Had a doe run across the rd followed very closely by 2 bucks this morning on hwy 13 in Lynn. Then a couple miles up the rd, there was a doe and what appeared to be a spike dead in the rd at Natural bridge.?

Timing of the rut in any location does not change from year to year. Cold weather initiates an increase in deer movement, and young bucks have been harassing does since their velvet peeled. Nothing unusual or early.

Havent seen any fresh rubs or scrapes, but I've seen a ton of bucks moving during daylight.

Usually I'll be lucky to see one buck a month on my way to work, and I've seen 7 just this week alone (limestone and Madison county)

Even if it's not the rut, it's a great time to hit the woods right now

Cold weather coupled with full moon in my opinion

Biggest buck in Newell's fence on Bell Rd in Montgomery was harassing does earlier this week when I went by there.

U think there will be many big boys brought of Black warrior this weekend? I heard there were only 10 taken last weeks B side hunt?

Black Warrior A-side is hot. Scrapes and rubs in several locations. I harvested an 8pt on Friday. He was my first management buck. See the Alabama Wildlife and fisheries sight for pics of the nice bucks taken so far this weekend. I wish I knew how to share a pic on here.

There will always be big deer brought in there any time in November.

I’ve got fresh scrapes and a lot of pictures of sparring bucks here in Madison county. Also lots of daytime movement. The early rut is definitely kicking in

Had a few small scrapes show up this week in Bibb

Found a nice size scrape this afternoon in south Tuscaloosa county.

Same thing at our place in Bibb. Little early IMO since the rut on our place is usually 12/15-1/1

Found 2 fresh scrapes this afternoon on our north Bibb county property

This is not unusual. It amazes me we go through this every year on here.

Bucks and does hit scrapes regularly from early fall to spring, even when there is not a doe in estrous anywhere near. It’s a form of communication and it increases leading up to pre rut. The presence of scrapes right now is perfectly normal and it does not mean, in any way, the rut is going to be early. It’s going to happen the same time it did last year, and the year before, and the year before that. Bucks rub trees anytime they have hardened antlers. They’ll also harass does just for the sheer fun of it. I’ve seen bucks chasing does three times this October, and I see it every year. Our breeding don’t take place until after Christmas into January.

For you guys in Bibb it should be very similar. Parts of Madison County, which I’ve seen mentioned above, have deer being bred as early as late November, mostly in early to mid December, and some even in January/February near the arsenal. Nothing is earlier this year. Deer are doing what deer do.

Lol every year. As many times as our wildlife biologists have explained it there are 100 threads on early rut

Mbrock, is it true the "rut" is technically happening from the time a buck sheds its velvet till the time it sheds its antlers.... it just peaks during the estrous cycle? Also is it ok for me to send you a PM about a property in Winston County? I hope you might have familiarity with the area. Thanks.

I guess it depends on your definition of rut. Bucks hormonal changes are responsible for antler growth and development. They’re working to prepare them for intense competition for females when they come into estrous. So I would say yes, some level of breeding preparation is occurring from the moment velvet peels. They immediately begin sparring with one another to tone muscle, rubbing and scraping. This activity increases and intensifies leading up to does entering their estrous cycle.

Yes shoot me a pm.

another month things should be heating up in Lynn or at least with my experience down that way.

10 miles east of Lynn or north and it will be all but over in another month.

I have always felt that once they shed their velvet they begin to act like boys again, horny boys. But as far as the "rut" peaking this early, no way.