Those irresistible odors are the primary key to stimulate mating on a wildly romantic honeymoon that must begin with the perfect light of November. “Bucks are very single-minded in their pursuit of does during the rut, their mating season, which lasts from October to December and peaks from Nov. 10 to 20. And it’s going to be cold this week — deer cold. Antlers are … Deer mating season causes uptick in car crashes Video. “We have a lot of animals on the road, probably because we are encroaching more and more on their territory,” Sinclair said. In most regions, deer will breed in the fall to take advantage of spring and summer weather to allow the fawn to be old enough to withstand the rigors of the following winter season. BAY VILLAGE, Ohio – The deer breeding season is going on through November in northern Ohio and drivers better watch out. “You can get into a major accident. Officers enforcing mask order Video. As antlers rattled, many bucks would be superficially wounded, especially around their heavy, muscular necks. Use the wind right. These … Fawns conceived in November have all the best advantages for survival. Mating season means more Illinois auto crashes with deer. THREE PHASES OF THE WHITETAIL DEER RUT OR BREEDING SEASON The whitetail breeding season may be broken down into three phases. “If we value life, we will be safety conscious, whether it’s an animal or person,” said TJ Whitten, of East Meadow. By Mitchell Armentrout @mitchtrout Updated Sep 30, … Europe has big red deer, similar to our elk. In a lifetime, most bow hunters will never get to see white-tails secretively mating. The NJ DEP offered some suggestions on … Note this behavior when pre-season scouting to learn which bucks may dominate the area during the rut. Nevertheless, many a young, vigilant buck will surprisingly succeed in sneaking in for a copulation, and many does will consequently bear twins or triplets that have more than one father. The buck’s conspicuous Adam’s apple slides up and down the throat with each bark. The most intense period lasts only about nine days with November 12 or 13 usually the peak day. Mating is quick and unceremonious. During the entire season, bucks are likely to fertilize three or four does. By Mary Wisniewski. Apply brakes gently to reduce the impact if a collision is unavoidable; do not swerve. White-tailed deer breeding in northern Ohio is heating up. In North America, depending on latitude, white-tailed deer can breed anytime from August through February. Peak mating season for white-tailed deer starts close to Halloween and lasts through November, Peditto said. The rut is the time when white-tail deer, especially bucks, are more active and less cautious than usual. Amazing! HILLSBOROUGH TOWNSHIP, N.J. - Deer are currently in mating season. What they feel is unknown. She’ll mate three or as many as fifteen times with a buck over a 24-hour period, who will try to monopolize her the day before and the day after. Deer are super active day and night. Oh, deer: Mating season ups crash risk IDOT, IDNR remind motorists to stay alert, don’t veer for deer SPRINGFIELD – As the leaves begin to change and cooler temperatures prevail, the Illinois Department of Transportation and Illinois Department of Natural Resources are reminding you to watch out for deer. Mostly moving at night, they shed their velvet, polishing and staining their antlers on prominent saplings, simultaneously rubbing off bark to visually proclaim their territoriality while adding their scent from facial glands. This explains the high breeding success in white-tailed deer even when bucks are scarce. The red deer mating season, known as the rut, starts in mid-September and lasts until early November. Every other deer has a place in the hierarchy. In extremely rare cases, does may grow antlers. The rut is the mating season for white-tailed deer and includes all behaviors, from preparation to courtship to breeding. You can get the latest news, sports and weather on our brand new CBS New York app. We watched for hours! Before the rut ends, a buck is likely to mate with three or four does. State game officials urge extra attention behind the wheel, use of high beams when other vehicles are not in view, and if you happen to see a deer ahead of you, striking it is a better alternative to swerving into potentially greater harm. These data have been used to inform management decisions regarding hunting season dates and location of zonal lines. Ninety-one percent of adult does and 26% of doe fawns were pregnant. “They’ll come right through your windshield.”