Rutting in Whitetail Deer – Early vs. Late

What about the early and late ruts? Hunters often talk about the rut being early or late. In much of Texas at least, the breeding season for white-tailed deer is fairly predictable each year. Within a specific area, habitat conditions not only affect fawn survival, but can affect the timing of breeding as well. For example, a doe in poor condition (not enough deer food)or a young doe may not breed until late in the season. In addition, a doe may be attractive to bucks for about five days, but may be willing to breed for a period of only 24 hours. If the doe is not bred during her first cycle, she will generally come into heat again about 28 days later.

In areas where there are a low number of bucks compared to does, a doe may not encounter a buck when she is first receptive and may not be bred until one of her later cycles. A hunter who sees the late breeding activity may be convinced that there was a late rut. On the other hand, those who see does attended by bucks in the early part of the season believe there was an early rut. This biological reasoning helps explain the wide variety of opinions on the timing of the rut during a particular year.

Furthermore, hunting activity itself has a lot to do with the “perceived” timing of the rut. Traditionally, hunters are more likely to be in the field during cooler weather. They will usually be out in force with the onset of the first weekend cold font during the deer season. When there are many observers spending time in the field it is more likely that breeding activity will be noticed. Basically, more people to see what’s going on… more material for the coffee shop.

White-tailed bucks, like the people who hunt them, have a tendency to move around during cool weather. Bucks are ready to breed and are looking for a willing doe. More movement means more opportunity to encounter a receptive doe. This increased movement helps give rise to the idea that cold weather causes the rut. However, if you think about it, this theory is disproved by white-tailed deer breeding in tropical climates.

It was once thought that late fawning could be a problem in areas where survival was low and antlers were poorly developed. Newly weaned fawns on the range in late fall would have a harder time surviving. A lack of adequate deer nutrition at this time could affect future body and antler production. The study showed that very few fawns are born late in Texas. Of course, south Texas has the latest breeding period. But even there, fawns are born before August and are weaned by October.

Just some things to consider when someone brings up the late and early rut.