In a RUT?

[EDDIE BUCK]

If the deer rut in the northern states is around 2nd week in Nov and in South Tex late Dec, why is it not between these dates in the rest of the country? Never understood that.

Peak rut around here is about the 3rd week of November. I always thought the peak rut up in the northern states was around the 1st of November. Just an assumption.

Two magic times of the year. November peak rut for deer and April peak spawn for fish. My two favorite times of the year. I can fill my freezer with lots of meat during these two time periods.

[Pops2]

ruts are localized and genetics probably play a part. the rut can be the first week of Nov in your valley and in the valleys to either side the third weeks of OCT & NOV.
in the deep southern states they commonly have two ruts one in OCT where most does are bred and one in DEC where that springs doe fawns & the does that didn't take get bred. contrary to what scientist would have you believe there is no hard fast law about it. in fact coastal NC normally has two ruts.

[Tad]

Here in NY I was told by an old timer the rut peeks at the first full moon after 31st of Oct

[EDDIE BUCK]

Originally Posted by Tad

Here in NY I was told by an old timer the rut peeks at the first full moon after 31st of Oct

Yea, I've heard that, But it seems if the rut was triggered by the moon, all rut activity would be about the same. I've always thought that cold fronts played a major roll. Most years when we have a cold front around Oct 1st then you will see bucks and does together sooner. But hey, I dont know. And thats a fact.

[Pops2]

check w/ the WRC biologists for your area, they should be able to tell you when the rut NORMALLY starts for your area.