Southeast Rut Report, Week 3: Colder Temperatures Spur Daytime Deer Activity

A cold snap has swept across the Southeast, causing deer to be more active during daylight hours. Hunters are reporting sparring and light chasing in some areas, and they expect the action to pick up despite warming temperatures on the horizon.

SmallTown Hunting Properties Cody Kelly says in addition to the cooler temperatures, the fuller moon phase has the mature deer moving more in the mornings where he hunts in Mississippi.

“They’re in the food sources before light, so it makes it extremely tough to access those areas in the morning and not blow deer out,” he says. “The game plan is to ride the afternoon hunts and bank on cooler weather getting them on their feet during daylight afternoon hours.”

The cooler nights and mornings have deer displaying more daytime activity throughout Alabama as well. Bert Moore says the does are still dropping fawns in the Black Belt, but the older fawns in north Alabama are feeding on acorns and any persimmons that are dropping. Bucks will still be in bachelor groups for the next month or so, according to Moore.

Realtree’s Tyler Jordan says Georgia deer are roaming a lot right now and the bucks are starting to expand their ranges. They’re hitting the scrapes hard as well.

“This week’s cold front has kicked them into gear,” he says. “The forecast warms up by the end of the weekend, but it should only get better from here on out. Acorns seem to be the primary food source right now for these deer.”

Buck sightings have exploded in north-central Florida, according to hunting and fishing guide Capt. Nate Weber. He says both immature and mature bucks have been seen moving does around. Some bucks have been seen on multiple cameras over large tracts of land. They have also been incredibly responsive and vocal to calls.

“The chase period is happening now,” Weber says. “There are no signs of bucks being locked down with hot does in my region yet. The woods are littered with scrapes that are being checked daily, and new rub lines are appearing what seems like hourly. We’ve also been blessed by the weather gods with unseasonably cooler temps post-hurricane, clear skies, and consistent northeasterly winds.” Weber says that does can still be found consistently over food sources. And while mature bucks are not visiting the food sources for sustenance at the moment, they are actively cruising them in search of a hot doe.

“Now is the peak time to be in the deer woods in my region,” he says. “Mature bucks are on their feet and being far more careless. As does come into heat later this month, the bucks will lock down with specific females making sightings less frequent but still very possible.”

Outdoor freelance writer Gil Lackey says Tennessee’s deer are in a transitional stage. “You'll still see bucks in bachelor groups and does with fawns, but my trail cam photos show a little sparring and even some light chasing,” Lackey says. “We're not in the crazy phase yet, but the big scrapes and a few rubs, coupled with continued cool weather, means the heavy action isn't too far away. The October lull is really just deer changing their patterns because of hormones, food sources, and photoperiod. The only way to figure it out is to go hunting.”

The rut is just beginning in Arkansas and outdoor freelance writer Jim Spencer says the herd looks strong and healthy in the north-central portion of the state where he lives. “We have had a tremendous white oak mast crop and a better-than-average red oak crop,” he says. “The bucks are active and making scrapes all over the place, but the does are completely ignoring the boys. That'll change quickly come November. The alternative weapons season opens this weekend.”

Arkansas Game and Fish deer biologist Ralph Meeker said it’s still very dry and unseasonably warm in Arkansas. Acorns and persimmons are falling and deer are lining up at this buffet. Currently, acorns are underdeveloped and litter the forest floor. “Most bucks are not moving and they’re staying in the timber during the hottest part of the day, unless they're headed to water or cover,” he says.

Charles Ruth, South Carolina Big Game Program Coordinator, said the state’s first cold snap came a bit late this year and the deer are just now entering the chasing and breeding phase. “Deer movements have increased dramatically this week and should remain high for the next month,” Ruth says. “It’s important for hunters to remember that deer movements during daylight hours can be greatly affected by daytime temperature. The rut in much of the state will occur between mid-October and mid-November. The last week in October and the first week in November is the peak.”

The daylight buck activity is still pretty slow where Realtree.com Editor Will Brantley hunts in Southwest Kentucky on the Tennessee line. “Things seem to be a bit behind, which isn't unusual because the rut seems to peak about a week later down here, around Thanksgiving” he says.

Brantley says it’s been very dry, but his area received several inches of rain following Helene, and that helped his food plots to green up. “Deer are using them heavily for this time of year, and I attribute that to the spotty acorn crop,” Brantley says. And while the white oaks have been especially spotty, the red oaks and black oaks seem to be a little better, and the deer are definitely hitting them. “We've been hunting a lot already this season, and I've been doing a lot of scouting and stand adjustment ahead of some hunts we'll be guiding next month.”

According to Brantley, the early pre-rut has arrived in west-central Kentucky with abundant scrapes and rubs. “I'm moving my trail cameras accordingly. I'm also catching quite a few new bucks, including some mature deer moving around at night. Daylight buck activity is still pretty slow.”

Temperatures should be warming up a bit throughout the Southeast, but the deer activity should continue to increase as bucks expand their ranges while cruising for receptive does.