Rut?

[bowsniper]

"Photoperiod triggers physiological changes that lead up to the rut; however, there is a strong genetic factor that predetermines a certain breeding time for deer in a particular location. "

 

JIM

 

This is true to a large extent, but there are other factors that influence the timing. I have had my stand in the same location for the last three years. Three years ago, the does were in full estrus late in the 2nd week of December. The following year the does were in full estrus late in the 3nd week of December. Last year they were in estrus in the first week of January. This year they are not even close yet, and it's looking like it will be January. Now, assuming that the light in the day hasn't changed, and that these are the same does or genetically related, there are other things influencing the timing. I have tried to correlate weather and temperature, but I don't see any correlation. I have been the only hunter near these does and haven't been busted or pressured them. So what else is left? Water/drought, food availability, or ??

 

 

Mark

[CouesWhitetail]

here is some text from the coues biology - life stages section of this website that I wrote up years ago and which pertains to your question bowsniper. Essentially the timing of breeding can swing 2-3 weeks depending on rainfall patterns in a given year which determine plant growth and therefore nutrition for the deer.

 

"Reproduction is highly influenced by the nutritional condition of bucks and does. Bucks that do not receive adequate nutrition can have delayed antler development which can lead to an extended rut period. Similarly, does in poor condition can have delayed cycles which can result in later fawning dates. Smith (1984) found that in a drought year in Arizona the average Coues fawning date was in the third week in August. Whereas in a year following several years of exceptional rainfall, the average fawning date was 2 weeks earlier. This 2 week difference in breeding activity has been documented in other whitetail subspecies for does on a nutritious diet compared to a substandard diet (Verme 1965). Smith (1984) also found that in years of poor food production, young Coues does (< 3 yrs old) may not breed at all and although the older does may still produce fawns, they have fewer of them (singles vs. twins). "

 

http://www.coueswhitetail.com/coues_biology/life_stages.htm

 

Amanda

[Giladad1]

We spent Sun. thru Fri. hunting 36B hard. We saw abt 100 does and abt 8 forkie and small 3 pt. bucks. We saw zero rut activity. No dominant bucks and zero bucks tending any does. No bucks on the move like you see when they are looking for hot does. Gonna go back out after Christmas. Hopefully this little weather sys might turn something on. Mark

[willhunt4coues]

WE WENT OUT ON SUNDAY THE 23RD AND SAW A FORKIE AND SPIKE WITH THERE NOSES PLOWING THE GROUND. THEY WERE ON A MISSION. THIS WAS IN THE NORTHERN PART OF 24A.

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL.

CLAY

[deernut]

I think the inconsistancy you see in the timing of rut in this thread (this year) is simply because of sample size. Spending a few days in the field glassing is not as good as whole research studies that look at the timing of rut very intensively and consistently for a couple years.

 

JIM