I always have a hard time figuring out when the rut is as I usually don't see many deer while hunting to see them chasing. (I don't have private land or a lease, public land only)

So, in and around the Oakmulgee WMA, has the rut already happened? If so, when would you say the peak of it was? And if not, when would you expect it to come?

We hunt very close to Oakmulgee and our deer should start chasing any time now. I killed a 6 point a week ago and tarsal glands were not dark or smelly.

The biologist told me that it normally peaks the week before and the week after Christmas. I use this as a general guideline and I am sure other factors play a role as well.

The week of Dec 15 has been the peak for several years at Oakamulgee. From what I have seen! This year it was about 2 weeks late. I did not hunt the last hunt but would bet some good ones were brought in. The doe kill numbers have been down this year on gun hunt's also. For the lack of anywhere to hunt this weekend, I may take the bow or the 22 and do some walking this weekend.