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Hunting the Phases of the Deer Rut
Uncover why the deer rut is an ideal time for hunters, with heightened activity, increased chances of encounters, and strategic hunting tactics.
Your Guide to the Whitetail Rut
The 2025 deer rut forecast is live. Whether you’re chasing big woods bucks or hitting the farm, we’ve got your best hunt days mapped out.
2025 Whitetail Rut
Cold mornings, hot sign, family time—’tis the season. We crunched the data so you don’t have to: Here’s your rut plan.
On-the-Ground Rut Reports
As the rut progresses, we’re sharing intel from region to region. Check here for weekly updates from the field before you head out.
Make the Most of the Deer Rut With onX Hunt
onX Hunt is made for hunters, by hunters, so when it comes to having an edge in the field for pursuing bucks, the Hunt App is as vital as the stand you sit in or the food plot you’re set up over.
Optimal Wind
Set your ideal wind direction for any location. Choosing which stand to hunt is as simple as opening the Hunt App and looking for green.
“I play the wind every sit. I can look at the map and see the 4-6 locations that will work best for the wind that morning or evening. – Sam Soholt, onX Hunt Ambassador
Deer Movement Forecast
onX Hunt’s Deer Movement Forecast helps you make the most of every sit this season.
By analyzing dozens of parameters, including factors like wind, weather, and observational data from aggregated movement insights, we give you the best times to hunt.
Lidar
Lidar gives you topographic detail down to three meters, allowing you to see terrain nuance like never before.
Discover small benches, rocky outcroppings, and old road beds to help you find the next best tree for a stand.
Start Mapping Today
Join the millions of hunters who trust onX Hunt to help them fill their freezers.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does the whitetail rut last?
In general, the rut will last about a month. Does have a 28-day estrous cycle. Higher doe numbers can yield a longer rut period. The farther south you go, the longer the rut can last, due to the warmer climate.
Best states to hunt during the rut?
When bucks get rutted up, nearly every area has its moments as the best place to hunt the rut. The most important thing is understanding rut timing in your area and committing to being in the stand as much as you can when the time is right so you don’t miss the magic. If you haven’t yet reviewed the National Deer Association’s latest Deer Report, it offers state-by-state statistics and insights into trends.
What signs show the rut is starting in my area?
A few examples of rutting behaviors to be on the lookout for are dark tarsal glands on bucks, bucks sparring and chasing does, and fawns seen alone or with other fawns.
What are the best deer calls to use during the rut?
There are three primary calls used in the whitetail woods:
- Rattling antlers seem to be most successful during the pre-rut when dominance is getting established (but can continue to be a lethal tactic into peak rut).
- A grunt tube is something everyone hunting during the rut should carry. A grunt tube is especially effective when you have a buck in sight and can call him to your location during the rut. Of course, this tactic doesn’t work very well on a field edge, but it can be deadly in the timber.
- The doe bleat can be another great tactic when hunting cover that a buck would have to come to close range to investigate.