When is Peak Whitetail Rut in Your Area?
Whitetail hunters have always been trying to solve the riddle of the rut for as long as we have been hunting them. There are many theories about what triggers the rut and when it actually occurs. While some may say it depends on things like the weather, it really all comes down to when the does are ready to be bred. Luckily in the state of Texas, predicting the peak of the rut in your area doesn’t have to be as complicated, especially when you look at a little bit of data!
The peak of the rut in Texas will fall anywhere from the early fall to late winter depending on the area where you are at. Most hunters are actively seeking to hunt the rut, as this gives them some of the best opportunities at the largest bucks in their area. During the rut, their attention is turned to chasing does and they are much more susceptible to being found and killed.
A recent study done by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department came up with some interesting dates as far as peak rut times go. They found that in the Rolling Plains area, most does were bred at a peak date of December 3rd in the northern stretches and a peak of November 20 in the southern portion. In comparison, South Texas had the latest peak rut dates with most does being bred well past the middle of December.
In the Edwards Plateau area, the area with the highest concentration of deer (and hunters) the data showed the most does were bred in the eastern region around November 7th, the central region around November 24th, and the western region with a peak of December 5th. This clearly shows a difference in dates according to geography, with each area experiencing different dates in the cycle.
This study showed that the rut can also change depending on many factors, including the age of the does and those in poor physical condition. These does generally not breed until later dates, altering any potential rut behavior in their areas. The study also showed that these dates can and do change from year to year, depending on weather conditions, habitat changes, and overall deer populations! But while the rut does seem to vary a little from year to year, looking at different trends in specific areas can help you pin down a general timeframe that you can expect to see the most rutting behavior.
Because hunting the rut is so advantageous, any veteran deer hunter will tell you that it is the best time to be out hunting. Hunting big, mature whitetail can be like hunting a ghost. You just won’t be able to see them until the rut comes along. This is why, by examining trends and timing your hunt to conicide with the peak of the rut and breeding activity, you can stack the deck in your favor and kill that buck of a lifetime!
