Deer activity is ramping up across much of the Southeast as the rut draws near and cooler weather settles in. Although some areas are dealing with drought-like conditions and others are enjoying much-need rain, the region is seeing clear signs of increased movement, rubbing, and chasing. With fresh scrapes popping up, temperatures dropping, and food sources shifting, the next week to 10 days could offer some of the best deer hunting of the season for many in the region.

Realtree’s funny man Michael Pitts killed a nice 10-pointer in Kentucky this past week, where he said the deer are still feeding on a hardy acorn crop.

“There are a lot of rubs on the trees and scrapes on the ground,” he said. “We have witnessed fighting and grunting, and they are pushing does around. Today is the first day we’ve had without rain, and the temperature is dropping. The next few days should be a good time to get in the woods.”

Things are “breaking loose” in central Kentucky, where Timber 2 Table editor Michael Pendley lives. He said mature bucks have been on their feet all day, and he’s seen several mature bucks at feeding areas during the middle of the day.

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“Several hunters have reported bucks with their tongues out doing some hard-core doe chasing,” he said. “Interestingly, overnight photos have decreased a bit over the past 10 days, but the scrape cameras are still very active. A strong front has come through with lots of rain the past two days. I think the acorn crop has slowed down a bit, as the deer are moving back to food plots and feeders. Temperatures are expected to drop starting tomorrow. I think the best hunting of the season will happen over the next 10 days.”

Farther south in Alabama, bucks are starting to separate from their bachelor groups and are sparring for dominance in their respective territories.

Bert Moore said white oak, pin oak, and water oaks are starting to drop acorns, and bucks are targeting these trees — often preferring these acorns over corn and mineral feeders.

“I found several rubs on small pines and hardwood saplings this week, but no scrapes yet,” he said. “In central and southern Alabama, the weather is cooling down (finally), and the time is getting right for some textbook whitetail action.”

Outdoor photographer Tes Jolly said east-central Alabama is experiencing a moderate drought, limiting water sources for deer.

“The 10-day weather forecast doesn’t favor precipitation, either,” she said. “Even swamp sloughs are dry, so deer movement and sign are heavier where water is available. Obviously, these are prime bow stand locations, especially where there are oaks dropping acorns nearby. Like last week, bucks are really focused on rubbing trees and leaving scent, especially with dropping temperatures and shorter daylight hours.”

Things are looking a bit better in South Carlina, which finally got some much-needed rain.

C.J. Davis, president of Montana Decoy, said, “The rain will greatly help our plots, and I’m getting more buck pics every day. I’m seeing new bucks as well. There are lots of white oak acorns, so I’ll be focusing on those and any pinch points I can hunt based on the wind. We are pretty much in the middle of the rut where I live, and I’m trying to hunt as much as I possibly can. Putting out my Trixie doe decoy and keeping my calls ready are also part of my plans in the coming days.”

North Carolina is still chugging along toward the rut. North Carolina District 3 wildlife biologist Greg Batts said hunters are seeing fewer deer in fields or on bait because of the wide availability of acorns.

“Some does will be coming into heat starting this week based on our conception data, so you will start seeing chasing now,” he said. “Find where the does are feeding and you will find the bucks.”

Tennessee just held its youth season, and land manager Michael Arnold said he and his 10-year-old grandson, Drake, had a wonderful hunt, despite warmer temperatures and less deer movement.

“On Saturday, we saw seven bucks with a few does,” he said. “There was no chasing, as they seemed to be focused primarily on food. Just before dark, a buck we called ‘The Big 6’ showed up. Drake made a great shot, and the buck only went 20 yards. He was super pumped.”

Arnold said it’s currently the peak scraping period, and new bucks are still showing up. Older-class bucks are on their feet checking doe bedding areas throughout the day. Hunters should spend their morning sits at trolling areas, such as funnels and pinch points.

“They’re focusing on food in the evenings,” Arnold said. “I’m starting to see a few fawns alone, which tells me possibly a few does might be close or maybe even already in heat. I suggest calling frequently and using doe-in-heat to lure a big boy in.”

North-central Florida is still in the swing of things with lots of rut activity, but it appears that the chase period has switched to the lock-down phase.

Capt. Nate Weber said he’s hearing fewer vocalizations and is experiencing slightly fewer sightings afield and on cameras. There has been a noticeable shift back to feeding stations however, as several feeding locations that have been fallow for weeks are now picking up with significantly more activity.

“As I’ve mentioned in previous reports, Florida’s daylight photo period makes for a very erratic and confused rut period,” he said. “We don’t experience the zenith of rut quite like our Northern states do. Rub and scrape activity is still very good, and targeting that sign is an excellent tactic for success right now. We are still well below our seasonal rainfall average, so water sources are also paramount for deer at this time. But we are still in the peak time to be in the woods.”

The weather continues to be cool in Arkansas, where hunters are experiencing the first frosts of the year. After it rained for three days, deer activity has picked up.

Newton County Sheriff Glenn Wheeler said bucks are “full-on” fighting and cruising heavily now. It’s not unusual to see solo bucks on their feet throughout the day and moving with a purpose.

“Scrapes are being regularly tended and are very active, appearing to be freshened often,” he said. “I haven’t personally observed any bucks chasing does yet, and haven’t heard of it happening, but it appears they are quickly headed that direction.”

As fall weather finally takes hold, deer behavior across the Southeastern states is changing fast, and the message from hunters and biologists is the same: Now’s the time to be in the woods. With acorns thinning, food plots greening up, and does attracting more attention by the day, the coming stretch promises prime opportunities for hunters throughout much of the region.