According to the map, the peak breeding period is earliest in northwest Mississippi, where it falls between Dec. 6 and 13. "Of course, that's just a peak, and there's obviously a broad range," Dacus said. "We know that some does are being bred in November. But that week in early December is the peak period."

The earliest breeding during last hunting season that has been confirmed by the MDWFP was Nov. 20 in Coahoma County; the latest average breeding period, Jan. 24 through Feb. 6, occurred in the extreme southeast, the relevant area incorporating Jackson, George, Greene, the eastern edges of Harrison and Stone, the southeast corner of Forrest, the southeastern two-thirds of Perry and the southern part of Wayne counties.

"We know that it can extend much later into February and even early March down there," Dacus pointed out. "And, obviously, it can happen earlier in January, especially in some pockets where there has been some quality deer management."

Most areas of the state have a peak period lasting from as few as five days to as much as a week, the longest being the southeast corner's two-week stretch reaching into early February.

"I think that is a direct sign of just how out of whack our deer population is down here, in regards to buck/doe ratios," said Pascagoula's Larry Walker, who hunts public lands throughout the area from the massive Pascagoula River Wildlife Management Area to the Leaf River WMA near McLain. "We have got to take more does and start letting the bucks walk to get that ratio better, and I applaud the wildlife agency for their efforts to do that. The tighter buck antler restriction in Zone 2 is forcing hunters to let the young bucks go -- or, at least, it's putting out the message that they ought to let them walk.

"I was worried at first that when they extended our season to Feb. 15 and made it bucks only that it would further worsen the problem, but I don't see that happening. Hunters are being selective -- at least they ones I know are. We have stressed to everyone we know, my buddies and I, to take a few does early in the season in November and December and to take at least one doe for every buck they plan to take later."

The Zone 2 restrictions only allow hunters to take bucks that have at least 4 points or greater and either a minimum inside spread of 10 inches or a minimum main beam length of 12 inches.

Sutton looks at the map with a chuckle. "I can relate to it," he said, referring to what he has seen happening in his 40-plus years of hunting experience and how it jives with the map. "The one thing that jumps out at me is the late breeding down here in my area" -- by which he meant the peak dates of Jan. 9-16 in Marion and Jeff Davis counties. "That's accurate to a degree; it used to be dead on that.

"And I know that to be a fact: Since I have always worked either a month on and month off, or six weeks on and six weeks off schedule in the oil fields, I have watched the calendars and done the best I could to work around the rut. I have noticed in the last 10 to 15 years that the peak has consistently been getting later. It may still be Jan. 9 to 16 where they are checking the does, but I promise you it's later than that where I hunt -- I'd say a week or two."

Sutton has seen the peak of doe chasing move from mid-January to late in the month, and often sees bucks chasing does that recycle in late February during the squirrel and rabbit seasons. "I'll be scouting turkeys in late February or even early March and see bucks chasing does -- and I mean bucks that we haven't seen all year," he added. "What you have to realize is that with the buck/doe ratio out of kilter, a lot of the does don't get bred in that first peak period. They recycle 28 days later and the bucks start running them again.

"One of the best tips I can give hunters is that when you see the bucks starting to really run does in January, mark that date down on the calendar and count 28 days later. Circle that day and plan to hunt if you can. There will be plenty of does in season again during that period, especially younger does."