Question about area Rut

[inthebox30lbs]

Just a quick question for some of you that have hunted for years around here. I just moved here from central Fl. were the rut was almost non exsistent. Doe came into heat from Aug. until Jan. were i hunted in Florida. I have spent a lot of time in the woods in Pennslyvania growing up there and the rut was like clock work always kicked in around the beginning of November. During this period is when my brothers and I did all of our killing every year and our deer sightings tripled. This year where I hunt outside of Chattanooga I have seen very little rubbing, scrapes etc. And have yet to see a buck in pursuit of a doe. I have seen a lot of deer and killed 2 doe and 1 buck. I hunt on a piece of proerty that is not hunted at all, I actually only bow hunt it due to all of the homes in the area. So hunting pressure is not an issue. The only thing I can think of is the doe to buck is way out of wack around here, or things are later around here, i have always read about the rut in central alabama around January. The funny thing is I have actually seen more deer in October than I have in November and December combined, which I think is quite odd. I have spent a ton of time in the woods this year hunting several nights after work a week, and On weekends. Just curious to see what some of your opionions are on this matter. I have been waiting on a big push of deer and it has not come yet. thanks guys.
Scott

 

[dryhorn2]

Most of it happen I think at night this year. My son killed a nice eight point two weeks ago and it was chasing a doe and seen another big buck chasing as well.

 

[hoggerhead]

I went scouting thursday morning on lookout mt, did not see the first rub or scrape. same thing happened last year untill the middle of december. Went huntin friday morning untill about 2 pm, had 1 doe bed downn about 6o yards from me for about 2 hours. She did not act any different from a doe i would see in october. I think it just depends what area you hunt as to when the deer come into rut. I would guess with in 100 mile radius of chattanooga the deer come into the first rut between 3rd week in november to 2nd week of december depending on the weather. Thats just my observation.

 

[Fishing machine]

I hunt on Sand Mt. and the rut will kick off in about a week or so up there. All the years that I've hunted the Mts. around the Chattanooga area, the rut has always been around Thanksgiving but with the weather being the way it is, who knows. I haven't hunted around here in a couple of years but going through the TNT plant as much as I do, the rut is over in this area I think.

 

[Guest]

I THINK WHEN THE LEAVES ALL COME DOWN AT ONE TIME LIKE THIS YEAR, THE DEER HEAD FOR THE THICKEST COVER THEY CAN FIND, THE RUT HAS BEEN A LITTLE OFF, DONT KNOW WHY .THERE ARE STILL A FEW FOLLOWING DOES OR ON THE MOVE LOOKING. THERE SHOULD BE A 2ND AROUND THE NEXT FULL MOON, I THINK THESE WILL BE YOUR BIGGER BUCKS AFTER BIG DOES. GOOD HUNTING AND THINK SAFE.

 

[churly]

This has been a weird year for rutting in this region period! In some areas around here the rut has not begun, while in others it is over. I have noticed that for the last few years our rut is moving a little earlier and a little more intense, with this year being the exception. I'm still waiting for the peak rutting activity at my place on the plateau.
I guarantee you that our buck to doe ratio is in alot better shape than the one in Fla. The TWRA big game coordinator claims that 1:2 is about the ratio state wide, with slight regional variances.

 

[jason]

It's pretty hot at Pigeon Mountain right now. I dropped a doe early Saturday and a 7ptr came in seconds later. My first shot killed a maple sapling

 but he was so horny that he waited around for shot #2. His neck was swollen,his glands reeked, and he had been working a rub sometime that morning. At the check-in, there were quite a few doubles like mine.

 

[puddle jumper]

Being a Georgia boy I dont have a whole lot to add for you guys but i will say that i saw one of the biggest bucks ive seen in a while "bird dogging" a doe on Harrison Bay State Park before the friday night PHLTF cristmass Party.. He was so into her that he ran into the middle of a playground with people in it befor he knew where he was... good luck,,

Puddle..emoUSA

 

[Guest]

In northwest GA a normal year has the rut peak about Thanksgiving week give or take a few days. This year however has been anything but normal. Little to no mast,much higher temps, very little rain all have contributed to a spotty rut at best. My advice would be to get in the woods as much as you can untill the close of the season.

 

[BadBass]

Everything appears to be running late this year. Usually the small bucks are aggrevating the does by now but haven't seen any of that yet. Typcally the big boys get going around the week before christmas and last about two weeks during the peak. I think based on the moon phase and weather the rut may peak the last week of the month and the first of the year