Late-season deer hunting in terms of rut and post-rut activity is literally all over the map in North Carolina, because peak breeding dates vary greatly, according to biologist John Shaw.
“We did an extensive, three-year study on peak breeding seasons across the state, and the data shows tremendous diversity,” Shaw said. “The peak of the breeding seasons dates are as early as Oct. 2 in the extreme eastern portion of the state and as late as Dec. 6 in the mountainous west.”
In addition to the east-to-west gradient, Shaw said the data revealed a definite north-to-south gradient for peak of the rut, from October in the southern part of the state to November in the northern section.
Shaw said hunting situations will vary considerably across the state depending on where a hunter is located. By December, some of the areas to the east and south will be well into post-rut, while others are literally in the peak of the breeding season.”
The peak breeding dates for different hunt units are: Unit I, Dec. 5; Unit II, Nov. 20; Unit III, Nov. 8; Unit IV, Oct. 30; Unit V, Oct. 11.
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