Louisiana · Whitetail rut
Whitetail rut dates in Louisiana.
Louisiana's rut is the most parish-variable in the South — some areas peak in October, others not until January.
Louisiana's whitetail rut variability rivals Mississippi and Alabama. The state publishes peak-breeding windows by Deer Management Area (DMA), reflecting historical restoration genetics and habitat differences across the state. North Louisiana parishes generally peak earliest, with central parishes in mid-rut, and certain southeast parishes not peaking until January. LDWF publishes a rut-by-DMA map updated as new fetal-rate data becomes available.
Zone
North Louisiana DMAs
- Pre-rut
- Oct 25 – Nov 7
- Peak breeding
- Nov 8 – Nov 18
- Post-rut
- Nov 19 – Dec 2
- Late rut
- Dec 7 – Dec 20
Zone
Central Louisiana DMAs
- Pre-rut
- Nov 15 – Nov 28
- Peak breeding
- Nov 29 – Dec 10
- Post-rut
- Dec 11 – Dec 24
- Late rut
- Dec 29 – Jan 10
Zone
Southeast Louisiana DMAs
- Pre-rut
- Dec 18 – Dec 30
- Peak breeding
- Dec 31 – Jan 12
- Post-rut
- Jan 13 – Jan 25
- Late rut
- Jan 30 – Feb 11
Source
Data sourced from LDWF's published rut-by-DMA breeding map and the agency's fetal-rate research program.
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