I'm trying to learn more about this topic. Much of the info seems contradictory, unclear, etc. Does anyone have a soource to recommend, preferably science-based from a university?

http://www.michigan-sportsman....wthread.php?t=392863

http://www.michigan-sportsman....wthread.php?t=433707

there are many theories, but daylight length sounds the most plausible to me.

the timing of the rut should be based on max reproductive effectiveness. that depends on weather. too soon, or too late, can cause problems. since deer have not found a way to predict the year's weather, then they are most likely playing the averages, abd daylight length is a neutral trigger for the season.

I agree. Most sources I've read support that. As I understand, the pituitary gland is the device that senses length of days.

A logical conclusion is that the rut is a bit later in Northern lattitudes. I hunt in SW Montana, so the rut phases should be about the same as in Michigan.

That said, there are certainly many factors involved. Last year the deer just disappeared for the first three days of our hunt, Nov. 12th-14th. There was some wind, but it didn't seem to be enough to make them hole up. There were no other apparent weather factors, hunter pressure, etc. It's still a bit of a mystery.

Thanks for the reply. Hope you have a great season.
Brice

look up "rut maps." they diagram reports of rutting activity on a conus map. pretty interesting.

hope you have a great season too.

Screw all the maps and charts.Get your ass into the Woods and you will know when the Ruts on!!!

OlBiker, I would love to spend more time in the woods, but I have to travel to hunt. I get out in the woods just as soon as I can, but in the meantime, especially right before I get there on opening day, I will look at rut maps and read all the predictions and the rest of the navel-gazing. from 2,000 miles away, that's all I can do.

OP, here is an interesting site: http://charliealsheimer.com/ca/articles/art_rut.html

and this too http://mathewsinc.com/21443/as...-across-the-country/