Southeast Rut Report, Week 8: Rut Activity Increasing in Parts of Deep South

Much of the Southeast experienced its first true cold snap of the season this week, which has increased the deer activity throughout the region. Rifle season is now in full swing in many of the states and reports are coming in of big bucks on the ground.

Georgia is experiencing peak rutting activity this week and Realtree’s Bryan Brown says he’s seen bucks chasing does every day for the last five or six days.

“I have seen as many as five bucks chasing one doe,” Brown says. “The acorn crop seems to be phasing out as well. Deer are starting to come back to feed sights and feeders more and more every day. Bucks that have either bred does already or bucks that have yet to get with a doe can still be seen cruising bedding areas as well still looking for the right doe.”

Realtree’s Michael Pitts says the deer have been pretty active where he’s been hunting in Georgia as well.

“It’s almost like the rut started a little later than normal this year,” Pitts says. “With the erratic weather we’ve had, it’s not surprising. Last time I was in the tree a few days ago, I saw a good bit of chasing going on.”

Pitts says bucks aren’t feeding a whole lot right now due to their obsession with finding does, and does will not stay in one place long enough to feed for fear of being chased all over the place by a buck.

“It’s a vicious cycle,” Pitts says. “So, all in all, there’s not much feeding going on. Yesterday it rained all day, and tonight the temperature is supposed to drop, and be in the upper 30s. Hopefully this will be another active week.”

It’s been on again and off again in southwestern Kentucky, where Realtree.com Editor Will Brantley hunts.

“We guided some hunters opening week of Kentucky rifle season, and one of them shot a real nice buck, but it took a couple of all-day sits to see him,” Brantley says. “Seems like mature deer are locking down quickly with does. But, sitting over open food sources where there are a lot of does has been productive.”

Brantley says his wife, Michelle, also shot a nice buck last week, following that same plan. “I think we're on the back side of the peak breeding, and that is one of my favorite phases of the year to hunt,” he says. “Seems like mature deer get up and move around a bit more.”

Timber to Table Editor Michael Pendley says the daylight buck movement has still been slow on his central and western Kentucky farms but night movement for mature bucks is picking back up on the cameras. Young bucks are reacting aggressively to grunts and light antler rattling.

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“A cold front came through yesterday dropping temps 20 to 30 degrees and it brought the first light snow accumulation to central Kentucky,” Pendley says. “My brother took a mature 8-point on the western Kentucky farm this morning. The buck was actively cruising a field edge near a large bedding area. One of the mature bucks here at the house in central Kentucky broke off his left brow in the past few days. My brother watched a young buck with an antler wound in his neck and a broken main beam walk by this morning, suggesting they are still actively fighting.”

In Tennessee, outdoor writer Gil Lachey says even though peak breeding has passed, it's his favorite time to be in the woods.

“I'm seeing lots of deer in truck beds and on the sides of the interstates,” Lackey says. “Tennessee temperatures are finally back to normal for this time of year, cool and crisp with colorful leaves falling all around. This time of the year, the mature, exhausted bucks make mistakes in daylight hours. Don't worry about the moon or the weather. Hunt every chance you can get.”

In western North Carolina the peak rut has passed and the deer activity has slowed down.

Greg Batts, North Carolina District 3 wildlife biologist, says hunters are seeing way less deer activity.

“The warm weather likely has a lot to do with that right now in my opinion,” Batts says. “Expectation is sporadic rutting will occur now until end of month.”

Outdoor photographer Tes Jolly says she and her husband were finally able to plant their food plots on their property in southwestern Alabama.

“It’s very late due to the drought, but the Good Lord blessed the ground twice with rain and the seed is up,” Jolly said. “We’re not seeing as many bucks in the open areas. Swamp chestnut acorns are falling and deer really key on them. Gun season will open soon. We’re not seeing much rut sign, so hunts will happen mainly on acorn sources. The deer should start browsing the food plots by next week.”

Hopefully, as the temperatures continue to drop throughout the week and conditions improve throughout the region, hunters will get to enjoy a Thanksgiving bounty not only around the table with family and friends but in the woods as well.