By Eric Bruce

Rut Reporter Eric Bruce has been writing about hunting and fishing for newspapers and magazines for 25 years and hunts deer all over the South, including near his Georgia home. States covered: AR, LA, MS, AL, GA, SC, FL.

Just like much of the country was gearing up for the rut in late October, Mississippi, Florida and Alabama are in the pre-rut phase right now. The excitement and anticipation of the upcoming rut is upon hunters from those states as the rut edges closer and closer. Typical pre-rut behavior by bucks is being seen in the woods now in these areas.

A hunter in Benton County, Mississippi commented that he grunted in an 8 pointer last week and is seeing lots of fresh rubs and scrapes. Another hunter in the Alcorn area has observed young bucks chasing and increasing fresh scrapes. Likewise a Chickasaw county hunter is seeing young bucks chasing. As is common in the pre-rut phase, the eager inexperienced young bucks will be out chasing and harassing the does even though most of them are not ready yet.

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By Eric Bruce

Rut Reporter Eric Bruce has been writing about hunting and fishing for newspapers and magazines for 25 years and hunts deer all over the South, including near his Georgia home. States covered: AR, LA, MS, AL, GA, SC, FL.

Overall Activity Status: It’s the tale of two divergent scenarios here in the South. Georgia, Arkansas, South Carolina, and Louisiana ruts are winding down, while Florida, Alabama, and Mississippi ruts are just getting started. Movement in post-rut states is slowing down. Mike Files hunts in south-central Arkansas and reports that their rut appears over and that movement has died. In their large hunting club over the last three days, Files said they “could hardly see a deer.” They have hopes for second rut activity.

Fighting: Very little fighting is being reported. In post-rut areas, most does have been bred and bucks are tuckered out. Pre-rut states are seeing some sparring with bucks breaking up from bachelor groups and establishing their pecking order through postering and sparring.

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By Eric Bruce

Rut Reporter Eric Bruce has been writing about hunting and fishing for newspapers and magazines for 25 years and hunts deer all over the South, including near his Georgia home. States covered: AR, LA, MS, AL, GA, SC, FL.

Overall Activity Status: Activity continues to be good overall, with many areas having a higher than normal acorn crop and several cold fronts having moved through. We are at the tail end of the rut in Louisiana, Arkansas, South Carolina and Georgia, but good action is still being seen. My son Zach killed this handsome eight-pointer cruising for does on Sunday in Gwinnett County, Georgia, while another bowhunter in suburban Atlanta bagged a nine-pointer following a doe the same day. Some hunters feel that bucks are holed up in thickets with does in heat, and are no longer out looking for or chasing does. That is likely in some cases, but does not include all deer.
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By Eric Bruce

Rut Reporter Eric Bruce has been writing about hunting and fishing for newspapers and magazines for 25 years and hunts deer all over the South, including near his Georgia home. States covered: AR, LA, MS, AL, GA, SC, FL.  

Overall Activity Status: Despite some warm temperatures and a full moon, movement has been excellent because of the rut. Reports abound of bucks chasing does and have been seen cruising, as the rut is here in most areas. Mike Files, who hunts in Arkansas near the Ozark National Forest, says “it’s going on pretty good now in the whole state.” Alabama and Florida are still waiting on their rut, but most of the south is seeing good movement and action, while mature bucks are being seen and harvested.  
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By Scott Bestul

If you didn’t cash in that get-out-of-work pass on Friday, do it today—or extend it to give yourself a four-day weekend to fill your tag with a tank whitetail.

The chase phase is a period of frenetic activity for whitetail bucks, and today will be especially busy. Local bucks will be in a lather from the first does that have entered estrus. They have smelled the scent of a hot female in the air and might have pursued or even fought for her. Those on the losing end of such a skirmish are not content to skulk about. Instead, they turn into heat-seeking missiles, intent on finding the next doe with an open dance card.
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By Eric Bruce

Rut Reporter Eric Bruce has been writing about hunting and fishing for newspapers and magazines for 25 years and hunts deer all over the South, including near his Georgia home. States covered: AR, LA, MS, AL, GA, SC, FL.

Overall Activity Status: From numerous accounts, deer are moving well as the rut approaches in most areas. Hunters are out in force and many deer are being harvested. Buck sign is popping up regularly. Best activity times remain early morning, dusk, and after a weather front.

Fighting: A deer processor in Georgia reports a buck brought in that had scars and gashes on its head and neck area from fighting. In areas of pre-rut conditions, rattling may work as bucks are getting frisky.

Rub making: Scraped up saplings are being seen regularly, particularly in pre-rut states. Hunters in Louisiana, Alabama, Arkansas, and Georgia are reporting rubs throughout their hunting areas.
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