. Hunters often complain then of … Europe has big red deer, similar to our elk. Alabama’s rut is in January. European deer mating! Their athletic strengths are severely tested. Statistics show that a surprising number are shot between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., just when the majority of tired or cold hunters leave the woods. Their critical signal is neither temperature nor precipitation — both of which are all too variable and unreliable in our region. In most regions, deer will breed in the fall to take advantage of spring and summer weather to allow the fawn to be old enough to withstand the rigors of the following winter season. As the peak of breeding season arrives in whitetail country, hunters can go on the offensive and use all the tools of the trade to connect with a buck. Deer mating season is upon us, but you can make it out unscathed. By early November, does began dripping attractive vaginal secretions, spreading attractive estrogen pheromones extensively and informatively by frequent urination. Stay in your stands as long as you can, and shoot straight. Obey the speed limit; lower speeds protect you and the animals. Rutting season, where male deer clash horns over mating rights with females, is about to begin and drivers have been warned to be aware of deer causing fatal accidents by bolting across roads. As CBS2’s Jennifer McLogan reports, the number of new crashes involving deer is staggering. With bucks on the chase for estrus does, unique behaviors emerge that make them much more vulnerable and easier to … But deer-car collisions are more common in the fall, during mating season, he said. Officials from the Illinois Departments of Natural Resources and Transportation note that it’s deer mating season, meaning more deer will be on the move — and … Florida’s rut begins in October. 4200 Smith School Road, Austin, TX 78744 (512) 389-4800 | (800) 792-1112 | TTY: (512) 389-8915 Operation Game Thief: (800) 792-GAME The Seeking Phase. The late breeding seasons of the south are also influenced by nutrition shortages, cover resources, and decreased numbers of mature bucks. Does normally do not mate the first year of their life, but if nutrition is excellent, there may be exceptions. A very few would be lethally stabbed — or, on rare occasions, die of exhaustion and starvation with their antlers inextricably locked. In Europe, red deer’s mating season occurs during the Fall for about a month (from mid-September to mid-October), around the autumnal equinox. As the peak of breeding season arrives in whitetail country, hunters can go on the offensive and use all the tools of the trade to connect with a buck. While the mating period lasts little more than three weeks and is most concentrated in about nine days, the rutting drama actually began silently in late September. These sweet, but dangerous four-legged creatures have a way of crossing paths with vehicles while on their way to mate. You can try to save a deer and then crash into a car,” said Ikbal Sheriff, of Farmingdale. Then, bucks with full-grown, but irritatingly-velveted antlers abruptly left their amicable bachelor groups for the solitary and competitive pursuit of does. HOMER, Ill. — Deer experts shed light on why deer mating season can be so dangerous for drivers. The deer mating season is the period with the highest number of deer related accidents . HILLSBOROUGH TOWNSHIP, N.J. - Deer are currently in mating season. The season is most active at least until mid-November.” November is typically the most active month of all because it is the height of deer mating season. November is deer mating season and the month of the year with the highest rate of deer-related motor vehicle accidents. The deer mating season began to peak in Massachusetts on Nov. 6, according state wildlife officials. Peak breeding by fawns occurred in late November and early December. In reality, if the doe isn't bred during the first estrous period, she will be receptive again in 28 days. Peak mating season for deer in New Jersey runs from late October throughout November and into mid-December in all areas of the state. Nearly half of all fawn breeding occurred from December to February. Bucks are marking their territories through the month of November." In the southern parts of their ranges, whitetail deer will not mate until January or February. Pam Leiter, an assistant director with the Champaign County Forest Preserve District, said in the fall, more drivers are out closer to dawn and dusk because the days are shorter and deer are more active because of mating season. Download here. When a doe’s egg is finally ready, she abruptly changes her elusive behavior and body language. Does that mate later than November also experience critical reproduction difficulties. The whitetail deer mating (breeding season) takes place each fall. Drivers should be especially vigilant at night, when 84% of animal crashes happen. Food, habits, and habitats White-tailed deer have a four-chambered stomach and do not have upper incisors (blade-shaped teeth at the front of the jaw). Two of the most easily recognizable signs are rubs and scrapes. It all boils down to limited, essential timing. The entire mating season lasts from October to December. The biologists of the RDRG have established that a critical component to successful mating for Red deer is holding a harem; without one their chances of mating are low. October marks the beginning of deer mating season, when the animals are active and more likely to leap onto roads. Her walk becomes silky and slow. Columbia County Animal Services has already picked up 174 dead deer since Oct. 1. Over 90% of Massachusetts’ does will have mated by week’s end. Peak mating season for deer in New Jersey runs from late October throughout November and into mid-December in all areas of the state. This