Florida · Whitetail rut
Whitetail rut dates in Florida.
Florida has the most extreme rut variation in the country — bucks peak in July in some zones and February in others.
Florida's whitetail rut is the most variable in North America. The state's Deer Management Units (DMUs) span a range of latitudes, photoperiods, and historical genetic sources. Some south-central units see peak conception in July or August (the only true summer rut in the lower 48), while north Florida units peak in fall and panhandle units in winter. FWC publishes peak-breeding windows by DMU and updates them as new fetal-rate data becomes available.
Zone
South Florida (DMUs A1, A2)
- Pre-rut
- Jul 5 – Jul 20
- Peak breeding
- Jul 21 – Aug 10
- Post-rut
- Aug 11 – Aug 31
- Late rut
- Sep 5 – Sep 25
Zone
Central Florida (DMUs B, C)
- Pre-rut
- Sep 20 – Oct 5
- Peak breeding
- Oct 6 – Oct 25
- Post-rut
- Oct 26 – Nov 10
- Late rut
- Nov 15 – Nov 30
Zone
North Florida & Panhandle (DMUs D)
- Pre-rut
- Jan 5 – Jan 20
- Peak breeding
- Jan 21 – Feb 10
- Post-rut
- Feb 11 – Feb 25
- Late rut
- Mar 1 – Mar 15
Source
Data sourced from FWC's published peak-breeding map of Florida Deer Management Units and ongoing agency fetal-rate research.
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