Key deer are rutting

[gotcha]

http://www.keysnet.com/2011/10/09/384995/mating-means-fights-over-does.html

[870BkWht]

Is the Keys Deer a subspecies of Whitetail?  Are they legal to hunt?

[flintlock]

Get em Mel!!!!

[ChiefBubba]

Is the Keys Deer a subspecies of Whitetail?  Are they legal to hunt?

Yes they are a subspecies supposedly they migrated down to the Keys during the last Ice age. They are on the endangered list with less then 1000 I guess depending on who's counting. I'm sometimes suspect of the counts of endangered species. I'm surprised they are rutting there most of the south Florida deer are pretty close to being done. Should be getting close for the southern deer to start dropping horns. Chief.

[870BkWht]

Is the Keys Deer a subspecies of Whitetail?  Are they legal to hunt?

Yes they are a subspecies supposedly they migrated down to the Keys during the last Ice age. They are on the endangered list with less then 1000 I guess depending on who's counting. I'm sometimes suspect of the counts of endangered species. I'm surprised they are rutting there most of the south Florida deer are pretty close to being done. Should be getting close for the southern deer to start dropping horns. Chief.

Hmmm,  I learned something new as I kinda assumed that the farther south the later the Rut would be.  I figured that would be a Dec/Jan. kinda deal. 

[ChiefBubba]

Is the Keys Deer a subspecies of Whitetail?  Are they legal to hunt?

Yes they are a subspecies supposedly they migrated down to the Keys during the last Ice age. They are on the endangered list with less then 1000 I guess depending on who's counting. I'm sometimes suspect of the counts of endangered species. I'm surprised they are rutting there most of the south Florida deer are pretty close to being done. Should be getting close for the southern deer to start dropping horns. Chief.

Hmmm,  I learned something new as I kinda assumed that the farther south the later the Rut would be.  I figured that would be a Dec/Jan. kinda deal. 

Yes funny how things work but in South Florida and Florida in general all bets are off. I remember one year while scouting for Turkeys I don't remember the exact month but I know it was in early March or late Feb I walked up on 2 twin fawns that had to be about a week or two old. So if the gestation period is 6 1/2 months that would put it around Sept give or take. I really think in the Southern Everglades deer breeding could be almost anytime of year or start in very early summer. Chief.