virginia rut

[eddie_v21]

im from southwest va. and im starting to find some scrapes,does anyone know if they are rutting yet or not?ive not been in the woods for 2 weeks ,ill be back out the 18th when our smokepole gets goin again.

[Criggster]

In SWVA the deer have gone through the first primary rut and will be starting the secondary rut soon. Good luck finding one during this late season!!

[VAhuntr]

I agree with the previous post. You are probably about 3 weeks past the primary rut.

[eddie_v21]

did it mostly take place at night due to the warmer weather or what bc i never did really see any bucks at all,but several does and i just starting finding some scrapes about 2 weeks ago?

[ButchA]

Yes. From what I understand from talking to other guys out there, the primary rut happend at night and everything became totally nocturnal, due to the high temps! [:-]

Butch A.

[VAhuntr]

IMO a lot of the rut in my area did in fact take place at night. It also seems that the kill is down in this area compared to last year.

[eddie_v21]

thats what i was thinking but boys its cold now and maybe a few deer dropping come this saturday when ML opens back upwhen should the 2nd estrous be starting her in SW Va.?maybe next week?

[jackalope]

More deer will be moving around during the day now that it's colder trying to find food to keep their calorie/energy level high. So hopefully we will see an increase in daytime activity now and possibly more bucks.