Southeast Rut Report, Week 2: Warm Weather and Nocturnal Movement Throughout the Region

It’s been unseasonably warm throughout much of the Southeast, which has slowed deer movement a bit. But a cold front is pushing through, which means the action should pick up. A bumper crop of acorns is keeping deer in the hardwoods and bucks are starting to spar a bit.

Cody Kelley, SmallTown Hunting Properties co-founder and V.P. of marketing, says the warmer weather where he hunts in Mississippi has caused the deer to move later and become more nocturnal. Acorns are dropping and food plots are producing, scattering the deer and making their location unpredictable.

“I feel like we’re moving into a couple of tough weeks in the South, with deer transitioning to different food sources,” Kelly says. “The key right now is to move cameras around. Find food sources close to bedding areas to catch a buck on his feet early enough before dark. Also, be on the lookout for a weather system, whether that’s just a morning rain or a temperature drop. Either can play in your favor.”

Realtree’s Tyler Jordan said the Georgia deer are heavy on acorns right now and scrapes and rubbing have started to increase this last week.

“I’m sure time of year has a lot to do with it, but while temperatures are still high, the humidity has dropped rather significantly,” he says. “This has increased deer activity in the evenings. The lows will drop into the 40s next week with highs in the 70s. Younger bucks are starting to bump does a little, so it’s getting better by the day.”

Realtree’s Michael Pitts says he can tell from looking at his cameras on his Georgia property that deer are feeding heavily on acorns right now because they are backing off the protein feed drastically.

“A majority of the mature bucks have gone nocturnal, mainly because they know hunting season is in, and it is just the typical October lull we deal with every season,” he says. “Once a buck loses his velvet, he goes into a different mindset. Acorns start dropping so their feeding pattern changes, and hunting pressure in general puts these bucks into the October lull. I’ve been seeing a little fighting in my pictures so they are starting to get territorial and will probably start separating soon and not traveling together in bachelor groups. The next week or two could be pretty boring as far as mature buck encounters go.”

Timber to Table Editor, Michael Pendley says his trail cams show the young bucks on his Kentucky property have started to harass does. Mature buck movement has been almost entirely nocturnal and they are feeding on white oaks and working scrape lines more actively. Pendley’s son, Potroast, hunted a couple of evenings recently and says it has been slow, but he’s hoping the temperature drop will get them on their feet a bit more.

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In Alabama, the deer are focused on finding acorns and finishing up persimmons and grapes. Wildlife photographer Tes Jolly says, after last year’s poor acorn production, it’s good to see a decent crop that will help fatten the herd.

“Most of the bucks have shed their velvet with the exception of a couple I’ve been seeing,” she says. “I watched a three-year-old buck rake a limb and two young bucks sparring with their freshly exposed hard antlers. I’m seeing few fawns this year, which is unusual. The rut is months away here, so the deer are mostly focused on feeding heavily, and bucks are establishing territory through sparring and laying down scent.”

Mike Hanback says there’s a banner acorn crop where he hunts in Piedmont, Virginia, so hunters should expect to see fewer deer feeding in crop fields. “Bowhunters can’t go wrong setting up on oak ridges as mast falls,” he says. “You’ll find the first fresh rubs and scrapes there. The mature bucks are starting to show up on trail cameras, along with some sparring activity, as the early pre-rut gets going.”

Hunting guide Michelle Harmes has been out running cameras in Pikeville, Tennessee, and says she’s seeing some rubbing and sparring on camera. “I wouldn’t say the bucks are chasing, but they are definitely following the does. You’ll see a doe walk by on camera and a few minutes later, you’ll see the buck following behind her.”.

Greg Batts, North Carolina District 3 wildlife biologist, says in the northeastern region of the state, deer are keying in on acorns. Most activity is in the beginning stages, but some area hunters report fresh rubs and scrapes. He says the further east you go, the more activity you’ll see.

Jason Smith, North Carolina District 7 wildlife biologist, says the deer are targeting acorns and soft mast, especially persimmons. “This portion of the state isn’t as far along concerning rut activity,” he says. “But from trail cam pictures that hunters sent, I could see deer pulling out of bachelor groups on the first of the month.”

Clinton Barden, North Carolina District 8 wildlife biologist, says Hurricane Helene significantly impacted a large portion of his district with flooding and high winds. Currently, many roads in Pisgah National Forest are closed which will affect access for hunters. “Trees in areas impacted by high winds have dropped most of their mast, so I anticipate reduced movement from deer due to the abundance of food,” he says.

An abundant acorn crop throughout the Southeast region will keep deer in the hardwoods. But as temperatures drop and bachelor groups break up, expect to see more sparring and movement in the coming days.