Deer rutting season in New Jersey typically begins in late October and can extend into November, but I have already seen news reports warning us that the season is upon us and that may find deer to be more active and male deer more aggressive. The exact timing can vary slightly depending on weather conditions and other environmental factors.
The term "rutting" is used to describe the mating season of deer and moose. For moose in northern areas, the Full Moon this week is often considered the start of the season. Rutting Moon was a name used by the Cree of Ontario because it's when moose start scraping the velvet from their antlers before mating season.
The origin of the word "rut" is pretty interesting. It comes from the Old English "rot," which means "to copulate." During the rut, male deer and moose become territorial and engage in battles with other males to establish dominance and access to females. This behavior is often accompanied by loud vocalizations, such as bugling or grunting, and physical displays of strength.
So be especially careful when driving at sunrise and sunset in wooded area. Actually, for much of New Jersey (like my suburban area), you don't have to be driving in a wooded area and it can be any time of day that you may encounter deer on the road!
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