Webster’s dictionary defines rut as the periodic sexual excitement, or heat, of certain mammals (including deer), applying especially to males during a period of time that occurs usually once a year.

The deer rut may last over a period of two months, but the peak of the rut is a period of time when a large number of does come into estrus or become ready to breed. That may only last one or two weeks.

The rut causes a big change in the buck’s behavior. During the rut’s peak, the bucks will travel all hours of the day in search of does ready to breed. Hunters would do well to be hunting during this period since your opportunity to harvest a nice buck increases tremendously. The seemingly very cautious buck loses his sense of caution as he attempts to breed.

There are all sorts of theories about the impact of weather and moon phases on the rut, but once the rut begins that buck could care less if the moon is full, if rain is falling, if the sun is shining or if it’s day or night. The buck has one thing and only one thing on his mind — breeding a receptive doe.

For full story, please see the Nov. 14, 2006 edition of The Union-Recorder.