probably explains breeding activity observed by hunters after Thanksgiving. Because whitetails are short-day breeders, behavioral changes are trigged by reduced daylight in mid-to-late autumn. When you see the deer crossing, everybody just brakes,” said Claudia Mariano, or Levittown. The cow is so affectionate.. According to … “We don’t have a natural predator for deer, so their numbers are increasing with no control… Also, various towns and communities aren’t allowing hunting,” said Isabel Fernandes of Sweetbriar Nature Center. The Texas rut takes place in December. Above their scrape, they again rubbed their facial glands on an overhanging licking branch, further communicating their presence. Previous Page Continue reading » The newborns would die of hypothermia. An April season also avoids the hardships of winter when population levels are at their lowest and deer are subject to environmental extremes and food shortages. It’s therefore critical that males are present on that exact ovulation day. Her buck will stay with her no more than a day after she stops coupling. Once a doe is successfully mated, she will not mate again till the next November. Additionally, on the ground, bucks scraped bare patches with their hooves, making another form of forest billboard for all deer to pause at. If they bear young in summer rather than spring, their fawns would have insufficient time to grow strong enough to endure their first winter. The confluence of mating and hunting seasons makes November the month with the most deer-vehicle collisions — about 18 percent of the annual total — according to State Farm. COVID-19 in Tennessee November 29 Video. So said Tim Jasinski, wildlife rehabilitation specialist at the Lake Erie & Nature Science Center in Bay Village. Across the Tri-State, animals are being struck by cars at a record pace. Cook County saw 111 deer … Does have thus evolved hormonal hints that begin several days before their eggs are in position to be fertilized. We do know that all female mammals have a variably developed clitoris, but regardless of physical reward, a doe will never have any emotional attachment to her mate. Hunting the rut is considered the ideal time for hunters to take to the woods, capitalizing on the fact that bucks and does will be on the move. NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) – October marks the beginning of deer mating season, when the animals are active and more likely to leap onto roads. But that chemical communication which is unintentionally teasing results in frustration for males who seek and chase terrified females that won’t yet stand to mate and fear being stabbed for their reluctance. Many People would like to see a deer, only very few are lucky to see them mating. Deer rutting season (or “the rut”) is the highlight of the year for any seasoned deer hunter. Pre-rut socialization occurs in the early summer months. Bucks with the healthiest genes will have the edge to pass on their desirable traits. Chicago Tribune | Oct 07, 2019 at 5:00 AM . And Hillsborough Township leads New Jersey in deer-related accidents. Survival dictates that the northern whitetail must mate in November. The buck guards and mates with the female for a day before searching for… The season is most active at least until mid-November.” Jasinski explained the deer cycle: "The females are going into estrus. The rut happens when it must. Does that deliver in winter would also be forced to transfer their own limited body nutrients to their nursing fawns at a time when food is most scarce. On the downside, mating season poses a serious danger to drivers; an awareness of the mating habits can prevent serious injuries and vehicle damage. Those deer are now on the move: It's mating season for deer — a dangerous activity in Stark County, which led the state over the last five years in total vehicle-deer crashes. But without a calendar, how do their hormones know it’s November? During these focused chases, bucks can be seen curling back their upper lip, exposing their lower front teeth (they have no upper front teeth), and inhaling the air with their nostrils closed. Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. This buck is dominant within an early fall bachelor group. The first fawns will be born in the later portion of spring after a gestation period of around 200 days. During mating season, male deer go into rut and begin searching for mates. October 3, 2020 GMT. He’ll never be with them again or tend to his fawns. DEER: Early Season: Late Season: Archery: Sept. 5, 2020 - Jan. 18, 2021: Crossbow: Sept. 19, 2020 - Jan. 18, 2021: Youth-only Gun: Oct. 10-11, 2020: Muzzleloader The bell of male deer echoes in the forest all day. Deer mating season is just getting under way, and that happens to also mean peak season for car-deer collisions. Our exciting rut is coming to its climactic end. The rest of the year the males don’t interact with the females. Tickets Required To View Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree, Changes Made To Other Holiday Traditions In City This Year, Crew Restoring Historic Roslyn Grist Mill Finds 100-Year-Old Time Capsule With Messages From Original Builders; 'A Treasure', NYC COVID Advisory: