North Dakota · Whitetail rut

Whitetail rut dates in North Dakota.

North Dakota's whitetail rut peaks November 5–15, with prairie bucks running tight to the first half of November.

Nov 5 – Nov 14 → Nov 7 – Nov 16 · North Dakota Game and Fish Department

North Dakota's whitetail rut peaks in the first half of November across the state's prairie, river-bottom, and badlands habitat. The state's open-prairie deer density supports highly visible rutting behavior — bucks cruising fence lines and shelter belts are easy to glass in early November. ND Game and Fish publishes annual deer harvest summaries and rut data.

Zone

Eastern Prairie & River Bottoms

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

Western Prairie & Badlands

Pre-rut
Oct 25 – Nov 6
Peak breeding
Nov 7 – Nov 16
Post-rut
Nov 17 – Nov 30
Late rut
Dec 5 – Dec 18

Source

Data sourced from North Dakota Game and Fish Department Wildlife Division deer-program reports.

North Dakota Game and Fish Department

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