Late Summer Management for White-Tailed Deer in East Texas
by Michael Embrey
Wildlife Biologist | Managed Wildlife & Fisheries, L.L.C.
As the long days of summer begin to shorten and the scent of autumn creeps into the evening air, East Texas landowners find themselves at a critical crossroads in the annual cycle of white-tailed deer management. Late summer into early fall is not just the prelude to hunting season, it’s a window of opportunity to influence the health of deer leading into the rut, which is one of the key stress periods that can lead to mortality during the year. This time of year also provides the opportunity to determine population dynamics through surveys and harvest data analysis.
At Managed Wildlife & Fisheries, L.L.C., I work closely with landowners throughout East Texas to ensure their properties not only attract and hold trophy deer but also produce quality herds for future success. The period from August through October sets the stage for your hunting season and the years to follow. Here’s a strategic breakdown of management activities you can implement during this transition period.
Focus on Late-Summer Nutrition
By late summer, natural forage quality is on the decline across much of the South. High temperatures and reduced rainfall stress native vegetation, and deer—especially doe who are weaning fawns and bucks completing the antler growth cycle—are still in need of quality nutrition.
Strategies:
• Supplemental Feeding: Consider a protein-based supplement if you haven’t already. A 16–20% protein pellet can bridge the nutritional gap until fall forage improves, assisting bucks with rut related stress that can decrease their overall body mass by up to 30%. I recommend feeding a pelleted ration year-round. Many hunters stop feeding protein and switch to corn for hunting opportunities, but it is best to provide high quality supplementation throughout the entire year if your goal is to produce trophy bucks and a healthy overall deer herd.
• Mineral Sites: Maintain mineral stations, especially in sandy soils common to East Texas. Key minerals like calcium, phosphorus, and sodium aid in antler growth and lactation, and offer a source of attraction. Note that if you are feeding a pelleted ration specifically made for white-tailed deer, additional mineral supplementation is likely unnecessary.
• Native Habitat Management: Encourage browse species like greenbrier, beautyberry, and preferred forb species through selective thinning and prescribed burning. Supplemental feed is just that, a supplement. By producing high quality native habitat you increase the nutritional availability on your property substantially. Prescribed fire can be an effective tool during the summer, also referred to as a “growing season fire.” This strategy is typically more effective at terminating woody encroachment of undesirable species such as sweetgum, while enabling a flush of preferred forb species.
Prepare Fall Food Plots
Establishing high-quality fall forage before the first frost is one of the most impactful things you can do to support herd health and hunting success throughout the hunting season and into the following spring.
Timing and Tips:
• Plant Early to Mid-September in East Texas for species like oats, wheat, and clover. I typically plant my personal plots a day or two before the first decent chance of rain after September 15th. There have been years when I am unable to plant until early October due to drought, but this offers a better chance of success than planting too early.
• Soil Test: Before planting, perform a soil test and adjust pH and nutrient levels accordingly. A pH of 6.0–7.0 is ideal for most cool-season forages. Take care to mix multiple samples from across your food plot, as soil quality can change over an area. Remember that clover does not need any additional nitrogen, but it should be inoculated before planting.
• Plot Location: Place plots near cover and away from high human activity. Long, narrow plots along transition zones or clear-cuts work well. Consider planting roads through wooded areas as this is usually a place that receives at least partial sun. Don’t try to “force” a food plot into an area with a small likelihood of success. If the area is prone to flooding, it is best to move to a higher location. Also, if you notice there is minimal vegetation growing (as in a closed canopy hardwood forest) there is probably a good reason. Seek out areas with the highest opportunity for food plot success.
Small food plots less than an acre in size planted in small openings can provide a concentrated area of attraction, leading to higher hunting success. For herd health, I typically recommend planting at least 2-3% of the total area in cool season forage species (ex. Plant 2-3 acres for every 100 acres of property). Consider your entrance and exit strategies to minimize disturbance as you are heading to and from the stand.
Camera Surveys for Population Data
& Harvest Planning
Late summer into early fall is the best time to assess your deer herd by conducting a trail camera survey. Not only do you get a preview of the bucks on your property, but you also gather data to inform your harvest strategies. This is vital information needed to develop your harvest strategy and ensure that your management strategies are working. Without data, everything is just an educated guess!