Health Commissioner Urges Older, At-Risk New Yorkers To Stay Home, Local Rap Artist Shot Dead During Violent Weekend In Newark, FBI On The Hunt For Brooklyn Rapper 'Casanova,' Says He's Member Of Violent Street Gang, Police: Armed Suspects Caught On Video Robbing Man Inside Brooklyn Lobby, Long Island Dentists Allison Napoli, Daniel Gambella Facing Charges After Allegedly Following Teen On Bicycle Over Fireworks Incident, Stimulus Package Update: Lawmakers Unveil Bipartisan COVID Relief Plan, Search For Answers After Peekskill High School Soccer Star Joaquin Salazar, 18, Stabbed To Death, New Jersey Coronavirus: Gov. Bucks use their hard antlers to establish dominance over other bucks during breeding season. White-tailed deer sprint up to 35 miles per hour and are able to leap over 8 foot tall barriers. SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) — Illinois motorists should beware of more deer activity this time of year, particularly at dawn and dusk. These include the pre-breeding period or pre-rut, the breeding period or rut, and the post-breeding period or post rut. Caution: Fall is deer mating season. Being extra vigilant for deer will become even more important when daylight saving time ends at 2 a.m. on Sunday, Nov. 1. Caution: Fall is deer mating season. First, bucks tentatively sparred with mild aggression, throwing their weight against each other while carefully engaging antlers to assess competition. Hunting: Peak of rut season a dynamic, urgent time for deer and hunter. So, they’re very active and moving around,” Fernandes said. The rut can take it… For deer, sex is only for reproduction, so all the passionate chasing will soon be over till next November. Peak mating season for deer in New Jersey runs from late October into mid-December in all areas of the state. White-tailed deer are more active during mating season, which is also known as the “fall rut,” and deer are more likely to run onto roadways as bucks pursue does, according to a press release. The deer mating season began to peak in Massachusetts on Nov. 6, according state wildlife officials. “This time of year, it is mating season. The rut for white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) usually lasts three weeks in the Northern Hemisphereand may occur most of the year in tropical zones. Mating season means more deer in the headlights, officials warn Deer caused more than 16,000 crashes statewide last year. “It’s happening right now. If there’s no oncoming traffic, high beam headlights can be a good way to deter animals. After 11 months of celibacy, testosterone-driven bucks don’t care if the objects of their desire are old, short-in-the-tooth females — or sexually precocious 7-month-old fawns coming into their very first cycle. Deer mating season causes uptick in car crashes Video. 1 person stabbed Video. MADISON, Wis. (WMTV) - Drivers be warned: deer vs vehicle collision rates are going up as the mating season reaches its peak, according to a local body shop. In them, bucks urinated their hormonally musky status, stamping an exclamation point with their hoof print. They vie recklessly and relentlessly, hours on end, noisily crashing through thick brush, chasing, grunting, snorting and wheezing for receptive does. It's also the time of year hunters make a dent in the deer population off-road. Being extra vigilant for deer … “Deer are involved in thousands of collisions with motor vehicles in New Jersey each year, with the highest number occurring during the fall mating season,” Fish and Wildlife Director Dave Golden stated. By viewing our video content, you are accepting the terms of our. Our white-tail bucks, though, don’t come close to roaring, but their subtle grunts are enough to excite every bow hunter now. Whitetail deer are interesting mammals and their breeding habits are unique. Orange County, home of West Point and part of Bear Mountain had the most recorded animal crashes last year with more than 1,600. During these times, thousands of deer immersed in a chase are killed by vehicle collisions. “You just go very slow. During mating season, male deer go into rut and begin searching for mates. A few tips to keep the damage to a minimum during rutting season. Why all the focused urgency and expenditure of energy? MGN. Both does and other bucks would take notice and instantly know when to be impressed. The single wondrous and totally dependable constant is the immutable length of the day made possible by the diminishing hours of sunlight in autumn. More often, bone-hard tines would be broken off by the ferocity of their increasingly powerful collisions. Naturalists at the Sweetbriar Nature Center in Smithtown are advising visitors to be on the lookout. Very big bucks that were optimally fat in September will lose as much as 50 pounds. Officers enforcing mask order Video. If a doe is not mated, a second estrus occurs approximately 28 days later (Desert USA). Only white-tailed bucks possess antlers. Bow hunters consequently hope that conditions that get deer moving — like plunging temperatures — will coincide with the rut. Deer danger: Mating season creates driving hazards News. The peak of the mating season is called the rut. By back-dating