If you're a deer hunter patiently waiting for something, anything, to get the bucks up and moving during legal shooting hours (daylight), have no fear, the rut is here.
It should be noted for the benefit of those who don't hunt deer, the rut is the time of year when boy deer chase girl deer in hopes of making baby deer. This they do in order to carry on the species ... and for other reasons I'm sure. In short, it is finally breeding season, which probably arrived late this year due to warm weather conditions earlier.
Other than getting out in the woods and finding out firsthand, all one has to do to confirm the rut is in full swing is to ride the highways and byways. To wit, along with my wife, Regina, and daughter, Heather, I drove up past Collins on Highway 49 and noticed several deer carcasses along the highway, especially in the Rawls Springs area. No, these weren't deer thrown by the wayside after being taken down by hunters, they were roadkill, likely the result of does (girl deer) being chased by lust-crazy bucks.
Now that doesn't necessarily mean the road kills happened during legal hunting hours, but it does indicate more deer movement. Therefore, if you're a deer hunter who hasn't tagged your buck, you don't have much time remaining, so it's time to get off the couch and hit the woods.
Lastly, if the aforementioned truths aren't enough to convince you the rut is in full swing, I may be given permission to tell you the tale of how my nephew was recently charged by a rut-crazed buck. Actually, I'll probably tell you anyway. Teehee!
Season closures
Basically, if you hunt deer north of U.S. Hwy. 84 and west of Miss. Hwy. 35, your season ends Jan. 31. Because the season opens 15 days later each fall in the Southeast Zone – south of 84 and east of 35 - hunters have until Feb. 15 to collect their buck. Note here that does ARE NOT legal game in February, legal bucks only.
Here's hoping you get your deer, but always remember, you are an example for future sportsmen to follow; set a good one!
NWTF banquet
The South Mississippi Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation will hold its annual banquet and dinner Feb. 9, at the Catfish Wagon in Petal. Doors open at 5:30 PM, with dinner served at 7. For more information, please contact Rayford at 601-408-1451.
Youth squirrel hunt
Sponsored by the Mississippi Wildlife Federation, the MDWFP and the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, the 2019 Youth Squirrel Hunt will take place on Feb. 5, at eight different statewide locations. Registration is currently open.
During the one-day events, youth participants will be exposed to principles of hunting and firearms safety, squirrel hunting with dogs, and the daily life of squirrels and their habitats. For more information or to register your child 15 and under, contact Joshua Friedel at jfriedel@mswf.org, or call 601-605-1790.
Clay Shoot
PCS Athletics is sponsoring a sporting clay shoot March 22, at the Pine Belt Gun Club near Lumberton. Registration is at noon, and there will be a wild game supper at 5 PM, with prizes to be awarded then. Contact PCS Athletics for specifics by calling 601-582-4957.
Email story ideas and photos to PineBelt NEWS outdoor writer Phil DiFatta at pdifatta@hotmail.com. Readers may also text photos, with a contact number, to 601-596-4475. We especially like pictures of kids with their fish or wild game, but be sure to pose game and fish ethically and with respect.
