Moose rut over or what?

[Pablo]

I was out hunting this weekend in Region 3 with a buddy. We were focussing primarily on immature moose, and secondarily, muleys. It was unseasonably warm. All we saw was one cow moose and a few muley does. Lots of moose sign around, but no response to any calls. We hunted in places that I knew to be good from past experience. I hiked a lot, so this isn't a case of being a lazy hunter. So, here is my question: Is it possible that this warm weather has delayed the moose rut in some areas? Or is it possible that the rut could be interrupted by these temperatures that would be the norm in mid-September? I'm trying to get a handle on moose behaviour and temperature.

[Rock Doctor]

Things seemed to be early this yr. About 2 weeks early. Swans migrated through early, Walleye stopped biting early. Water levels are at late October levels already. I believe the rut is over early too, but on the bright side, I've heard some oldtimers claim that there MIGHT be a second Rut. Normal rut for around here is last week of Sept and through the first 10 days of Oct.

I had a nice little Bull Moose fired right up, Snorting mad and pissing all over himself early in the 3rd week of Sept. I found that unusual.


RD

[Cariboo]

The moose rut which was going strong the last week of September is just about done around here now.

The period of breeding activity for moose - and other Cervidae - is triggered by a shortening of the length of daylight hours each day not weather or temperature. The last week of September and the first week of October are always when the rutting activity peaks for moose here in the BC central interior.

[Sitkaspruce]

We just got back from FSJ (Oct 03-08) and we called in 10 diff. bulls over a three day period.

The rut will always be at the same time, it just might be really active one year and be slower the next, but it is always at the same time. It is all about the amount of sunlight during the day and the orbital nerves in an animal.

I have called in bulls as early as Sept 16 and as late as Oct 15. You just need to be patient and stay in one place for a longer period.

Cheers

SS

[starvinoverhere]

I called in my bull last year on October 23rd in region 6, he wasnt crazy in rut but he responded to a call.

I called in a bull this year, full blown rut on Sept 25th, so he was on time. (cariboo, he was in your backyard)

I think the second estrus cycle for the cows may turn on a bit of action 14 days past the original.

starvin

[Pablo]

Thanks for your responses. I hadn't really considered the changing daylight as being the primarily or sole factor in determining the start of the rut each year. I guess that would mean then, that the rut would be different depending on the latitude, with more northerly locations having an earlier start to the rut, given their shorter days as September and October pass.

[Sitkaspruce]

Originally Posted by Pablo

Thanks for your responses. I hadn't really considered the changing daylight as being the primarily or sole factor in determining the start of the rut each year. I guess that would mean then, that the rut would be different depending on the latitude, with more northerly locations having an earlier start to the rut, given their shorter days as September and October pass.

In a way yes, but for BC, it would be neglagible in the difference between Fort Nelson and Kelowna. The amount of daylight is the same, so it would maybe change a day or two. If you go futher North, it might be up to a week, but that would not really be noticed here in BC.

One of the biggest, and funniest, affects that daylight has on animals is to watch male ruff grouse, who will go into "Rut" in the fall as they are affected by the daylight. They will strut and drum during the same amount of daylight as in the spring when they do breed.....but with no luck as the ladies do not care....must be frustrating

Cheers

SS