Oh, and your statement about doe harvests decreasing because of the 3 buck limit only solidifies what I said about doe harvest decreasing because of getting to "hunt the rut". The same mentality of waiting on that booner keeps folks from shooting the does.

Is this fact or rumor?

'Insurance companies' are trotted out nationwide whenever there's anything to do with deer season changes. If it's true, it would be nice for them to just admit they'd like to see something done and are hopeful for any changes that could result in safer roads, their own financial status and without harm to biological needs.

Why do you assume we aren't killing bucks?

I have told you over and over...I am going to kill about the same number next year I killed this year no matter when the season is. I know how many deer I can use in a year. Most people I know are the same way.

You reject anything that doesn't fit with your preconceived notions of why people down here want to hunt into February.

It is fact that the state is gathering data as we speak !
Yes Alfa is pushing the issue

I say prove the ALFA insurance part. ALFA (Alabama Farmer Association) might be pushing the corn issue (think dollars), but I doubt insurance companies are behind this.

You just don't have an argument here. Neither do I until science backs it up.

Of course hunting in the rut is about killing a buck! Do you sit at home during the rut at you place because you want to protect your sex balance? Be honest...

So as I see it we have 100 plus days now to kill 3 bucks, and it is OK in your eyes...but 14 more will destroy the sex ratio???

For me it is about seeing bigger/better bucks and experiencing the joy of chasing craziness. I kill bucks as it is, and I will be OK either way. That is the HONEST reason I would not mind seeing an extension...what is your HONEST reason against it? And it aint biology...

Let's put it this way alot of political heads are trying to change things it will be interesting to see what happens .

Look in the pictures forum at the Big AL Buck post. Photo was taken on 11/28/2010, also not the other bucks in the background. Either this area has a November rut (maybe, but doubtful) or somebody knows how to hunt big bucks around Thanksgiving!

Personally, I will take locating and patterning over sitting and hoping any day.

Carry on.

Why are you doubtful that they were killed during a November rut? The guy on the post you are referring to answered your question as to whether they were killed during the rut and he stated that they were indeed killed during the rut.

Personal experience hunting in that area, but they very well could rut during that time. I have personally experience rutting activity 30 miles south of Russell County in late November right on the River, but 15 miles away the rut was Late January (again personal experience). Just like evrything else you have to be in the right place at the right time, but I would still prefer the predictability of hunting patternable bucks versus hunt and hope luck.

Do all you guys have pineal glands in your foreheads because it is uncanny how you all know when the rut is in your section of the state. If you can't take three bucks within the timeframe of Oct15-Jan31, you need to hone your skills. In areas of the state with an overabundant doe population, skewed ratios, the rut might extend into March, so should we go ahead and extend the season into March so we don't miss a chance at one of the bucks that's chasing does in estrous at that time? The dates should remain where they are at the current time, that is, unless you're 49'er, then you should have the constitutional right to hunt year-round for subsistence purposes.

Can you provide the evidence supported by site-specific surveys that are required by law to close the season at the current time in all areas of the state, or do you just think it is a good idea? The authority of the DCNR to close hunting seasons is not based on what people think is just a good idea in case you didn't know that Mr. 3 post wizard.

If you want to call me out, then put up or shut up.

Kat,i want you to know that it is possible to know when the rut is in your area,if you keep up with the rub,scrape sightings every year and make a log of it. it will usually happen around the same time every year,or at least it does where i hunt. start rutting late January and into most of February. and as for the comment about not being able to kill 3 bucks within the season we have now,well it sounds like to me that you are an excellent hunter,hell anyone can go out and shoot 3 small bucks a year,but why would you want to do that? if people would let the little ones walk for a year or two,then you would have something to shoot and be proud of to hang on your wall. if ya want meat.........shoot a doe!

Yes, kill more does is always the answer.

PSEbowhuntr,



I've been hearing that from qdm people for a while now.

Now the story is changing to "if you want to hunt, go hunt rabbits and squirrels".

How about we follow the law, set seasons to protect the various species as the law states, and allow hunters the liberty to hunt within the law for whatever game they choose.

That would be MISS "3 post wizard".

Instead of split season in Dec, how about shaving the 2 weeks off in Oct? I love to bow hunt but not in 90 degree weather. Take 2 off the front and put it on the back and do a blackpowder hunt. I just really don't like the idea of split seasons and such especially since the north is still good hunting in early December.

Unless you are hunting if a fence somewhere it's not likely you are going to kill 3 mature bucks a year. I'm not saying it can't happen because I have seen it happen on my lease but it doesn't happen often. Now if you are talking about killing three 2.5yr old 8's or maybe even an occasional 10pt sure you can do that with no problem, but those aren't the kind of bucks that most of the guys on this forum are hunting during the rut. Older bucks are typically not going to move much until the rut and they are still hard to kill even then.

First I want to say Thank You!!! You are the first person on here to man up and say that hunting the rut is about killing a buck. There have been others on here that have tried their best to convince us it's not about killing a buck but about "the experience". Of course I'm not buying that argument though.
As to your question, I'm not the typical deer hunter you need to ask about sitting home during the rut because well, I only deer hunted 2 times this past season. Last season the number was 3. All of those times I had one intention, to shoot the first does that were dumb enough to show themselves. It worked out too. I went twice this year and killed 2 does. If it weren't for that dang tree blocking my shot on the last day it would have been 3. I killed my first deer 28 years ago and several between then and now so I've kind of evolved into something different than a hardcore deer killer that's seeking the next Booner. Now don't get me wrong, if Mr. Mossy Horns were to step out while I'm doe hunting, he'd get popped. He'd have to be large though.