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Post by james14 on Jan 14, 2024 18:08:02 GMT -5
I've run cams in there for years. It's definitely happening in late-Dec. Not trying to be argumentative here at all BTW. I wish you the best of luck, and hope they're running around stupid for you.
I'm not sure how the biologist would know when conception occurred last year unless they did doe harvests last spring/summer. But, yes, the rut map does suggest a Feb conception date.
There are few issues with the rut map, however:
1. It was formulated from a rather small sample size. I've seen some of the data they used. It's understandable, however, because it's not like they wanted to go out and shoot 100 does. 2. It was made before the APRs went into effect. 3. It is an average of conception dates. If you take into account does bred in their second, third, or later estrous cycles, it's going to skew the average later. This means the first phase should be a bit earlier on all locations on that map.
Every part of the state I've hunted has an earlier rut than what is on that map. When you factor in the fact that buck movement peaks before conception, some of the best times to kill a buck in parts of the state is a month before the dates listed on the map. FL is a weird place for sure.
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Post by meateater on Jan 15, 2024 11:06:23 GMT -5
when most areas are quota only so you got 2 maybe 3 days hitting the peak rut is a roll of the dice,, areas i hunt down south ive seen the rut start as early as mid july to late august. ive just about giving up trying to hit it right. whatever i get or whenever i can go i go.
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Post by JS84 on Jan 15, 2024 11:36:09 GMT -5
I'm probably putting to much faith into their forecasting abilities too.
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Post by TRTerror on Jan 15, 2024 12:26:10 GMT -5
The Seeking Phase right before actual breeding is when you want to hunt. Mean conception date means your a week or two late on the Boys night out.
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Post by JS84 on Jan 15, 2024 14:05:55 GMT -5
Good point
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Post by meateater on Jan 15, 2024 16:37:05 GMT -5
30 plus years i still dont have the rut time figured out at home and that cycles monthly.
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Post by james14 on Jan 15, 2024 20:24:52 GMT -5
The Seeking Phase right before actual breeding is when you want to hunt. Mean conception date means your a week or two late on the Boys night out. Exactly. That's why I suggested you could see "rut" behavior a month before the dates on the chart. To add to it, and if I'm not mistaken, about 28 days before does are ready to breed they start their cycle - and you can bet that bucks can smell it in the air.
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