How long does rut last in Alabama?

How long does rut last in Alabama?

If you want to try to define the primary rutting season in Alabama, statewide, the consensus is between the last two weeks of January and the first two weeks of February, according to Alabama Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries.

Why is Alabama rut so late?

Sykes does says that rutting activity for most of the state is based on the genetics from the deer captured in southwest Alabama and relocated to other parts of the state. “The predominant rut is from the last two weeks of January through the first two weeks of February,” he said.

What is the Alabama state record whitetail deer?

When it comes to total inches of antler, David Melton’s 310-inch buck from Greene County in 1956 hails as the state’s best.

What months do deer rut?

The rut can start as early as the end of September and can last all the way through the winter months. Bucks usually begin this process when the velvet is falling off their antlers, and it can last all the way until they start to shed their antlers. The peak of the rut, however, is right in the middle.

How many miles will a buck travel during rut?

Radio telemetry documents remarkable dispersal of Missouri buck during three weeks in November. Researchers have discovered the longest distance ever recorded by an adult male white-tailed deer—close to 200 miles (300 kilometers) in just over three weeks.

What triggers whitetail deer rut?

Photoperiod is the Trigger With respect to whitetails, photoperiod regulates some hormonal production that is directly tied to antler growth and the breeding season. A diminishing ratio of daylight to darkness triggers behavioral and physiological changes that lead to breeding.

What is the best time to hunt deer in Alabama?

According to Chuck Sykes, Alabama Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries Director, the “rut” or mating season for whitetails in most of Alabama is primarily from late December through early February.

What county in Alabama has the biggest bucks?

Jackson County represents some of the best big buck hunting in northeastern Alabama. The region lies in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains, creating rugged and hilly terrain that also features lots of great habitat.

What’s the biggest deer ever shot?

#1 Heaviest Buck Ever Shot: The Annett Buck, 1977. From what we can gather, the heaviest whitetail ever shot was killed by a bow-hunter, John Annett of Ontario, in 1977. The deer field dressed 431 pounds on government-certified scales. That would have given it an estimated live weight of more than 540 pounds.

How long is rut lockdown?

During the chase phase of the rut, bucks will chase does wherever they lead. This “chase phase” in most areas starts about November 10 and continues for three or four days. After that most bucks have paired with a ripe doe and the roaming and chasing ends. The lock down period has begun.

Where do big bucks go during the rut?

In farm country, rutting bucks will take advantage of any bit of cover as they move about the countryside. Irrigation ditches, hedgerows, fence lines and creek beds immediately come to mind. The hottest ambush point is the untillable land found at the intersection of two, three or even four property lines.