As December rolls on, deer activity across the Southeast is anything but uniform. Hunters across the region are seeing a wide range of behavior shaped by cold fronts, lingering does and fresh sign. Although some areas are slowing down, others are quietly building toward some of the most exciting hunting of the season.

Outdoor photographer Tes Jolly said east-central Alabama experienced rollercoaster temperatures and much needed rain this past week, which revived food plots. Deer are now browsing them heavily.

“I observed a mature buck working a scrape line,” she said. “There’s typically some rut activity starting by Christmas as a few does become receptive. The best is yet to come, as January is right around the corner. When the rut in other states is a memory, excitement is building here. The best is yet to come.”

Does have grouped up and are hitting feed hard during Virginia’s cold weather. Outdoor writer Mike Hanback said bucks are hanging around and keeping contact with does, moving mostly in late afternoon and after dark.

“Some ‘missed’ adult does and 70-pound does might cycle into heat this week or next, but any late rutting is spotty and highly unpredictable,” he said. “Focus hunting in afternoons and near food sources. The colder and snowier it gets, the better.”

The rut has wound down in north-central North Carolina, and Greg Batts, North Carolina District 3 wildlife biologist, said there’s very little activity to report this week, as the secondary rut has come and gone.

“Don’t despair, and continue to get out and get after them,” he said. “You never know who might show up. Hunt areas of thick cover adjacent to food resources for your best chance at a buck through the end of the season. Good luck out there the rest of the way.”

Michael Arnold, a Tennessee land manager, said action has slowed down for the most part in middle Tennessee. He said there’s not much chasing happening, but scrapes “are being tore up again.” Further, bucks that were MIA are back in their core areas, and does are grouped up.

“Food plots are really doing their part by pulling in the deer, including new bucks,” he said. “I’ve got several new bucks on my cams. My other target buck showed up yesterday, covered in mud, soaked and missing his left antler. He could barely walk. So, he’s getting a pass till next year. The does might be all done, but some of the bucks are still cruising and checking scrapes, desperately trying to find the next hot doe, which I expect some to come in around Christmas.”

Arnold said some bucks are grouping up again. Hunters with tags remaining should focus on food and watch for major cold fronts.

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“If you don’t have food plots, there are plenty of acorns still, so a good thicket close to some acorns should be it,” he said. “Sometimes, a small green briar patch can be the best spot to find a late-season buck. There are plenty of new rubs and scrapes popping up, so find the sign and you’ll find the bucks.”

Realtree.com Editor Will Brantley and his family are still hunting hard in Kentucky.

“I’m trying to kill a doe with my recurve (not having much luck), and my wife, Michelle, is after a buck,” he said. “My friend Miles is in this week as well. He shot a giant 8-point yesterday evening with a crossbow that was following a doe. I had two bucks, including a nice 8, chase a doe all around me.”

Brantley said does are definitely transitioning into late-season patterns, but his group has experienced some fantastic late-rut action this week — some of the best he’s seen.

“It’s also been bitterly cold, and that’s really helped with daytime movement,” he said. “Miles shot his buck at 2:30 p.m. yesterday, and my cams had been extremely active between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. most days. For us, this stretch has been as good as the primary rut was in November.”

Realtree’s Bryan Brown said Georgia’s cold weather is causing bucks to hit food plots and feed sites a little more regularly.

“Some bucks are still cruising, looking for does that are coming into heat for the second time,” he said. “We heard a buck snort-wheezing at another buck tonight, as well as two bucks fighting. There’s still plenty of activity right now.”

Whether the rut is fading or flaring back up, hunters willing to stay patient, focus on afternoon movement and key in on food sources and nearby cover have a good shot at finding unexpected action. With Christmas approaching and January just ahead, opportunities for success are still plentiful.