Steps for a Successful Survey:
• Set Up Baited Sites: Use corn in front of trail cameras, placing them at a consistent height and angle.• Leave Cameras Up for 10–14 Days: Check only to refresh bait and batteries; minimize disturbance.
• Use a Standardized Protocol: Try to maintain 1 camera per 100 acres. Set your camera to take 1–3 photos per trigger with a 5-minute delay.
• Data Collection: Record buck-to-doe ratios, fawn recruitment (fawns per doe), and age structure of bucks.
This information not only improves your management plan but also builds a photographic history for future comparison.
Implement Harvest Strategy
With data in hand, it’s time to finalize harvest goals. A solid harvest plan prevents overpopulation and maintains a balanced sex ratio, while improving buck quality.
Recommendations:
• Culling is Typically Not Recommended: Far too often I see young deer labeled as a “cull buck”. While there are some select scenarios where I would advise culling based upon the goals, property size, and other very specific scenarios, it is not advised for the vast majority of deer managers. Prioritize proper nutrition and population density. I could go on for hours on this topic, but I digress.
• Doe Harvest: If your camera survey shows a high doe-to-buck ratio or evidence of poor habitat quality, a controlled doe harvest can reduce pressure on limited food and water resources. The reduction of numbers through doe harvest is an important management strategy to ensure the amount of food and space across the landscape is adequate for a thriving herd. From fawn production to antler development, the overall deer density is of immense importance.
• Defining a Trophy: I am not arrogant enough to say that my view of a trophy deer should be the same for everyone. Consider your goals, if you are just looking to be a good steward of nature and enjoy hunting, you may not want to wait until a buck is 4.5 years or older to harvest him. For trophy deer management, I recommend waiting until a buck is a minimum of 4.5 years of age before making him eligible for harvest, with more serious properties waiting until 5.5 or even 6.5 before taking a buck.
Maintenance and Access Planning
Now is the time to ensure that both your deer and your hunters will move effectively across the landscape during season.
Habitat Prep:
• Create Travel Corridors: Mow narrow strips through thick cover to guide deer movement past stand locations. Conversely, leaving areas of cover along edges of food plots provides a safer space for deer to travel, leading to higher daytime utilization.
• Maintain Roads and Trails: Repair erosion, cut back overgrowth, and clear obstacles that might interfere with access or shot opportunities.
Stand and Blind Work:
• Inspect Blinds and Stands: Check for wasp nests, structural issues, or weather damage. Tree stands are inherently dangerous, make sure to check your straps and wear a harness!
• Trim Shooting Lanes: Be cautious not to over-clear, which can make deer wary and expose you to being seen. I typically create a “hole” to shoot through instead of clearing out an interstate.
Record-Keeping and Long-Term Monitoring
What gets measured gets managed. Keeping detailed records of sightings, harvests, and health observations ensures better decisions year after year.
Data to Record:
• Recording the date, time, and location of all deer sightings while on stand can help you assess what influences deer movement in your location. Most of us have to work throughout the week and having data to help pick your “days off” can help maximize the potential of the time you have to hunt..
• Age, sex, and weight of harvested deer (jawbone aging combined with past photos is highly recommended, as it can enhance age estimate accuracy vs. using one method alone).
• Antler measurements and any abnormalities.
• Notes on body condition, disease, or parasite loads.
Final Thoughts
Late summer through early fall is the launchpad for your season—not just the hunt, but the entire management plan. The choices you make now affect everything from the size of next year’s crop of bucks to the number of fawns on the ground. East Texas presents both challenges and opportunities in deer management: heavy timber, fragmented habitat, and variable rainfall. But with smart, timely actions, you can develop a thriving deer herd and enjoy a sustainable population year after year.
If you’d like assistance with habitat management, camera surveys, or developing a customized management plan for your property, don’t hesitate to contact us at Managed Wildlife & Fisheries, L.L.C. We’re here to help you turn your land into a legacy—one season at a time.
