Any hunter knows timing matters. In Texas, where seasons for exotics run year-round, it’s easy to assume you can hunt whenever you feel like it. The truth is, certain months give you the best odds for specific species. If you want to line up hunts for the year and stack success, here’s when to chase what.
Axis Deer: Peak in Late Spring and Early Summer
Axis bucks hard-horn at different times throughout the year, but late May through early June is the prime window. Bucks are rutting, chasing does, and far less cautious than normal. Their spotted coats are slick in the summer sun, and the action is about as exciting as it gets in the Hill Country.
Fallow Deer: Autumn Rut Fireworks
The fallow rut hits hard in October and November. Bucks are vocal, posturing, and aggressive, making them easier to pattern. Whether you’re bowhunting or rifle hunting, the fall rut is when fallow give you the best chance at a monster set of palmated antlers.
Aoudad: Late Winter and Early Spring Toughness
West Texas aoudad are huntable any time, but February and March stand out. Cooler temps make the long climbs more manageable, and rams are often bunched up and easier to spot on open ridges. Later in the fall, September hunts can also be productive, but the heat will test your grit.
Elk: September Bugles in the Mountains
Free-range elk hunts in Texas aren’t common, but where they’re available, the rut in September is the time to be there. Bulls bugle across canyons and move aggressively to defend cows. It’s as close as Texas gets to a Rocky Mountain rut hunt.
Red Stag: March Madness
March is prime time for red stag, when their rut roars echo across Hill Country valleys. It’s an adrenaline rush few hunts can match, and one of the most vocal experiences outside of elk season.
Blackbuck and Other Exotics: Year-Round Action
Blackbuck, sika, oryx, and nilgai don’t follow strict seasonal patterns, so you can hunt them nearly any time. Still, cooler months—late fall through early spring—make the hunts more comfortable and often more successful.
Plan It Right
Sure, you can hunt exotics 12 months a year in Texas, but knowing when each species peaks turns a good hunt into a great one. If you want the best chance at a trophy and the best overall experience, match your calendar to the rut and migration cycles that matter.
