Minnesota · Whitetail rut
Whitetail rut dates in Minnesota.
Minnesota's rut peaks November 5–20, with the far north running about a week behind southern farmland counties.
Nov 5 – Nov 14 → Nov 13 – Nov 22 · Minnesota Department of Natural Resources
Minnesota's whitetail rut runs across roughly two weeks of latitude variation. Southern farmland counties peak first, with the central transition zone in the middle and the Northwoods/border-counties peaking last. Photoperiod is the primary driver across the state's wide latitude range. MN DNR refines rut data through fetal-rate analysis of harvested does.
Zone
Southern Farmland
- Pre-rut
- Oct 23 – Nov 4
- Peak breeding
- Nov 5 – Nov 14
- Post-rut
- Nov 15 – Nov 28
- Late rut
- Dec 3 – Dec 16
Zone
Central Transition
- Pre-rut
- Oct 26 – Nov 8
- Peak breeding
- Nov 9 – Nov 18
- Post-rut
- Nov 19 – Dec 2
- Late rut
- Dec 7 – Dec 20
Zone
Northern Forest (Northwoods)
- Pre-rut
- Oct 30 – Nov 12
- Peak breeding
- Nov 13 – Nov 22
- Post-rut
- Nov 23 – Dec 6
- Late rut
- Dec 11 – Dec 24
Source
Data sourced from Minnesota DNR Section of Wildlife deer-program reports.
Minnesota Department of Natural Resources →Bield Hunt earns its predictions.
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