rut report
It’s felt more like summer than fall this week with temperatures reaching into the 80s in many parts of the region and not a drop of rain in sight. Despite the drought conditions, hunters are reporting decent deer movement with active scrapes and rubs. Bucks are sparring and starting to chase with younger bucks being the most active.
Realtree’s Tyler Jordan says hot weather in Georgia has slowed up deer movement in the afternoons, but there’s been a lot more daytime activity with bucks and does moving later in the mornings.
“There’s still a lot of acorns on the ground, which has been a challenge,” he says. “The drought isn’t helping our food plots, which is keeping deer in the hardwoods right now. But, there’s still a bunch of fresh scrapes and rubs every day. Mornings look to be our best chance right now until some cooler weather gets here.”
Alabama has also been dry as a bone. With no rain in the forecast, outdoor photographer Tes Jolly said she’s had to put her food plot planting on hold for the foreseeable future where she lives and hunts in the east central part of the state.
“We really need some rain for our food plots,” she says. “The water oak acorns are dropping and sawtooth oaks are winding down. Most soft mast is done here. I’m seeing some scrape activity this week, and bucks of various age classes are sparring nearly every day. Archery season is open and it’s a beautiful time to be in the fall woods enjoying God’s creation. Watch your step for pit vipers. They’re active in this type of weather.”
The Arkansas Ozarks are also in a long drought and temps are well above normal according to outdoor photographer Glenn Wheeler. Many parts of the area haven't seen any appreciable rain in weeks. Streams that are normally full this time of year are just trickles, and many ponds are drying up.
”Despite the dry conditions, the places I’ve checked have good white oak acorn crops that are falling, giving deer good mast,” he says. “Persimmon trees are absolutely loaded and will soon provide good soft mast as well. I’m seeing some sign of rutting. Bucks are starting to chase and I’m seeing a few very dusty scrapes.”
Timber to Table’s Michael Pendley says the mature bucks where he lives in Kentucky have started to daylight and cruise. He’s also seeing some serious sparring on camera between older bucks, and the young bucks are harassing and following does.
“Scrape lines have been very active with both day and night activity,” he says. “Does are hanging around falling red and white oak acorns. Warm temperatures this week have deer moving only very early and late in the day. With cooler temps, the action should break loose. The next two weeks should be outstanding.”
Outdoor writer Mike Hanback said conditions have been a bit better in South Carolina’s low country where a full moon and cool front have bucks scraping actively and moving well.
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“The conditions are the same in Virginia, where I’ll be hunting for the next two weeks,” he says. “Scraping has boomed and more bucks are showing up on our cameras. Does this mean an early rut? Not necessarily as warmer temps could set back rut activity. But if we get cooler weather with the new moon in early November, morning hunts should be great.”
Greg Batts, North Carolina District 3 wildlife biologist, said the yearling activity really picked up in his part of the state last week.
“Lots of dead young bucks on highways tell me they are on the move,” he says. “Additionally, hunters say they are seeing young bucks chasing does. Older mature bucks are still not interested in does but that will ramp up in next few weeks. Our peak rut is generally Nov 8 in this area. The deer are still after acorns for the most part, so look for the mature bucks in the hardwoods. Young bucks are all over the place right now looking for does in estrous, which are still few and far between.”
It’s the peak of the season in Florida’s panhandle and hunting and fishing guide Capt. Nate Weber says now is an ideal time for catching your target buck making a mistake.
“Mature buck sightings have decreased slightly both on camera and afield, indicating does are coming into estrus and the onset of the lockdown phase,” he says. “Tarsal glands on almost all bucks are saturated and dark. Scrapes are still being checked often and a few new rub lines are popping up. Daylight activity has still remained consistent and excellent. You can still find does over food sources. One of my favorite tactics during this period is to watch and glass large expanses of open land and utilize vocalizations more when a mature buck comes into view. Scent wicks work well this time of the season as well.”
Weber says the bucks are still chasing with some regularity. He explains that Florida’s rut is incredibly dynamic due to its subtropical climate, and the photo period changes are less dramatic than northern regions, giving the Florida peninsula inconsistent rut activity.
Hopefully the weather will cool off in the coming weeks and the parts of the Southeast that need rain will get it. Deer activity is expected to continue to pick up throughout the region and things should really start to get interesting.