Now I grew up in some of the best deer country in America (Ohio). Eleven years ago I moved to Florida, and I still don't completely understand the rut times down here. The state reports talk about early rutting in south Florida (Aug-Sept) and late rutting in north Florida (Jan-Feb). I looked at the state rut map and I cannot believe half of it. It is really hard to believe that deer in one county are rutting in Sept and the next county Nov. Come on people nature is nature, what is really going on? What have all you fellow hunters out there seen to be the peak of the rutting activity in your neck of the woods? thanks HD
Let me know when you figure it out. After 30 + years I still don't have a clue, it changes in every square mile. In missouri it's always the first week of Nov like clockwork. Don't believe everything that map says either.
They use counties as defining borders. Is it right on? No! The facts are these southern deer Rut at different times. Enough biology from the FWC has established rut time periods state wide. They have checked doe fetuses on many properties to establish a time line for conception. Lets face it deer up north have to get it right before winter does them in. Down here harsh winters are never a factor. I appauld the FWC for trying to allign the hunt dates with the rut in different areas of the state. It may need a little more work, but they are on the right track. So the answer to your question is yes. Deer in this state rut at many different times during the year.
Florida is very diverse in its breeding times. The theory is they rut so early in the South so the fawns can be able to fend for themselves before the summer rains flood everything. Like said, we just don't have a hard/defined winter to dictate a rut. The rut map is pretty close to accurate. A buddy of mine has three properties he hunts in Pasco county, which are all qdm managed, and all three have different ruts.
I think only properties that are managed well will have a true defined rut. Ive seen it 2x in Fla...once last season, and three years ago in my old lease; both had great buck/doe ratio's
Its what makes this state unique, and if you can kill a good one here, you have accomplished something
I was on a hunt the 2nd week of August down south and it was definitely during the rut. Saw quite a few bucks trailing does. On another note I also saw spotted fawns on the same property. :wacko This time last year they were chasing in Big Cypress too.
