“ Why does the whitetail rut start/end so early in Northern Michigan? The official peak rut start date here in Pa was
12Nov this year. Would be interested to know why. Thanks”
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Because of winter. We have very harsh winters here.
I think it was in 2018 we got so much snow a couple of days before opening day that Deer Season was effectively cancelled although not officially.
There was at least 3 feet of snow on the ground. Can’t walk in it, or drive in it. A snow mobile was the only way.
The DNR asked land owners if they were cutting down any trees to leave the buds exposed for the deer and food was dropped for them in various harder it areas.
The deer here have to be done with their business of reproduction before winter arrives which can come in Oct, and last into May.
Winters are longer, colder and 12 feet of snow on average a season.
My Son in Law is from PA. Very nice young man…..he was surprised how Michigan’s weather is so different.