Is the warmer than normal temperatures delaying the rut in central Alabama?
Filed under: Deer Biology
Question
Can warm weather alter the rut in an area? The tempatures here in central alabama have been 20 degrees above normal, and they are usually in full rut right now but i havent really been seeing any rut activity. Could this warm weather be delaying the rut?
Andrew,
Myself and several other researchers have collected literally 10’s of 1,000’s of fetuses from hunter harvested does. The date of conception can be determined from fetal length. Theses data clearly indicate deer in the same location breed during the same time frame from year to year no matter the moon phase or weather. However, deer may not be very active during daylight hours when the temperature is warmer than normal. I suspect you are observing reduced daytime deer activity due to the warmer than normal temperatures.
Enjoy creation,
grant
December 21, 2015
