ORIGINAL: Pops423
Just throwing something out here. There's been a lot of talk across this and other forums about early rut activity. I believe it is just boys being boys and like Rob said the bucks would be doing it in July if they could. But with that said, obviously, many are seeing different activities than they have normally seen in all of their years hutings.
So do you think this could be a result of a better buck/doe ratio in many areas? I know that was a big goal and it was way out of balance before all of the recent herd changes. Not trying to start a battle on what you think of AR/HR, just curious what everyone thinks a more balance B/D ratio does? and could it affect what a lot are seeing?
The buck to doe ratio might have something to do with it, but even on heavily managed properties with great buck/doe ratios the rut still falls on a patternable schedule. I think the activity we are seeing is due to the cooler temps we've been having. We had frost on the ground earlier in the week here in SE PA and this is the earliest I can ever remember that happening since I've lived here. Now I know cool temps don't put does into estrous, but as Rob said the bucks are ready any time and when that tempreature drops it seems to always fire them up.