Early Rut?

[hunter76]

With this early snow we just got and the cold temps, I was wondering what everybody thought on this years rut. I am thinking that its gonna come early and be very good. They are talking another 2-3 inches of snow here, Sunday night and Monday. Granted I know that it will warm up but thats what I am thinking.

[vister]

rut is determined by the photoperiod, length of daylight per day, not weather. weather may change feeding patterns, but thats it. photoperiods with less and less daylight induce a does cycle to begin, and start the production of testocerone in bucks, which multiplies sperm counts. this is why bucks are only responsive to doe scents and calls close to and through the rut. as days get shorter, this starts the timer on the biologic time clock. regardless of weather, the rut is usually in full swing a week into november.

[hunter76]

Yes I do agree with you on what you said. Its just the weather thats getting me all wound up. Usually its pretty warm yet this time of the year.

[jkcmj]

We have seen several small bucks chasing does around the fields already. Just play acting while they have the chance. Big bucks won't tolerate any of that once things get serious!

[bottom-bouncer]

vister is dead on the money the only thing the weather will dictate is if its warm more activity will take place at night. jkcmj 60%of all does bred are bred by young bucks

[harvey lee]

I totally agree Vister, you hit the nail on the head.

[paceman]

Yep I agree with Vister. Look for November 5-10 to be prime time full bore rut.

[ate1cropy]

As far as activity goes in northern Mn, my uncle saw 3 bucks the other morning, two of them locked up and a third a little ways away watching.

[frogtosser]

My buddy saw a nice 8 and a big 10 going at it hard last weekend so they are thinking about it at least, big boys are not tolerating the small ones anymore.

[Bear55]

Vister has it right. Everyone should also remember that does can and do go into heat early so you might see some rutting activity early in the year, but that doesn't mean that every deer in the area is in rut or that they are rutting early this year.

The mature bucks know when things are about to go down. Each year I see the 1.5 and 2.5 bucks running around in late Oct and early Nov putting on a show and chasing does but it usually doesn't mean anything. Then suddenly the mature bucks show up and then its time to kick off the real rut.

[Musky Buck]

Bingo Vister, last night driving into the yard I had 3 bucks bedded down together under the oaks, they stood up, 1 is worthy and 2 were yearlings, they seemed to be getting along just fine. Boy, since my dog has died the deer are flocking once again to the yard. I thought some of my calves got out, here they were bucks and acting a bit goofy. This weather today I'm guessing.