It’s not only the ninth of December, it’s also the bottom of the rut’s ninth inning. But this is a day you could knock one out of the park by tagging a giant in the last phase of breeding. One month ago, we were approaching the breeding peak, and any does that were not bred during that first cycle will come into heat again. In addition, a percentage of fawns (up to 40 percent in some areas) will enter their first estrous cycle now, and become available for breeding. More than once I’ve seen a giant December buck getting towed around by a doe that was half his size.