I spoke to the ranch biologist in Florida who oversees 40 leases and he says in Central Florida, based on fetus studies, the rut typically kicks in during September of October. Last yr, it was the first week of October.

This yr, I am pretty sure it has not yet occurred. I've not seen evidence in terms of behavior but more importantly, I've not seen very many rubs. Wouldn't the lack of rubs suggest rut has not kicked in? There are a few from the velvet stages, but not like I usually see it with rubs everywhere on the cypress heads.

Assuming the rut has not occurred, I believe we must be very close. Can you determine when it is most likely to kick in based on moon phases? Where I am going is, I'd like to take a couple of vacation days now that we must be close to it kicking in, but don't know enough about moon and rut to know when it is most likely to occur and what days I might take off.

Any suggestions would be appreciated. In Florida, Central, the rut is not very pronounced, but something should start happening soon.