fetuses recovered from harvested does, biologists know that most conceptions occur between November 6 and November 20 in Massachusetts. The bells and the fights among male deer for the conquest of female deer allow you to immerse yourself in the deepest nature of the Park. They do go in packs,” said Suffolk County SPCA Chief Roy Gross. This period of time is called the rut. The only thing that matters is that they’re emitting pheromones and ovulating. On the equator in South America, where the trigger of changing light doesn’t come into play — every month having 12 hours of daylight — white-tails can actually breed during any of 12 months a year. This makes them easier to hunt, as well as more susceptible to being hit by motor vehicles. Much less cautious than usual, male and female red deers gather together in open areas, which makes the mating season an ideal time to observe deers. In some Texas circles, you still hear people talk about the "old barren doe" that lives in a certain pasture. In so doing, they inadvertently proclaimed how close they were to the single day of the entire year that they would be receptive to mate. Battles for disputed territory inevitably followed. State game officials urge extra attention behind the wheel, use of high beams when other vehicles are not in view, and if you happen to see a deer ahead of you, striking it is a better alternative to swerving into potentially greater harm. Posted: Nov 4, 2020 / 04:58 PM CST / Updated: Nov 5, 2020 / 03:55 AM CST. Through evolution, that timing has become a vital part of their genetics. Deer mating season is just getting under way, and that happens to also mean peak season for car-deer collisions. Peak mating season for deer in New Jersey runs from late October into mid-December in all areas of the state. Their mating season provides an opportune time for observant hunters, nature photographers and those who enjoy the the mystery and beauty of our wildlife. The buck has one thing on his mind at this time of the year: to find as many does as he can. Climb safely. And when it’s mating season, they aren’t afraid of anything. In the Southern states, the breeding season may be quite lengthy, and take place in between December and January. These sweet, but dangerous four-legged creatures have a way of crossing paths with vehicles while on their way to mate. Deer have a fairly long mating season that covers from October through January. Climates in the South, allow the survival of both early born and late born fawns. The most intense period lasts only about nine days with November 12 or 13 usually the peak day. That loss will necessitate refocusing entirely on feeding come December to help them survive the challenges of a tough winter. Situations of cars versus animals have tragic consequences. Rutting bucks form small breeding territories on… Referred to as the “rut,” white-tailed deer mating season occurs from October to December. The specific time varies from location to location, even between areas that are only 100 miles from one another. The seeking phase is when bucks start to try to determine the general location … Deer live in groups and within each is a dominant deer. A pair of deer … Peak mating season for deer in the state runs from late October to mid-December in all areas of New Jersey, the release said. The whitetail deer mating (breeding season) takes place each fall. Murphy Announces Temporary Ban On Indoor Sports. Don't Miss: Deer Hunting Tip: Reading Deer Body Language 101 They’ll lose 20% of their weight. Both species “roar” or bugle loudly during their mating season. A doe’s health would be severely compromised. To avoid deer strikes, here are some tips from insurance experts: • Use … During the months of September and October, when the mating season of deer starts, this territory gives you the chance to live a very interesting experience. During the mating season in November and December, much of the courtship is carried on at a run; many males try to keep up with the speedy female. The term rut was brought to America from England, where its Latin origins meant “roar." In the Augusta area, most of the deer crashes were reported in October, November and December, which is typically when deer mating season occurs. With days now growing shorter and nights growing longer, signs of the rut are scattered throughout the arb. No longer panicking from the chase of a male, she’ll stand invitingly with her back legs bent at the knee, unambiguously presenting her backside as she lifts her tail about three-quarters high. Officials said being extra vigilant for deer will become even more important when daylight saving time ends at 2 a.m. on Sunday, Nov. 1. