Maryland · Whitetail rut

Whitetail rut dates in Maryland.

Maryland's rut peaks November 8–16 across the state, with the Eastern Shore running a touch earlier than the western mountains.

Nov 6 – Nov 14 → Nov 11 – Nov 19 · Maryland Department of Natural Resources

Maryland's whitetail rut is tightly clustered in the second and third weeks of November. The Eastern Shore and Piedmont peak slightly earlier than Western Maryland, but the spread rarely exceeds a week. MD DNR collects fetal-rate data through hunter-harvested does to refine these windows annually.

Zone

Eastern Shore

Pre-rut
Oct 23 – Nov 5
Peak breeding
Nov 6 – Nov 14
Post-rut
Nov 15 – Nov 28
Late rut
Dec 3 – Dec 16

Zone

Central & Piedmont

Pre-rut
Oct 25 – Nov 7
Peak breeding
Nov 8 – Nov 16
Post-rut
Nov 17 – Nov 30
Late rut
Dec 5 – Dec 18

Zone

Western Maryland

Pre-rut
Oct 28 – Nov 10
Peak breeding
Nov 11 – Nov 19
Post-rut
Nov 20 – Dec 3
Late rut
Dec 8 – Dec 21

Source

Data sourced from Maryland DNR Wildlife & Heritage Service deer-program reports and agency rut summaries.

Maryland Department of Natural Resources

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