2026 Deer Rut Calendar & Season Planner
Rut phase timeline
Aug 1 – Feb 28
RutPlanner organizes everything you need into four focused tabs. Start by selecting your state from the grid or dropdown at the top, then open My State for your peak rut window, rut-phase breakdown, and quick-reference season overview. Switch to Season Dates to filter the full 2026 archery, rifle, and muzzleloader calendar across all 50 states, or jump to Rut Calendar for a three-month view with moon phases and daily solunar activity ratings. When you are ready to book time off, the Vacation Planner ranks your best hunt windows and generates a copyable PTO request plus a Google Calendar link.
| Region | States | Peak Rut Window |
|---|---|---|
| Northeast & Great Lakes | ME, NH, VT, NY, PA, MI, WI, MN | Oct 31 – Nov 22 |
| Mid-Atlantic & Midwest | MD, VA, OH, IN, IL, IA, MO, KS | Nov 8 – Nov 28 |
| South-Central | TX (Central), OK, AR, KY, TN | Nov 7 – Nov 30 |
| Deep South | AL, MS, LA, GA, FL | Dec 6 – Feb (varies widely) |
| Western States | CO, WY, MT, ID, WA, OR | Nov 8 – Nov 22 |
Rut timing is driven by photoperiod — the shortening of daylight hours — not temperature or moon phase. This is why peak rut occurs at nearly the same calendar dates every year, even when weather patterns swing wildly from season to season.
Archery seasons typically open earliest (August through October), followed by rifle and firearm seasons (October through December), with muzzleloader seasons varying widely — some states slot them early, others run them deep into January. Always verify dates with your state's official DNR or wildlife agency before purchasing a license or entering the field. Select any state in the grid above to see exact 2026 archery, rifle, and muzzleloader dates for that state.
John Alden Knight developed Solunar Theory in 1926 based on the observation that fish and game activity appears to peak around lunar transits — the moments the moon is directly overhead or underfoot. Multiple modern GPS-collar studies, including research published by the Mississippi State University Deer Lab, have not found a statistically significant relationship between moon phase and whitetail deer movement. The rut itself is governed by photoperiod, not the moon, which is why peak dates remain stable year over year. Solunar ratings shown in the Rut Calendar are provided as a traditional hunting reference and should be weighted lightly compared to rut phase, cold-front timing, and wind direction.
Peak rut in 2026 varies by state and region. In most of the Midwest and Northeast, peak rut falls between November 8–22. Southern states run later — Alabama and Mississippi peak in December, while Florida and South Texas can peak in January. Use the state selector above to see exact dates for your state.
Peak rut is the period of maximum breeding activity among whitetail deer, typically lasting 1–3 weeks. During this window, bucks abandon their normal cautious behavior to seek does, making them far more visible and active during daylight hours. It is widely considered the best time of year to harvest a mature buck.
Scientific evidence is mixed. Multiple GPS-collar studies, including research from Mississippi State University's Deer Lab, have not found a consistent relationship between moon phase and deer movement. The rut is primarily driven by photoperiod — the shortening of daylight hours — which is why peak rut occurs at nearly the same calendar dates every year regardless of moon phase. Some hunters report increased daytime movement around full and new moons, but this has not been reliably confirmed in controlled research.
Season dates vary significantly by state and hunting method. Select your state in the planner above to see exact archery, rifle, and muzzleloader opening and closing dates for 2026. Always verify dates with your official state DNR or wildlife agency before purchasing a license.
The best days combine multiple favorable factors: dates within the peak rut window for your specific state or region, an open hunting season (rifle preferred for range), cold front passage or dropping temperatures, and mornings rather than afternoons. The Vacation Planner tab calculates and ranks your best hunt windows based on rut phase, open season, and moon phase combined.
The second rut occurs approximately 28 days after peak rut when doe fawns born that spring come into estrus for the first time. In most Midwest and Northeast states, the second rut falls in mid-to-late December 2026. Activity is less intense than the primary rut but can produce excellent hunting opportunities, especially for areas with high deer densities.
For a guided or outfitted hunt during peak rut, 12–18 months in advance is standard for top operations. For public land or private land access, 3–6 months is typically sufficient to arrange travel and accommodations. Use the Vacation Planner tab to identify your ideal window, then use the PTO Request copy button to submit your time-off request early.
The dates shown are statewide averages compiled from DNR fetal aging studies, university research, and hunter observation data. Local rut timing can vary by up to 2 weeks depending on your specific latitude, elevation, and local deer herd genetics. States with high regional variation — including Texas, Florida, South Carolina, and North Carolina — include a warning flag. Always cross-reference with your local DNR and your own trail camera observations.