QUESTION: When is the peak of the rut at Dallas-Perry county line in Alabama. — J.P.
ANSWER: We get a lot of questions about when peak rut occurs. While the dates remain consistent from year to year, there can be a high degree of variability geographically, particularly in Southern states like Alabama. As a result, I usually avoid getting too specific with my answers. However, because I hunt that area every year, I’ll make an exception.
According to Alabama’s deer studies project leader Chris Cook, peak breeding dates in Alabama are highly variable, with the majority ranging from Christmas into the first week of February. ”In general, deer in the northern half of the state will breed from Christmas until mid-January,” he says, “while deer in the southern half typically breed from mid-January to the first week of February.”
Sandwiched between these is the Black Belt region, including Dallas and Perry counties, and its mid-January rut. While the actual level and intensity of activity can vary with weather and temperature, my experience has been that it’s best around the third or fourth week of January.