fishinty

Do any of you think that the rut can be pushed back due to abnormally warm temps?

fishinty

If so, why?

Jim Burns

I personally think so. I know the rut is supposed to happen when days get shorter, kinda like when the leaves on trees drop, it has to do with the light cycle but I also believe a good cold snap helps set it off. I have noticed in the past, in my hunting experiences anyway, a mild and late winter usually means a late rut.

MD DEERHUNTER

Here in Southern Maryland, the rut has already past and gone.

WNYhunter

Here in wny i can say the 2nd rut just kicked in. Alot of chasing and grunting this morning. and the temp was 65 degrees.

DeppedyDogg

I think the rut gets pushed forward (I.E.: comes later) in warmer periods. Last year, the rut was much later due to the warm weather we had throughout North America.

Every hunter I spoke with personally and online seemed to agree the rut was much later than usual.

The common analogy was that the warm weather pushed it forward.

YMMV.

NebBuckHunter

I too know it has to do with photo units. But i agree, some of the best years for me have been when its cold. Some of the slowest were when it was warm. Maybe its coincidence

AquamanPSD

definitely! This year in eeastern KY the rut was just starting to heat when it got up to 75+ for a couple days and stopped it in it't tracks... I am hoping that means an awesome late rut.

Thunderchicken217

I dont think it can. If its warmer than normal they will still seek, chase and breed but it will just be done under the cover of darkness when temps are cooler, Dont think warm days change the dates it just causes alot less daytime rutting activity.

Topgun 3006

I would pretty well agree with what 217 just posted on this subject since science says it's the photoperiod that causes a doe to come into estrus and it doesn't vary by many days either way from year to year at a particular latitude.