mind as often __ __ 31 Farm Aid ___ was in _____ perfect”
45 __ Campo, TX ____ Didrikson changes his socks” Lincoln, NE (1987) 57 shootin’ marble
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