It's Rut Time!

Year-in, year-out, the peak of deer breeding activity in New York falls around the 2nd to 3rd week of November.  These are exciting times to be in the woods, to hear a buck grunt from thick cover or to witness an eager buck, nose to the ground, pursuing a doe in estrus.  With bucks on the move, and the start of the Southern Zone gun season on the 19th, about 60% of the total buck harvest will occur during the next 3 weeks.

Many New York hunters would like to see more older bucks, and the decisions hunters make during these next 3 weeks will greatly influence the deer herd we see afield next year.  In recent years, about half of the antlered bucks taken in New York were 1.5 years old, weighing about 20% less and with antlers roughly 50% smaller than they would be at 2.5 years of age. Hunters can increase the likelihood of seeing and harvesting a 2.5-year old or older buck next year, simply by choosing to pass up shots at young bucks this year.  The choice is yours, and your choice makes a difference!  See Buck Hunting in NY for more information.