I’m not sure if the state is recording conception data or not at the moment, but I decided to check a few does in Fayette County that has been under strict harvest criteria and management for a very long time. We’ve collected data on harvested deer since 2007. We collected conception data for at least 2 years, and maybe 3. I can’t remember. Either way, the average conception dates when we initially took data several years ago was Jan 6th one year and Jan 8th the next. I do remember having those two sets of data. It’s the third I can’t remember. Over the last few days I’ve taken fetuses from 3 does, all carrying twins, with conception dates of 12/24, 12/29 and 1/1. What would be interesting to know, is if that date would change if I had a larger sample size, OR if we’ve made that much difference in the breeding timing over the years by improving habitat and correcting sex ratios. I clearly remember having some late January does in our original samples, but always assumed it was their second cycle, which skews the data. Now that we have a ratio more representative of what we were trying to achieve, it seems the later rutting activity has been largely removed. We don’t see as much hard chasing and crazy behavior after MLK day. My theory has always been that one reason AL has such later breeding dates has more to do with mismanagement and poor sex ratios than anything else. Breeding is definitely later in parts of south AL and areas in north AL where southern deer were used in restocking, but it’s been made worse by the sex ratio issues prevalent in so many areas.

Just thought yall may find that interesting, especially those of you from the Fayette, Marion, Lamar, Tuscaloosa, Pickens areas, which always had dates within a few days of this property in Fayette.