Warm Weather Affect on Rut Activity

[Michigan Catman]

Rut in West MI is in full swing.  Weather for the next three days or so calls for sunny skies, daytime temps in the upper 60's and over night lows in the low to mid 40's.  Question is to what extent will the warm daytime weather decrease deer movement, even though I have seen bucks chasing does in my area?

[leatherneck]

Some misconceptions about the rut that people have. "Oh it's too hot, the deer won't rut" or "The rut is going to be late this year because of the weather". All are wrong. Deer are going to rut regardless of the weather conditions. Animals can't just turn the activity off. WVA University did extensive research on this very subject and found that the weather had no affect on rutting activity in reference to weather it happens or not. It only affected the time of day.(I wish I could find that link to show you all).
With that in mind, they did prove that when the weather turns warm, then the rutting activity will revert mainly to the cooler hours(night time). I'll keep searching for that link cause it's very interesting. I read it about ten years ago.
About 5-days ago it was cold here and the deer were starting rutting activities. The last couple days it's been upper sixties and guess what, the rutting activity has increased as usual. Best of luck.

[DaveBriner]

As related to hunting, yes, warm weather will most likely decrease your frequency of daytime deer sightings.  No, they won't stop breeding because of warm weather, nothing will short of an arrow or gun through the lungs.  But I can tell you that from my experience during warmer pre rut and post rut weather, the deer will move less during daylight hours.  Full on peak and a day or two each side will still see lots of movement (13th-18th in MO for instance).

Best,
Dave

[Michigan Catman]

Responses confirmed what I thought may well be the case.  Thanks guys.  Shoot straight.

[bretto]

Upper 70's here in N.E. Kansas most of the deer movement has become nocturnal. I moved My vacation back 1 week. Rain tomorrow night ahead of a cold front. forecast high's in the low 50's,lows in the 30's lookout!!!!

Good luck everyone,  bretto