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission (FWC) has been collecting biological data since 2009 from white-tailed deer to estimate the breeding dates for deer across the state. Outside of the breeding season, it is common to see bucks in “bachelor groups” usually consisting of 2–5 individuals. ©2020 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. Bucks may desperately and in greater comfort move all day now. The open season avoids hunting during the peak breeding period in Summer, when stags are particularly vulnerable, and avoids any disruption to mating, which may affect productivity. Peak mating season for white-tailed deer starts close to Halloween and lasts through November, Peditto said. COVID-19 in Tennessee November 29 Video. Their Jacobson’s glands, located in the roof of their mouth, can molecularly taste in the air a doe’s hormonal signals. by: Mary Mays. The RDRG have demonstrated that, among the Rum deer, stags rarely hold substantial harems until they are six or seven years old. In late winter, there is additionally no lush vegetation for milk production and no thick cover to hide her fawns from predators. Deer breed in relation to the average climatic conditions in an area. Bucks of all sizes — even those with tiny antlers — participated boldly, though small bucks fearfully avoided big bucks. Here’s what you can do to prevent costly, scary car-animal collisions. Scan the shoulders of the road ahead, since animals can leap out. Both species “roar” or bugle loudly during their mating season. Here’s what you can do to prevent costly, scary car-animal collisions. Many commutes will then align with the periods when deer are most active, and lighting conditions may be the most difficult for … Suffolk County ranked in the top three in New York State, with nearly 1,500 animal crashes in 2019, according to Sinclair. But in Massachusetts, their time to mate has to be now. Deer Breeding Chronology Study. White-tail sex is not recreational. Mature males soon fought fiercely with other males that just earlier were amicable bachelor-group mates. “Deer are involved in thousands of collisions with motor vehicles in New Jersey each year, with the highest number occurring during the fall mating season,” Fish and Wildlife Director Dave Golden stated. Those light, bare patches would advertise hierarchical claims. Peak mating season for deer in New Jersey runs from late October throughout November and into mid-December. —Contact Mark Blazis at markblazissafaris@gmail.com. And Hillsborough Township leads New Jersey in deer-related accidents. “Oh, it makes me really scared, because I would hate to injure an animal,” said Kate Marker of Malverne. Other articles where Mating season is discussed: fallow deer: The rutting buck waves its antlers conspicuously toward the female that it follows in courtship, and it vocalizes loudly with each dip of the antlers. However, they will travel long distances during the rut to be able to find them. Bad conditions like excessive heat and humidity, heavy rain, high winds or even moon phase all conspire to further conceal the drama, much of which occurs under the cover of darkness. This train of thought blames poor fawn production on the idea that many older does do not get pregnant. Dress warm. “When you see one deer come out, you’re going to see more following. With open mouths, hanging tongues and out-stretched necks, excited males throw their caution to the wind. All participating bucks will pay a heavy price for their efforts. The peak of the mating season is called the rut. “The overall numbers that we’re seeing are the highest in 10 years,” said Robert Sinclair, a spokesperson for AAA Northeast. Most often, they occur between 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. The specific time varies from location to location, even between areas that are only 100 miles from one another. He will chase after many does for weeks, barely eating. In short, bucks are crazy. We found that on the average, 92 of ever… Otherwise, her eggs — typically one in a very young doe, two in most mature does and three in exceptionally nourished, mature does — will exit her body unfertilized, necessitating another body-taxing ovulation 28 days later in December. 1 person stabbed Video. In the Augusta area, most of the deer crashes were reported in October, November and December, which is typically when deer mating season occurs. Hunters often complain then of no deer movement as bucks “lock down” with their does, mating and hidden for a couple days. BAY VILLAGE, Ohio -- The deer breeding season is going on through November in Northern Ohio, and drivers had better watch out. It’s time for bow hunters to roar over a great buck. He’ll then move off to find another hormonally-ready doe. Just as little dogs urinate low on a fire hydrant and big dogs urinate high, small bucks rubbed off bark low and big bucks rubbed off bark high on the saplings. The gestation period is approximately seven months. The bucks check every doe group for possible breeding opportunities. The deer mating season is between October and December, though for some species such as the Reindeer it may start as early as late August. We expect those conditions this week, affording us our last, best-chance to arrow a careless giant whose mind is temporarily un-obsessed with his security. Carrying her fawns for six months, a doe can’t afford to mate earlier and deliver them in freezing weather. The rut happens when it must. Author: Dorsena Drakeford We got many clips leading up to this one! Like an alarm clock, that photo-phenomenon reliably triggers ovulation every year through unconsciously recognized signals going from the optic nerve to the pituitary gland of the brain.