Rut Report 2013 from the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation
Oklahoma’s deer rifle season opens Saturday, Nov. 23, and biologists for the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation have submitted updated reports of rutting activity in the different regions of the state.
“Opening day of deer gun season is a big day in Oklahoma,” said Erik Bartholomew, big game biologist for the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation. “Rural communities are filled with hunters who spend money at restaurants, gas stations and other businesses, and family bonds and friendships are forged as generations mix together in a social atmosphere and fun activity. Plus, a lot of people get to harvest a deer and take home a lot of venison for the freezer.”
Last year, rifle hunters accounted for 58 percent of the total deer harvest. Data indicates that 155,246 hunters headed to the field for the gun season, and almost 30 percent of all the deer harvested with a modern firearm last year were taken during opening weekend.
“Field reports say the rut is ramping up,” Bartholomew said. “Now is the time to go, so don’t miss opening weekend.”
As Oklahoma moves into what is hopefully another great year for deer gun hunters, personnel with the Wildlife Department are offering information just in time on the most current rutting activity in regions across the state. The rut, or deer breeding season, is a biological process that typically occurs around mid November.
Deer activity during the rut picks up, but the amount of activity can be influenced by a host of factors such as day length, temperatures, moon phase and herd condition.
