Another question for you southern guys. When does the rut commonly kick off in the Deep South? I've heard it's late, which makes sense because rutting activity is based on photoperiod right? So more southern latitudes should start later than up north. Everyone always talks about mid November being magical...what's the magic time down in MS, LA, and AL?
Well im from GA and rut is usually starts around this time of year. And ive seen a couple bucks chasing so im thinking its gettin going Sent from my LGL44VL using Tapatalk
I'm in area 2 of Louisiana and our herd has just started to enter the first breeding period. Our rut ends bout the second weekend of December with a few spots going to right at the start of January. Down southwest Louisiana where I was born and raised the rut hits at the end of September and is done by mid october, then you go a few miles east and across the river and the rut don't start till January.
I don't believe in a southern Rut lol I've been hunting the past 3 years in NC and have only seen chasing once and it was a spike, that being said the tarsal glands are getting darker on my camera now so I'm hoping it busts loose here soon Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Well I think I've seen bucks cruising the last few days around 4pm. I have a couple bucks doing some light sparring on camera. I also found a recent scrape. Does seem to be just chilling though. I had a lone doe walk through last night all by herself. So I'm not sure what's going on.
Jordan you can probably download maps that show the rough rut dates for different areas in those states. Some states in the south brought in deer from the north to improve their herds and those deer tend to keep the same rut schedule as the north which may provide rut hunting opportunities that cover a couple months.
I just checked my florida map (realizing that is not the state you are asking about) and there are areas with rut dates from July to February. the buck I got last week with a rifle in north florida was in full rut mode so he was on the northern state schedule.
All set up and ready to go. Just waiting on the sun to come up. Good luck out there fellas and be safe! Put em down!!
Rick you nailed it. I found a map of breeding dates by FWP here. According to this, most does are bred between 29 Dec and 9 Jan in the area I'm hunting. Guess I got my New Years plan all figured out now!
Just saw a young buck chasing a doe in my front yard when I pulled in from work tonight! Seems a little early but I guess it's beginning down here! Sent from my iPhone using Bowhunting.com Forums
