As it is in any discussion of deer hunting, the rut in the Mississippi Delta is worth a close inspection. Being that it is the northwestern part of the state, one might expect that the rutting dates are generally earlier than other parts of the state. On the surface that seems true.
But there is more to the story.
Each year, the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks conducts herd health evaluations across the state, recording (1) dates of collection, (2) mean conception date, (3) date ranges of conception and other health factors related to antlerless deer. Deer are sampled throughout the state.
There is some debate as to whether or not the mean conception date reported in this evaluation actually reflects the peak of the rut. Similarly, does the range of conception dates refer accurately to the rutting periods in the specific areas?
In the latest data available, there were eight Delta counties sampled. The mean conception dates in these counties ran from as early as Dec. 10 to as late as Jan. 2. The range of conception begins as early as Nov. 24 and ends as late as Feb. 8. The northern Delta counties tend to start ruts earlier than the southern Delta counties.
Overall herd health is another factor, according to MDWFP deer biologist William McKinley.
“As for the breeding of does by the bucks being earlier in the (Delta), we attribute that to better soil, which equals better health,” he said. “Healthier deer tend to breed earlier, while deer in poorer health tend to breed later. The extreme Southeast corner of the state would be an example of the latter.”
Knowing when the rut typically begins is definitely an asset for deer hunters. The MDWFP provides that information with a map that illustrates breeding ranges in Mississippi. Find it online at http://mdwfp.com/wildlife-hunting/deer-program/deer-breeding-date-map.aspx.
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