Updated March 2023

“The rut is on!” Chances are, you have most likely heard this phrase multiple times throughout the hunting season. It always seems that some hunters experience rutting deer behavior while others don’t. The whitetail rut is the most anticipated time of the deer season in any region. This article will explain what the whitetail rut actually is, why it happens, the phases of the rut and the best times to be in the woods.

What is the Whitetail Rut?

The rut is the period of time from mid-October to early-December when deer mate. The last week of October thru the first two weeks of November are typically the best weeks to hunt due to increased deer activity. During this time, deer behavior changes, making in an exciting time to be in the woods. The rut usually results in increased daytime movement of deer, elevating your odds of crossing paths with a large mature whitetail. During the rut, does will often be followed by a buck. Buck behavior also changes resulting in increased fighting, grunting, scraping and rubbing.

Factors that Contribute to the Rut

There are multiple factors that contribute to the beginning of the rut. Popular wildlife researcher Dr. Leonard Rue III states in his book, Whitetail Savvy, “The beginning of the actual rut occurs around the middle of October and can readily be seen by the swelling of the buck’s neck to almost twice its normal size. The swelling is the result of hormonal steroids, causing increased muscle mass build up by the constant rubbing and fighting with bushes and saplings that the bucks do.”

In whitetail biology, many changes begin to occur in mid to late-October each year including shorter days, colder temperatures and hormonal changes. As stated above, these hormonal changes cause bucks’ testosterone levels to rise as does come into estrous as deer prepare to breed. Bucks begin to show their dominance by scrapping, rubbing and fighting other bucks. Bucks also become more vocal this time of year as they communicate to other deer including vocalizations such as grunting and snort wheezing.

The 7 Phases of the Rut

The whitetail rut varies by region and state but generally follows the same timeline. Below is a detailed description of each phase of the rut in the Midwest.

• Pre-Rut – The pre-rut is the first stage of the rut that kicks off around mid to late-October. During this time, deer transition from predictable summer patterns to more sporadic fall behavior as food sources and cover changes. Deer sign becomes more prevalent in the form of rubs and scrapes. At the same time that deer activity starts to increase, so does hunting pressure.

• Seeking – The seeking phase typically takes place in late October to the first week of November. During this phase, bucks are becoming increasingly interested in where the does are and begin to expand their travel ranges in search of estrous does. Similar to the pre-rut, bucks are harder to pattern and daylight deer activity is increased. This is the time of the rut where many small bucks can be seen chasing does.

• Chasing – The chasing phase occurs in early to mid-November as mature bucks are scent checking and actively looking for estrous does. During this phase, big bucks are on their feet at all hours of the day and may travel further distances than normal in search of does. Bucks are most responsive to calling such as rattling and grunting at this time of the season. Testosterone levels in bucks are typically at their highest and buck behavior is unpredictable.

• Peak Rut – The peak rut normally occurs in mid-November when the majority of breeding actually takes place. If you can find does, you can almost always guarantee a buck in the area. Bucks are most aggressive during this phase and this is the best time to be in the woods.

• Lock Down – The lockdown or tending phase, typically happens in mid to late-November when does have been bred and daytime buck activity and sightings drop. After a doe has been bred, the buck will stay with the doe for a few days to ensure that she has conceived, and that other bucks don’t attempt to breed her. Bucks will tend to stick to thick cover to avoid being seen and will fight off other bucks that try to intervene. Bucks are still aggressive at this stage and will continue to look for more does after he has confirmed his current doe has conceived.

• Secondary Rut – The second rut occurs in early to mid-December, about a month after the regular rut. Most does have already been bred by this point in the season, but if for some reason a doe is not bred or does not conceive during the peak of the rut, she will cycle back into estrous again. Bucks will be on their feet searching for these does. Also in early to mid-December is when some doe fawns reach a large enough body size and weight to be bred. Most mature bucks have been pressured hard by this point in the season and are well-educated when it comes to hunters in the woods.

• Post Rut – The post rut marks the end of the rut around mid to late December. All does have now been bred and bucks’ testosterone levels begin to drop. This is the time of the year that many hunters refer to as the late season.

So when is the best time to hunt to increase your chances of encountering a mature whitetail? Many hunters will say between the Halloween and Thanksgiving holidays. More specifically, the few days leading up to and after Veteran’s Day seem to coincide with the peak of the rut most years. With an increased understanding of the phases of the whitetail rut, you’ll now be able to better plan your days off and prioritize time to be in the woods. For related articles, check out other posts from Bowhunting Depot!