I hunted the Upper Delta WMA yesterday, just north of Mobileand found two fresh scrapes.
One was actually under a swamp chestnut tree on an old road, first one I'd ever seen, under a low hanging branch.

I killed a doe during muzzleloader season near Demopolis that smelled very much like she was in estrous.

Maybe we are starting to have a "normal" rut in Alabama since they have liberlized the doe harvest?

Can't wait to see what happens!!

I killed a nice 12 point Sat morning in East Alabama. His neck was almost as swelled as it could be and his tarsal glands were soakin wet, and man did he stank! I found 3 fresh scrapes still steamin' on Thursday last week and followed his trail that circledaround a pond to find over 6 or 7 nice sapling rubs. I've never seen this much sign this early in the year where I hunt.Maybe the cold weather had somethin to do with this one gettin riled up this soon?? I doubt the does are comin into estrous already. Either way I'm glad that buck decided to start postin his signs up everywhere. My buddy killed a nice 6 point down here in Auburn yesterday that wasn't even close to ruttin'.

I agree. Not all scrapes are created for the same resason. Some are just territory markers. That said however, the rut in Alabama is crazy. It comes in at different times depending on the area of the state you are in and it can vary quite a bit from year to year. Usually we don't really see any intense rut activity in my area until January butI did find a large scrape under a licking branch in the middle of a logging road about 10 days back.

killed a nice 8pt 12/4 following 4 does. he was about 5 min. behind.neck was swollen.hunted choccolocca wma later in the week and heard buck grunting after doe.